Checklist for Promotional Items
Not sure where to start? Ask yourself these questions, use all or part of our checklist to plan promotional item purchases. Once you have answered or given thought to these questions, you are ready to select items for your promotion.
Promotional Goals
Say thank you, show appreciation or provide an incentive... Create awareness, introduce a new business, product or service, increase safety or improve productivity... Provide memorabilia or keepsakes, or hand outs for an event or trade show. The possibilities are endless. Use this guide to help plan your next event.
Try to be as specific as possible in answering these questions.
__ What do I want to accomplish with this event?
__ What do I want to accomplish by providing this item?
__ How will the item(s) support my theme or help me accomplish my goals?
__ How will the item(s) be used by the intended audience?
__ How much do I have in my budget? (Per item and total including shipping, artwork etc.)
__ What date do I need the item(s) delivered in hand?
__ Have I allowed 6-8 weeks prior to my event date for production and shipment of my items?
__
If I don't have 6-8 weeks, can I pay for rush production or shipment if there are issues with the order?
__ Is this purchase tied to an annual event? If so, what item(s) have been used before?
__ How will the items be distributed?
__ What date will I distribute the item(s)?
__ What kind of results do I expect?
__ How will I know whether the promotion was a success?
__ Is follow-up necessary or recommended after the item is distributed?
The Recipients
Knowing as much about the people receiving the items will help in the selection of promotional items that will make an impact.
__ Who am I targeting with this promotion?
__ How many people will receive the item(s)?
__ Approximately how many pieces do I need?
__ Do I need to plan for any extras?
__ What action do I want recipients to take upon receiving the item(s)?
__ Where items from the previous event effective for the intended purpose and audience? Why or Why Not?
The Promotional Item/Gift
Remember, most items include a free one color, one location imprint in the pricing. The more colors, imprint locations and other customizations you apply to an item, the more the item will cost. Contact us with any questions regarding pricing for additional customization.
__ How much time should I spend on research given my goals and timeline?
__ What specific item(s) do I have in mind?
__ What color(s) do I want the item(s) to be?
__ What color(s) will be imprinted?
__ What will the copy conveying my message say?
__ Will I want the company logo to appear?
__ Are there any set up costs for my preferred imprint colors and locations?
__ Will I have a requirement for color matching (PMS)?
__ Do I need special packaging?
The Artwork
Read our Artwork Guidelines for information on saving money on your imprinting costs, sending your art files, camera ready artwork, accepted formats and more.
__ Do I need to have an imprint (artwork) created?
__ Will I need help with my artwork?
__ If I have artwork, is it camera-ready?
__ What format is my electronic art produced and saved?
__ What resolution is my art?
__ Do I have a hard copy of my camera-ready art?
__ If the imprint will be more than one color, do I have color separated art?
Other Information
__ What else do I need to complete this project?
Important Information Regarding Your Timeline: If you are planning for a specific event and need to have items in hand by a deadline, we recommend submitting your order 6-8 weeks prior to your event date to assure that there will be enough time to process the order if issues arise. You will want to receive your items well in advance of the event in case something needs to be returned or exchanged.
For holiday orders, especially Christmas, allow add 2 extra weeks to the recommended time.
Need more information? Read these articles: Six Steps to a Successful Promotion and Plan for Distribution to Improve Your Marketing Campaign
|
Shopping cart