Victoria Robertson
Building your business into a brand requires repeat impressions. The more people come across your company logo, the more likely they are to begin to recognize your brand, which, in turn, builds trust and, finally, drives sales. Promotional products are a staple in driving repeat impressions.
However, the sheer volume of products to choose from can be overwhelming for anyone, especially when you're trying to find that one product that is both unique and creative. Remember, the goal of any promotional marketing campaign is to provide your consumers with a useful product that reminds them of your brand.
That said, if you are a small start up or otherwise have a limited budget to work with, it can oftentimes feel like the only products that align with your budget are products that no one actually wants.
What Promotional Items are Most Effective?
While it may sound counterintuitive, don't let prices get in the way of building your brand; there are plenty of cost-effective promotional items that will leave a positive impression on your end-users without breaking the bank. These 10 effective promotional items will do exactly that, and all under $2!
1. Koozies
Koozies have been around since the 1980's, and yet, they're still one of the most popular promotional products in use today. Why's that?
Koozies keep your drink colder, longer, plus they eliminate the need for coasters, making them both practical and favorable with end-users. Koozies also have impressive versatility and can be printed with text and/or graphics to create that powerful brand messaging you're looking for. In short, Koozies solve a consumer need. Plus, they're effective because every time a consumer uses your branded Koozie, your advertising potential is, quite literally, right in their hands.
Blue Soda Promo's Staff Pick: Insulated Can Cooler - as low as $0.95
2. Stress Balls
Relieve your consumer's stress and tension with a single promotional product. The stress ball is an effective stress reliever, and one of the most popular promotional items on the market. We encounter stress on a daily basis, so why not let your brand provide the momentary escape your customer needs to offset that negative energy?
When you roll a stress ball around in your palm, crushing the negative energy into it, you're alleviating stress, which builds a positive relationship between you and the brand in the palm of your hand. Stress balls can also provide an escape in other ways, like when a consumer tosses the ball around while sitting at their desk, helping them to ideate, relax, and simply dissociate from work for a brief moment.
With a never-ending selection of sizes, shapes, and colors to choose from, finding the perfect stress ball to suit your brand's messaging is easy-peasy!
Blue Soda Promo's Staff Pick: Branded Stress Ball - as low as $1.13
3. Sunglasses
Custom printed sunglasses are another practice promotional item that are great giveaways items for under a dollar. Honestly, who couldn't use an extra pair of sunglasses?
Additionally, you can add to your branding potential by accompanying your branded sunglasses with a branded sunglasses pouch. Both items are not only practical, but they are also affordable. Printing your logo or brand message on items that get daily use, such as sunglasses, is an effective way to increase brand recognition without over-spending.
Blue Soda Promo's Staff Pick: Kapowski Rubberized Sunglasses - as low as $1.15
4. Frisbees
Promotional frisbees are fun, cost-effective, and the perfect way to promote your brand at any outdoor event or gathering. They not only bring an element of entertainment into your brand's messaging, but they are also durable, which is perfect for driving a lasting impression with your consumers.
Frisbees are effective advertisements because they offer a large imprint area that provides ample space for your company's logo, business information, or other important details. Plus, frisbees are available in every color under the sun! Oh, and they promote fun, so what's not to love? Kids and adults alike will be tossing your brand directly into each other's hands, maximizing impressions while encouraging carefree fun.
Blue Soda Promo's Staff Pick: 5" Mini Flyer - as low as $0.75
5. Hand Sanitizer
This product is the perfect way to advertise your brand in any office setting, or to simply promote a clean and healthy lifestyle.
When thinking of promotional products, hand sanitizer may not be the first product that comes to mind, but these clever bottles are perfect travel companions, maximizing the number of impressions you receive, whether at the office, home, or at school. Hand sanitizer is the perfect, condensed size to seamlessly slip into a purse or backpack, meaning it never has to be left behind.
Nowadays, everyone is most concerned with staying healthy than ever, so promoting your brand on an item that helps protect against germs and bacteria is a no-brainer. Your logo will be displayed daily, prominently advertising your brand every time a consumer reaches for another pump.
Blue Soda Promo's Staff Pick: 1 oz. Hand Sanitizer - as low as $1.15
6. Pens
Promotional pens have, and always will be, one of the greatest promotional products. Pens are actually the most common promotional products because they are inexpensive, useful, and effective.
Pens, despite being small, do a great deal for branding and communicating crucial information to consumers. When a consumer uses a pen with your logo, website, or phone number, the consumer's ability to retain that information increases exponentially.
Pens also have a way of transitioning to multiple users over the course of their lifetime, creating a word-of-mouth effect in which your brand is now, literally, touching many hands.
Blue Soda Promo's Staff Pick: Branded Easy Pen - as low as $0.35
7. Beach Balls
Sure, this may sound like a limited time branding opportunity; I mean really, aside from a day at the beach, when is a beach ball useful? That said, beach balls are actually incredibly versatile and make for fantastic promotional products. For instance, you can get the crowd's energy up in a stadium or at an event by throwing a beach ball into the sea of fans, just waiting to touch your brand.
With the limitless color choices available, you can design a beach ball that's perfect for any occasion, including charity or awareness events, sporting events, or simply for a relaxing pool day.
Long story short, beach balls will not go unnoticed, which means all eyes are going to be on your brand.
Blue Soda Promo's Staff Pick: Branded 16" Beach Ball - as low as $1.45
8. Non Woven Tote Bags
The worldwide push for sustainability is impacting consumer demand, meaning your brand is expected to play a part. When it comes to implementing your sustainability agenda without compromising branding opportunities when on a budget, nonwoven totes are a no-brainer.
Nonwoven totes make for a great giveaway because they are endlessly reusable, minimizing the chance your giveaway results in waste. These totes can be used for grocery shopping, running errands, or simply acting as a catch-all for your things.
Plus, with their large imprint area, you have plenty of space to creatively share your brand's messaging in a way that promotes reuse.
Blue Soda Promo's Staff Pick: Mini Tote - as low as $0.95
9. Bottle Opener Keychains
Everyone loves a product that saves the day, and bottle opener keychains are exactly that. Bottle opener keychains are an everyday item that often dangle next to your car or house keys, but really come in handy when you're ready to transition into relaxation mode with a cold drink.
These products infuse a little fun into your next campaign while providing consumers with a practical and functional item, complete with your logo. So whether they're tailgating or simply enjoying a cold one at home, your brand is going to be front and center.
Blue Soda Promo's Staff Pick: Branded Slim Bottle Opener - as low as $0.59
10. Sports Bottles
Honestly, we would be hard-pressed to find a single instance in which a branded sports bottle isn't an amazing giveaway.
Not only are sports bottles useful, endlessly reusable, and perfect for daily promotion of your brand, but they are also easily customizable and beloved by consumers. Whether hopping on the bike for a quick ride, grabbing a sip between meetings at the office, or storing in your backpack as the ideal travel companion, sports bottles are always displaying your brand.
Because of their incredible usefulness, consumers are essentially walking billboards for your company. These bottles are perfect for people who are on-the-move, including athletes, students, and gym-goers. No matter the recipient, one thing is for sure: they're going to love their new branded sports bottle.
Blue Soda Promo's Staff Pick: The Journey 28 oz. Bike Bottle - as low as $1.30
Whether you're functioning on a tight budget or simply looking for the most cost-effective way to advertise your brand, these promotional items are sure to get the job done. But let's be clear, we have plenty more ideas where these came from! Just get in touch if you'd like to hear more about branding opportunities on a budget, we'd love to help!
