HOW DO I DISTRIBUTE PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS?

Handouts

The easiest and least expensive way to reach out to as many people as possible is simply handing out your promotional products in a public place.  One of the pros of this technique is that you reach a wide demographic of people, it costs nothing beyond the time and manpower necessary to physically hand out the items, and you make a face-to-face connection with each potential client.  On the downside, people are often in a hurry to get to work, class or back home and may not give your or your product its due attention.  Also, there are laws that restrict when and where handouts are allowed.

Bulk Mailings

Bulk mailings can also be an effective way to reach your customer.  This technique requires a little more work; you have to get ahold of addresses and names (or address your potential clients as "Current Resident" and risk being tossed with the junk mail).  This puts your item in the customer's home without bothering them during their day, and they have the option to open their mailing whenever they have time.  However, with this method, you also must take into account shipping costs and the feasability of mailing your item.  If you're packing pencils, it's perfect.  If you're bulk mailing out briefcases, backpacks or blankets, this method would probably not be the most cost effective.

Conferences

Conferences are a great way to reach others in your industry.  If you want to draw crowds into your presentation, offer them a great promotional product on their way in (and out!).  Not only will they have motivation to walk into your presentation, but they'll remember your company and message on the side of their padfolio, tumbler or mouse pad.  The only limitation of this distribution method is that you reach a very limited demographic.

Trade Shows

Trade shows are a great combination of convention and handout distribution.  Your audience is already more than likely personally interested in your product or industry, but your audience is not limited to the professionals in that industry.  However, the competition is rough in this type of atmosphere, because everyone at the trade show has comparable items and is competing for the same audience.  For this reason, you should even more carefully choose your item and work on the design to draw special attention to your item.

Grand Openings

Hotels, restaurants and other locations often have grand opening ceremonies or parties.  This is the perfect place to reach those personally interested in your company.  If you promote a sale, discount or another incentive to attend the grand opening, you'll draw crowds.  If you give your newest clients a great promotional product that offers a discount on their second visit or even just reminds them of your name, you'll draw crowds more than once.

Holiday Parties

For employee incentive and reward items, holiday parties are fantastic for providing positive reinforcement to your hardest workers.  Also, many items can double as supplies for the party such as imprinted glasses, custom bottle openers and personalized wine stoppers.  While your only recipients will be your employees, it also opens the possibilities for design.