The Last Word | Promotional Consultant

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The Last Word
By: Pamela Fields Webb, Managing Editor
Issue: May 2010

Last week I had a revelation—promotional products work. No, this isn’t something new. I’ve read the research—and I believe it. I know they work. It is something I preach to friends, family and acquaintances who own businesses.

But, I thought I was immune. I’m around it all day, every day. I write about it, read about and use promotional products at work and at home. I’ll bet you think you are immune, too. And, I’ll also bet that you, like me, have found yourself having an aha! moment when you’ve personally experienced the power of promotional products.

For me, it became clear last Saturday. I was enjoying a leisurely spring morning on the patio reading the paper, drinking a cup of coffee. All of that came to an abrupt end when I realized that if I didn’t’ jump up immediately, throw on some clothes and do my best Danica Patrick impression, I was going to miss my weekly weight loss program meeting.

So, what’s the big deal? I’d missed meetings before, so why not last week? You guessed it, a promotional product—an incentive—a key ring. It wasn’t gold, silver or diamond encrusted, just a simple key ring. But, to me it represented something that was important—that I’d stuck with the program—participated and attended the meetings for a specified amount of time. Now, every time I use the key ring I’ll be reminded of that accomplishment and be spurred on to continue the program.

After I arrived at the meeting that day—just in time, I might add—I stopped and took a minute to contemplate what I’d just done. I had to chuckle at myself. It’s a classic case of promotional products working. A creative, well thought-out program that knows it target audience. No one is immune to the simple, but powerful advertising medium that is promotional products.