But have you ever stopped to think about the word “journey” and how it relates to your brand?

What is the history of your company? How was the brand created? What is the journey it took to get from where it started to where it is today?

The people involved, the process, the challenges, and the roadblocks that have had to be overcome – your brand’s journey tells a story. It’s this story that endears people to you and your brand; it creates a compelling reason for people to buy from you over your competition and stay loyal time and time again.

We believe that great marketing is about having the best story to tell – and the key is finding the most effective way to share it with the largest audience of qualified people in the shortest amount of time. Promotional products and branded merchandise can be powerful mediums for not only sharing your story, but inviting prospects, customers, employees, and loyalists to join in on your journey and become part of the story you’re writing.

And, while the on-trend drinkware and flashy apparel can be one way to get attention, sometimes –with the right decoration – it’s the smaller, useful products that have the power to make the biggest impact. A pen, a journal…things that will be kept, used, and seen time and time again.

We invite you to flip through our latest campaign, Small Joys for the Journey.

This collection of branded goods was hand-selected to help brands like yours increase visibility in practical ways. Take a look and connect with us to find more ways to help your brand enjoy the journey!

Boost Your Team: The Power of Recognition & Appreciation

How does it feel when someone acknowledges your hard work? Chances are, it feels pretty great, right? While most of us aren’t working purely for recognition, that’s exactly what makes those moments of appreciation so meaningful.

The effects of recognition and appreciation go beyond just awards that collect dust on a shelf—they ignite a sense of pride and accomplishment that can inspire, motivate, and unite. A team that feels truly valued is one that will go above and beyond for the company, and there’s research to back it up. According to the Harvard Business Review, “recognition is fundamental to the engagement and retention of top talent and profitability” of organizations. (1)

So, how do you start showing gratitude to the people who consistently show up for you? It’s simple—show them, don’t just tell them.

How you do it depends on what resonates best with your team and your company culture. Whether you go all out or keep it casual, the approach is yours to choose. When it comes to recognition, trophies often come to mind, and yes, many employees love a shiny new award to display. However, with a new generation entering the workforce, it’s a great time to think beyond traditional desk ornaments and consider more unique, functional gifts—think custom cornhole boards or personalized charcuterie sets—things your team can enjoy outside the office.

Even better? Empower your employees to choose their own recognition by launching a recognition program paired with an eCommerce store. Not sure where to start? Ask us how we can help!

For more visible displays of appreciation, consider a kudos board to keep team morale high. Or, for a fun twist, take inspiration from merit badges or scouting. Create a series of stickers, pins, or patches that employees can collect as they hit various milestones. It’s a tangible way to celebrate their progress and success.

Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry—it doesn’t have to be extravagant or complicated. Ultimately, the key is sincerity and personalization. Even a simple handwritten note or a thoughtful gift card can make a meaningful impact.

Making recognition and appreciation a core part of your company culture isn’t just a nice gesture—it’s a smart business strategy. Elevate your team, celebrate their achievements, and watch unity, productivity, and morale flourish! We’d love to help.

Explore our curated collection of recognition and appreciation products [HERE].

Ah, trade shows—love them or hate them, they’re essential in nearly every major industry. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned exhibitor, it’s natural to feel a mix of excitement and nerves. After all, this is your chance to shine (or stumble) in the spotlight.

The key to a successful trade show experience begins long before you set foot on the show floor. It requires a thoughtful strategy before, during, and after the event. From planning and marketing to selecting promotional items that enhance booth engagement and generate buzz, and following up to maintain connections, a lot goes into making your presence impactful and memorable.

Fortunately, we have a deep understanding of trade shows and are here to support you.

 

1. Pre-Event: Generating Anticipation Through Marketing

In the lead-up to the event, it’s vital to create excitement and distinguish yourself. Consider sending visually striking, targeted direct mail to your audience, providing them with compelling reasons to visit your booth. Enhance this effort by offering special incentives or discounts for those who bring the mailer to your exhibit. On social media, share sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and announcements of exclusive promotions or giveaways to build buzz.

Your primary goal at this stage is to make attendees eager to experience your booth when the time comes.

 

2. During the Show: Essentials for a Memorable Experience

Wouldn’t you want your booth to be the talk of the convention center? Absolutely! Achieve this by thoughtfully designing your space and considering the attendee experience. When it comes to giveaways, provide high-quality, desirable items that attendees will appreciate.

Choose trade show bags that are both functional and appealing. Look for stylish designs with sturdy handles and minimal branding. Consider messaging that encourages attendees to keep and use the bags long after the event. For name tags, think outside the box—opt for reusable badges attendees can wear to future networking events, or lanyards featuring eye-catching graphics instead of sponsor logos. When it comes to printed materials, why not use seed paper? Create meaningful messages on items that attendees will be excited to keep and use.

Additionally, enhance the in-booth experience with interactive elements like spinning wheels, games, virtual reality, or exclusive giveaways that create memorable connections with your brand.

 

3. Post-Event: Following Up and Sustaining Connections

After the event, don’t let your momentum fizzle out. This is the time to nurture the relationships you’ve begun to build.

Beyond the usual handwritten notes and emails, consider sending follow-up materials such as NFC-enabled items or those with QR codes to maintain connections. These items can serve as reminders for recipients to engage with your brand, like tapping in for monthly specials, fostering ongoing engagement that extends beyond the trade show floor.

In the end, while trade shows can seem daunting, they don’t have to be! By planning effectively for before, during, and after the event, you can maximize engagement and cultivate lasting connections that drive your business success.

Contact us today, and let’s optimize your trade show presence together.

Happy exhibiting!

Check out our collection of trade show show-stoppers here!

It’s a New Year, which means new beginnings, which in many cases also means…new hires! According to Indeed, the first quarter is prime time for job hunting. (1) For you, this means that the first quarter will see plenty of hungry, eager candidates, a few of whom might find their way into a cubicle (or work-from-home set-up) near you!

Now, in our very professional opinion, you can’t have a new hire without a new hire kit – for shame! To help you start the relationship off on the right foot, may we kindly suggest you follow the guidelines below to ensure that your new hire kit packs a punch in the most loving, welcoming, and memorable way possible.
1. Include essentials

When building your perfect new hire kit, make sure you’re sending items the newbie can actually use! Cute doesn’t always mean KEPT. Backpacks or laptop bags, company apparel, office supplies like notebooks and pens, and a tumbler or mug are all safe bets for helping your new employee feel welcomed, and ready for a great first week at work.
2. Let your company culture shine

First impressions are everything, and the new employee isn’t the only one who should be putting their best foot forward. Now is the time to show a little bit of character and offer some unspoken insight into your company’s culture. Do you want to send a quirky gift like funky socks to send the message that you play as hard as you work? Or maybe you prefer something sleeker and more sophisticated like a leatherbound journal? What you might not realize is what you send says more about your company than you may think, so be selective, make it count, and if it fits your brand – have fun!
3. Personalize the kit

Sure, personalization can mean embossing items with the new hire’s name or title, but that can be expensive! We’re here to tell you that you don’t have to break the budget to add a personal touch. When creating a new hire kit, consider whether the employee is hybrid or remote. You can also add a touch of customization by taking into account the differing job functions of a new employee – an artist might appreciate a nice sketchbook while IT might prefer drinkware or a tech organizer. You can still batch-create new hire kits while adding a more unique, personal spin that makes the recipient truly feel special.
4. Connect with us

I guess we could have just started with this one. Now, we’ll let the experts at your company cover the actual ins and outs of your company’s particular onboarding process. But when it comes to the new hire kit, a very important component of welcoming the newest addition to your team, we implore you to trust us – after all, we’re kind of the experts here.

Ready to get started? Contact us today and let’s create the perfect new hire kit to set your employees up for success and leave a stellar first impression!

Christmas…in July? As the summer sun graces us with warmth, gearing up for the holiday season isn’t just for people who need a mid-year, holly jolly pick me up – savvy businesses are also jumping on the trend to get a head start. Planning ahead isn’t just about avoiding inventory issues; it’s a strategic move to account for potential delays and snafus, ensuring your products arrive on time. From custom order cutoff dates—where large quantity and overseas orders can save you money, albeit with extended production timelines—to leveraging lower shipping rates before holiday surcharges kick in during Q3, ordering early – like July early – is the secret to saving big.

So, let’s dive into a smart checklist to ensure your business not only stays ahead of the holiday rush but also sleighs the season!

1. Define Your Holiday Message and Aesthetic

Kick off your holiday order prep by deciding on the message and aesthetic you want to convey. Whether it’s a heartwarming sentiment, a festive vibe, or a mix of both, having a clear vision early on sets the tone for all your holiday endeavors and will inform the rest of your decisions for product offerings, giveaways, and more.

2. Consider Holiday Gifts

If it’s the thought that counts, then take the time now to put some thought into how to make your holiday gifting items truly special. In a sea of gifts, how will you make sure yours stand out? Whoever your recipients are, the aim is to create a lasting impression reflective of the holiday spirit. Consider investing in personalized items, festive swag, or custom prints that seamlessly align with your brand and convey the message that you’re going for.

3. Time Things Properly

A big part of impactful holiday gifting is in the timing. Aside from the obvious point of planning accordingly so that your gifts have ample time to reach their destinations, timing delivery strategically can be another opportunity for you to be creative. Consider the power of surprise and delight! Break away from the conventional December 23rd routine – imagine the surprise of receiving appreciation gifts or awards in November for a heartfelt “ThanksGIFTING.” Or why not ring in the New Year with a thoughtful gesture to encourage your prospects, clients, and employees to start the year strong? Sometimes standing out from the crowd is as simple as having your holiday gift show up when people least expect it.

4. Don’t Forget About the Power of Packaging

While you’re on the trajectory of standing out, just say no to boring boxes! Branded tissue paper, wrapping paper, and shipping boxes help ensure your special delivery is, well, special. The bottom line is that being remembered starts with being different. Let’s work together to make sure your brand stands out this holiday season.

If you want your holiday season to go off without a hitch…

Time is of the essence. Work through your holiday timelines, from conceptualization to execution. By tackling these points early on, your business not only avoids the holiday frenzy but also sets the stage for a memorable and stress-free festive season.

And remember, when it comes to helping make it the happiest of holidays, we’re here for you! Contact us now to discuss your ideas, and let’s turn your holiday vision into a reality.

In the vast, overly saturated landscape of social media, to say it’s difficult to capture the public’s attention is an understatement. The one subject that is consistently able to cut through the noise in the dog-eat-dog world of social media? Ironically – it’s pets.

Why? Because people love pets. And what people love, they will pay attention to, promote, and shop for…but we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

From heartwarming rescue stories to playful antics, pets have an unparalleled ability to evoke emotions. The unconditional love and joy they bring become powerful narratives that resonate with audiences.

What else do people love? Okay, trick question – the answer is social media, but people don’t love social media so much as they are addicted to it. And if the popularity of true crime podcasts, fitness Instagram profiles, and crafting YouTube channels has taught us anything, it’s that people will take whatever interests, inspires, or delights them in real life, take it online, and make an entire community around it.

Enter pets. Furry, feathered, or finned, these charismatic companions amass dedicated followers fast, rising to the status of influencers. This is where the opportunity comes in. Pet influencers not only entertain but also, well, wield influence, making them valuable partners for brand collaborations. Their genuine and unfiltered content strikes a chord with audiences, opening the chance to make your brand a part of their everyday lives.

So how do you build influence on social media with the help of a furry friend? When creating campaigns – keep pets in mind. Connect with us to produce branded pet accessories such as bandanas or collars featuring cute designs, clever sayings, and tasteful branding, and, when the opportunity presents itself, hand or mail these products out.

Additionally, consider sending influencer kits to your top clients and prospects that you know have animals at home. Include products for the pet and their person. Encourage the recipient to post a photo to social media with a certain hashtag and tag you for a chance to win a prize or gift certificate toward some of your goods and services.

Or, if you want to keep it simple – include animals in your social media efforts. Feature photos and videos of staff and their pets, or the office cat or dog with branded merch included. You’ll make the algorithm happy, help put a smile on people’s faces, and show off your brand at the same time. Your brand can harness the emotional connection pets evoke by associating the products you offer with the positive feelings generated by pet content. Associating your brand with these cherished feelings and moments ensures lasting impressions and brand recall. Plus, it’s fun!

In the interconnected, addicting world of social media, pets help us build community. Whether it’s a shared love for a specific breed or a passion for pet-friendly activities, these communities create spaces for engagement. So, join in on the fun and celebrate the joy, laughter, connections, and yes, opportunity, that furry friends can bring!

Check out our collection of products perfect for people or pets in the social media spotlight HERE.

Contact us today and explore the convergence of pets, promo, and social media, where sales, brand loyalty, and influence organically follow.

Where the Fun Happens

Get your brand where the action is – whether it’s camping, beach outings, or BBQs. Put your logo or, better yet, brand message, on tastefully decorated lifestyle merchandise that aligns with the summer activities your audience loves. From water bottles, sunscreen, and can coolies to sunglasses, beach towels, and more, think of items that enhance your summer experience and messaging printed on them that would encourage you to keep it yourself. If it’s something you’d appreciate having around, your customers probably will too!

Smart Branding is Key

Functional products with a specific use-case like the ones outlined above are great, but they’re only half of the equation. Remember: even if it’s the best product on the market, no one wants to harshen their ~aesthetic summer vibes~ by carrying your business card on their water bottle. Save yourself from a cruel summer, ditch the logo, and emblazon your products with fun and creative messaging that resonates with the spirit of summer instead. Really want to put a logo on it? Consider a secondary, smaller imprint area to display your brand mark tastefully. Bonus points for incorporating lively, summer-inspired hues into your promotional materials!

Make a Splash

Turn your products into the ultimate summer companions by encouraging customers to take them on vacation – not just through sheer visual (did someone say insta-worthy?) appeal, but by making your brand part of an experience.

Run contests where they can post and tag your brand in their summer scenes for a chance to win exciting prizes. Or consider hosting some fun summer-themed activities yourself! Break free from the office, get out there, and get playful with a pickleball party or customer appreciation BBQ. With the whimsy and nostalgia that the summer season elicits, we encourage you to think about branding in ways that foster engagement, endear people to your brand, and help make lasting memories.

In Conclusion…

Don’t let summer – and the opportunities that come with it – slip away! As the temperature rises, so does the potential for your brand to shine. Contact us today and together, we’ll make your brand shine in the season of sun! ☀️

CLICK HERE to discover the trendiest summer must-haves that promise to make your brand shine!