The Best Trade Show Giveaways
Giveaways have the unusual distinction of being both the most useful merchandising tool in an advertiser's arsenal, and also being the most wasteful. All too often at trade shows, items such as foam rubber squish toys and pens make their way to the trash bin before the recipient even has a chance to see the company name written on it. While trade show gifts should be functional, they should also be inexpensive, as many of them might end up as a pet's chew toy.
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Pens
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While pens often are discarded or lost after just a single use, they deserve mention among the best trade show giveaways because of the low cost of advertising they provide. There are two types of pens found at trade shows, however. One type of pen is the bottom-of-the-barrel standard clicking pen. These pens are the most likely to be discarded by recipients due to their cheap construction. Instead, choose a pen that has a removable cap and a comfortable shaft. These pens are the ones more likely to be hoarded in offices, and in all likelihood, will make their way around an office as people steal the pens from one another, increasing your company's exposure within the targeted client's office.
Sticky Notes
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Sticky notes can be purchased with any logo you can imagine set as either a shaded background or as a solid header on the sheets. They are cost-effective and guaranteed to be used with abandon throughout your client's office to notate everything from a secretary's dog grooming appointment to bets on which tie the boss is going to wear on Friday. Sticky notes can keep your company's logo on the tip of your client's tongue throughout their personal and professional activities.
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Coffee Travel Mugs Filled with Coffee
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In many cases, trade shows are hosted by companies wishing to spend the least amount of money possible at the trade show venue in order to maximize profit. This can mean that the host may not have set up provisions for coffee. Take advantage of this by supplying your potential clients with logo coffee mugs filled with coffee from one of their favorite coffee vendors. While this is a more expensive option, and best for smaller trade shows, it has the benefit of making potential clients carry around your company logo for at least 20 minutes, or however long it takes them to finish their coffee. With luck, they'll come back for a refill.
Key Chain Flashlights
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Key chain flashlights are a fairly new idea in trade show giveaways, brought about with the widespread use and adaptation of the LED light bulb. Key chain flashlights are more likely to be kept by trade show participants for use on their personal key rings. These small flashlights use replaceable watch batteries for power, ensuring that your client will be using your logo-embossed tool for years to come.
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References
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