There’s never been a better time to give tech promos. There are officially more tech devices than people in the United States: 425 million gadgets in homes, according to the NPD Group.

People love their technology, and smart marketers are using it to their benefit. Tech promotional products aren’t just useful gifts—they’re a way to integrate your brand into customers’ lifestyles.

Think about it: We live in a digital world. People are always connected. Tech products and accessories bring real value to your customers. These are items they will actually use—not toss in the garbage or stow away in a desk drawer.

The result is increased brand exposure, and your business comes away looking modern, tech-savvy and just plain cool.

Here are 10 awesome tech promos to power up your marketing now:

1. Useful to virtually everyone, the Colorful Flip-Open Promotional Flash Memory Drive is a tech-savvy way to keep your logo visible. Pick from a multitude of memory sizes and colors.

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Custom gloves are helping Greenpeace throw it down. Peacefully, of course. The world’s largest independent direct-action environmental organization is using green household gloves in its “Fashion Duel” campaign.

The goal? To get the fashion industry to clean up its act.

Turns out, those haute couture fashions come at a price to the planet, and Greenpeace is on a mission to do something about it.

The organization created a clever direct-mail promotion: a box containing a single imprinted glove and a link to the Fashion Duel challenge, a survey that invites brands to answer 25 questions about their global supply chain—from leather supply to textile production.

The direct mailing went to 15 fashion houses including Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci and Prada. Greenpeace evaluated the responses and ranked the brands on its Fashion Duel website.

Consumers can quickly see the couture names that are committed to greening things up – and those that didn’t score so high.

What an awesome way to use promotional products to send a message. The custom gloves are subtle but in-your-face at the same time, challenging dirty brands to clean it up. For a campaign focused on scrubbing away brands’ unclean behaviors, gloves were exactly the right choice.

Promo know-how tip:

Always include a call to action in your direct-mail promotions. Let our Brand Consultants help your business design a direct-mail campaign that’s  creative, inspiring and effective.

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Custom t-shirts: They’re comfy, classic, and they turn everyone who wears them into walking billboards for your brand. They’re also great commemorative items. Just look at your own collection of t-shirts – you probably have a few from concerts or 5Ks.

Promotional t-shirts are versatile and effective, which is why our client, Roca, used promotional t-shirts for its 25^th anniversary last month.

The Chelsea, Massachusetts-based organization, which helps high-risk young people, wanted something that would gain exposure for Roca and that would mark the milestone anniversary.

Custom logo t-shirts were a perfect fit.

At Roca’s anniversary breakfast, staff and participants received the shirts, helping them to immediately stand out in the sea of guests and donors in attendance.

“The t-shirts made them identifiable immersed in the crowd,” says Erin Clark, development associate for Roca. “It really created an interesting dynamic for people who haven’t experienced Roca to have conversations with participants and hear how Roca has changed them.”

These kinds of conversations are critical to the organization. Awareness is a constant challenge. Young people don’t seek out Roca—Roca initiates the relationships.

It’s Clark’s hope that with custom t-shirts out in the community, Roca will become a widely recognized name and that people will have a better understanding of how Roca can help.

The organization spreads its message with other promotional items, too. “We have rocks that feature different phrases: truth, trust, and transformation,” says Clark. “We also use promotional buttons that we ordered specifically for the 25^th anniversary.”

Roca also has plans to use promotional products as donor gifts. Donors, Clark says, are big and small, ranging from individual donors and local businesses to the New England Patriots Foundation and the Boston Red Sox.

“We even have donors in California,” Clark says.

Roca is gaining momentum, and custom t-shirts are gaining Roca the visibility it needs to continue to thrive.

Promo know-how tip:

Customize more than the front of the t-shirts to have maximum impact. Call our Brand Consultants to discuss the best options for personalizing your custom t-shirts.

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We love it when business cards bust a creative move, but we’re baffled by a recent promotion for a cheese shop in Brazil.

The Bon Vivant Cheese Emporium (cool name; un-cool marketing) boldly decided to go where no promo should: It turned its business cards into cheese graters.

The goal was to give customers a handy little gift to reinforce the Bon Vivant brand. If they ever have an urgent need for freshly grated cheese, they can whip out a block of parmesan, reach into their wallets and grate away.

We can’t ever imagine this scenario.

Encouraging customers to keep a kitchen promotional product in their wallets? Next to their grimy credit cards and cash? Yes, that’s totally logical.

This promo was a flop. Bon Vivant wanted a unique business card that doubled as a useful gift for customers. Instead, it gave people something they’ll never use. At least we hope not.

We give it credit for using a promo item that’s relevant to its business, but it’s better to keep the cheese graters where they belong: in the kitchen.

Promo know-how tip:

Think about your audience and where they’ll likely use your promotional giveaways. The more you can fine-tune your promo gifts, the more useful and appreciated they’ll be.

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Are you using promotional products to reward your company’s employees? You should be.

Companies with recognition programs in place have more engaged employees and a voluntary turnover that’s 31% less than companies that don’t say thanks, according to research from Bersin and Associates.

Show some love to the people who keep your business churning and your customers happy. And we’re not talking about giving them a prime parking space or a free afternoon off.

Those are nice perks, but they’re intangible. They get used up and forgotten. Promotional products are lasting reminders of your gratitude.

Here are three reasons why promo products should be the foundation of your employee recognition programs.

1. They reinforce the company culture.

When employees receive company-branded products, it solidifies a certain aspect of the company culture. A customer service award, for example, fortifies a culture of doing what’s right. A sales award highlights a culture that rewards hard work. Don’t just recognize employees for their tenure—celebrate what they’re doing successfully.

2. They inspire achievement.

Promotional products are visual reminders of an employee’s success. Whether it’s a luxe leather bag or a sleek glass award, every time employees glance at a recognition item, it’s inspiration to keep moving forward.

3. They make a thank-you more meaningful.

A kind word is always welcome, but promotional products are powerful ways to recognize employees for their achievements. They show your employees that you value what they’re doing day-to-day. Your thank-you becomes tangible, public and lasting.

Nobody likes to slog away in their careers without a nod of appreciation. Give your team promotional products to recognize them for a job well done. It makes the recipient feel appreciated, and it’s just good business.

Promo know-how tip:

Provide promotional products for employees to use in peer-to-peer recognition—it doesn’t always have to flow from the top down. Our Brand Consultants can deliver some exciting options to kick-start your recognition programs.

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How much thought do you give your tradeshow giveaways? When you’re an exhibitor, they’re a critical component of whether the tradeshow is a success or a flop. Attendees are busy, and if you want to stand out, you must have a strategy with your tradeshow items.

Take a look at what our client, Imagine Software, is doing at the SkyBridge Alternatives (SALT) Conference in Las Vegas this week.

The tradeshow, which is billed as the top event for the alternative investment industry, is a huge opportunity for Imagine Software to reach investors, asset allocators, managers and others in its target market.

Here’s how Imagine Software developed a strategy for its tradeshow giveaways – and how you can, too.

Be selective.

Don’t just go with the first promotional products that come to mind—gather your team and discuss. James Wells, marketing communication manager for Imagine Software, says it was a process. “I came up with several different price points and presented to my team,” he says. “We made our decision after looking at samples.”

Know who you’re targeting.

Different tradeshow giveaways appeal to different audiences. For Imagine Software, padfolios and flashlights were useful and compelling to investors and others at the SALT Conference.

Offer more than one tradeshow item.

If you only have one giveaway, it gets old. Fast. Keep things interesting and get your brand the extra exposure by handing out a variety of tradeshow giveaways. Consider offering items at different price points depending on the conversations you have.

Get the most mileage out of your giveaways.

Items such as padfolios are perfect for inserting printed collateral: press releases, white papers, sales sheets. Imagine Software has given away padfolios at two different events and inserted press releases and articles inside. “It’s worked out very well giving out a piece of content along with a promotional item,” says Wells.

Hand out tradeshow giveaways people actually want.

Wells understands the golden rule for tradeshow giveaways: Give out cool stuff. “You have to have something at the booth to draw people over,” he says. “We wanted something that would be useful and nice. Everybody needs a flashlight. It’s also a bit evocative of shedding light, which we liked.”

Find a promo products company you like.

Don’t put your tradeshow giveaways on the line—work with a promotional products provider that understands your business and can get you the high-quality goods you need. Imagine Software keeps coming back to ePromos for the products and the service. “Kristan [Bullard] is fantastic. She’s always in a terrific mood and willing to help—even with some of our more difficult requests,” Wells says.

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Horse-racing fans had their pick of some pretty fantastic promotional products to commemorate the Kentucky Derby. From glassware for mint juleps to tote bags to showcase their love for the sport, there was a promo item for every kind of Derby fanfare.

Whether fans were at Churchill Downs or watching from afar, one thing is certain: They had to have custom logo products to memorialize the 139^th running of the Kentucky Derby.

The event’s official online store is packed with promotional items ranging from apparel and artwork to party gear such as napkins and plates.

As any Derby fan will attest, it isn’t all about the horses; it’s about celebrating an iconic American experience.

Orb came away victorious in the run for the roses. And, so did everyone who scored this great swag from the 2013 Kentucky Derby.

1. A custom iPhone case captures the excitement from the Derby and puts it right on your phone.

2. What a great way to combine two sports: custom golf balls featuring the Kentucky Derby logo.

3. For the youngest Derby fans, promotional plush toy, Churchill Charlie, makes a fun commemorative gift.

4. Custom tote bags are quintessential keepsakes—even better that these bags are bright and vibrant with a full-color print.

5. For lady Derby fans who want to show their enthusiasm without the elaborate headwear, these custom sweatshirts are a must.

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Kids who go to Bright Smiles of Winter Haven, a Florida-based pediatric dental office, get more than a teeth cleaning at visits—they score some great custom bags.

If there’s anything that takes the dread out of going to the dentist, it’s free stuff. And for the dentist, the promotional bags are excellent marketing tools.

Think about it: Kids are busy. Between school and extracurricular activities, they’re toting those logo bags everywhere.

The exposure is why Mike Miller, who works for Bright Smiles’ advertising agency, contacted ePromos for promotional bags.

“We wanted to provide our new clients with gifts,” Miller says. “We figured promotional bags would be perfect to put everything in. They’re relevant, and child- and adult-friendly. When a child is going to a sports practice or dance practice, for example, it’s easy for parents to throw stuff in and go.”

Bright Smiles advertises in a variety of ways—from social media to newspaper ads. But it’s the promotional bags that generate the conversation that’s so critical to the practice’s growth.

“Much of the business comes through referrals,” says Miller. “The child’s smile is our biggest billboard, and the bags are such a great way to introduce the discussion of which dentist a child goes to.”

Miller anticipates that the bags will be filled with other freebies such as tumblers for parents and youth-sized t-shirts for patients.

By using promotional gifts that are functional and appealing to all age groups, Bright Smiles is successfully building its brand one patient at a time.

Promo know-how tip:

Always include something in your promotional bags—whether it’s printed information about your business, coupons, or another promotional item. Let our Brand Consultants create your next promotion using custom bags.

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Summer is a great time to heat up your marketing (and your sales) with promotional products. People are excited to dive into a new season, and your brand appears modern and fresh when you hand out season-specific items.

There are those promotional products—think pens and tumblers, for example—that are smart giveaways any time of year. Now’s the time to mix things up and keep things interesting by handing out promotional gifts your audience can use in the summer season.

Here are 10 promotional ideas to make your brand sizzle this summer:

 1. When your customers are soaking up rays, everybody at the pool or beach will see your logo on the always stylish Rubberized Promotional Sunglasses. They even provide 100% UVA and UVB protection.

2. Much of summertime is spent outdoors, making the Folding Personalized Chair a smart promotional gift. Customers will want to tote it everywhere—from backyard gatherings to campouts.

3. Associate your brand with the Nike name and give golfers what they need to excel on the course: Nike Power Distance Promo Golf Balls.

4. Made from a quick-drying fabric and designed with a grommet and hook, the Microfiber Promotional Golf Towel is a fast favorite among golfers.

5. The Lightweight Promotional Beach Towel is a summer must. It keeps your logo top of mind every time customers need to towel off.

6. Promote your brand and summertime fun with this Promotional Beach Ball. Choose from two-tone or solid translucent colors.

7. Sun protection is convenient and colorful with Zinc Promo Sunblock, which is offered in five different colors. Your logo is imprinted on the clear tube.

8. The Plastic Promotional Flyer sparks brand awareness and fun and games. Add a paper plate, and it doubles as a plate at company picnics.

9. Personalize the Waterproof Imprinted Cellphone Pouch for a handy promotional giveaway your customers will use all summer long.

10. Hand out the Folding Travel Promo Umbrella, and your company will be a hero when a summer rainstorm pops up. It packs conveniently into a logo travel case.

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Promotional products can rock marketing campaigns, but don’t overlook their softer side—they’re also perfect for personalizing a wedding.

Every couple wants their wedding day to be unique and unforgettable, and custom products are just the way to infuse the big day with an extra-special touch. They can showcase the personality of the couple, and they can enrich the entire wedding experience for everyone involved.

U.S. couples spend an average of $25,000 on their big day, according to The Wedding Report, Inc. With that kind of investment, guests should remember the wedding.

Promotional products ensure that the big day lives on. They commemorate the couple and the wedding, and they’re lasting reminders of the day that two people said “I do.”

Don’t think promotional products can only be used as wedding favors. We adore buttermints in personalized wrappers as much as the next wedding guest, but there are many other ways to personalize your wedding with custom products.

Here are some ideas for using promotional products to turn a wedding into a gorgeous, personalized experience:

Welcome out-of-towners.

When far-flung wedding guests arrive for the big day, treat them to custom bottled water and personalized snack packs. Go the extra mile by creating welcome packages containing custom bottles of shampoo or lotion. They’ll appreciate the kind gesture, and couples will be creating a personalized experience right from the start.

Thank the bridal party.

Promotional products become lasting keepsakes for bridesmaids and groomsmen. Whether it’s personalized tote bags or custom stainless steel water bottles, custom gifts are symbols of friendship and appreciation.

Enhance the décor.

Personalized banners or signs can both welcome and direct guests. Display them outside the venue, and station them at various places around the reception. Custom tabletop runners make a beautiful addition to the décor, as well as custom beverage napkins and personalized coasters.

Send guests home with something special.

Giving out unique wedding favors is one of the best ways to make a wedding memorable. Custom products can be trend-setting or traditional—it’s all up to the bride and groom. Custom seed packets capture the spirit of outdoor weddings, while wrapped custom candy is a classic, timeless wedding favor.

Promotional products are a way to make a wedding unlike any other. They’re custom-made specifically for the event, giving it a personal, distinctive feel. When store-bought favors and gifts just won’t do, elevate the experience with custom products.

Promo know-how tip:

Incorporate wedding colors into the promotional products or the imprint. Our Brand Consultants can work with you on every detail.

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