Companies go green for many reasons. They may recognize that being viewed as an environmentally friendly company can attract business. They may wish to go green to protect themselves from environmental liability. They may realize that reducing energy use also reduces cost. Or they may anticipate rising oil prices or oil shortages and seek alternative forms of energy. No matter the reason a company chooses to go green, the growing number of companies that are doing so is exciting. 

Some companies insist that their environmental friendliness doesn’t stop at their front doors. These companies also choose to do business only with other companies that have a similar interest in protecting the environment. If you’re trying to partner with a company like this, promotional giveaways, as with any other company, are important because they help you stay top of mind and project a certain image. But if the company you’d like to partner with is environmentally friendly, you have to promote an environmentally friendly image as well. Leaving behind green promotional products will show your potential customer that you care about the same things they do.

Consider leaving a reusable water bottle with your logo on it. Every time your client or potential client quenches his thirst while reducing his use of disposable cups, he’ll think of you. Or leave your client with a notebook made of recycled paper or let her take a break in a busy workday by playing with a toy made of eco-friendly bamboo.

Showing clients and potential clients that you share their values is a great way to open doors, and by choosing custom printed eco-friendly items, you’re also helping the planet. Contact BRAVA Marketing Promotions today and we’ll help you project the right image to your clients.       

BRAVA Marketing Promotions specializes in producing high quality promotional merchandise and unique custom printed products. These imprinted items are tailored to meet the specific promotional and marketing goals of large or small organizations and businesses. Contact us today for all your promotional product needs including personalized apparel, business accessories, trade show giveaways, corporate gifts, awards, and much more.

By: BRAVA Marketing Promotions

But why the outrage? Why blast shows for strategically placing products? Coca-Cola surely doesn’t mind. And if you had a stake in the Coca-Cola company, you wouldn’t mind either.

But think about your own company. You probably don’t have the vast resources of Ford Motor Company or AT&T, but that doesn’t mean you can’t engage in product placement of your own. There are plenty of opportunities, both small and large, to grab a piece of that action.

Local cable shows are a great avenue. While not as popular as in the pre-Internet days, they offer a chance to sell your product to the local community. And if you’re a local, community-based business, that’s the sweetest plum of all.

Small business fairs are another great option. Most are run by local chambers of commerce, and for a modest fee you can set up a table or booth and get lots of great exposure for your business. It’s also a tremendous networking opportunity – you never know who may need what you’ve got!

Of course, all of this product placement is predicated on you placing your product. If you sell motor homes, it’s not exactly practical to bring one to a local cable studio or a business fair. But there’s no reason not to have promotional giveaways like affordable pens, cups, t-shirts, note pads, calendars, and key rings with your logo and/or company information on them. Whether a visual reminder or a physical takeaway, you’ll be putting your company in front of the most important people there are – potential customers.

So let the soda companies and truck companies have their TV spots. Contact BRAVA Marketing Promotions today and let us create some memorable custom imprinted products for you!

BRAVA Marketing Promotions specializes in producing high quality promotional merchandise and unique custom printed products. These imprinted items are tailored to meet the specific promotional and marketing goals of large or small organizations and businesses. Contact us today for all your promotional product needs including personalized apparel, business accessories, trade show giveaways, corporate gifts, awards, and much more.

By: BRAVA Marketing Promotions

Right off the bat, happy New Year everyone! From all of us at BRAVA Marketing Promotions, here’s hoping that 2012 has already been prosperous and enjoyable for you and your loved ones. 

As for us, we’ve made a couple of New Year’s resolutions. The first is a no-brainer – to continue providing the coolest and newest promotional products available. Of course, we’re still going to provide the best value, customer service, and satisfaction guarantee around, but those are no-brainers too.

The other resolution we’ve made is to keep the lines of communication open via this blog. Going forward, you can check in regularly to find out what’s happening with BRAVA, and in the world of promotional products in general. We’ll be updating weekly, so be sure to come back and visit often. This is one resolution we’re determined to keep!

So what’s your plan in 2012? Is your company going to maintain the status quo when it comes to getting the word out, or are you going to let the world know who you are and what you do? It’s true that the economy hasn’t changed dramatically from what it was in 2011, so maybe you’re concerned about budget. Don’t be. There are plenty of cost-effective ways to keep yourself top of mind with your customers.

Consider the humble pen. The world might be moving toward the digital age, but people still write things down. If they’re writing with a plain black pen, that doesn’t help your company at all. But if they’re using a pen with your logo and all of your company information on it, you’ve just made a potential new client. And you didn’t have to break the bank to do it.

The New Year is a blank slate. Fill it with new business! And let us help you do it. Contact BRAVA Marketing Promotions today!

BRAVA Marketing Promotions specializes in producing high quality promotional merchandise and unique custom printed products. These imprinted items are tailored to meet the specific promotional and marketing goals of large or small organizations and businesses. Contact us today for all your promotional product needs including personalized apparel, business accessories, trade show giveaways, corporate gifts, awards, and much more.

It has been proven that advertising your brand, company, products or organization has a direct impact on your target audience. After viewing information or even just an image, your message starts to get through. You may need multiple impressions to break through the clutter but even just a few impressions have a positive impact. It is always better to go after your target market with a multi prong strategy than a onetime only blast of any media type.

Using a custom imprinted item with your logo, web address and contact information is a great way to strengthen any marketing program. It is a fact that most recipients of a custom imprinted product are very reluctant to toss it out. Your impression will stay around for a long time and may influence others in the area by association.

Choosing an item that reflects your message will also help reinforce your brand. If you are a food company giving out related cookware or utensils is helpful. If you are launching a new product choose an item that will be associated with your launch. Many times an item already exist that can match up very nicely with your message. Search for it as the right item with the right message is a powerful combination.

It is not always the price of the item but the perceived value to the recipient that is key. There are many custom imprinted products that have a high perceived value that are reasonably priced. Choose unique items that will carry your message well, have an impact to your target market and meet your budget requirements.

Plan ahead and get creative!

BRAVA Marketing Promotions www.bravamarketing.com offers more than 400,000 unique custom imprinted promotional products to increase your organizations brand and marketing impact. Contact us at 877-239-1227 toll free for ideas on the best values in results oriented promotional marketing items.

Spring and summer is a great time to promote your business or organization with fun logo branded items.  There are lots of outdoor products ranging from Frisbees, picnic gear, beach items, golf products, hiking and camping gear as well as the classic imprinted tee shirt.  These categories and more can get your name across to potential new customers and remind existing customers about your company. 

Your brand is critical.  With the right custom imprinted item you can stand out from the crowd and get your message across.  It is Quick and Easy to secure a promotional product that fits your needs and budget. 

There are lots of new products that are available for 2011.  These include new lip balms, sun screens, umbrellas, squeeze toys, cooler bags, sunglasses and logo imprinted caps.  Finding that new item to impress your customers, sales team or your organization just got easier. Your logo or tag line can be imprinted on any of these thousands of new items.  Remember custom printed merchandise is retained and reviewed more than any business card handed out.  Promotional products get results.

As the weather turns warmer think outside and think outside the box.  Place your brand where people will see it. Outside is where your new customers will be.  It has been a long hard winter – everyone will be outside enjoying the sunshine.  Your brand needs to be there too.

BRAVA Marketing Promotions www.bravamarketing.com offers more than 400,000 unique custom imprinted promotional products to increase your organizations brand and marketing impact. Contact us at 877-239-1227 toll free for ideas on the best values in results oriented promotional marketing items.

Brad Duarte – BRAVA Marketing Promotions

How do you change the name of your company without losing clients and starting all over again?

Maximize the opportunity of your name-change to rebrand your company and communicate to customers.

Some companies involve their customers and employees in deciding on the name change.  Creating excitement and energy – maybe a contest, can have a positive impact.

Manage the transition of name-change with a well thought out communication plan.  Decide what, when and how to tell all your stakeholders - employees,  clients (active and former),  suppliers, prospects, business associates and key members of your external community.

Decide whether to communicate in stages or announce in a big splash. Some marketers believe it’s best to unveil the change with a big splash with internal and external actions on the same day or same week. Some situations may call for a more gradual introduction – using both names for awhile.

A highly effective strategy is to send letters to clients and key stakeholders explaining the logic behind the change – how it better reflects the product or services.  Send reminder notes in invoices and promotional emails and mailers.

Name-change actions will require the launch of a new (or updated) website, new building signage, new letterhead, business cards and email signatures.

Coordinate your press releases with social media posts.

Use targeted promotional products to support your name-change initiatives. Make sure your sales force has plenty of great “leave behinds” with extended shelf-life that show off your new company name and logo. Reach out to past clients with an exciting promotional product - a great opportunity re-engage.

Planning an event to announce the name change? Make sure you have plenty of custom imprinted promotional products to go around.

Select custom branded merchandise your customers and employees will be excited to receive.  Choose items that reflect your new brand image.  Think high quality, trend setter, thought-leader, cool factor…

Get creative!

BRAVA Marketing Promotions www.bravamarketing.com offers more than 400,000 unique custom imprinted promotional products to increase your organizations brand and marketing impact. Contact us at 877-239-1227 toll free for ideas on the best values in results oriented promotional marketing items.

Happy New Year! Bring on 2011! The recession is over!  With optimism and confidence companies are implementing creative marketing strategies with exciting promotional products that engage and “wow!” their customers.  For a successful marketing campaign, promotional products must appeal to broadly diverse, multi generational customers. Think relevant, useful, fresh and hip.  The right promotional items play a vital role in conveying brand and message.  While traditional “swag” – pens, calendars, coffee mugs and T-shirts are always available, we’ve seen a definite trend with customers choosing more creative items.

Here are a few ideas and trends from our research and top customers.

Top 6 Trends:

1.    Tech gadgets and accessories. There is a continuing demand for iPod and mp3 players along with the growing need for their accessories.  To keep up with the gadget trend companies offer promotional products like protective iPod covers, recharging docks, armbands or lanyards to hold the gadget, or customized ear buds displaying brand name, logo and colors. 

2.    Green products. Eco-friendly products trends in recent years are exploding in popularity and demand. From biodegradable drink ware and plantable seed cards to umbrellas with bamboo handles and hemp materials for apparel items, going green is all the rage. As the general public embraces eco-friendly habits, sustainable items show support and the cool new technology these products posses.

3.    Apparel.  Shirts and tops continue to be the top selling wearable item with new styles, colors, fabrics and textures.  Jewel tones like deep purple, ruby red and sapphire blue, are THE hot new choice for men and women of all ages. Vintage/distressed fabrics are popular along with military / camo prints. Performance fabric, stretch blends in clean simple lines that won’t wick, show wrinkles and support the active lifestyle and comfort wearers want

4.    Multi-function items. Today, cell phones serve as mini laptops and cameras, a trend in promotional products is multi-use items. Pens with mini flashlights, lanyards and safety whistles. Padfolios with attached calculators and an assortment of useful multi-functional pocket size tools.  USB flash drives with light and laser pointers. Foldable, rubber rinsable waterproof hygienic keyboards are items trending hot.  Key rings are also flashlights, whistles, bottle openers, and pens.

5.    Kitchen gadgets and utensils.  A trend growing once again, kitchen products allow businesses to have their brand on useful everyday items. Beyond coffee mugs, rubber can openers, and refrigerator new hot items includes martini shakers, knives collections, and even plastic ice cubes. 

6.    Wine and accessories. Wine and wine culture trend increasing in younger and more diverse audiences. Wine novices and connoisseurs alike enjoy talking, tasting and sharing in wine as a favorite pastime. Getting into this trend with an appropriate promotional product from corkscrews and foil cutters to glasses and bottles of wine displaying a brand logo.   

BRAVA Marketing Promotions www.bravamarketing.com offers more than 400,000 unique custom imprinted promotional products to increase your organizations brand and marketing impact. Contact us at 877-239-1227 toll free for ideas on the best values in results oriented promotional marketing items.

Anyone you meet can become a new customer or refer on to you.  Make sure everyone knows what you do, what your company sells or what your organization is about.  The last thing you want to hear is “we just awarded the contract to ABC Company, I didn’t know you did that!”  You are better off with comment s like “yea yea we know you sell X”.  You may be surprised how many of your friends don’t know what you do or what your organization does.

A business card is good, a logo item leave-behind is better.  Sure give everyone your card but also give them something they will remember and keep around.  A simple pen with your logo, http://www.bravamarketing.com/bm_writinginstruments  a custom printed product with your phone and web address will be around long after the business card goes into the circular file.  Not all promotional products are expensive.  There are lots of memorable items that can fit any budget.  Do you work for an IT, Computer or Software Company?  There are lots of computer related items that will get noticed and stay on the desk for a long time.  Make sure everyone you know has one.  Work in the food industry?  There is virtually a squeeze toy for every type of food possible.  http://www.bravamarketing.com/bm_stressballs-relievers  They are fun, memorable and hard to toss out. 

So the next time someone ask you what you do hand them your unique printed item with your information and logo printed on it.  Yes you can give them a business card too.  It is proven the promotional item stay around for a wild, are really remembered and will be asked about long after your card is missed filed!

BRAVA Marketing Promotions www.bravamarketing.com offers more than 400,000 unique custom imprinted promotional products to increase your organizations brand and marketing impact. Contact us at 877-239-1227 toll free for ideas on the best values in results oriented promotional marketing items.

We wanted to pass this along to you from one of our partners as it really helps clarify the confusion around Sunblock and SPF levels.

You may have heard the term “SPF”.  Most know it means Sun Protection Factor.  But that is still pretty vague.

Everyone’s skin is different.  If you think about it, not even two people from the same family will sunburn or tan identically.  So, some sort of a yardstick was needed to provide the population with suncare products and an explanation of how it all works.  And so was born the SPF.

SPF is not about the STRENGTH of the sunblock.  It is about the amount of TIME IT IS GOOD FOR.

When you go in the sun without sunblock, your skin will usually start to redden after a time.  Let’s say that amount of time is 10 minutes.  If you are using SPF 15 sunscreen, you will be protected 15 times this amount of time.  In other words, 10 minutes x 15 = 150 minutes or 2.5 hours.  This is factoring in not sweating, wiping or toweling off the sunscreen.  The time factor on how long you take to get red is based on several factors with YOUR skin, including how fair you are, and other genetic stuff.

So, the higher the SPF rating, the LONGER it is good for, not the STRONGER it is.

Most people don’t spend hours and hours in the sun.  Which means that going out for a while with SPF 15 might be fine for you, as long as you don’t wash, sweat or wipe it off.  It benefits you to have a stronger rated sunblock if you plan on being outside for a fair bit of time.

Check out the wide assortment of logo sunblock options in all SPF levels at http://www.bravamarketing.com/bm_sunblocklotion

BRAVA Marketing Promotions www.bravamarketing.com offers more than 400,000 unique custom imprinted promotional products to increase your organizations brand and marketing impact. Contact us at 877-239-1227 toll free for ideas on the best values in results oriented promotional marketing items.

For most businesses the answer is no.  Sales and Marketing budgets are projected to still be under a lot of pressure for 2010.  In general ad revenues have not rebounded.  Even some of the larger corporations have cut back – no Super Bowl Pepsi commercials this year.  So what can you do to still motivate your staff, existing customers and generate new prospects?

One of the most proven methods is the strategic use of custom imprinted products.  Branded or Logo printed items handed out at the right time can have a dramatic effect on sales, contributions and good will.  For 2010 there are many new promotional products that are both cost effective and impactful.  

The big PPAI trade show was just held in Las Vegas where hundreds of new custom printed products were introduced.  This year creativity is off the charts as new items in just about all categories strive to be unique, progressive, useful yet economical and offering a high perceived value.  Remember a little something is better than nothing at all.  This year there are lots of new custom imprinted products in every budget range that your organization can use to help achieve your goals and objectives.

What’s New at BRAVA Marketing Promotions: http://www.bravamarketing.com/bm_newproducts

BRAVA Marketing Promotions www.bravamarketing.com offers more than 400,000 unique custom imprinted promotional products to increase your organizations brand and marketing impact. Contact us at 877-239-1227 toll free for ideas on the best values in results oriented promotional marketing items.