BYOB Has a New Meaning

BYOB has a new meaning - Bring Your Own Blanket!

COVID-19 has caused many changes to the ways that people socialize and get together. One of the biggest changes has happened with eating out at restaurants. Many states have closed indoor dining in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19 and restaurants have had to rely on outdoor dining, often in improvised settings, along with carry out and delivery options.

As the temperatures start to cool, outdoor dining doesn't provide the same comfortable experience that it did during the warm summer months. However, that doesn't mean that outdoor dining can't be made more comfortable. That's where the blankets come in.

In Cheshire, Connecticut, a local promotional products distributor has teamed up with several area chambers of commerce and local restaurants to develop the Bring Your Own Blanket campaign. The goal is to spur business for outdoor restaurant venues, while providing a bit more warmth as winter sets in. By providing an alternative to just taking food home, the restaurants can extend their outdoor dining season while providing a restaurant experience that follows local guidelines. All with the simple idea of bringing a blanket to enjoy your meal.

Here are a few branded blankets that would be perfect for a similar promotion in your area.

Sherpa Blanket

This polyester fleece blanket is a generous 60" by 50" and offers a super soft feel. Embroider your logo on the front to promote your restaurant, Chamber of Commerce, or other local business brand. 

Chateau Chenille Fringed Blanket

This large 62" by 48" chenille blanket has stylish fringe trim and will keep the user cozy. Blanket is available in four colors and your logo can be embroidered on the front. 

Cozy Plush Blanket

This super soft blanket is 55" by 60" and offers several logo options including woven or leather patch. This blanket features a big area for your embroidered logo.

Fleece Stadium Blanket

This brushed polyester fleece blanket is 60" by 50" and has a whipstitch edge. Make carrying the blanket easier with the optional bag or carrying strap. Embroider your logo in the corner of the blanket. 

Help other small business owners and restaurants keep their business going strong with a Bring Your Own Blanket campaign. Contact me today at 847-398-5500 or dona.blunt@newportpros.com.

If you liked this idea, here are some other blogs that might be of interest. 

• Spread warmth and cheer with these 5 cozy promotional gift products
• Warm and cozy wearables perfect for your winter marketing campaigns
• Six promotional products sure to provide outdoor comfort

Five Promotional Items Under $2 To Help You Market Your Brand

There are many inexpensive ways you can market your company and get your brand in the hands of your customers or prospects. In fact, here are some of the most common that you could try.

• Make sure you have business cards to hand out when you meet potential clients.
• Network at industry events.
• Create a referral program to grow your customer list.
• Be active on social media including blogs and forums.
• Write letters and thank you notes – personalized envelopes are opened almost 100% of the time!

However, promotional products can also be an inexpensive way to promote your business that people either overlook or assume they can't afford. If you are looking for a great value in a promotional item, and an affordable way to get your name in front of your customers, try one of these “Under $2” items!

5K Mini Water Bottle

These little flip top bottles are great for on-the-go, for outdoor activities or events, for kiddos, or just for fun. Your four color logo really stands out.

3 Ways to Choose a Branded Promotional Product People Will Love

There’s a reason branded promotional items are one of the go-to marketing pieces for trade shows, conferences, and other large corporate events. It’s because everyone loves a freebie, right? But just because sought-after promotional products are an easy way to get attention, it doesn’t mean finding the right branded promotional items to market your business is easy. What is the right product that will support your brand well and that people really want to use?

We’ve all seen promotional giveaway items that are uninteresting and are more of a nuisance since “not only do I have to carry this around all day with the rest of my stuff, but then I feel bad about tossing it in the trash when I get home.”

You don’t want to spend all that money on a promotional product just to find out that people throw them away further down the trade show floor. To avoid making any mistakes, here are my top 3 tips for choosing a winning promotional item for your next big event.

Think About Your Audience

Yes, everyone likes free stuff, but in today’s world of marketing, free stuff has become the norm for generating leads. So, because giveaways at trade shows, conferences, and events have become such a mainstay, it takes more creativity to get someone to truly say, “Hey, I want that!”

That means that throwaway, trick-or-treat type of giveaway items just don’t make the cut. You have to think about your audience and what kind of items they find useful, fun, and worthy of holding on to.

Take a deep look in to your ideal customer, and then think of the things they may use while at work and at home. Do they travel a lot? Do many of them work in home offices? What would they keep on their desk? What do they do for fun? Do they have kids?

All of these factors play in to finding a promotional item that your ideal audience will find intriguing instead of unworthy of taking up space in their bag.

Don’t Cheap Out

One thing you might find while searching for a great, useful, and relevant promotional item for your audience is that with quality comes cost.

Yes, more value means more money, but in the long run, these are items you’re using to generate leads, so you need to make sure it’s something that actually…generates a lead.

Don’t be afraid to invest more in a quality product. The ROI will be worth it, because when you spend your marketing budget on cheap and uninteresting promotional items for your audience, you’ve actually thrown money away since those items won’t be bringing you any return. To protect your investment, don't give the promotional product to just anyone who walks in your trade show booth. Make them earn a higher quality item by leaving your their business card, filling out a survey, or winning it in a raffle.

Don’t go for cheap, go for quality, and see the pay off.

Get Your Numbers Right

You might still be concerned about cost, but here’s another thing to keep in mind: don’t overbuy.

Almost every marketing manager or event buyer has experienced the mass surplus of items after wrapping up an event at one point or another, and that just means you didn’t get your numbers right.

When determining how many items to buy, take in to consideration that you may not be coming into contact with every person who will be attending an event. Many people purchase the same number of items as people in-attendance, plus some “just in case” extras, and that’s just a waste of your budget.

Take a close look at past events that were similar in attendance, or start tracking how many people come to your event this year so you have a clearer picture the next time you participate in the event. If you are afraid of underbuying, don't worry about it. If you run out of your promotional item, just collect business cards from the people who are really interested in your product or service and mail it to them later with some product brochures or have your local salesperson hand deliver the item and use it as a chance to tell your brand story.

Keep these three things in mind and I know you’ll have a winning promotional product strategy that gains your audience’s attention, grabs leads, and fits your budget. If you need more help with any of those aspects, please give me a call at 847-398-5500 or shoot me an email at dona.blunt@newportpros.com. I’d be happy to guide you to the perfect items for your audience!

For more trade show marketing ideas, you might like these other posts:

How to Choose the Right Promotional Products to Drive Trade Show Booth Traffic 

Three Ways to Drive More Traffic and Spur More Engagement at Your Trade Show Booth

10 Ideas Using Promotional Products That Will Drive Traffic to Your Trade Show Booth

7 Steps to Prepare for a Successful Trade Show Season

With the start of the new year begins the start of the new trade show season. You are poised for your business to grow in 2014 and investing in exhibiting at trade shows or attending key industry events will be key to helping you secure new business. Knowing that, whether you are a rookie or a pro, it pays to be prepared; here are seven plan-ahead items for your Trade Show To-Do list.

1.) Create an "Emergency" kit.  Whether you or your salespeople are manning the trade show booth, you need to put your best face forward when meeting new prospects or existing customers. Handy items such as an eyeglass repair kit, a stain remover pen, mini first aid kit, lint brush, and sewing kit are all helpful for those unexpected situations that may crop up that distract your from you goal of marketing your business.


2.) Prepare a Business Necessities kit.  First thing in the kit - DON'T FORGET YOUR BUSINESS CARDS! On top of that, make sure that you bring a sufficient quantity. Whether you are using business cards for obtaining show information, entering a booth drawing or at other networking events, you'll want to have business cards with you at all times. Other important components to this kit are a pen for taking notes, a back-up battery for your phone, hand sanitizer, lip balm and even basic supplies such as paper clips and a small stapler.

3.) Pack a written schedule, flight and hotel confirmations, and any maps. In case the unthinkable happens, like your phone becomes lost, stolen or inoperable, it is good to have a written back-up data to keep you on track.

4.) Enjoy the flight.  Make it easier to cope with delays or long flights by bringing along your own entertainment either work-related or for personal enjoyment.  This is a great time to catch up on reading, playing games or watching a film on your own device.  If the flight will be long, consider packing a neck pillow, eye shades or headsets. 

5.) Prepare for long days on the trade show floor.  Pack comfortable shoes--whether you are walking or standing in a booth, shoes that seem comfortable at home may not be so after 6-8 hours at a show.  Also remember to bring hand sanitizer, mints, a phone/tablet charger and some cash for cash-only purchases, coat checks or tips.   Definitely bring a bag or briefcase to carry any samples or paperwork that you need in the booth or for transporting literature home.

6.) Dress for Success:  Inquire if there are events that require specific styles of dress, such as a formal dinner or a casual themed party. Check the upcoming weather forecast; it's not unusual to have wide fluctuations in temperature during the winter months, so be ready for the weather conditions with your clothing choices. Even if your destination is hot, consider that it might be cold inside the convention hall so bringing a light sweater might be a good idea.

7.) Plan to network.  Most trade shows offer a variety of networking events, both within the context of the show and as events away from the trade show floor. Check out any fun runs, golf events, after-show parties or breakfast events and be sure to register in advance if required. These are great opportunities to meet prospects or potential partners since the setting is smaller and more intimate. Leave time open in your schedule for impromptu get-togethers with old friends and new people. 

Are there marketing opportunities for your company in trade show preparations?  You bet! If you want to win points with potential clients, send out an emergency kit with your logo in advance of the show--it's easy to brand first aid kits, sewing kits, lint brushes and eyeglass repair kits.  Or create a case and place your literature and booth number within the kit. Let them know that if they come to your booth, they will receive a free giveaway or the rest of the valuable contents of the kit.

Travel items, such as luggage tags, back-up phone batteries, lip balm, hand sanitizers, neck pillows, ear phones and eye shades can all be branded.  Mail these out in advance of the show to build awareness and pre-market your company. It's easier to get your message heard before the crowded show even starts.

Networking items such as business card cases and business card files are great ways for people to transport cards back home until the data is entered into their electronic devices.

Find out if you can distribute branded items at a the fun run or golf events or if your company can be the bag sponsor. The advertising manager for the trade show will be happy to discuss any marketing opportunities with you.

What about a mini "desk in a box" for handy office supplies as a pre-show or show promotional item? The items in the box are all universal and are sure to please your customers and prospects.

I'd be happy to share ideas on how to make your trade show marketing more effective in 2014. Give me a call at 847-398-5500 or email me at dona.blunt@newportpros.com. Here's to your success in 2014!