By Chet Pensak
Inform print & Promotions

It all comes down to that fact that everyone LOVES to get something for FREE. It doesn’t matter what it is or where it came from as long as it is something that  is perceived as being “useful.”
Chet Pensak, Inform Print & Promotions

Pens come in all styles and sizes…. From very inexpensive (may I say “cheap”) to fine quality “keep it forever” styles. Be careful what you buy. Make sure you set a budget for youself on what you can afford to spend and have your supplier work within that budget to accomplish your goals.

We live in an age of computers, wireless devices, high definition television and GPS navigation but none of that has diminished the effectiveness of what many may see as an antiquated, old fashioned way of promotion - The Giveaway!

It all comes down to that fact that everyone LOVES to get something for FREE.  Doesn’t matter what it is or where it came from as long as it is something that  is perceived as being “useful.”  That’s what  makes them keep the item around. They may perceive the usefulness as the product itself for whatever it does (an umbrella keeping us dry) or it may be useful because of the information contained upon it (I keep that pen around from the Pizza Shop just to have the number handy.) In either case it doesn’t matter because it puts our name, our image, before that customer every time they use the item. The ad in the newspaper, the television and radio ad will be long gone while the lowly and inexpensive “give-away” is still working for you in your customer’s drawer, pocket or glove box.

The retailer and rent to own dealer have many ideal opportunities to work promotional items into their daily interactions with customers. With every customer and with every sale there is the need for documentation and that documentation at some point will involve the use of a pen. What a perfect opportunity to put your company name, brand, and contact information into the customer’s hand and into his mind. It’s a way to say “thank you” to your customer with the gift of a nice quality pen as well as to build your company awareness when he is no longer in your store. Both of these, saying thank you to a customer and building company awareness are excellent goal for any promotion.

Pens come in all styles and sizes, from very inexpensive (may I say “cheap”) to fine quality “keep it forever” styles. Be careful what you buy. Make sure you set a budget for yourself on what you can afford to spend and have your supplier work within that budget to accomplish your goals. Don’t forget about Co-op! Ask your furniture or appliance suppliers to participate in the cost and you’ll include their name or logo on the advertising piece. This will get you a lot more product and a lot more recognition for the same investment. Be careful however, not to buy more product than you can distribute (say within 3 months). Promotions go stale and your better off doing a different promotion in three months than using the same pens you purchased because you got a great deal.

Watch a brief video as Chet Pensak of InForm Print & Promotions exhibits cutting-edge signage options and promotional specialties for the rent to own industry.

Any questions or help you may need for your promotional giveaways, contact Chet Pensak at Inform Print and Promotions at 888-786-3676, chet@rtoforms or check out www.rtoforms.com.