Anatomy of Branding with Promotional Products

We've launched our new website!

Petrocelli Marketing Group is excited to announce the launch of our new website at www.petrocellimkt.com!

 

It's a fresh, new look with innovative features to optimize the customers' experience so that it is friendly, fast and efficient!

  ~ Advanced Searches ~

The new website allows customers to search using a variety of filters -keyword, product type, price, color, or product theme - to narrow down the options.  Each product listing contains detailed information on ordering options, imprint options, pricing, production and shipping information.

~ Virtual Samples ~

Customers now have the option to create virtual samples! This new tool allows the user to upload their logo or use a text-based tagline and visualize how their graphics or text will look on the promotional product.

~ Event Planner ~

Our new Event Planner feature allows customers to search by event, program, campaign, or theme.  We'll share our product collection recommendations plus tips for the best execution of your marketing plan!

~ Customer Accounts ~

 In addition to our improved navigation and features, site visitors will also have the ability to create an account and save searches.  This provides customers with ease of use, convenience and efficiency.

~ News ~

Site visitors get the latest information and case studies on ad specialties and advertising.

 ~ Visual Elements ~

We've also enhanced the website with some new visual elements:

We've added BANNERS . . . We'll be sure to give you endless ideas and you'll always know what's new and what's on sale.

We'll be featuring a PRODUCT OF THE DAY . . . keeping you up to date on all the hot, new products!

Click on our FEATURED VIDEO to view demonstrations on how promotional products work and look.  Plus, we'll give you promo tips!

Stay connected with Petrocelli Marketing Group on SOCIAL NETWORKS!

The new website will allow customers to instantly share products directly on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn with their associates.

Don't forget to follow our blog and connect with our social networks for insight, ideas and tips for the use of promotional products!

 

 

 

 

Grabbing Attention at Tradeshows and Conventions

Exceed expectations with exciting takeaways. The end of the year doesn't need to be the end of your brand recognition. Whether you're grabbing attention at tradeshows or making your mark at a convention, we've got tons of items to get your brand noticed!  Here are some of our favorites: Motivate. Kickoff by motivating them with just the right item. Get noticed with these trendy bags. Trade show bags with special features will attract all the attention to your booth.   Make a note - basic doesn't have to be bland. Get attention with convention essentials that pop.   Be creative and break convention. Functional pieces with an non-traditional flair will keep conventions fun and fresh. Bright is the new black. Bring a little excitement to your next tradeshow giveaway with bold colors.   Break the boring giveaway routine. Add some variety and become the most popular booth at the show.

Use It Or Lose It

Wise Ways to Spend Your End-of-the-Year Surplus

Have you thought about how you are going to spend the rest of your company/department budget before the end of the year? Budget-makers are going to be on the lookout for any area that they can make some cuts - and unused budgets are the ideal candidates. Don't let your budget go to waste - but don't "waste" your budget either. We've put together some ideas that will not only help you use those left-over dollars, but use them effectively.

#1: Essentials

What do you use around the office every year that you will need again in 2013? Stocking up on the products that you use every year is smart use for your budget dollars. Here are some products that are usually on the top of everyone's essentials list:

Pens 

Pens are used every day!  Pens are easy to handout, cost-effective and long-lasting!

Sharpies 

Brand your company on a Sharpie -  capitalize on another brand's success!  Who doesn't love a Sharpie?  They are available in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes . . . highlighters, retractable versions, keychains, lanyards, and more! 

   

Note Pads

Notepads and memo cubes are desktop basics that are extremely popular for the office and very easy to store.

Post-it Notes

Post-it notes have surely graced every desk - so, get maximum visibility for your brand with custom post-it notes! Any color . . .any size . . . any shape! 

Presentation Folders, Portfolios and Binders

Custom folders and binders are staples in the workplace!  

Calendars, Planners and Journals

Now is the time of year for acquiring new tools for 2013!

#2: Future Projects

Does your company run an annual conference or trade show, give out quarterly incentive gifts to your salespeople, or customer appreciation gifts for the holidays? Planning a golf tournament, summer outing or fundraising event? By purchasing these products NOW rather than next year, you are not only effectively using your leftover budget, but you are also getting a head start on future products.

Tote bags, water bottles, golf, flyers, lanyards, t-shirts, mugs, apparel, hats

# 3: New Year's Resolution Items

It's time for New Year's Resolutions! Some common resolutions are to exercise more, save money and boost productivity. How about giving items with your logo that helps to achieve their goals?!

pedometers <> jump ropes, <> fitness accessories <> fitness apparel <>

piggy banks <> calculators <> expense trackers <> finance journals <>

alarm clocks  <> planners 

Reminders from Hurricane Sandy

The recent wrath of Hurricane Sandy really put things into perspective.  Thankfully, the team at Petrocelli Marketing was spared any severe damage.

Now that the rebuilding has begun, we've had a chance to reflect on how businesses can create awareness with promotional products and help their customers, clients and communities keep safe all year long.    

MUST-HAVE SUPPLIES 

As the fallout of Hurricane Sandy begins to be fully realized, the concept of disaster preparedness comes to the forefront of the news.  In our industry, we've seen an increase in orders for safety supplies.  Companies have learned the importance of providing safety items, such as:

Safety Kits

Print a safety message on a first aid kits, or hand out emergency kits with water bottles for a safety-inspiring giveaway!

Flashlights

Flashlights will definitely come in handy in case there is power failure.

Communication Items

When people lose all power, they lose their lifeline to the outside world.  In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, we watched stories on the news about people crowding around locations that had power

and plugging their cell phones into power strips.  Imagine if they had a solar charger (with your logo)?!  During these times, cell phones are indispensable tools in case there is a need to get in touch with authorities or family.

Blankets

No power?  Keep warm with a customized blanket!

 

Auto Safety Kits

Emergencies can strike at any time, but with custom auto safety kits, recipients will always be prepared.  From car care journal sets to travel tire inflators, we've got the life savers you need.

FUNDRAISING

Promotional product giveaways and sales can help rebuild communities and strengthen morale after such devastation.

It will be months before residents along the East Coast get back to normal after Hurricane Sandy. Many community organizations and businesses are facilitating fundraising efforts for those affected.Promotional products provide many ways to raise easy money --  items such as mugs, water bottles, t-shirts, drawstring backpacks, tote bags, and calendars are inexpensive to buy in large quantities and they are also popular items to sell or giveaway for fundraising events.

Turn safety into a way of showing your appreciation for customers and clients! 

Time to Order Your Corporate Holiday Gifts

Whether you are giving gifts to employees, customers and/or prospects, your recipients will feel appreciated and valued.  By giving them a practical and thoughtful gift, you can show them that you care and they are an important part of your business.

Here are some things to consider when buying corporate holiday gifts:

Audience - Who will be receiving this gift?  Employees? Customers? Prospects?Are they mostly female/male?  Is there a specific age that most of them fall into?  Are there particular interests or hobbies that they all have in common?  Are they golf enthusiasts? Do they work in an office and sit behind a computer?  What would they find to be a useful gift? This type of key information will help you when selecting what gifts to purchase.

Holiday Gift Promo Tip:  According to Counselor magazine, a leading source for the promotional product industry, a recent survey concluded that giving gifts to your employees will increase motivation and productivity. 75% of the employees surveyed responded that receiving gifts boosted their morale. 60% said the gesture alone made them like their companies more. 33% said that the gift gave them the extra drive to be more productive. The survey also found that when you give holiday gifts to your business partners they are more likely to give you more business in the future. 60% of receivers keep their gifts for more than 6 months which keeps the gift givers name in mind.

 

Budget - You most likely have a pretty strict budget that you need to stay within.  For example, a certain dollar amount per customer or maybe a flat dollar value for holiday gifts this year.  Something to consider is segmenting your customers and purchasing two or three different level gifts.  A high-end, possibly even a brand name product for your very best customers and then something a little smaller or less expensive for those clients that you still want to recognize.  This way you don't have to find a "one size fits all" business gift.  

 

Holiday Gift Promo Tip: When working with a tight budget, don't forget to include gift wrapping, packaging and shipping costs. The presentation of the gift is very important. Do not overlook the importance of a beautifully wrapped or packaged gift to increase the overall perceived value.  (Some of our promotional products come packaged in gift boxes at no additional charge which takes out this step in the process.)

So, how will you make your holiday gift stand out?                      

        

Delivery - Sometimes shipping is your only option; but, if you have local clients and the resources, it is a nice gesture to hand deliver your holiday gifts.  It is a great way to get in front of your clients face-to-face and personally thank them for their support throughout the year and even discuss future partnerships.  

Timing - Consider when your customer receives your holiday gift.  First gift of the year, before people get inundated with gifts? Or do you want to wait until just before the holidays when business slows down a bit?   Maybe you'd like to wait until after the main holiday rush and deliver New Year's gifts to kick off the new year with a bang.

Personalizing - Who doesn't enjoy seeing their name or initials on a gift? It can be as small as a laser engraved pen or as unique as a calendar with the recipients name in various monthly scenes 12 different times. Every time the recipient uses their gift, they will think of you and how thoughtful you were. And chances are, they are more likely to keep that gift longer.  

One of the Best Holiday Gifts

When it comes to picking out a gift for employees or clients, you can't go wrong with gourmet food gifts!

Why is gourmet food a #1 holiday business gift?

Universal

Food gifts are universal, convenient, unique, and personal! You don't need to worry about the recipients' gender or size.  Plus, a food gift is appropriate for everyone in an organization from the newest employee to the president.

Shareable

Food gifts generate goodwill with everyone in the office, rather than just a single individual. An entire office staff can enjoy and be reminded of your brand!

Exciting

Food gifts generate a lot of excitement.  Ever been in an office that received a gift basket or gourmet tower?  It's a thrill for everyone rushing to open the gift in anticipation. Then, recipients indulge and enjoy immensely . . . compliments of you.

Affordable

Corporate food gifts are not only well-received, they can be used to meet various price points.  In other words, they don't cost a fortune AND have high perceived value (people love food)!

Opportunity

Consider giving food gifts that come in reusable tins or boxes to provide a lengthier impression. Plus, it gives the perception that your gift is actually a gift, not an advertisement.

We've got some great options!  Check out this e-catalog and then give us a call to order!  800-264-4294 

Holiday Cards and Calendars -- seize the opportunities!

It's time to order your holiday cards and 2013 calendars!

Seize these opportunities to connect with your customers or potential customers!

  

Holiday Cards 

Holiday cards provide a personal touch, in an inexpensive way, to thank your customers for yesterday's business and remind them for tomorrow's business. They also provide an opportunity to include a custom message about your company that reflects your core values, without shouting it.

  

Holiday cards are always opened and enjoyed and are often displayed for all to see. What an awesome way to get your name out there!  

And, don't forget sending holiday cards to your employees! Remind your employees that they are part of the team.

       

Click here to check out our huge variety of holiday cards! 

Calendars

Promotional calendars have been around for 150+ years. Even with the explosion of calendar functions on computers and smart phones, etc., custom desk calendars, personal planners,and calendar magnets still remain as some of the top-selling promotional products -- even for 2013! 

  

Why? Calendars have a shelf life of a year and provide a steady stream of referrals! They are simple, functional and command the use of valuable wall or desk space.

There are no computer programs to open, no buttons to press and no typing to be done. It just takes a quick glance to know the date. And all that's needed to record an appointment or other reminder is a pen and 10 seconds of time.  

  

Some calendars cost as little as $.40 each . . . and they are in constant view of your customers all year long This provides an efficient way to promote a whole year's of specials and selling points! 

We have tons of calendar options, including:

  

Wall Calendars, which offer a different high-quality photo or graphic every month with lots of room for notes for each day of the month and lots of room for a message

  

                                               

  

Desk Calendars tell you the date instantly, don't take up a lot of space and are looked at many times a day  

  

                                              

 Calendar Pads showcase your logo on office desks to be seen all day long!

                                            

  

Calendar Magnets get prominently displayed on the favorite spot in the house - the refrigerator.  

                                     

Planners are great for organizing your daily life, hour-by-hour, day-by-day and week-by-week.