If you are using a promotional item to promote your business, you need to be proud of it. It’s rewarding to see your logo on good quality materials.
Although it may be tempting to go for the cheapest option when deciding which promotional product to choose, poorly made items may affect your business in a negative way, which in turn, will make the entire exercise counterproductive. Not only could a poorly made promotional item make your business look cheap, they could actually be dangerous or cause harm to your customers. Some key factors of why giving poorly made promotional items may affect your business are below.
Cheap Products Can Make Your Company Look Cheap or Unprofessional
It’s very important that the promotional item you choose to give away reflects the correct perception of your company. If your logo is printed on merchandise, that merchandise is representing your company. If it lacks quality, is poorly made or looks cheap, then the person who receives your product may associate this lack of quality directly to your company. If you are a high end law firm and giving away pens, customers will expect a good quality pen. If you give them a cheap pen, you could come across as greedy, cheap or unprofessional. If you are not proud of your promotional items, then you need better ones!
Poorly Made Products Don’t Last
One of the main benefits of giving away free promotional items is longevity. Items such as t-shirts, mugs, pens and caps have the potential to last for years, remaining a constant reminder to your customer or client. If you give away poorly made promotional items that break, taste awful, don’t work properly or the printed logo wears off, the whole exercise is counter-productive and a waste of money. Not only does a bad product reflect badly on your company, your competitors promotional products will still be around while you are forking out cash for another batch of short-lived pens!
Customers feel cheated
Whether you are using Promotional Products to advertise your company, thank your customers or motivating your customers to continue their business with you, you need to make sure you customers actually like their gift. You are creating a direct and personal relationship with your customer by giving them your product and they if it lacks quality, you run the risk of making your customer feel disrespected or cheated.
Watch Out for Lawsuits
If your low-cost or poorly made promotional give-away is faulty and in some way causes harm to your customer, you could be up for some bad press or even a law suit. Don’t take the risk and make sure you know what you’re buying and that it passes safety standards.
Marketing.com.au thanks Tim for sharing this advice for businesses to consider when organising promotional items.
About Tim Brown
Tim is a direct marketing expert with extensive experience with branded products. Tim currently works at Customgear.com.au, where he helps businesses leverage their brand image with the right products.
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- Giving Away Poorly Made Promotional Items May Affect Your Business - November 27, 2013