As a business, you have the opportunity to promote your brand, connect with potential and existing customers, and build relationships all while keeping costs under control through promotional gifts, also known as marketing materials.
The psychology behind it lies in the principle of reciprocity, which simply put, states that when someone receives something, they are more inclined to give something back. This doesn’t always have to be in the form of a physical item, but can also be in the form of a positive attitude towards a brand or product, increased purchasing intention, or even recommendations to friends and family.
Building Emotional Connections through Promotional Gifts
When customers receive a thoughtfully designed, visually appealing promotional gift, they feel valued and remembered. Ideally, the gift should be visible in their daily lives, reminding them of your brand and company time and time again.
However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that not all promotional gifts are equally effective. To maximize their impact, the gift should be carefully chosen and well-designed to create a strong, positive association with your brand. The quality, durability, and overall design of the gift should reflect your brand image.
Example: Branded Phone Cases as Promotional Gifts
A prime example of an effective promotional gift is a
branded phone case. From the recipient’s perspective, a branded phone case is a practical and useful gift. It’s likely they will use it consistently to protect their phone, which means they will be in daily contact with your brand. This constant visual stimulation can contribute to a positive association with your brand, strengthening their emotional connection.
From the business perspective, it’s important to keep in mind that the branded phone case will be the recipient’s constant companion. Therefore, the design should be visually appealing and representative of your brand, leaving a positive impression. Additionally, by incorporating technology such as QR codes or similar technologies on the case, you can directly connect with potential customers by directing them to your website or social media.
Turning Recipients into Brand Ambassadors
By distributing promotional gifts, businesses have the ability to turn recipients into brand ambassadors. While not everyone may become an ambassador, a portion of them will. This emotional connection and the experience of being gifted can lead the recipient to recommend your brand to others, increasing its reach and exposure.
The ROI of promotional gifts
Return on Investment (ROI) for promotional gifts can be difficult to calculate because there are several factors that influence success. To calculate the ROI for promotional gifts, companies would have to consider the cost of the promotional gift, the value of the customer, and expected sales. However, it is difficult to measure sales increases due to psychological effects. Despite this, the question of the specific economic benefit remains relevant. For example,
Forbes cites a study that states a 40% increase in ROI when companies give gifts that leave a positive impression and are memorable.
Summary:
In conclusion, promotional gifts can be a valuable tool for promoting a brand, winning and retaining customers, and building an emotional connection. By combining practical utility and emotional relevance, a promotional gift can integrate the brand into the recipient’s daily life and contribute to a longer-term memory of the company. A careful selection of the promotional gift and its branding can help maximize the return on investment. It is important to note that not only is the cost-effectiveness of a promotional gift important, but also its emotional value to the recipient.
As a business, you have the opportunity to promote your brand, connect with potential and existing customers, and build relationships all while keeping costs under control through promotional gifts, also known as marketing materials.
The psychology behind it lies in the principle of reciprocity, which simply put, states that when someone receives something, they are more inclined to give something back. This doesn’t always have to be in the form of a physical item, but can also be in the form of a positive attitude towards a brand or product, increased purchasing intention, or even recommendations to friends and family.
