Marketing In The New Economy

New Technology To Promote Your Business

2010-11-05T12:36:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I feel like my head will explode trying to keep up with all of the new technology that is now available to promote your business. Text marketing, tags (QR codes), USB keys, virtual brochure, multimedia presentations just to name a few. Luckily we have great partners who provide us with great products and endless support. It seems to me that the Canadian market is a lot slower to embrace these new trends. I have approached numerous companies about text marketing but so far I have meet with little interest. I really don't understand it. To me text marketing is so exciting with endless possiblilities but you don't see much of it in the Great White North. Down in the United States it is huge..but then I think that U.S. businesses are quicker to embrace something new. Any comments???

Promotional companies are only as good as their suppliers

2010-01-30T15:39:00.004-05:00

I have been very fortunate lately! Twice this past month my suppliers have saved me by stepping up to the plate and really going above and beyond to meet deadlines that seemed impossible. First DFS printing in Midland Ontario came through on a rush order placed just before Christmas that needed to be delivered the first week of the new year. Despite being closed for a number of days over the Christmas holidays they were able to pull out all the stops and made the delivery on time. The second supplier that has been amazing is BCH in Quebec. They produced a number of custom presentation pieces that turned out beautifully but four days before the event the customer realized that she had missed the name of one of the sales people. Amazingly BCH had made one more piece than was needed, the had the name engraved and shipped overnight so the client had the missing piece the day before the event.

It doesn't matter how good you are as a salesperson you always have to rely on the support of others. Whether it be others within your organization or the support of outside suppliers. This is why it is so important to have recognition programs to recognize the contributions of others. Everyone needs a pat on the back once in a while, either physically or figuratively. If your company doesn't have a recognition program maybe now is a good time to consider implementing one. 2009 was a tough year and many companies weathered the storm because of the hard work of their employees. Keep those employees loyal and motivated by saying thank you.

Go for it!!!

2009-08-28T10:24:00.003-04:00

Image by Professor Bop via Flickr

There are many reports in the media that consumer optimism is growing so now it the time to take advantage of the slowly improving ecomony and ramp up your marketing. Remember those companies that maintained or increased their marketing during the last recession, overall came out of the recession in a better position than their competitors that cut back their spending. There are many options for cost effective campaigns using specialty advertising products which give you a great return on your investment. Call us and we would be pleased to put together a program that will WOW your clients.

Eco-Friendly Promo Items Are HOT For Fall

2009-08-13T11:59:00.005-04:00

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I attended an ASI conference yesterday and was really excited about the wealth of eco-friendly products that are now available in the promotional products industry. Apparently many of the large Fortune 500 companies are now requesting quotes ONLY on products made with PET (recycled water bottles) so the specialty advertising industry is stepping up and producing all kinds of items from PET; sports bags, tote bags, clothing items, just to name a few. There were also alot of products made from cotton and jute, both renewal resources. It is very exciting to see all of the new applications and to feel that you can provide an environmentally friendly alternative to companies that understand the need to be socially aware

Calendars For 2010

2009-07-20T11:33:00.003-04:00

Image by Nancee_art via Flickr

It is only July and already we are getting reminders from our suppliers that now is the time to order calendars for 2010. These are a very popular item as it is a great opportunity to keep your company name in front of purchasers twelve months of the year. Some of the more popular calendar formats are sold our by September so now is the time to get your order in.

Corporate Christmas Cards

2009-07-15T18:41:00.003-04:00

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Now everyone sends e-cards. E-cards for birthdays...e-cards for holidays...e-invitations. Don't you miss the pleasure of going to your mailbox and seeing that bright white envelope waiting for you to rip it open and revel its message. Some how opening your e-mail and receiving an e-card just isn't the same, although I must admit there are some very beautiful e-cards online. Which brings me to corporate Christmas cards. Our suppliers are sending us e-mails daily about getting orders for corporate Christmas cards. I know it seems a tad early but it takes time to order cards, put together a mailing list and then getting the cards in the mail. If you have your mailing list as an excel file there are companies that will take care of the whole process. I don't think there is anyone who doesn't enjoy receiving a personal card and they are a great way of showing your clients that you really appreciate their business. Call us a 647-347-4220 to discuss your options

New Ideas From The Mile High City

2009-07-14T09:47:00.011-04:00

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Just got back from spending an amazing time in Denver attending the annual PROforma convention. Denver is a beautiful city surrounded by an even more beautiful countryside. We were fortunate enough to be able to spend an afternoon in the mountains visiting Red Rocks and the grave of Buffalo Bill Coty. For anyone who has not been able to visit Denver it should be on your "to visit" list.

But the real highlight of the trip was the actual convention and all of the new ideas that we have brought back to Toronto. The great thing about a convention is not only the actual presentations but getting to talk to other owners and sharing ideas. I would love to have the opportunity to share this new information with anyone who is looking for specialty advertising programs to attract new customers or reward existing clients. Promotional products are more than just pens, mugs and t-shirts. Check out our website at
http://www.proforma.com/portal/default.asp?fraID=2575

Scratch cards and Pull Tabs

2009-06-26T15:35:00.002-04:00

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Successful Promotions influence people to do things they might not otherwise do.

Everyone enjoys scratch off game cards and they are a great way to promote your business. Conceal and Reveal information to stir curiosity, engage and get results! They have a multitude of applications: as a way of getting more traffic to your tradeshow booth, as a direct mail piece or at the point of sale. Scratch games are fun and an inexpensive way to get attention!! Call us at 647-347-4220 to discuss how they can be used in your business

Summer Promo Items Are Fun!!!

2009-06-23T09:37:00.000-04:00

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As the marketing guru at Proforma Focus Promotions I am responsible for creating our e-mail blasts that go out every couple of weeks to keep our clients up-to-date on specials and new items that are constantly being introduced to the world of promotional products. It can be challenging during the winter months to find new things to feature but when summer arrives that all changes. Golf items are in abundance, beach accessories are bountiful, picnic items are plentiful and the clothing items are colourful and fun. Now is the time to look at your marketing budget and see if there is any wiggle room to add summer promotional items to your marketing plan. Everyone needs new clients or to find ways to reward there existing clients and promotional items are an inexpensive way to accomplish both of these goals.

2009-06-17T13:30:00.002-04:00

Image by steveleenow via Flickr

Everyday at http://www.focuspromotionscanada.com/ we get e-mails from suppliers introducing us to new products. It totally amazes me that it is even possible to think of something new. You would think that everything that could be customized would already exist. But not so!!! This is what makes working in the promotional product industry so fun and interesting. I really enjoy the opportunity to be creative and give clients some really different ideas to promote their business. So many times we just get e-mails from clients wanting quotes on a certain item, and that is fine, but what I am really looking for is the client who says this is what we want to achieve now give us some ideas to make it happen.

Did You Know That If You Out Advertise Your Competition During A Recession, Statistics Show That It Will Take Them An Average Of 3 Years To Catch-up

2009-06-14T12:21:00.005-04:00

"A McGraw-Hill sutdy showed that four years after a downturn, companies that had maintained or increased their marketing communications and promotions during the economic slowdown typically experienced 14 times more growth than the companies that cut back."

Still not convinced??

In a study of 600 business companies, the sales of aggressive recession advertisers (those that either maintained or increased spending) had risen 256% over those that cut back on advertising. - Andrew Razeghi, Professor at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University

Imprinted products are an affordable solution to maintain your marketing efforts. There are so many options that there is always something to fit any budget. Proforma Focus Promotions is dedicated to giving you creative, innovative ideas to help you stay ahead of your competition. Be one of the "aggessive" advertisers and when this slowdown ends you will come out ahead of your competition. Learn from the past and excel in the future

Custom Golf Items

2009-06-12T08:57:00.002-04:00

Well it seems like summer might finally be just around the corner. We in the promotional product business are now into full-time golf tournament mode. Donating a personalized golf giveaway item to a charity tournament is a great way of promoting your business. Usually you have to donate between 150 - 200 items to go into the goody bags. There is a great selection of products in the $5.00 - $10.00 range so for a fairly reasonable investment you get great exposure for your company logo and show yourself to be a good corporate citizen by helping a charity. Talk about a win-win!!

Specialty Advertising Items

2009-06-08T17:31:00.001-04:00

In the world of advertising, specialty advertising items are held in very low regard. They go by various names; trinkets and trash, swag, giveaways, cheap promo stuff and some other names that I don't know how to spell. However promotional products are a highly effective way to promote your business for a relatively low cost and give you a great return for your marketing dollars. A tote bag becomes a moving billboard for your advertising message, a useful desk item provides a constant reminder of your company name often for months, sometimes years. And what about the lowly fridge magnet. I have seen the same fridge magnets holding up the household masterpieces sometimes for decades.
People think of promotional products as being limited to mugs, caps, t-shirts, pens etc but there are literally hundreds of thousands of customized products in every shape, size and colour. There is something for every budget and every application!!! Step out of the realm of the mundane and into the creative world of promotional products.

The Imprinted Product Most In Demand - Tote Bags

2009-06-03T12:06:00.007-04:00

Apparently tote bags are one of the most, if not THE most in demand promotional product. These inexpensive giveaways have unlimited application and bring the greatest return on your investment. For literally a couple of dollars each you can give a promotional item, imprinted with your company logo that will be taken and used over and over again for potentially years. I have a couple of bags that were being given out at the St. Lawrence Market one Saturday a couple of years ago and I still use them constantly. Talk about long tail advertsing!!!
As we move away from plastic bags there is a great opportunity for any business to incorporate eco friendly tote bags as part of their marketing plan. Butcher shops, carry out food stores, produce markets, book stores... the options are endless. Let us help you get creative and take advantage of this opportunity to get your message out on the side of a tote.

Trade Show Promotional Products Go Green

2009-06-02T17:19:00.003-04:00

Going Green has become the latest hot trend. Now you can get just about anything in the "Green" version. There has never been such an extensive selection of eco-friendly products; clothes from bamboo fabric, eco-friendly light bulbs, books printed on recycled paper even flushable kitty litter. There is a virtual plethora of products now available that will help our over-flowing landfills. This is a good thing. A really good thing. I am just surprised that when it comes to imprinted promotional products the demand just doesn't seem to be there when it comes to corporate items. Everything is about price and of course you pay a bit more for an eco-friendly product, but I would have thought that companies today would be jumping on the band wagon. It seems that the larger companies are very concerned about their corporate image but mid-sized and small companies just haven't embraced the "green" agenda. Many people today are looking at companies in a very different way. They are concerned about excessive packaging, paper recycling, saving energy and they are looking at a company's culture as part of there buying decision. Eco-friendly promotional items are a great way to get out the message that your company is concerned about the environment. Go Green!!! At FocusPromotionsCanada.com you can explore the wide variety of eco-friendly products online or call us to discuss at 647-347-4220 to discuss all of the options.

Being Invisible Is Not An Option

2009-05-11T10:28:00.004-04:00

During these tough economic times being invisible is not an effective marketing plan. Now more than ever it is important to keep your company name "top of mind". Specialty advertising products are an affordable way to promote your company name. With literally thousands of different products there is something to fit every budget. Let Proforma Focus Promotions help you design an effective marketing program that will keep you visible.

Very Satisfied Customer

2008-09-26T11:53:00.003-04:00

We wanted a giveaway to commemorate an event and Focus Promotions came up with the perfect product, within our budget and on time. John Gerry in particular was very helpful with suggestions within our price range and we ended up with a black leather coaster, in a plastic sleeve, imprinted in gold with our commemorative message. Focus Promotions was a pleasure to deal with and I'd come to them first for my next promotional/marketing item. Thanks, Focus for helping to make our event a memorable one!

Sally LougheedExecutive Assistant

Why Promotional Products???

2008-09-25T09:11:00.002-04:00

We invite our clients to let you know how they use specialty advertising products. Please share your success stories so others can learn from your best practices. Any comments about your dealings specifically with Focus Promotions are also encouraged.