by Kirby Hasseman
At Hasseman Marketing, we are proud of the team that helps us “Deliver Marketing Joy” each and every day. So we wanted to introduce you to some of our peeps with our series we call “Brand-ecdotes.” Today we get to meet Bree McAndrews!
What is something fun that not everyone knows about you?
There are quite a few things! I am a proud mom of two beautiful spunky (and strong-willed!) girls 😊 I love to bake and create new recipes for friends and family. And…I have jumped out of an airplane more than half a dozen times!
What is your all-time favorite Promotional Product and why?
Favorite promotional product(s): I love to travel and wish I could more. These are some of my favorite pieces I have come across to date that allow me to stay connected, safe and fashionable in my travels.
-hand sanitizer
-camera blocker
-blue light glasses
-rfid card for wallet
-3 in 1 luggage strap with scale and tsa lock
What is the current product you use all the time?
RFID Card is always in my wallet! I also have so many clients who choose these as giveaways at their trade shows, career fairs, general advertising!
What is a company or brand that you admire and why?
This is difficult! I have a few I really like. One being Intuit and former CEO Brad Smith personally calling me regarding a handwritten letter I sent him discussing an awesome article he wrote that really hit home to me. Also – Moosejaw has to have some of the best/funniest marketing strategies. Recently I was driving and one of their trucks pulled up behind me. I looked in my rearview mirror and their front bumper sticker says “You have a flat tire – JK” Also a few holidays ago they were doing a national white elephant gift exchange for any gifts you received that you didn’t want you could ship to their HQ and they would take another gift they received from someone and send it to you along with a coupon. I wish I participated to see what random thing I would have received.
What is your favorite part of “Delivering Marketing Joy?”
I have the best most creative team! I learn so much from every team member. I work remotely and I still feel very much a part of the team! AWESOME people!
At Hasseman Marketing, we love our team. Want to learn more about us? Head to our About Us page here.
by Kirby Hasseman
I recently made a whirlwind trip to Las Vegas for the annual PPAI Expo. (You can watch a video of me doing the whole trip in 3 minutes here). The PPAI Expo is the largest trade show for the Promotional and Marketing world. Tens of thousands of marketing professionals come from all over the world to descend on Las Vegas for a week of networking, parties, meetings and new products. I enjoy going out each year to reconnect with friends and to see what the latest and greatest new products are going to be.
At the PPAI Expo, you tend to see what the trends are going to be…before they are trends.
Usually the trend is a really cool product category, or a specific product that might be a fad. But the trend I noticed this year was not a product and (hopefully) not a fad. This year, the trend I saw was “Promotions with a Purpose.”
Promotions with a Purpose
Nearly every booth I attended had a product with a “give back” component to it. What does that mean? It means that many companies in the Promo industry are either creating products or partnering with brands that have created products that give back a portion of their proceeds to help others. I have often said that the Power of Promo is that it affects human behavior. Combining this “super power” with the idea of a giving component can have amazing impact.
Take for example Basecamp, a brand that partners with Promotional Products Supplier Sweda, to donate proceeds to help members of our Wounded Warrior Community heal. I had the opportunity to see Dan Nevins speak, and his story and his impact is powerful.
Or what about MIIR? Promotional Supplier Gemline is partnering with this brand that is dedicated to bringing clean water to areas in need. These are just a few…the give back component was everywhere.
This idea of Promotions with a Purpose is exciting to me because I think it highlights something that our media (and industry) does well. Promotional Products have a history of impacting the non-profit world. From fundraiser gifts to 5K’s, promo can help you grow the impact of a cause. With this newest trend with suppliers (and the PromoCares initiative) we are suddenly doing a much better job of telling that story.
So what does that mean for you? It’s simple. If you want to create a marketing campaign that has both an impact to your awareness AND to the community, you can. Let us know if we can help.
If you want to learn more about us, you can head here. And if you want to make sure you never miss any of our content, check out out blog page now.
by Kirby Hasseman
I have been talking about the idea of “giving first” in your sales and marketing strategy on this blog for a while. It’s a concept I am passionate about. I believe in it. I have written blog posts about it and I have spoken about it.
As of today, I have written a book about it too! The Give First Economy (and how to succeed in it) is officially available for sale and I would love it if you would check it out. The simple concept behind the book is this, in today’s world I believe the entrepreneurs, sales professionals, companies and organizations that provide value upfront will win. Why? It’s simple. In this “give first economy” we have the ability to build relationships with our prospects and customers. When we do that, we create the chance for long-term success.
And…as a side note…the Audiobook is now available too!
But make no mistake, this path is not easy.
Creating a business that “gives first” will take time and hard work. That is why the 2nd half of the book focuses on the art of getting more done. This part of the book is based on the science of the brain and studies that back it up.
So if you are interested in creating a business or organization that grows by doing business (and life) “the right way,” the first part of the book is for you. If you want to have science based principles that will help you get more accomplished, part two of the book should help you!
Want to get your own copy of the new book? You can get it here!
Are you a person that would rather listen than read? We have you covered. The audiobook is HERE!
And if you want to get your digital copy, the ebook is here (and for this week you can get it for free)
Thanks so much for continually reading this blog and supporting us as we try to spread #MarketingJoy! We really do try to “give first” and hope to help you do the same.
Want to learn more about Hasseman Marketing? Great! Head over to our About us page here!
by Kirby Hasseman
One of the best pieces of advice I got when I first got in the promotional industry is simple. “The cost of a promotional item is not determined at the point of purchase. It is determined at the point of usage.” To translate into simple terms, it means “you get what you pay for.”
The cost of any item matters. Regardless of what you are going to purchase, whether it’s a car, a refrigerator, or a branded t-shirt, you have a budget. It’s important to stay smart about your money. And this blog is not about trying you to spend more. I cannot tell you how many times I have told a client, “You can do that. But if it was my money I would not!”
That being said, I would like to make the case that there are times when spending a little more makes a huge difference for your brand. It’s the difference between the item being in your client’s kitchen or the landfill. It might determine whether your logo is in the closet or at Goodwill.
ButterSoft T-shirts
One of the places I think it makes the most sense to upgrade is on t-shirts. Yes, we can all still get you the “promotional t-shirt.” These are the cheap, scratchy, ill-fitting shirts that our industry was known for for years. And there is (probably) still a place for them. But would YOU wear them? The answer is simple…not if you don’t have to! So why would your clients? If you want your clients to want to rep your brand, give them a shirt they get excited about. Yes, it costs more. Yes, it’s worth it. When we did our first “soft” shirt, we never looked back. Now people tell us that our shirts are their favorite shirts to wear. THAT is what you want your customers to say to you.
Premium Beach Towels
Studies tell you that the average lifespan of a beach towel is 7 years. At my house, I think that is low. A nice beach towel is not a cheap branded item…but it’s worth it. Not only do your customers, employees, and prospects keep them for years, but they tend to use them on a fun occasions. That means your brand is being tied (with a quality feel) to some good times in the person’s life. That, my friends, is a good place for your brand to be.
Vacuum Sealed Tumblers
If you want to reach just about everyone with a branded item, drinkware is a great space to live in. You don’t have to worry about gender, sizes, or many other factors. Everyone drinks something. But don’t go cheap…not if you want someone to use your drinkware! This does NOT mean you need to buy a branded Yeti product. You shouldn’t and here’s why. But there are some great Vacuum Sealed Tumblers in the promo world that are amazing. These are the branded drinkware items you targets will use over and over again.
Custom Calendars
Calendars continue to be a very cost-effective way to reach customers every day of the year. But the trend is that stock calendars slip. But if you want to buck that trend and get in front of clients all year around, think custom. When you create a cool custom calendar, you get your “who, what where” message on the wall of the client…and it goes even deeper. Essentially you hand your brochure on walls all over. Yes, custom is a bit more expensive…but in most cases it’s very worth it.
Personalization
If you want to make sure someone keeps one of your branded premium promotional items, put their name on it. It’s as simple as that. There is nothing we humans like to hear or see as much as our own name. It’s music to our ears. When you have the chance, add personalization to your branded merchandise and you will expand your impact. Yep…it costs more. And yes, it’s worth it.
Here’s the thing, there is still a space for less expensive promotional items. We get it. But if you want to have more impact for your brand (you do right?), and create less crap in a landfill, think about doing better SWAG.
It’s true in every area of life. You get what you pay for.
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by Kirby Hasseman
There are plenty of great ways to determine the value of a promotional item. You might want an item that is flashy and gets someone’s attention. Your organization might want something with lasting value, like a calendar that hangs on the wall. Some companies want to focus their promotional efforts on tech items, that tie their brand to your phone. These all make sense in executed properly.
I like to keep it simple. I want Promotional items to be:
Useful: In my opinion, the best promotional items are ones you (or your customers) use on a regular basis. They are useful. That’s why the top categories of promo center around apparel, drinkware and writing instruments. They are used every day.
Have Lasting Impact: I also think great promo lasts. It’s the reason that calendars are still a valuable marketing tool. I love it when I give my customers and prospects items that they keep for years. That makes the “cost per impression” very low…and the value very high.
High Perceived Value: Finally, I love it when I am able to spend $5 on an item that my customers and prospects think costs more! One of the reasons t-shirts continue to be a great promo items is because they have high value. Your customers think they cost more than they do. You can create a huge impact when you get this value proposition right.
This why you should NEVER buy YETI (in promo).
YETI is a fine brand of products. They have created a brand that people are loyal to and appreciate. I love the idea that they create drinkware that can keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for hours. But they were really late to the Promotional Products game. They decided they did not want to play in the promo industry. That’s cool. But they challenged an industry known for “knocking stuff off” to knock them off. And guess what…the promo industry did not disappoint. Not only did suppliers create Vacuum Sealed Drinkware, but they created a product that was really good!
Multiple studies have been done. In some studies, the YETI did a little better. In some studies, the YETI did a little worse. But most of them will tell you that the product is VERY comparable. In addition, the companies that live in the Promotional Products world are way better at creative decoration and branding. So if the products is (essentially) the same (and it is), and the branding is better, I want to ask you a simple question.
Why would you pay 3 to 4 times more for the YETI?
The simple answer is, you should not.
If you want a really cool Vacuum Sealed Tumbler (and you should, they are awesome), we have many options to choose from. Please let us know how we can help.
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by Kirby Hasseman
Yesterday on this blog, we talked about the affect that Tariffs will have on your marketing budget. They will have this affect because a high percentage of promotional products are imported from China. With that being said, there are some great promotional items that are made domestically, that can still wow your customers and prospects. So, here are 5 great promotional products that are Made in the USA.
5 Made in the USA Promotional Products
16 oz Tervis Tumbler
This classic double walled Tervis Tumbler is not only a hit in retail, it is made in the USA. These amazing drinkware pieces are almost impossible to break, and are a great branding piece that will used over and over again. Check that item out here.
Sticky Notecubes
And speaking of long lasting, how about these 3 x 3 adhesive cubes? These amazing promotional pieces not only give you a great imprint space to tell your story, they tend to last forever. And since they are adhesive, each sheet is seen again and again and again. There are plenty of sizes and shapes and price points. Check out one here.
Lip Balm
Just in case you are thinking that you can only get higher priced items, think again. One of the best bang for your bucks in marketing comes in the form of Lip Balm! This item has a great price point and the perceived value is great! As a matter of fact, 40% of your customers are probably addicted to Lip Balm. What a great marketing piece to have your brand image wrapped around every day. Check out this option (with SPF) here.
T-Shirt
Believe it or not, you can get a quality made t-shirt in the United States. So if you want to avoid changes in pricing on your apparel, or you just want to promote “all USA made, you can do that with a quality t-shirt. From cotton to fabric to sewing, this t-shirt is put together here in the US.
Sunscreen
As summer (finally) starts to show up in most of the United States, now is a great time to think about sunscreen as a promotional items. For outdoor company events, golf outings, and so much more, sunscreen is the perfect promo piece (regardless of where it’s made). You can learn more about this item here.
There are plenty of other great options to create an amazing promotional campaign and avoid the tariff issue. Just talk to your Account Executive for more ideas. And if you need someone to be “your person” you can head to our About Us page and pick one! Or just email us here and we will take care of you.
One Final Thought on Tariffs
Although this is a big issue for our industry, I do want to say one thing to put your mind at ease. If you are working with a good promotional consultant, this should not be a huge issue for you and your company, long term. When you meet with your representative, it’s simply about budget setting. As you discuss the project with them, just make sure they (or we) know your budget constraints. It’s the job of the Promotional Professional to keep you in between the lines.
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