Up Too Late and A Cool Backpack

I did a lot of work updating the backpacks on the website tonight. It is late. This is my second night up until 2 a.m.. We have had some problems with the website which are costing us substantially, and I have been scrambling to try to understand and fix them.

I found 18 plus bags and backpacks which I'm going to have the team load onto the website over the next week, because Leed's has some great new backpacks, especially in the sub $15 range, and I want to get some of them featured.

I'm enthusiastic about Leed's this year, because we have already done as much wholesale volume in the first quarter (almost) as we did most of the year last year.

The Leed's Coil Backpack is a great daypack or school pack for the money. It has a nice design and just enough features to make it interesting. It can be had for under $13 or in volume for under $9.

Two More Cool Hand Sanitizer Products

In my post earlier today, I mentioned a useful hand sanitizer product. I thought I would drop my readers a couple of quick links for two more neat hand sanitizer products.

The first is a Pocket Pump Hand Sanitizer Gel. This little gem is compact, clean and handy, and will tuck into even the smallest hand clutch or pocket. Pictured below.

The second is the hand shaped Hand Sanitizer. I'm always a fan of visual product puns and this one is a classic. Pictured below.

I Never Get This Sick!

I've been fighting this cold / stuffy nose / periodic headache now for more than two weeks. This is the first time I can remember in my adult life that a sickness has really taken hold like a clamp tightened around my throat and chest and then hung on for two long weeks.

Most people envy the my health. I'm one of those people (knock on wood) who simply rarely get sick. I usually miss less than a day of work a year due to illness. Even with this recent bout of sickness, I didn't miss a full day of work. Although, I did end up sleeping for an hour and a half literally under my desk when I felt terrible a little more than a week ago, and going home early a few days before that.

There are a lot of promotional items which can boast a health benefit. One simple and appreciated giveaway are these hand sanitizer bottles on a carabiner. They are convenient, inexpensive and make quick work of workplace germs. I hope whoever invented hand sanitizer was rewarded with a medal. Better yet, I'm sure he or she became rich.

Although, I use hand sanitizer occasionally, I'm not a mysophobic (the correct term for germaphobia). I think it is important to encounter bacteria in the environment regularly, but to maintain a boosted immune system and good nutrition to keep a strong bodily constitution. Even contact with small amounts of "bad" pathogenic bacteria is good for a healthy individual as it builds immunity. Here is a great article on this subject.

Good Value Fleece Vest

Sometimes cost is the primary factor in choosing corporate apparel or a gift. This is a well made light fleece sport vest which can be decorated with a company logo for under $20, unless the logo is really complex. I've always liked fleece vests. I went hiking here in Southern Oregon just a couple of weeks ago with my 10 year old son and some of his friends and other parents, and I wore a fleece vest very similar to this one, and it served my purposes perfectly, even shedding off a light rain. It is light enough that I can stuff it into a day pack. If you really want to stay dry, I'd take a packable waterproof shell to wear over the top as well.

There are a couple of other fleece vests which I really like available at American Promotions.

Ladies North End Microfleece Vest
Mens North End Microfleece Vest
Mens North End Down Vest (This is one I'm really considering getting for myself.)

Logo Plush Bunny

I had a client looking for a logo plush bunny today for a late March delivery. This is a really cute 10" version at a great price.

These are a natural for Easter or other Spring themed promotions, but they are also perfect for hospitals and other not for profit promotions.

A Bit of Spring - But Only For Us

Today was simply gorgeous. The mid-day temperature was in the low fifties. The sun was shining warmly on my face and arms, and I was wearing a short-sleeved shirt.

Granted, it is January 22nd, and Spring is still at least a month, probably two away, but the beautiful weather makes me very excited for the reasons I love Southern Oregon. The climate here is so beautiful, and the year round green is like very few other places on earth.

I pity the Mid-westerners and Northeasters enduring this frigid single digit night. Brrrrrrr!

However, Spring brings with it lots of rain, and it is time to consider custom umbrellas to promote your business or organization this year. When choosing a promotional item, especially something with so many options like an umbrella, it is best to consider your purchase at least one month (and better if it is two) in order to get everything just right.

American Promotions has plenty of suppliers who can deliver on much shorter lead times, and I personally am aware of umbrella products which can be imprinted and shipped in as few as three business days. Yet, you will always save money, and have more options with preparation.

You can find a great selection of promotional umbrellas here. I'm particularly into this new eco umbrella made of recycled materials and bamboo.

Finding Clients in Unusual Places

A recent article "Make A Splash In Unusual Places" in the Advertising Specialty Institute's monthly magazine, Advantages, discusses finding clients in unusual places. Tim Larson had been trying to break in to the local Chrysler plant for a long time, but ultimately, the connection was made a kid's pool party.

Other's in the article, found great leads at a horse show, a cowboy poetry event, and when answering someone who had dialed the wrong number.

This article is a simple representation of why it is important for a marketer or salesperson to always be ready and to have multiple ways of approaching a sales opportunity, even in casual conversation. The opportunities constantly present themselves, but it requires a measure of tact and human understanding to resist a pitch, but still naturally share information which people find useful.

Cutter & Buck Performance Double Compartment Compu-Bag

Now this is a sweet bag for the high profile executive or traveler. The Cutter & Buck Performance Double Compartment Compu-Attache Bag has every bell and whistle and sports all these goodies with timeless style. I especially dig the striped fabric which lines the pockets. It is very high quality leather and is not cheap. However, the prices were just lowered and it now starts with an imprint at $221 and the price goes down in higher quantities.

Heavy Duty Pouch w/ Clip

I've seen a lot of small pouches and bags which are great for small first aid kits, emergency use, boating and even for packaging samples or small electronics. This tough little pouch is a cut above because it is crafted from heavyweight, thick water resistant and puncture resistant 600 denier cloth and features a full swivel loop and a belt loop. The bright primary colors are sharp and attractive. It of course includes a custom imprint.

Ash City North End Techno Lite Reversible Vest

Here is a great lightweight Ash City North End vest at a great price. This is the Men's Techno Lite Reversible Vest. It reverses from Techno Lite water resistant Taslan fabric to lightweight fleece. This vest is a great choice for a fall hike, a spring round of golf or for layering in the colder months of the year. It has the EZEM embroidery system to hide the embroidery backing when it is embroidered. And it comes in eight great colors. We sell it at a discount of course.

Case Logic Front Seat Mobile Office

This is a perfect way to keep road warriors, couriers, and even busy moms organized while in the car. Give this Case Logic Front Seat Mobile Office organizer a spin. It features a zippered compartment for personal items, a padded pocket for a 15" laptop and file and folder sleeves.

Tracking ROI with t-shirts?

Well this is interesting. I found a company, thanks to ASI, which runs an Apparel Media Group which runs the Apparel Ad Network. They will help provide and offset the cost of apparel for your team or event with sponsored apparel which displays the logo of one of their signed sponsors. Creatively, they package the apparel with brand samples and interactive calls to action.

They have developed a system which they call Interactive Apparel Advertising, which is a fully managed system which actually tracks the ROIs from the calls to action specified in the campaign. Apparel Ad Network differentiates their products from "swag," because they state the products can be designed and purchased by the consumer. They focus on college students and homemakers. Websites and calls to action are discreetly placed right on the apparel.

My biggest complaint with their website was the inaccessibility of the their product offering. I was on the site for almost 20 minutes before I found a media kit PDF which better explains what they sell and how they sell it.

H2Go Stainless Steel Balance

This H2Go Stainless Steel Balance shapely stainless steel water bottle with a large 24 oz capacity. It has a very durable and chunky molded lid which can be key chains, carabiners or straps. It is available in classic stainless steel as well as eight great metallic glossy colors. It is BPA free and would be a very appreciated employee gift or premium with membership.

If your looking for a quality stainless steel water bottle, give the H2Go Balance a try.

The Billboard Family

Now here is a modern version of a family working together. The Human Billboard Family is a cute family of four with a baby on the way. They offer a unique and simple business proposition: for the whole family to wear matching custom printed t-shirts, a different sponsored t-shirt each day of the week. They will then create a blog post for their advertising customer and spread the message across the usual social media platforms Facebook, Youtube, Flikr and Twitter.

The Billboard family's website is located here and their Facebook page is here.

Time Magazine even covered them here. However, in the usual Time Magazine fashion, the article author sounds snooty, arrogant and maybe even a little jealous of their potential. It always amazes me (and chaps me a bit) when an intelligent educated individual like a magazine writer condescends enterprising people especially in the era of 9.8% unemployment (more like 17% if you look at the BLS U-6 and the more credible ShadowStats would place it even higher).

Although, I don't know many who would be willing to do this for a living, I'm inspired by the entrepreneurial outside-the-box thinking of this family, and the way they are using social media to offer a package deal for their customers. Good on them.

For a great deal on a fantastic looking shirt, try American Promotions District Threads Pigment Dyed T-shirt. I like the soft feel of these shirts and the pigment dyed colors.

Christmas Craft Fairs

My wife is hosting a little Christmas Craft Fair for children this Friday at our home. It is on the small side for justifying custom promotional items. However a larger Christmas Craft Fair hosted by a school, community center, club or some other organization would benefit from an economical budget tote with a Christmas theme print. This light cheap bright red cotton tote would fit the bill perfectly.

Brass Christmas Tree Ornament

Here is a pretty little brass christmas tree ornament which can be imprinted with your company logo.
You can find our full line of promotional Christmas Ornaments here.

Mmmm . . . . Turkey!

Given it is two days after Thanksgiving and I'm still warmly remembering our scrumptious Thanksgiving dinner, I thought it would be appropriate to post a quick Thanksgiving promotional item - a Turkey stressball and a fun Roasted Turkey Pen. If your company gives away a turkey or a Thanksgiving theme Turkey Gift Certificate, this is the perfect little companion promotion to accompany your gift and get a little branding mileage at the same time. I think a grocery store which is running a loyalty program could obtain goodwill with one of these promotions as well.

And I give you . . .. drumroll . . . the Roasted Turkey Pen

Motorcycles . . . . someday

Motorcycles are one of the things about which I daydream. However, as a father of six, they really aren't practical right now. Money flows into house payments, gas for the van, high food bills and all other kinds of priorities. However, every few months I find myself on the Harley Davidson or Indian Motorcycle or Victory Motorcycles websites drooling over these bejeweled, chrome machines. My wife of course also believes when you ride a motorcycle it isn't if you will have an accident, but when.

There are dozens of motorcycle themed promotional products. However, here are just a couple of ideas.

The first is a motorcycle stress ball. This would be great for a contest giveaway at a trade show booth where the contest winner is receiving an actual motorcycle. There are other tie-ins such as sales competitions where the theme is "riding."



Another is this Soft-Touch motorcycle shape key chain. This is perfect for a motorcycle repair shop or a motorcycle dealer, or perhaps a commercial motorcycle track. It is very durable and can be created in 15 different colors of vinyl.



These custom PVC luggage tags could also be customized in a motorcycle shape and would be a great addition to a piece of motorcycle luggage.

An Analysis of A Women's Conference

My wife does a great marketer's analysis of a conference she attended in Portland a couple of weeks ago.

I went to a Time Out For Women conference in Portland last weekend. As a marketer, I can’t attend as just an audience member; I must analyze their marketing and look for areas where they should’ve asked my advice [wink].

I actually was impressed with this conference. They did a lot of things right. Here are 4 great ideas the conference did right, their table covers, their use of printed stickers, their giveaway bag, and their use of special conference pricing, and 1 idea to shorten their long lunch lines, a typical conference problem.

Table Covers: Logo or No Logo?

They had nice table covers displaying their products. They hung well, which is a way you can tell they were on the nice side rather than the cheaply made side. These table covers weren’t logoed, but I didn’t think that was a mistake on their part. They had less than 10 tables full of product. They didn’t need their table to stand out among the crowd, which is when logoed table covers earn their keep, because there wasn’t a crowd of competing sellers. . . .

You can finish the article here

Bungee Rockets

One of the more surprising good sellers at American Promotions are these bungee rockets. I just wish they came in more colors.

We sell another style - the Venice Bungee Rocket here.