I recently came across this fascinating article about promotional products and brand names. This particular article focuses on promotional products in terms of clothing that can be worn. However, the principals that are outlined in this article can apply to all promotional products.

According to the article, there are four selling points for pushing wearable promotional products. Regardless of whether the promotional product is wearable (like a sweater), or something that your customers will carry around, like a travel mug) these principals are important concepts for all businesses using promotional products to keep in mind (republished from here):

1. Consumers want it. Surveys show that consumers are reducing their overall spend on apparel, so a client?s target audience is more receptive right now to receiving high-quality items. They may not be spending on clothes otherwise, so your clients should give it to them.

2. Durability. Recipients tend to hang onto wearables much longer than other items. In a recent report from ASI titled the Advertising Specialties Impressions Study, consumers said they used wearable items they received five times per month. And, they said they kept the items on average for nine months.

3. High perceived value. Promotional apparel, because people end up using it often, has a higher perceived value than many other promotional gifts.

4. Price. While high-end branded apparel can be a big seller in a downtime (thanks to the impressive perceived value), T-shirts and other wearables can be purchased at a very low cost. That price point can be very attractive to clients right now.

What can businesses take from this article about all promotional products? Basically, give away promotional products that have a high perceived value so that customers will use them and value them. Make sure the products are trendy, too, so that they will actually be used with pride!