by Kirby Hasseman
One of my goals with this blog is to provide value to those that read it…and make sure we, as a company, help to keep you informed. Whether we show the latest promotional merchandise, or keep you up to date on trends, we want to help you in your marketing and branded merchandise efforts.
That’s why I want to talk about Tariff’s today. Wait! Don’t click away or fall asleep! I will keep it brief!
As I mentioned in this recent blog, at the PPAI Expo (the largest promotional trade show in our industry) Tariffs were the talk of the show. Everyone is talking about them, worrying about them, and asking questions about them. Why? Because when it comes to branded merchandise, a huge percentage of the items that are sold in the industry are imported from China. This is such a concern that there are suppliers in our industry that have printed their entire catalog without putting in pricing! Why? Even those that have included pricing have included less information or large disclaimers saying that “pricing could change.”
So what does that mean to you?
It means, quite simply, if you use branded merchandise, your budget very likely could be affected. This is not a threat or a political statement. It’s just a fact. If the tariffs continue, the price of your promotional material will go up.
So what can you do?
There are a couple of things I am recommending.
1. Begin to adjust expectations. As you move into 2019, just understand that the pricing for promotional items are in flux. If there are items that you order regularly, you might want to stock up a bit or check in on pricing.
2. Consider domestic options. Though I do not expect to see American manufacturers of promotional items start popping up everywhere, I do expect an uptick for those that already are here. When you are creating a marketing plan, make sure to include something made in North America. This is not the end of the world and the sky is not falling. I just wanted to spend a few moments to put this trend on your radar.
If you have more questions, please feel free to reach out to us and we can discuss it! Make sure you never miss an update! Sign up to become a VIP here.
by Kirby Hasseman
In a few days, Kelly Bowe and I (and thousands and thousands of other marketing professionals) will descend upon Las Vegas for the PPAI Expo. It is one of the largest trade shows in the United States.
Imagine, if you will, the ultimate trade show of trade shows.
Though the event is amazingly well run, hugely helpful and a wonderful thing to attend, it can also be totally overwhelming. My guess is, regardless of industry, you have events like this too. So here are some simple tips and tricks to making the most of your big trade show.
Comfy Shoes: Though there are still plenty of people that look sharp, business attire has become less formal. Regardless of how you feel about that, this is one time to make sure you have comfortable shoes. Make sure you have shoes you can walk and/or stand in for hours. You don’t want to be missing out because all you can think about is your aching feet.
Lots of Water: At many events, plenty of people drink. They just don’t drink enough water! These events can strain you both mentally and physically. Make sure you take the time to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Many events have hydration stations. Take a re-usable water bottle and drink the H20.
Have a Plan: When I first starting attending events like this, my plan was “I want to see everything!” As I know now, this is not a plan. It’s a recipe for being overwhelmed and exhausted. Before you leave for the event, make a list of people you want to meet, projects you want to research, and things you want to do. Keep this list close at hand to make sure you stay on track.
As a side note, for education conferences, I like to think “what is the one thing” I want to take away from this? It helps me focus in and not be so distracted by all of the concepts I am hearing. For example, this year at Skucon, my goal is to make in person connections with as many people as possible. Regardless of your event, have a plan and a goal. It will help you make the most of your event!
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by Kirby Hasseman
I believe we are living in a “Give First Economy.” What I mean by this (and I talk about it more here) is that the best and most successful brands, salespeople, entrepreneurs, etc. provide value up front. They “give” before they go for the sale. This is great for people who want to “do business right,” because they are poised to do this anyway. They want to help. But there is one mistake that I see people make all of the time around this “give first” economy. They want to say “thank you,” but they mix it up.
Let me explain. I got a box in the mail the other day from one of our suppliers. They are a great company, and we do a decent amount of business with them. The box said it had a gift inside, so I was excited to break it open. Let’s face it, it’s always nice to get a “thank you gift.” However, when I opened the package, there was a sales flyer and samples. Don’t get me wrong. They were nice samples. They even had good information on the sales flyer. It was a quality sales piece…and it got me to open the box.
But it was NOT a thank you gift. It was a sales pitch.
I immediately felt duped. I was a disappointed. I went from being excited to being (mildly) annoyed.
It was not the most egregious mistake in the world. It’s not like I won’t forgive them. But I guarantee you it was not what they wanted me to feel (at least I hope not).
So just a quick word of advice for Succeeding in the Give First Economy; don’t mix up appreciation and sales. If you want to say “thank you,” then just do that. Show the appreciation. Be sincere. Give first. Don’t work in a sales pitch. You are smart enough to see through that…and so are your customers and prospects. It takes away from the original intent. It also decreases the likelihood that I open the next package.
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by Kirby Hasseman
Tis the season for holiday parties!
Your reaction to that statement probably reflects a few factors. First, it might depend on how you feel about getting together in public. It also might depend on how you feel about the holidays. But maybe the most powerful indicator about how you feel about holiday parties is what kind of festivities you have been to in the past.
Last night I attended one that was great. And it got me to thinking…what makes a great holiday event? Here is a quick (and likely incomplete) list.
1. Socialization: I love it when I get the opportunity to meet and greet with great people. The holidays can be a time when you are so caught up getting ready for them, that you don’t take time to enjoy them. The best parties allow the time for you to connect with good people.
2. Food And Drink: Whether it’s finger foods or a full meal, then best holiday gatherings offer the chance to enjoy something good to eat and drink.
3. Laughter: For me, I love any event when I get a chance to laugh. Whether you create that opportunity for your guests, or it happens naturally, laughter is the best holiday song. Create an atmosphere where everyone can have some fun.
4. Appreciation: The holiday season is a great time to show your gratitude. Whether it’s for your team or for your customers (or both), a cool holiday party gives you the chance to say “thank you.” Last night I attended a party where the leaders got up and personally expressed gratitude over the microphone, then they gave each attendee a gift on the way out. It was simple and classy. So if you are planning a holiday event, those are a few simple keys to keep in mind. But as I said, this list is likely woefully incomplete. What makes holiday events for you? Let us know!
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by Kirby Hasseman
One of the reasons I love Delivering Marketing Joy is, I not only get to ask some of the smartest people in business a few questions each week, but they get to ask me one. We structure it this way so it’s more of a discussion.
(You can find the latest Delivering Marketing Joy on our blog page here)
I love this because these thoughtful leaders often ask me questions that I have not answered before. Or, more likely, they ask them in different ways that make me think differently.
This happened to today.
The show we recorded will not air for a few weeks, but the question is incredibly timely, so I wanted to share it here. I was asked: “What are 3 things to think about when getting a corporate branded gift to make sure it is on the mark?” Though I get asked about corporate gifts a lot, this was a different way of looking at it. So I wanted to share my answer. Oh…and of course you need to think about how much you want to spend…and how many you want to give. But so many people don’t go any deeper than that! So here is a little different thought process.
Many of us have heard the term “Who? What? Where?” These are the questions you need to answer when telling a story. They are also the things you want your clients to remember…right? But when creating a corporate gift you want to answer “Who? Where? What?” Same questions, but in a specifically different order.
Who: When creating the perfect gift, you want to think hard about WHO you are giving it to? What do they look like? What are they interested in? Are they predominately female, young, old, techy, office, etc. Who are they really?
Where: Next I like to consider WHERE I would like them to enjoy the gift. Do I want to occupy space on their desk? Are they in the office (and do they need to share)? Do I want them to use these in their home? Where do I want them to enjoy the gift?
What: Only after I get the first two figured out do I roll to WHAT I want to give them. Once I know the WHO and the WHERE, this can come together quickly. If they are a young tech-friendly crowd and I want them to use them in the office, maybe I like the idea of bluetooth headphones. You get the idea. Go through this process and you might find just the perfect gift that they might NOT get for themselves.
P.S. If you want a few cool last minute ideas, you can head to our promo site to shop online. Make sure you never miss an update! Sign up for our VIP newsletter. Each week we send one email with all of the content for the week so you can catch up!
by Kirby Hasseman
Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, many people look up from their turkey filled haze and realize that we have officially entered “the last minute” for Corporate Gifts! You want to say “thank you” to your best clients and employees (to fix the appreciation gap), but you know you have to hurry! We get it. We do the same thing! So here is a quick list of “last minute” gift ideas that will leave a lasting impression!
Presidio Backpack: If you want a gift that is stylish and functional, this might be right fit for you and your team. The Presidio Backpack is vintage inspired with modern day features and it comes in denim or black. Very cool. To learn more go here.
42 Can Coleman Cooler: I love this cooler so much I wrote an entire blog about it! You can check that out here. But the fact is, this will be the only cooler you need! It’s a good size to hold all you need…and it will keep ice 36 hours. Learn more here.
12 x 18 Year At A Glance Calendar: This is simple. Functional. And we print this in house! If you want to get your contact information up all year long on your best customer’s wall…and provide them value…this might be the answer! Oh…and we also have a new 12 x 18 Calendar product that is nearly indestructible. It’s water proof and so tough to tear. This is THE product you want to have on construction sites, manufacturing, food, healthcare and more. Let us know if you need more information!
Pyramid Copper Vacuum Insulated Tumbler: This piece has a cool design, a great quality and a quick turn around time! It’s all you need in a gift for the holidays. Check out colors and details here.
Urban Peak Drinkware Gift Set: This has plenty of “wow” factor because of the great packaging and the different styles of drinkware. Oh…and did we mention you can do a really cool imprint on it? Learn more here.
So those are 5 quick ideas. Need more? We can help! But time is of the essence. Please email us here and we can help move you in the right direction! Make sure you never miss an update! Sign up to be on our VIP list here!
