by Kirby Hasseman
Welcome to a super awesome blog post series for Hasseman Marketing called:
“Brand-ecdotes!”
Each week we will talk to a branding all star about what make the Promotional Product advertising media so special!
This week we talk to Amanda Delaney from Imagen Brands. Amanda has been all over the Promo industry and lends her story and personality to us today! Take it away Amanda!
1. What is your all-time favorite Promotional Product and why?
I have so many of my products that I absolutely love, and feel like I should definitely plug them, but my all time favorite promo product is a tee shirt. With all of the amazing products in our industry, a tee shirt will always be a walking billboard. Furthermore, I have so many branded tee shirts from events or times in my life that remind me of that time, and those memories are so awesome to have every time I’m wearing one. I recently went to an event in Raleigh where some industry friends brought tee shirts to hand out, and I love wearing them because it reminds me of the epic weekend I had. Tee shirts are by far my favorite.
2. Can you name a Promo Product that you have that STILL reminds you fondly of an event, person, organization? If so, can you tell us that story?
My mom died almost three years ago, and when I was cleaning out her house I found a Seahwaks lanyard under her bed. I’m from Seattle, so I ‘m a die hard Seahawks fan, but that all comes from my mom as there isn’t a bigger fan out there than she was. I hated when she watched football growing up, until she explained the game to me and we eventually came to talk Hawks all of the time. When I found it, I had been thinking at the exact same time how our last conversation was about the upcoming season and how I wouldn’t have any more seasons with her. That stupid lanyard brought me to my knees, and I laughed at the same time thinking of my mom telling me “don’t be sad, I’ll get to watch them in Heaven”. I have that lanyard on my keys to this day, and I put it around my neck multiple times a day carrying product into my meetings. I have never in my life loved a piece of cloth tied to a snap as much as I love this lanyard.
3. What is the current product you use all the time?
For sure it’s my (Crown’s) braided long cable!! It’s a six foot extension cord to your existing phone charger cable – IT’S GENIUS!! I spend so many nights in a hotel that when you have that to lay on the right side of the bed and still have your phone in your hands (I know, first world problems), it’s amazing. I love it so much there’s one one the five chargers I have in my house and car. It’s such a cool thing.
4. What is an idea/product that you think organizations UNDER use?
Spec samples. SPECS SELL. And when you have a good partnership with a supplier,we will do that for free (atleast I will), but there’s also something to be said in the distributor putting some skin into it. Either way, the idea of specs is so underused, and I really wish it was taken advantage of more than it is.
5. What do you think is the best thing about Promotional Products as an advertising media?
First and foremost it’s the people. I have never met more driven, passionate and solid people as I have than those I meet in this industry. So selfishly for me, that makes me love what I do even more. I’m so inspired by so many people who love what they do as much as I do, and it’s a wonderful thing to be a part of. But on a larger scale, people love what we do for them! I’ve head it a million times and I stand by it, we’re the only channel of marketing and advertising that people spend money with us and say THANK YOU. There is nothing better than seeing your product out in the community or on Facebook, and you know that not only did you do that for your customer, you helped your customer do that for theirs. It’s a really fulfilling and satisfying feeling that I definitely live for every day.
And…that’s the another edition of Brand-ecdotes! Thanks to Amanda Delaney for taking the time to jump in on this project! Awesome stuff here!
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by Kirby Hasseman
I love what we do. Whether you call it Promo, SWAG, Premiums, Branded Merchandise, you name it.
We do marketing. We do fun.
And with each month, some of the best and the brightest minds are continually coming up with new and cooler products that all of us can put branded messages on. I just love it.
As I have said before (and I will say again) Promotional Products affect human behavior. If you want to drive people to a website, to work safer, to come to an event or to donate to a cause…the best organizations use Promo because it works. But what do I use on a regular basis? After all, I am in the industry! So what do I find myself using each week?
Though it changes, and I will update this list at some point…here are a few items I find myself using every week!
Clip It Vent Mount:You can find more details here.
12 oz Urban Peak 3 in 1 Insulator: this will be appreciated.
Stay Organized Journal: We did these as a team and I did not expect to like them as much as I do! It’s a great size and it has a great look. And let’s face it, no one ever throws away a journal. So as I use it each day to take notes (including ideas about this blog), I think this is a home run.
Twist Erase Mechanical Pencil: Check it out here.
Mission Pack Backpack: When it comes to backpacks, I know there are a lot of options. But this one just seems to suit me. I love the shape, color and functionality of this bag. I use it for my daily trip to and from the office. And I have even used it on longer, cross country trips as well. Oh…and have I mentioned you can do as few as one with your logo? Well…that’s pretty cool. Get more information here. So those are just 5 Promotional Products that I am using all the time.
Want more ideas that can excite you and your team? Shop here now. Oh…and make sure you never miss an update by signing up for our VIP newsletter here.
by Kirby Hasseman
Things go wrong. It’s unfortunate. But it’s reality. Despite a great idea, good execution and the best of intentions, there are times when things just don’t go as planned. You lost the sale. Your company failed. You let the opportunity go. Whatever. It happens. But what do you do then? I think the common reaction is to protect…to go on defense. It’s the reaction where you justify the failure and to protect your ego and your brain. This is the depressive state where you huddle up on your office, or your home, or your safe place and you avoid the outside world. This a natural and very human reaction. And for a time, it might be necessary. But it’s not productive. Once we can, the better reaction is to go on offense. This reaction attacks the problem and tries to fix it or learn from it. Lost the sale? Okay…but why? What could I have done better? Can it still be saved? What do I need to do? What can I control? When things are slow in sales, what do you do? Do you wait for the phone to ring? Or do you, like a lot of people, create “busy work” that will make it look like you are being proactive, but really keep you from being uncomfortable? I have done that. And while we are there, we can convince ourselves we are busy. But it’s not really offense. If you are at that crossroads this morning (as many of us are), it’s time to make a choice. Make a list of the things you know you need to do. This is a list of the things that make you uncomfortable…but could help you succeed. Now go do those. As Jocko Willink, former Navy Seal and author of Extreme Ownership, would say, “You have a problem….Good.” 
Things went wrong. But today is a new day. Now…go on offense. Make sure you never miss your motivation and inspiration. Sign up for our VIP Newsletter here. And as always, you can always shop online for great promotional gifts for your team here.
by Kirby Hasseman
The Delivering Marketing Joy Podcast is back! Our goal here is to attack 2018 with a vengeance! The Delivering Marketing Joy Podcast will provide some inspiration, motivation and education to make it happen! Consider this your 10 minute “kick in the pants” to get your week started off right!
This week on the podcast I talk about a few people that I admire. These are people who are very publicly chasing a dream that might not work. Everyone loves to celebrate the person on the stage with the award. But to get there, you have to have the courage to go for it…when it might not succeed. Here are a few people that are doing that right now…and I love it.
As I said, I admire them. If you want to admire them too…find them here.
Tyler Smilo: As I mentioned, Tyler is a musician that is originally from Coshocton. Now he travels around and plays all over. He is great. Here is his Facebook page.
Co-Lab: Here is a page that will be very interesting if you are in the Promo Industry. These two supplier companies are working together to create a better experience for distributors and customers. Learn more here.
Tanner Ward: Tanner is a fisherman (who happens to date my daughter). This past weekend he fished at the College Bassmasters National Tournament. He made the final day…by himself. Here is his facebook page. Now we need to get this boy some sponsors. 🙂
Each of these people are chasing something that might not work. That is where the magic happens. It’s the courage to step out and make it happen.
That wraps up the message from the DMJ Podcast today. Please make sure you subscribe the DMJ Podcast in iTunes, Soundcloud or wherever you listen. Oh…and make sure you never miss an update! Sign up for our VIP newsletter here!
by Kirby Hasseman
I struggle with FOMO. There…I said it. Like just about everyone else I know, I spend summer looking at social media and seeing everyone else’s perfect vacations, exciting trips, and exhilarating lives! Wow…they really do have it great! Why can’t I take more trips like that? And for me, it’s not just vacations. Because I am a nerd about work, I also have FOMO when I see people in my industry jet-setting around the country to different events. They are learning and networking and growing…and I am mowing the lawn. FOMO at it’s finest. That’s why I was really intrigued when I came across this headline on Linkedin.
JOMO is the new FOMO
Instead of living in perpetual fear of missing out, many are embracing a new approach to our always-on, tech-dependent lives. They are taking the time to tune out. Call it JOMO, or the joy of missing out.
As this article in the New York Times explains, the new JOMO is a way to explain the “Joy of Missing Out.” There is a mounting fear among many (and I am among them) that we are becoming way too reliant on our mobile devices to entertain us. Every time there is ANY type of downtime in our lives, we turn to the phone. We don’t look around and talk to the people around us (ick). We don’t pause and consider the cosmos. We don’t meditate. We mindlessly scroll through our social feed. We all do it. I do it too. It is (very literally) addictive. Every time we get a notification or a new update in the feed, we get a boost of dopamine. It’s the same chemical that is released in our body when we use alcohol or gamble. Now let’s be clear. This is not a “get off my lawn” moment. I believe there is way more good than harm from being more connected. But on the other side, it’s also important to remember that these tools were designed to make us feel more connected…not the other way around. So on this Sunday it might be time to discover the power of JOMO. Disconnect. Go for a walk. Meditate. Go for a run. Walk your dog. Talk to your kid. Who knows? Maybe when someone sees you, they will feel like they are “missing out” on your adventures. Make sure you never “miss out” on any of the content we are creating! Sign up for our VIP newsletter today! Once a week, we email you with all of the content we create during the week. Sign up here.
