Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Water Bottles - In Depth



With the variety of options available, how do you decide which type of reusable water bottle is right for your brand? We’ll fill you in on the differences between the most popular options on the market today. Each type of material comes with distinct advantages, and can be used for special purposes. 

While choosing what kind of reusable water bottle is right for you, keep in mind safety, durability, and style. Consider these questions:  What’s your fashion and brand statement? What is the purpose of the water bottle?  

Plastic Sport Bottles
The least expensive option of all the promotional water bottles, these bottles are flexible and have easy openings to get water quickly. Plastic bottles offer more variety as they are available in different shapes and bright colors. They are light-weight, durable, extremely versatile and come in a variety of colors, including translucent, or opaque materials.

BPA-Free Plastic Water Bottles


Many reusable water bottle manufacturers have begun making bottles that that no longer include the synthetic hormone, BPA. If you or your target audience may have concerns over the safety of plastic water bottles, order bottles made from BPA-free plastic. The benefits of a risk free drink make them much appreciated and loved by those are into sports, health, and fitness.

Polycarbonate Water Bottles 

This plastic is ideal because it is durable, light weight, and resistant to stains and odors. Polycarbonate is plastic, but it is harder and inflexible. These bottles don’t shatter, dent, or puncture from normal use. They come in a variety of colors and are the ideal bottle for athletic events.


Recycled/Biodegradable Plastics


If you’re an eco-conscious company, offer bottles made from recycled plastic. Yes, plastics can be biodegradable. They are extremely earth-friendly and breakdown completely in a landfill in 1-5 years.

Best Plastic Water Bottle  Uses: Schools, gyms, fitness events, athletic teams, outdoor promotions, tradeshow giveaways, company picnics, fundraiser walks, special events and resells as fan merchandise.


Metal Water Bottles
This category includes aluminum and stainless steel bottles, which both have the longest shelf life. The downside is that if dropped, they can dent.

Aluminum Water Bottles


Aluminum water bottles are durable, lighter than stainless steel, and keep liquids cold longer than polycarbonate bottles. These bottles have a plastic or resin liner to prevent the metal from leaching into the water. These bottles reduce the chances or your logo rubbing off over time and can also be laser engraved with your logo for an even more impressive effect.

Stainless Steel Water Bottles


Stainless steel water bottles are considered safe since stainless steel is a neutral metal that doesn’t leach. Stainless steel bottles may be used as travel mugs to keep drinks cooler for a longer period of time.  They are durable, but have less style options and are slightly heavier than aluminum bottles. These bottles are relatively indestructible and are cheaper than aluminum. 

Best Metal Water  Bottle Uses: General promotion, product launches, grand openings

Glass Water Bottles
When it comes to product safety and taste, glass water bottles are clearly the best. They'll keep beverages cold in odorless,tasteless and stainfree glass. Although they are breakable and a bit heavier, they are ultra-trendy! 

Best Glass Water Bottle Uses: Client gifts, innovative giveaways


Acrylic Water Bottles

Acrylic bottles come lots of bright, fun colors. The dual wall insulation in acrylic tumblers means that water will stay cooler longer, and not condense on the side of the tumbler. Many come with straws which keep spilling to a minimum. 

Acrylic Water Bottle Uses: Employee rewards, resells for fundraising, general promotion.

Flexible Water Bottles
If you really want to stand out from the crowd, you might consider a collapsible water bottle. A flexible water bottle can fit easily in a jacket pocket, but it still has large volume capacity. You can put water in a collapsible water bottle and freeze it. It can be stored in small spaces like lunch boxes, car glove compartments or office desk for easy access refreshment. These flexible water bottle options are so unique, you can be sure they'll be used often.

Flexible Water Bottle Uses: Innovative giveaways

Still need some help? As always, our customer service representatives are ready to help you pick out the perfect promotional water bottle for your next giveaway or promotion.


Other Things to Consider When Buying Water Bottles


  • Brand: As it goes with all of our promotional items, we carry an impressive collection of brand name custom water bottles that convey a sense of class. Choose from CamelBak, Wenger, and other popular brands.
  • Lids: There are many different styles of water bottle lid, and how you intend for recipients to use the bottle will dictate which one is best. Push-pull tops, bite valve, and straw-top lids are ideal for active recipients who need to be able to drink on the go. Screw-top lids are better for office workers and commuters who will use the water bottle at their desk or on the way to work.
  • Carabiners:  Carabiners are handy – they allow recipients to clip the water bottle to a bag or a belt loop.
  • Gift Boxes: Some of our water bottles come individually gift boxed.
  • Production Time: Most water bottles can be made within 3-5 business days. If you’re in a time crunch, give us a call for 24 hour production water bottles.
  • Quantity: The minimum quantities for water bottles range from 12 pieces to 300 items.  We’ll find the best price point for your intended audience.
  • Capacity: Looking for a specific size? Give us a call for extra large or child size volumes.
  • Country of Manufacture: Concerned about ordering items made overseas? We have several made in the USA water bottles to choose from.
  • Imprint Options: Print your logo on the front or on the cap in order to increase your brand and build goodwill.

Why Promotional Water Bottles?



  • Hydration:  More than half the population in America doesn’t drink enough water for staying hydrated throughout the day. Show your support of a healthy lifestyle by providing custom water bottles. 
  •  
  • Versatility: Custom water bottles are practical gifts for nearly any event, at any time of year, and to anybody. They are used regularly and can go anywhere.
     
  • Green: In addition to creating impressions for your brand, water bottles also help the environment by discouraging people from drinking bottled water, soda, or some other packaged beverages. Plastic water bottles can take up to 1,000 years to decompose.
  • Cost: Water bottles are fairly inexpensive when ordered in bulk. Bottled water can cost up to 10,000 times more than tap water.

Top Ideas for Branded Water Bottles



  • Sports team promotions – let the home team support your business all year.
  • Pass out logoed water bottles to employees to encourage them to live healthy and active lifestyles through your corporate wellness program.
  • Give them away to kick off a new water-drinking initiative in the office.
  • Include branded water bottles in booster club fundraising.
  • Water bottles are the perfect giveaway for company outings.
  • Include promotional water bottles in a summer camp registration package.
  • Create a buzz for your brand at a community event by tossing out free logoed water bottles to random attendees.
  • Give them out at tradeshows.
  • Fill your water bottles and give them out at walks, races, etc. for a refreshing giveaway.

However you chose to use your water bottles, recipients will appreciate the gift, and your brand will gain additional exposure!

Current Trends in Drinkware



  • Hi-tech, fast flow valves
  • Bottles that are slim enough to fit into a bag pocket, bike bottle holder, or auto cup holder
  • Bottles and lids that are dishwasher safe
  • Dual lids for sipping or straw preference
  • Foldable water bottles
  • Drip-free/leak-free seals
  • Soda/Milk bottle styles
  • Covered drinking spouts to protect and keep germ free
  • Water filter cartridges and flavor infusers
  • Easy one finger operation to open for drinking on the go 
  • Bottles with storage compartments
  • Flexible flip straws and durable silicone spouts
  • Carabiner clips for attaching to bags and belts
  • Bright colors, sleek styled shapes and finishes
  • Insulated freezer styles
  • Double walls to keep hands and table tops dry
  • More retail brand names that can display your logo

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Promo Products a VERY Popular Marketing Strategy

Here are some statistics supporting the popularity of promotional products:

  • Promotional products can boost sales response rates by as much as 75%.
  • 62% claim they have done business with someone after receiving a promotional item from them.
  • The use of a promotional products in conjunction with a sales letter in direct mailings can increase response rates by as much as 50%
  • Customers who receive promotional products are 14% more willing to provide sales leads than customers who receive nothing.
  • 39% of people who received a promotional product could recall the name of the advertiser as long as six months after they received it.
  • Sales people who gave promotional gifts to customers received 22% more referrals than those who didn’t.
  • Customers who received promotional products re-ordered up to 18% sooner than those who received coupons.
  • A recent study showed that 84% of people remembered the names of advertisers who had given them promotional items.
  • 62 percent on average report that they have done business with someone after receiving a promotional item from them.

Sources:

PPAI Study, Baylor University Study, Schreber & Associates SMU study, Georgia Southern University Study, Exhibit Survey Inc. Study ASI Power Summit