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Written by Emily Freed Over the summer I observed the Promotional Partner’s team from an outsider's perspective with the primary focus being on their marketing strategies, communication strategies, and creative solutions. As I have continued my time at the company, I have been able to observe more thoroughly the day-to-day processes that occur. This ranges from the initial contact of clients to creating the art, to ensuring the order is processed correctly. Since this is not a one-click business, I thought it would be insightful to share a behind-the-scenes look into how orders are actually created and received. I will be following the whole process throughout this month and hopefully allow you to see how this process is made a “piece of cake” by the Promotional Partners team. This will also let you get to know the team members who make it all possible. One of the major themes I would like to highlight is how Promotional Partners utilizes the personal connections made from each client meeting to enhance the results and process of making an order. The owner and main point of contact at first, Olivia Scott, uses her knowledge, creativity, and expertise to guide her company's collaborative process so their client's needs are fulfilled. According to Olivia, “Our best collaborations & outcomes start with a conversation. The time spent one-on-one in our showroom space & design studio helps to identify the best course for designing a client campaign. Access to products & talented team is an essential step. 2020 helped us all realize that virtual meetings are a critical step when the distance between us is too great to travel or a larger team of individuals needs to coordinate schedules to meet. We even chat on the phone. Instead of using valuable time going down a rabbit- hole of product choices- putting trust in our team to suggest the best product options for your project is an important part of our process. We do the heavy lifting, creating more time for our clients to focus their time on other tasks." One-on-one consultation truly distinguishes Promotional Partners from other companies. Their agency approach provides more than products- there are marketing concepts, plans, and graphic design that are layered into your campaign objectives & goals. Through personal connection, relationships form which allows the team to creatively capture the essence of your message and your brand through tangible products. “Over the years our tagline has evolved. Initially, it was creating impressions one brand at a time, which focused more on the imprint representing one's brand; a caretaker of your brand management as a partner to our current tagline of visionary assurance, and united purpose, which captures our partnership value. The secret behind our growth is an ability to connect to your message & your core values. Layering in our marketing & graphic expertise, along with industry certification, longevity & knowledge creates an environment where our client collaborations generate purposeful outcomes." Collaboration doesn't stop with brainstorming or end once an order is placed, the team is constantly working together and discussing every aspect of your project from concept to delivery. In this world filled with materialistic items at your disposal and where ordering items is as easy as clicking a button, having the opportunity to sit down with someone who can physically show you the products is a huge advantage to spreading your brand’s message. Instead of settling for the first product you see, Olivia and others on our team can provide you with the inside scoop, based on their collective certified knowledge base that goes beyond your expectations. See the difference for yourself by contacting Promotional Partners and coming to visit the showroom. Continue following our blog this week for more posts about our team members and a behind-the-scenes look at the entire process.

Color is one of the simplest ways to add high impact to your marketing message. The abundance of full color surfaces add the ability to adhere to your brand guide's color palette without paying for PMS matches. Plus, modern digital decoration capabilities can now be applied to both hard-goods and apparel, offering exceptional precision & image resolution. Digital decoration also takes the "wrap imprint" on drinkware to another level, with the design going completely around the surface of the object. Watch this video to see the process at work on a water-bottle and then this video for applying to wearable products. Wanna a little more BANG- POM- POW for your buck? Between now and the end of December, ask us about creating a full color box for your kitting needs at no additional charge for upgrade on the box! Ask us which box size applies to this special promotion, kitting & shipping costs additional. We'll create knockout graphics that will add the punch your brand needs for the WOW factor!

This past weekend blew in some crisp fall weather making us reach for pull overs, sweatshirts and jackets. Olivia's been enjoying trying out some new gear for fit, feel and fashion! She's found several go to pieces that are perfect for your brand. What are her top 3 picks? This vibrant sweatshirt- for the hood, open neckline, drop tail and of course pockets. Click the link for the video. This quarter zip for the softness, over-stitch seams, a waffle texture pattern- it provides a feminine touch with the comfort of knitwear. This quilted jacket is just the right color for fall, plus the perfect "tween" jacket- not too hot to layer and perfect for those chilly early mornings. Since it's not bulky it packs up easily as the day warms up. This woman-owned partner also is thoughtful & intentional in both the design elements and the growing response from consumers to make the fashion industry part of sustainable practices. Did you catch our post earlier this year about how this partner is utilizing plastic bottles to create quality apparel? Over 28 million water bottles up-cycled and counting! Creative Foundations. Better construction and beautiful finishes- plus a commitment to use recycled materials. We love innovative thinkers!

Whether you prefer sweets over savory treats, we have solutions that will please any crowd. There is no doubt that the holidays are associated with the flavors we remember since childhood, but food gifts are a great program for year-round gifting. We've got 8 good reasons here. Since research suggests 76% of Americans have a sweet tooth, saying yes to dessert is a smart way to insert your brand message. From Oprah's favorite's to your own go to delights- we've got solutions here! Looking for a way to do more than leave crumbs? How about brownies that help build playgrounds for kids, making fairy tales come true? Charcuterie boards remain popular for the variety of flavors to the strong visual impact. We offer a variety of cutting boards & hand crafted wood products; including from woman- owned partners, that make it simple for us to curate the collection that fits your brand. If you prefer the DIY route, consider contests and mailers that include a spice or secret ingredient to align with a specific message you have to share. Whether you lean towards sweet or savory, ask us about how to design a package that leaves behind branded products that individuals will appreciate using in the home or office break room after indulging in delicious treats! By the way do you prefer sweet or savory delights?

Did you know we process visual images faster text? Maybe that's one of the reasons reels & videos have become so popular on social platforms. There are studies suggesting that our brain processes images 60,000 times faster than text and that 90% of the information that's transmitted to the brain is visual; kinda makes you think about "curb appeal". Capturing & holding attention is essential to building engagement for your brand. Full color surfaces provide brand real estate; the curb appeal. What could you convey quickly? Core values Sponsor Appreciation Procedures- Checklist We all know why to scan the QR code We have almost 200 posts about how to use color and ways our talented graphic design team has captured brand stories with powerful graphics. Let's razzle-dazzle!

Practical items create long lasting engagement for marketing your message, and you know we also like the quirky too! Maybe you recall our give 'um the finger post from 2019, about how foam fingers were used when Apex was named the #1 place to live in 2015. Our woman-owned partner for our foam fabulous promotions has products for the home to clean the kitchen, the car and to make bath time fun with the kids. Because they have been making USA Made products for over 35 years, customizing a shape or adding some key points to the surface of the foam is a snap. We've created promotions for company's that want to add a fun element to their conference theme. Schools that want to add some spirit and fundraising sales to their program line up. Realtors and Mortgage companies looking for ways to connect in the home, using mitts and scrubbers in welcome home packages. The holidays are also a great time to insert some quirky fun into your branding & marketing efforts. Getting your brand wet might be just the clever solution you've been seeking to insert your message into the home. The holidays are also a time to embrace fun strategies for marketing. Let's get creative- using the surface to create the right message for your brand. Apparently even the Claus's love foam! Another woman-owned, quirky enough to work and low cost- high impact idea to consider.

Experiential marketing has become an increasingly popular way for brands to create memorable experiences for their target markets to identify with a brand message; becoming part of the experience behind the brand. How can an experience create a lasting brand impression? By creating an immersive experiences that include tangible engagement, the recipient is left with a strong impression . Think about it, our senses are our connection to the world around us. A cap that captures your attention visually, then compels you to try it on, then to purchase, has already become a sensory experience. Then by wearing the cap you become part of the story behind the event, creating a memorable experience each time you wear the cap; connecting you again to the story. Take your event to another level through tangible marketing. For example at an EarthFest, the educational products at booths should be sustainable or made with recycled content to reinforce the message, then allowing those verbal cues to become part of the DNA from your product "take away" from the event. A simple product becomes a visual, tactical reminder of the message behind it. By providing consumers with tangible products, a brand can extend the impact of their message beyond the event, reinforce the story or call to action, and will encourage social sharing to a new audience. Let's highlight 4 key factors to reinforcing your message long term: Relevance: The promotional product should be a relevant fit to both the experience and the brand message. Quality: The quality of your product selection is important; you're leaving an impression about your brand & your message. Utility: Products that are useful in everyday life will be used & then remembered; increasing the value. Branding: Promotional product branding is an art. Successful marketing includes the design & product selection to generate the brand moment when your message will resonate with the target audience. Experiential marketing is a powerful way for brands to create memorable experiences that extend the reach & impact of their message; creating a lasting impression. That's why our entire team is certified as soon as they start with our company. It's also why we invest in professional development. Two of our team members, Olivia & Miranda, have earned the highest level of certifications in our industry through our industry partner PPAI and ASI; both holding an MAS & MASI certification. Knowledge is part of our local advantage. Notes: PPAI- Promotional Products Association International ASI- Advertising Specialty Institute

In a 2022 survey from SWNS Digital, 76% of Americans say they have a sweet tooth. While cakes and cookies can satisfy a craving, 44% say they prefer dessert drinks like milkshakes and bubble tea. Some sweet seekers (about 7 in 10) say they try dessert drinks to feel on trend, with 32% trying a treat they saw on social media. National Dessert Month is in October and if you saw our recent post about shopping early for the holidays or thinking out of the box - consider "shaking" things up! Sorry, we had to make the pun. Crafting a kit around drinkware for your favorite beverage, inserting a recipe card, spice mix and some quality wireless ear buds for listening to a cooking podcast before your next holiday meal is a clever way to beat the holiday run and stay top of mind. Maybe even a follow up gift to enjoy over a morning cup of coffee or snuggled up with the blanket you sent them for movie night. Stand out from the crowd by doing something unique. Follow up your initial package with dessert or other sweet treats! Yep, ship the entire office some treats to share or drop ship a specialty item to their home. Like what? Maybe Oprah's favorite cake, brownies or even chocolate delights! Unlike hard goods that must be shipped as soon as they are produced because there is not warehouse space to store. Sending a gift earlier in the fall that can be used all year, then following up with a consumable is smart. Why? Food gifts are made to order - meaning order now, select the date to be shipped later in the year and your shopping is complete! Yep - ship to each person on your list at the ideal time that works for you instead of the challenges associated with year-end giving. Check out this video with one of our favorite food partners. Need only 1 unit? No problem, check out these sweet/savories and additional options here, including desserts! By the way, what's your favorite dessert?

There is something comforting about heading home at the end of the day and the reason so many of us return home to mom & dad for the holidays. Creating a comfortable setting that makes us relaxed is part of the joy of the holiday season. Searching for the perfect gift, that also includes your branding woven into the design can be a challenge. We all know if the product is high quality and useful, it's going to leave an impression and be kept & enjoyed over a long period of time. The challenge in the promotional world often comes down to quantities. It's tough to locate options for only 1 unit, then without a setup and add on quick turn and full color- well, one might as well be searching for a unicorn! We have found the unicorn- in fact we've been sharing this line with you for years. The turn times are even faster and the number of products with full color are even larger, which means we get to apply our creativity to the surface. Sure, we can add your logo, but what about images of events, places, homes, teams or milestone moments? Yes! Full color surfaces are also a way to convey your core values or have some fun with the surface, perhaps welcoming a new edition to the family or through an internal contest at the office. Make waves with a full color sound bar in the home this season. In fact, we encourage you to consider the magic behind heading home for the holidays. A versatile multi- tool knife for the culinary enthusiast that cuts bread, opens corks & bottles or even a can is a functional and elegant addition to the home. An accordion light, that's made with sustainable bamboo and Tyvek paper offering three light settings, that bends, folds and illuminates with elegance offers so many possibilities for travel and in the home. Enhance your gifts with full color sleeves and premium retail inspired packaging. Be inspired by all the choices we offer- ask about programs with only 1 unit to make your gifting turn key year-round and yes, add some flair to your brand moments & the unboxing experience with a presentation that wow's the recipient. Here is the latest catalog for the holidays and a broader line here.

Charcuterie gifts continue to trend, making the space perfect for something unexpected and interactive fun for the senses. If you've followed our blog posts over the years, you know that we'd suggested that food is not only a multi-sensory experience- food ignites memories and shares our culture. Food gifts are perfect for a crowd- an easy way to be popular with your co workers by sharing treats, but also by taking a moment to share in some down time. It's it interesting to learn you have a co worker that loves the same flavors you do or you have one that hates chocolate? Use charcuterie boards as a way to build camaraderie through themed team challenges- then offer prizes for different categories. Boards are just one of the many ways we can layer in a promotional gift with your food gifts to keep your brand part of an on-going consumer engagement campaign. Consider sharing time together through unexpected holidays during the year or milestone moments. Kindness & cheer are always in season. Make the board part of a food gift- kit! 5 Key Reasons to Kit: 1. Branding Moment- Create more opportunities for your brand and message to be exposed and shared! 2. Experience & Memory- Everyone loves receiving gifts, especially one that unveils a delicious experience! 3. Your Way- Personal Side- Create a kitted gift that represents your message and core brand principles! 4. Fulfillment-Ease of Distribution- Our team has the experience to make the process simple to coordinate, package, and ship your unique gift! 5. Food gifts are a low cost way to delight a large group of people. From planning to execution to the experience- we've got you covered! What are some ideas to consider for this holiday season? Click here for inspiration. Sometimes saying yes to dessert is just the right choice. Here are some of our newest options.

A label- not labeling; no shade here. Using a simple product to share joy & cheer. The holiday season is a time of giving, and for businesses, it’s also a time for marketing. One often-overlooked yet highly effective promotional item during the holiday season are labels. These small, customizable pieces can work wonders for your brand while fitting snugly into your budget. Our designers can make this simple product have a powerful impact on the eye. Holiday labels are incredibly versatile and customizable. You can tailor them to match your brand's colors, style, and messaging. Whether you want to showcase your logo, a festive design, or a heartfelt holiday message, labels can be personalized to your heart's content. This level of customization allows you to create unique, eye-catching labels that resonate with your target audience. Holiday labels are not limited to a single use. They can be applied to a wide range of promotional materials and products. Consider using them on: Gifts Product Packaging Mailings Event Promotion At Point of Purchase An Unexpected Thank You In Your Order Christmas labels can help your brand stand out in this crowded marketplace. When people receive a beautifully wrapped gift or a holiday card with your custom label, they are more likely to remember your brand and the effort you put into creating a festive experience. When people receive well-designed and thoughtful holiday gifts or cards from your business, they are more likely to share their experiences with friends and family. This word-of-mouth marketing can have a significant impact on your brand's reputation and visibility. Christmas labels are a cost-effective and highly effective promotional item for businesses during the holiday season

The holiday season is the perfect time to show appreciation to colleagues, clients, and employees with products that provide joy. What are some of our favorite holiday-themed, low-cost items that will bring a fun, cheery mood to this holiday season? Holiday Puzzles Holiday-themed puzzles are a great choice for businesses that offer engagement. Organizations like schools, marketing agencies, and healthcare institutions can gift holiday puzzles to staff & patrons promoting problem-solving or teamwork skills. Put our expert graphic design team to work to create something custom for you! Holiday Place mats Holiday place mats are a practical, decorative choice for many professions. Hotels & restaurants can enhance the dining experience by using themed place mats, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Businesses can host holiday events & meetings with festive place mats, reinforcing company culture and values. Nonprofit organizations can use holiday place mats as part of fundraising efforts, offering them as incentives for donations. Holiday Stencils & Sticker Sheets A younger audience will love these holiday stencils & sticker sheets that are interactive and customizable. Having stencils with fun cut-out shapes that represent the holidays allows people to create a fun holiday scene themselves. Stickers are also a fun way to create a holiday scene that promotes your message at the same time. These are a perfect choice for souvenirs during the holiday season as a way for people to remember your brand and have fun! Holiday Gift Boxes Customized holiday boxes are perfect for packaging gifts and goodies. Use these boxes to package your holiday creations, adding value to the products inside. These boxes also help create a memorable unboxing experience for everyone who receives one. Remember we have been designing custom boxes for years- plus the shipping. These tasks are areas we shine as an experienced partner. For more low-cost fun items for this holiday season check our website here: Promotional Partners. Did you know all the products featured here are with one of our women-owned partnerships! That's doubling up on you woman-owned partners when you team up with us. Also, in additional to being NC HUB Status woman-owned, we are part of the Town of Apex MWBE program?