If you've been running a business for a while, you may have been making promotional products a part of your marketing strategy. These gifts are often thought to be the same as corporate gifts, but the truth is the two are quite different. The former can be used to attract new customers to your business, while others might be used as a "thank you" present. Besides that, though, do you know the real difference between a corporate gift and a promotional product? If not, then keep on reading.
Here are four ways a promotional product is different from a corporate gift:
1. Promotional Products Cost Less
When you compare the costs of these two types of products, it will be clear that promotional products are much cheaper than corporate gifts.
Why? Promotional products are like giveaways. You're giving away them for free to promote your brand and merchandise. A corporate gift, on the other hand, is more of a "thank you" to someone or a group of people. Because of this, the gift is typical of much higher value, as well as selected to be personalized to the ones receiving it. Plus, corporate gifts aren't given to everyone out there. Depending on you, the gift might just be given out to the top 10 or even top 100 clients that have done business with you.
2. Promotional Products Have A Different Purpose
As previously mentioned, a promotional product is meant to promote your brand. This can be done through a myriad of ways, such as giving away stickers of your brand or bottles with your brand imprinted onto it. On the other hand, corporate gifts are, again, a way to thank a client or customer. However, the gift can also be used to open communication or solidify the beginning of a new relationship with another client or customer.
Put simply, corporate gifts are meant to kick-start communication and maintain it, while promotional products are used to promote sales.
3. Promotional Products Are Targeted At Different People
As we've pointed out a few times in the article, promotional products are given out to promote your business. While you might think that this means you should be giving it out to everyone, that's not the case. While you can do that, it's a waste of money. Instead, you're giving out promotional products to your target audience.
Corporate gifts are more for the individuals within the audience that are ready to business with you. However, the gifts aren't limited to that. Just like any other gift out there, they can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, you can give a corporate gift to your top-performing employees to recognize their contribution to the business, or for thanking a partner that has performed exceptionally well during a project.
4. Promotional Products Are Given More Often Than Corporate Gifts
Think of promotional products as a way to augment your marketing campaign. You share it whenever you can to promote your business to boost your sales. Corporate gifts are quite the opposite and are only given out on special occasions, like Christmas or New Year.
As you can tell, promotional products are given out more frequently than corporate gifts, and it should be that way.
Conclusion
Promotional products aren’t necessarily better than corporate gifts, and neither is the opposite true. The two play very different roles in your business. In fact, we highly recommend that you implement the use of promotional products and corporate gifts if you haven't already. Not only are they affordable, but they help build new relationships, solidify ongoing ones, and attract new clients and customers to want to do business with you.
Are you looking to make promotional products or purchase a corporate gift? Visit our website and check out how we can help you.