Custom Table Covers
One of our biggest sellers on our website is our custom table covers and our imprinted table runners and logo tablecloths. We sell these almost every day, and we believe with proper marketing that we could triple our performance on those items. We use multiple suppliers for our table covers. The more expensive ones demonstrate a real quality difference.
Our customers use these table covers at trade and community events, and from what I understand, some of them use them in retail as well. I believe we have the sources to do matching banners, which hang behind the table cover, but we need to improve that area of our website to show more possibilities. My business partner explains that they do not sell nearly as well as the tablecloths do.
The best made table covers have a polyester fabric which is woven in a way that the wrinkles virtually just fall out of them. We offer a less expensive table cover, but we have had a couple of complaints as of late that the product doesn't have the same wrinkle free drape. We have addressed this with the manufacturer, and they are working to correct the problem, but we hate selling stuff which does not convey quality, so if we cannot get the problems solved, we may have to discontinue this other line.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Does OrangeSoda Really Have the Fizz?
American Promotions recently retained OrangeSoda to help us with search engine optimization in a couple of categories in our lead time. We are in the first part of our second month with their company, and so far I have been impressed with their very fast responsive and friendly service. I haven't been 100% in agreement with all of their website change recommendations, but they have listened and been flexible. Granted, it is not the cheapest source for this type of work, but it is not unreachable for a small business that is serious about expanding their market online.
In my opinion, the verdict is still out as to whether they are worth the money, but I will do a follow up post when I've been with them longer and can determine their performance.
In the past I used ideservepageone.com for SEO, and the proprieter there is a nice guy as well. He does good work, and has a cool reporting system, but his company is a LOT smaller than OrangeSoda, and doesn't have quite the muscle. Granted it is about a quarter the cost.
American Promotions recently retained OrangeSoda to help us with search engine optimization in a couple of categories in our lead time. We are in the first part of our second month with their company, and so far I have been impressed with their very fast responsive and friendly service. I haven't been 100% in agreement with all of their website change recommendations, but they have listened and been flexible. Granted, it is not the cheapest source for this type of work, but it is not unreachable for a small business that is serious about expanding their market online.
In my opinion, the verdict is still out as to whether they are worth the money, but I will do a follow up post when I've been with them longer and can determine their performance.
In the past I used ideservepageone.com for SEO, and the proprieter there is a nice guy as well. He does good work, and has a cool reporting system, but his company is a LOT smaller than OrangeSoda, and doesn't have quite the muscle. Granted it is about a quarter the cost.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
New USB Drives
We don't sell a lot of logo USB drives, because we have stronger competitors online who have more successfully carved out the niche. It is a great niche too, because the category practically didn't even exist in promotional products about six or seven years ago, and now it has become a microindustry within the advertising specialties world unto itself. And for good reason.
USB drives satisfy one of the major qualifiers of a good promotional product. They are useful! And that cannot be said for every little giveaway. They now come in every shape and color imaginable. I've also seen fully custom versions in the shape of figures and vehicles.
I was struck by the good looks of this USB drive in rose wood and maple wood.
We don't sell a lot of logo USB drives, because we have stronger competitors online who have more successfully carved out the niche. It is a great niche too, because the category practically didn't even exist in promotional products about six or seven years ago, and now it has become a microindustry within the advertising specialties world unto itself. And for good reason.
USB drives satisfy one of the major qualifiers of a good promotional product. They are useful! And that cannot be said for every little giveaway. They now come in every shape and color imaginable. I've also seen fully custom versions in the shape of figures and vehicles.
I was struck by the good looks of this USB drive in rose wood and maple wood.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
The Constitution
I'm feeling patriotic, because I am longing for an America that makes different choices, and I'm hoping that my beloved country can be redeemed. I'm not particularly enthused about either of the Presidential candidates. I frankly do not know who it will be better to live under, and I guess time will tell. I'm not a Bush hater, but I don't believe that he has taken our country in the right direction. I think he has made a lot of bad mistakes in the face of hard choices. Frankly, I just love the Constitution and I think most Americans have forgotten it or are simply confused about its history, meaning and intentions.
The best way to honor the Constitution is simply to read and study it.
But as I'm in the promotional products business, here are a couple of other ideas to promote this wonderful document: a logoed hardbound book copy of the Constitution which would be awesome for any company promoting freedom, and a calendar with the timeless "We The People."
I'm feeling patriotic, because I am longing for an America that makes different choices, and I'm hoping that my beloved country can be redeemed. I'm not particularly enthused about either of the Presidential candidates. I frankly do not know who it will be better to live under, and I guess time will tell. I'm not a Bush hater, but I don't believe that he has taken our country in the right direction. I think he has made a lot of bad mistakes in the face of hard choices. Frankly, I just love the Constitution and I think most Americans have forgotten it or are simply confused about its history, meaning and intentions.
The best way to honor the Constitution is simply to read and study it.
But as I'm in the promotional products business, here are a couple of other ideas to promote this wonderful document: a logoed hardbound book copy of the Constitution which would be awesome for any company promoting freedom, and a calendar with the timeless "We The People."
Monday, October 13, 2008
The Bank Bailout - French America
I am deeply disturbed by the bank bailout presently being undertaken by our Federal government. It seems that every day I wake up to a headline about how our country is taking us a step closer to economic socialism. We are economically approximating France.
Today, the news is that our government may take a direct investment stake in thousands of United States banks, healthy as well as sick banks - prop up an unsustainable debtor system. The markets love security and money only - not freedom, and the DJIA rallied 936 points, the biggest point gain in history.
The America I know and love is slipping into the annals of history. It is frightening. People are looking to government for economic salvation - to rescue us from the consequences of deficit and high risk living. Huge imbalances have been built into the financial system, and people are simply not willing to take responsibility and pay the painful price, and let the capitalist system correct and adjust which is the only way out of this mess. The U.S. Government, in its panicked attempt to stem the losses and the pain, is willing to take us only further in, like it or not.
In the words of Michael Shedlock, one of my favorite bloggers on the subject, you cannot plug a broken dam with water - which is exactly what our government is doing as it floods the market with cheap loans and money - with the perverse and illogical reasoning that this new liquidity will overcome an extended period of easy credit.
I understand that the government is simply trying to prevent collapse, by restoring confidence, but in reality, they are only eroding the account balance and credit worthiness of the United States. And many people see it for what it is.
It cannot and will not last, as it is not based on solid principals. It will just transfer the systemic risk which is built into the banking sector to the U.S. Government and the taxpayer. And there will be a huge price to pay in inflation or repayment. I read the insurance on the risk of default on government bonds has quadrupled. I guess I am not the only one thinking this way.
I am deeply disturbed by the bank bailout presently being undertaken by our Federal government. It seems that every day I wake up to a headline about how our country is taking us a step closer to economic socialism. We are economically approximating France.
Today, the news is that our government may take a direct investment stake in thousands of United States banks, healthy as well as sick banks - prop up an unsustainable debtor system. The markets love security and money only - not freedom, and the DJIA rallied 936 points, the biggest point gain in history.
The America I know and love is slipping into the annals of history. It is frightening. People are looking to government for economic salvation - to rescue us from the consequences of deficit and high risk living. Huge imbalances have been built into the financial system, and people are simply not willing to take responsibility and pay the painful price, and let the capitalist system correct and adjust which is the only way out of this mess. The U.S. Government, in its panicked attempt to stem the losses and the pain, is willing to take us only further in, like it or not.
In the words of Michael Shedlock, one of my favorite bloggers on the subject, you cannot plug a broken dam with water - which is exactly what our government is doing as it floods the market with cheap loans and money - with the perverse and illogical reasoning that this new liquidity will overcome an extended period of easy credit.
I understand that the government is simply trying to prevent collapse, by restoring confidence, but in reality, they are only eroding the account balance and credit worthiness of the United States. And many people see it for what it is.
It cannot and will not last, as it is not based on solid principals. It will just transfer the systemic risk which is built into the banking sector to the U.S. Government and the taxpayer. And there will be a huge price to pay in inflation or repayment. I read the insurance on the risk of default on government bonds has quadrupled. I guess I am not the only one thinking this way.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Promoting for Halloween
Halloween is big business. I enjoy the holiday, because I like the excitement my kids derive from it. But my idea of a good Halloween is pretty tame. I hate horror moview. Actually, I'm not sure that I've ever even seen a REAL horror movie. Does The Dark Knight count? That is actually one of my favorites.
Anyway, I read in the Detroit News tonight that National Retail Federation estimates that Halloween is a $5 billion retail bonanza. Businesses are increasingly jumping onboard as a means to promote everything from safety to just a good time.
We have a modest collection of Halloween promotional products at American Promotions, but we could certainly improve it. I think we have sold a couple of orders this year - some trick-or-treat bags and some bat pens.
Halloween is big business. I enjoy the holiday, because I like the excitement my kids derive from it. But my idea of a good Halloween is pretty tame. I hate horror moview. Actually, I'm not sure that I've ever even seen a REAL horror movie. Does The Dark Knight count? That is actually one of my favorites.
Anyway, I read in the Detroit News tonight that National Retail Federation estimates that Halloween is a $5 billion retail bonanza. Businesses are increasingly jumping onboard as a means to promote everything from safety to just a good time.
We have a modest collection of Halloween promotional products at American Promotions, but we could certainly improve it. I think we have sold a couple of orders this year - some trick-or-treat bags and some bat pens.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Lower Prices on Leed's Portfolios
We are lowering prices on our Leed's Padfolios. We should be done with the revisions by the end of this week.
We are lowering prices on our Leed's Padfolios. We should be done with the revisions by the end of this week.
The Return of the Promotional Piggy Bank
Now that the financial titans of the world are convulsing and collapsing around us, I wonder if there will be a cultural shift to remember old-fashioned values, such as saving and having a personal relationship with your banker, instead of deluding themselves with the notion that easy credit is the easiest way to economic prosperity.
I think a great promotional product which may see a resurgence is the logo piggy bank. Here is an inexpensive advertising piggy bank, and an even less expensive piggy bank, and some really nice higher end classic piggy banks.
Now that the financial titans of the world are convulsing and collapsing around us, I wonder if there will be a cultural shift to remember old-fashioned values, such as saving and having a personal relationship with your banker, instead of deluding themselves with the notion that easy credit is the easiest way to economic prosperity.
I think a great promotional product which may see a resurgence is the logo piggy bank. Here is an inexpensive advertising piggy bank, and an even less expensive piggy bank, and some really nice higher end classic piggy banks.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Cool Ham Luke
With a hat tip to the recently deceased Paul Newman, my post title is simply what came to mind when I decided to post this fun Football Ham with crackers, Wisconsin cheese, a hardwood cutting block and a knife. This would be perfect to give your organization's employees to celebrate the big home game or for a Superbowl gift.
Maple Ridge Farms calls it "Tailgater." Appropo and very unique.
With a hat tip to the recently deceased Paul Newman, my post title is simply what came to mind when I decided to post this fun Football Ham with crackers, Wisconsin cheese, a hardwood cutting block and a knife. This would be perfect to give your organization's employees to celebrate the big home game or for a Superbowl gift.
Maple Ridge Farms calls it "Tailgater." Appropo and very unique.
Maple Ridge Farms - The Perfect Choice For Christmas Giving
I am a huge fan of Maple Ridge Farms gourmet business gifts. They make a beautiful line of gourmet food gifts which are only sold through ASI member distributors. We sell Maple Ridge Farms every year, and last year is the first year that we had significant success selling the line via our online storefront.
On their own website, they boast that they sell to over 10,000 businesses every year, and I know that we have sold some very large orders over the years, so I would assume that they do a pretty healthy business. It will be interesting to see if the buying patterns change with the struggling economy. I'm sure that there will be a decline. I just don't know by how much.
Our company offers very competitive pricing on this line of business food gifts. Maple Ridge Farms offers the following product categories: Gourmet gift boxes with cookies, candy and nuts, smoked hams and turkeys, gourmet gift towers and party towers, a line of Quick Ship food gifts, really cool classic wooden trucks stuffed with goodies, a line of desk accessories combined with food gifts, and gorgeous food baskets a la The Office.
I am a huge fan of Maple Ridge Farms gourmet business gifts. They make a beautiful line of gourmet food gifts which are only sold through ASI member distributors. We sell Maple Ridge Farms every year, and last year is the first year that we had significant success selling the line via our online storefront.
On their own website, they boast that they sell to over 10,000 businesses every year, and I know that we have sold some very large orders over the years, so I would assume that they do a pretty healthy business. It will be interesting to see if the buying patterns change with the struggling economy. I'm sure that there will be a decline. I just don't know by how much.
Our company offers very competitive pricing on this line of business food gifts. Maple Ridge Farms offers the following product categories: Gourmet gift boxes with cookies, candy and nuts, smoked hams and turkeys, gourmet gift towers and party towers, a line of Quick Ship food gifts, really cool classic wooden trucks stuffed with goodies, a line of desk accessories combined with food gifts, and gorgeous food baskets a la The Office.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelets
We've sold several thousand breast cancer awareness bracelets this year. And it appears that lots of our competitors are selling them heavily as well, because it is only the first part of October, and most of our suppliers are telling us that they are already out of stock, and that they will not be restocking this year.
Last year there was an onslaught of "Pink" Find The Cure breast cancer awareness items available. We have an entire cancer awareness section of our website dedicated to these types of products. However, we've mostly moved bracelets. We sold a large order of beach balls and we may have sold a few other pink items, but the more expensive stuff is not moving.
I think with the economy seemingly on the brink, a lot of companies are cutting back on something extra like this, and that they hit the brakes very past, and the promotional products industry got blindsided, and they are overstocked. At least that is my guess. Plus, the trend this year seems to be in the "green" items.
We've sold several thousand breast cancer awareness bracelets this year. And it appears that lots of our competitors are selling them heavily as well, because it is only the first part of October, and most of our suppliers are telling us that they are already out of stock, and that they will not be restocking this year.
Last year there was an onslaught of "Pink" Find The Cure breast cancer awareness items available. We have an entire cancer awareness section of our website dedicated to these types of products. However, we've mostly moved bracelets. We sold a large order of beach balls and we may have sold a few other pink items, but the more expensive stuff is not moving.
I think with the economy seemingly on the brink, a lot of companies are cutting back on something extra like this, and that they hit the brakes very past, and the promotional products industry got blindsided, and they are overstocked. At least that is my guess. Plus, the trend this year seems to be in the "green" items.
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