Don’t Be Afraid to Be Oddly Different
On a regular basis, clients ask us what’s new and exciting in promotional products and corporate gifts. We like to help them open that question up a bit further by asking how different they want their giveaway program to be…eyebrows get raised with that one. Of course the first target is to pair the perfect giveaway package to our clients’ audience, however a key driver of helping them spread their brand and create loyalty to that audience is to help them stand out in a crowd by providing oddly different, but useful giveaways. Here are a few items that oddly different, yet useful, and showed the creativity that our clients wanted to extend to their audience.
On August 21 of this year, the first solar eclipse in over 99-years will travel across much of the USA. Viewing the eclipse requires certified viewing glasses, which a few creative suppliers in the industry have figured out how to turn into a branding opportunity.
Earlier this year, we got a call from a series of Summer Space & Education camps asking for something they have never seen before. They offered Eclipse Viewers imprinted with early bird offers for 2018 camp signups.
These viewers can be branded with any full-color artwork and offer a unique keepsake of this once-in-a-lifetime event. Eclipse Viewers, starting at $0.75.
Portable USB Water Bottle Humidifier
Works with any water bottle, this unique product moisturizes skin, increases humidity, reducing dust and removing odors in some cases. It even shuts itself off after 8-hours.
We have promoted this item to Event Planners all over the country who incorporate wellness within their events.
Available in blue or white. Portable Water Bottle Humidifier, starting at $11.75
02 Cool Mist n Sip Hydration Bottle
This unique patented product provides a combination, all-in-one mist and drink. Customers cool down on the outside while staying hydrated on the inside.
We’ve provided this amazing, multi-functional item to non-profit fun run events with huge success.
Mist N Sip Hydration Bottle, starting $7.99
Although the kids are raging about these fidgets, we adults have always had fidgets within our reach. Originally, we would drum our pencil eraser head on our notebooks in boredom, kids today are spinning colorful sprockets or clicking buttons on a little cube. Have you ever heard of worry stones? Same thing here. However, this new craze, totally unique upon itself is a huge rage, and cannot be ignored by any age group. From education to tradeshows, we have supplied clients with fidget spinners and fidget cubes, to help them start up unique conversations while promoting their brand with trendy items.
Fidget Spinners / Cubes starting at $1.65
Another way to keep clients within their comfort zone, but still think outside of the box is this unique packaging. Not just for gum, but nearly anything can be packaged in full-color creative of your branding in this familiar “sleeved” product packaging. Golf Tees, Sunscreen packets, Mints, even Tea Bags.
We have a pet-hotel client that uses this packaging filled with four dog biscuits, with huge success.
Sleeved Packaging, from $0.99.
Yes! Washable. Paper. This unique product is a conversation starter all on its own, with usefulness and a promotional tool. Bags and totes are the promotional products that yield the most impressions, mainly because they get used, re-used, and they are carried around for the world to see. Now that a washable paper tote, also easily re-usable, has come available, the benefits of a promotional tote have ratcheted up a few notches; not to mention the environmentally-friendliness of this new and out-of-the-box item.
We provided this item to an elementary school earth day project, because our client wanted the kids, (and their parents), to see earth-friendly products in action.
Washable Paper Tote Bag, many sizes and handle options available, starting from $3.99
Whether used for greeting cards, social stationary or promotions, this all-natural seed paper makes its most meaningful impact when planted. Available in any shape, color or size, from ID wristbands to business cards, to ornaments, to tags, this paper is a unique way to show you are thinking of the environment in a creative way to promote your brand. Many seed options are also available offering flowers, herbs, vegetables, grasses, and even trees.
We provided seeded paper invitations in the shape of the cure cancer ribbon to one of our hospital clients for a women’s day function. The idea (and event) was shared all over social media to the hospital’s benefit.
Seeded Paper Products, starting from $0.43 for tags, to $0.53 for business cards, and $0.70 for invitations
Any item that has multiple functions; USEFUL functions is a homerun, and will stay in your customers’ possession for a long time. In this case, the Phone Stand Flashlight Stylus Pen fits the bill, not to mention it can be carried around easily in a pocket or a purse or backpack. On top of all that, this awesome, multi-tool will carry your brand’s message, so your customers will remember who gave them such a useful item.
We have a bunch of these with the REV Branding information on them. We bring some to each client on a daily basis, and time after time, they are stunned at the genius this simple pen provides. That is exactly how your clients will react as well.
4-in-1 Phone Stand Flashlight Stylus Pen, starting from $1.25
Being oddly different is not always a bad thing. And in the case of your promotional giveaways, it could mean the difference between a potential customer wanting to do business with you or not. Being different with your gifts shows how creative and outside-the-box you are, and can set a great image for you, your team, and your brand. So don’t be afraid to be oddly different, and if you need help, we are all very different around here, and would be glad to share that “creativity”.
About the Author
Kevin T Williams is Sales Executive at REV Branding, matching the perfect customized branding, apparel, and Promotional Products to any businesses customer demographic. “Always at your service”.
His writing contribution credits include Hotel Executive, Sports Events Marketing, and Men’s Health Magazine to name a few.
You can connect with Kevin on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram
