by Kirby Hasseman
It’s time for a tradition like no other! Each week, our very own Jeff Wickerham takes the time to highlight a specific promotional product that he thinks YOU should know about! 
This week Jeff is highlighting the Hot/Cold pack! Watch the video above and learn more. Want to check pics, costs and more? Click here! And if you never want to miss our content, sign up for our VIP list! Each week we make sure you see our latest content and get some special offers too.
by Kirby Hasseman
It’s nearly time for the little ghosts and goblins in every community to start roaming the streets. And whether you are the one that hands out apples or Snickers bars, you know that Halloween is fast approaching. But what can you do in this season to market your business? Turns out, a lot. In addition to sugary treats, there are several cool ideas that will help to make your business stand out…and help kids stay safe. Skinny Flashlight: This is a fun item for both the kids and the adults. On the night of trick or treating, this will come in handy. But it will also give branding value for many nights to come. Check this out here. Safety Reflector Light: Yes…safety is a concern this time of year. The time has changed and there are a lot of excited kids out there! This piece can hang on backpacks (all year) and acts has a reflector AND a light! Click here for details. Grande Tote: Let’s face it. If they are getting candy, they want it all! Here is a great promotional piece that works extremely well for trick or treat. But it also has long lasting branding power at the grocery store…and any place else you need to carry things! Check out details on this bag here. Gommer Head Lamp: Okay so this might be strange for Halloween…but we love these! Not only will drivers be able to see your trick or treater, but they will be able to see as well. In addition, you can be sure this will be used year-round by those who work with their hands…or even those that run at night. This is awesome. Be Safe Bracelet: This is the safety item they will WANT to wear. This fun bracelet will not only be easy to see in the dark, but it will be a stylish piece too. All the superheroes will have them! Check this out here. So these are just a few ideas that will help you stand out in a crowded market place this Halloween! If you want more ideas, just let us know! Oh…and never miss an update by signing up for our VIP newsletter here.
by Kirby Hasseman
It is REALLY hard to believe, but the 4th quarter is upon us! And if this year has been any indication so far, October, November and December are going to fly by. That’s why now is the time to start thinking about saying “thank you” to your employees, stakeholders and best customers. Yes. It matters. Did you know that studies show that 69% of customers that leave you will do so because of “perceived indifference?” That’s right. They will leave because they think you don’t really care. That is a statistic that can be hard to swallow. But now is the time of year that you can assure that doesn’t happen. On the other hand, we understand that you don’t want to completely break the bank. So here are a few “frequently asked questions” that might be able to help you through the appreciation process. Do I have to buy for everyone? This is a tough one. This is a “yes, but…” answer. The obvious answer is, “do you want everyone to feel appreciated?” You should probably want all of your customers to know you appreciate their business. They are, after all, giving you money! But that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to appreciate them all evenly. The fact is, most companies have the 80/20 rule. 20% of their customers will often represent 80% of their overall business. If that is true for you, then you want to make sure the 20% REALLY know you appreciate them! What we recommend is to select a gift that is extra special and get that delivered to your top clients. Then create an “everyone” gift as well. This can be a nice, lower cost item that can also be a gift for prospects as well. Do I have to buy a LOT of quantity? Not always. Depending on how many you need, and the budget you want to spend on each person, we have many suppliers that can do very low quantity so you can make sure every customer and employee is recognized. Just let us know and we can guide you to a lower quantity option. What about Food? Food can be a great gift for the year end. First, it’s a customary item around the holidays. But maybe more importantly, its a great share-able item! Let’s say you have 4 customers in one office, a gift basket can be a gift for all of them! One thing you want to consider about food is freshness. When you go to a department store and see gift baskets out in October (or earlier), just know that those were likely put together months in advance. How fresh could that food possibly be? Just something to consider. We have some amazing food options for your year end needs. Those are just a couple of questions we get! We are glad to answer any additional questions you have too! What is most important is to remember to say “thank you” to your customers and employees. You will be glad you took the time! If you want to make sure you stay on top of all of our updates, sign up for our VIP list here.
by Kirby Hasseman
Begin with the end in mind. In Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” this is Habit number 2. Covey tells us to think to our own funeral. He tells us to consider what we hope people will say about the life we lived. Then he reminds us to go live that life…create that legacy. I was reminded of this during the past week as I prepared to give the eulogy at a friend’s funeral. He was my best friend growing up. He was the best man at my wedding. But there I was, preparing to try to speak about his life and his impact on me. It was an honor to have been asked. But wow. For the better part of a week, I struggled with what stories to tell and what words to use. What would he want me to say? What would his family need to hear? Honestly, what would be therapeutic for me to say? But of course there are no special words in a situation like that. What I think brings healing in those moments are to celebrate a life lived. We did that, I think. Eric was very much my brother. I certainly hope we all remember the best in him. But now, as is the case in situations like this, we are expected to move on. So this week, as I come out of the fog of grief (piece by piece), I am reminded of Habit number 2. What do I want people to remember about me? What life do I want to have lived? What legacy do I want to have created? I have thought a lot about that. Now I need to begin with end in mind…and go live that life.
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by Kirby Hasseman
It’s hard to keep track. In today’s cacophonous echo chamber of content and constant “news,” it’s hard to know what to listen to. It’s hard to know what is worth clicking on. So many of us default to the the latest trending topic or soundbite. It’s understandable, but it’s reactionary. I think it’s more important than ever to be intentional about the voices we allow into our head (on a regular basis). Just like we become more like the 5 people we hang out with the most, we start to parrot ideas we hear on a regular basis. So here are some voices that I seek out as I try to “fill my head with good ideas and thoughts.” Jeff Haden: If you are in sales or an entrepreneur and you are not reading Jeff Haden already, check him out now. He is a leading contributor for LinkedIn and Inc.com. He is a really good writer (and a good dude). Every time I see something that he has posted, I read it. Here is the latest. Bill Petrie: This one is a little self-serving since Bill and I collaborate a lot. But his Monday blog posts are great. Bill is a veteran of the Promo Industry and understands the idea that we are all “media companies.” Read his latest piece here. Gary Vaynerchuk: If you have not seen or heard of Gary, I am surprised. But he is a huge motivator for me. I can’t listen to all of his content (I have other stuff to do!) but it seems I get a nugget each time when I do. He is direct and foul-mouthed and awesome. He is best on Youtube and you can find that here. Bobby Lehew: If you are wanting thoughtful insights and wonderful interviewing, you need to listen to Skucast with Bobby Lehew. Bobby is with Commonsku and is their Chief Content Creator. He also often gets to interview Mark Graham…and you just won’t find two brighter minds in the Promo Industry. Listen to an example of Skucast here. Seth Godin: One of the leading minds in marketing, Seth Godin is a true thought leader. Want motivation and education every day? You need to read his blog. Yes he posts every day. I am also super proud to have had the chance to have him on Episode 100 of Delivering Marketing Joy! John Lee Dumas: I would be lying if I said I listened to all of his podcasts. That’s because JLD interviews a new entrepreneur EVERY SINGLE DAY! John is an inspiration on how to build an entire business around content. He is also a great person to help you blow your “don’t have time excuses!” Check his site out here. There are MANY other great content creators I read, watch and listen to…but this is a good start. Who have I forgotten? What other great content creators are out there that we should listen to? Let us know! And if you never want to miss our content, sign up for our VIP list! Each week we make sure you see our latest content and get some special offers too.
