Brand Matters: Business as Unusual

 

Dare to be uncommon. Ordinary business practices lead to ordinary business.

We all know print and promotional products are effective forms of advertising, but with so many companies selling the same shtick, how do you stand out?

Sometimes it can come down to what it is you’re giving away. Pens are great, everybody uses them, but take a minute to think about your own life. How many pens have you received from different companies in the last month? How about the last six months? The last year? If you go back far enough you may realize you have an entire drawer full of branded pens, thereby lessening the advertising value of each one.

Now ask yourself how many branded popcorn poppers you have. You probably didn’t have to think very long because you either don’t have any or you only have one.


1. Getting lost in the crowd

Let’s revisit the pen example. We’re by no means saying that a pen can’t be an effective promotional tool or that people are going to become disinterested by receiving another pen. But consider the fact that 20% of consumers own more than 10 promo writing instruments.(1) Your brand’s pen is in that drawer swimming around with more than 10 other brand’s pens, and unless there is something super unique about your pen, it becomes white noise.

“The person who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd,” the brilliant Albert Einstein said. “The person who walks alone is likely to find himself in places no one has ever seen before.” That’s just a profound way of saying that uncommon goodies can help prevent your product from getting lost in the crowd.

 

 

Get the Uncommon Goods Lookbook HERE


2. Business as unusual

This isn’t just about ordering a one-off, branded pool float or ice cream scooper. It’s about creating a culture of unusual. What can your business do to stand out on a regular basis? Ask yourself how you can pair your distinct selling proposition with an exciting or different promotional item to grab an audience’s attention. This kind of thinking is not only a great way to promote your own products and services, it also sets a great example for your employees.

Encouraging employees to come up with new ideas that transcend the norm will result in more creative and motivated employees that will move the company forward. It’s a win for the consumer, a win for the employees, and a win for business owners.


3. Keep your products useful

People love stuff. It’s so easy to accumulate dozens of branded products from dozens of companies, but those products are only effective if they’re useful. Don’t get so lost in the idea of offering unique products that you make something nobody is going to use. 53% of people use a promotional product at least once a week (2) and that usefulness is the key. It’s why pens and bags are so popular.

When considering what products to choose, stay on top of the trends and identify what is important to your recipient. A branded pickleball set stands out and could be used regularly by the consumer, considering it’s the fastest growing sport in America(3). The ultimate goal is to brand a product that the consumer sees and uses on a regular basis, but that they also can’t get from every other company.


The Takeaway

Nobody wants their company labeled as boring. There is a time and place for widely used classics like t-shirts, pens, and notepads, but don’t overlook opportunities to think outside the box.  So don’t be afraid to try something new! Maybe take that right turn when everyone else is going left. Your clients and customers will ultimately thank you for it.

Contact our team for help making your next unique campaign.