To buy SWAG (stuff we all get) or not to

Posted on September 12, 2016 infoLeave a commentPosted in branded gifts, branded products, branding, Embroidery, Promotional Products, Screen Printing, T-Shirts

As a promotional products distributor, it is hard not to be offended when a successful entrepreneur known on a certain hit pitch TV show, Mark Cuban, shares a list of rules for new start-ups and one of them is to avoid buying swag (stuff we all get – AKA promotional products). Obviously we love custom apparel and promotional products and believe everyone can get a boost from distributing them on occasion. Just visit ASI’s research page to check out all the promotional products stats and it won’t take long to realize there is definitely something great about using branded products. On my recent reflection of Mark Cuban’s anti-promotional product stance for company start-ups, his advice does make some sense. Allow me to explain. The situation Imagine someone gave you a really great quality t-shirt with a logo on it that you knew very little about and felt no passion for. You end up using the shirt occasionally at the gym or when you’re running out of clean clothes. You like the shirt well enough that you hold onto it and wear it over a few year period. Unfortunately every single time you wear it someone inquires about the company logo wanting to know who they are and what they do and in response you have very little or nothing to say other than you got the shirt for free. What could have been a golden opportunity to share a passion for that particular company may have turned into

Your Promotional Product Budget: Making Every Dollar Count

Posted on September 12, 2016 infoLeave a commentPosted in Embroidery, Promotional Products, Screen Printing, T-Shirts

One of the most common topics we discuss with customers is what they can afford to purchase within their budget. Many of these clients want to select the very cheapest product that will fit within their budget regardless of the outcome. While we understand the sentiment, the cheapest products may not always deliver as much or any sort of return on investment, and the truth is that there are ways to afford more expensive products that will have a greater impact. We suggest the following strategies to everyone who wants to decrease the cost of purchasing custom products but not limit themselves to only the very cheapest products. 1. Utilize specials Always stay aware of current specials and promotions. Promotions won’t always fit your current needs, but if you stay up to date then surely something will come up that will. If you aren’t sure what specials are available, search the company website and give them a call directly to find out. Calling a company directly gives you a chance to find out if there are other offers not advertised on their website or if there is something you missed. The downside to utilizing specials is that sometimes you need to be ready to purchase at any moment. 2. Plan Ahead We realize that planning ahead is not always possible. Sometimes events and new ideas come up at the last minute and there is nothing you can do about it. However, planning ahead as much as possible will save a

Walking in different shoes in 2014

Posted on January 6, 2014 infoLeave a commentPosted in branded gifts, branded products, branding, Embroidery, Promotional Products, Uncategorized

An event is imminent and you just received an assignment to find a show-stopping giveaway or recognition gift on time and within budget. What do you do? Who do you turn to? This is a tricky situation and only one of many dilemmas our clientele face every day. Force any one of us to walk in their shoes and this is what you’ll see: Okay, we probably don’t look so adorable, but we would still struggle to fill their shoes. We have such a huge network of successful people that surround us that it is a shame we don’t pay closer attention and emulate what they are doing. I often remind myself that maybe the only thing we need to do in order to be successful is to mirror the work ethic and great things our clients are doing every day. Just as it takes little children time to grow and learn to walk in larger shoes, it takes every company time, practice, and growth to improve and become even better than before. At the end of every year we look back over our accomplishments and reflect on our clientele and everything they have done and taught us, hoping to express our appreciation in the best way possible. The challenges our customers and partners conquer never cease to amaze us and for that we strive to grow and improve to become better for them. We can’t imagine doing the things they do every day, so our goal for 2014 is to simply do