What kind of message do you want your company to send out to your potential customers, staff and corporate associates? In this day and age it is important to show the public that you care about the environment that they have to inhabit. Companies who pollute and show clearly by their corporate actions that the wellbeing of the environment is not a priority do not do nearly as well in public opinion polls.

You can start showing the public that you care about the environment by handing out “green” promotional gifts.

Many business owners think about promotional products, but are not quite sure what is best for their specific type of business. While there are many great product ideas to choose from, not every product will be right for every business. Take the time to think about your business, your customers, and what would be most effective.

Here are some examples to help you decide what promotional products would work best:

While in St. Lucia enjoying a rejuvenating week of holidays, my husband Tom and I ventured into the town of Castries. There we found a market with hundreds of local merchants selling spices, vegetables, souvenirs and any wares tourists will buy.

I love to shop, especially in a local market where I can find the island gems. Within less than 20 minutes, though, I realized this was not the type of buying I like to do. Being followed, begged and bantered at does not create a shopping and buying experience that I enjoy. I couldn't wait to leave! I'm not one to cut a shopping trip short—so was my husband ever surprised when, before making any purchases, I said, "Let's get out of here!"

The first time I attended a conference as a reporter covering the direct marketing industry, I was amazed at the amount of loot to be had.

Pens, mugs, candy, yo-yos….I wanted it all. I went home with a totebag so full of goodies I could hardly lift it.

As marketers continue their debate over the next great advertising medium, a new study released by the Advertising Specialty Institute found it's not TV, print or radio that gets consumers' attention, but good old promotional swag.

This includes coffee mugs, pencils, retractable solar-powered flashlights or any other product bearing a company logo. Promotional products made up a $19.6 billion industry in 2007, per the ASI. Through surveys conducted both online and in-person in major cities, such as New York and Los Angeles, the institute also found that promotional products generate a cost-per-impression average of $0.004, compared to $.033 for national magazine ads or $0.019 for prime time TV ads.

Distributors of promotional products reported a 9.4% increase in sales, to $7.8 billion, for the first half of 2010, according to the Advertising Specialty Institute. Danny Friedman, vice president of Added Incentives Inc., offered a few ideas about ways you could “give away” your brand.

PUT YOUR LOGO EVERYWHERE

Is it mobile? Can you wear it? Then put a logo on it. Everything from jackets and lunch boxes to umbrellas and hard hats is fair game. One institution of higher learning is giving away thousands of T-shirts at college fairs held at high schools, as well as lower cost items like rulers.

Successful promotion campaigns don't happen by chance. To realize goals, promotional products programs must be carefully planned, taking into consideration the audience, budget and, of course, the ultimate result to be gained.

Ready to plan your next promotion? Use the consultant search engine to locate a PPAI member consultant in your area. You and your consultant will discuss these seven important elements to help you plan the best promotion for reaching your objective:

1. Define a specific objective.

Ad specialties are less expensive per impression than most other media

TREVOSE, PA – November 8, 2010– The Advertising Specialty Institute today released a landmark study that proves advertising specialties beat out prime-time TV, radio and print advertising as the most cost-effective advertising medium available.

The most significant findings of the 2010 Global Advertising Specialties Impressions Study show advertising specialties are less expensive per impression than most other media* and are very affordable and effective when compared to other forms of media.

To complete its research, ASI conducted a total of 3,332 online and in-person surveys, including interviews with businesspeople in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, London, Sydney, Toronto and Montreal metro areas.

REASON #1: Consultants are the experts in their field. When you’re sick, you want a doctor who has the specialization and training to help you. PPAI consultants meet the highest qualification standards in the industry and display “The Mark of a Professional.” The MAS (Master Advertising Specialist) or CAS (Certified Advertising Specialist) designation after a consultant’s name means he or she has earned one of the industry’s only official certifications. There’s no need to spend all your time on the Internet or searching through catalogs. Your promotional products consultant will come to you—like a doctor who makes house calls!