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Thursday, January 7, 2010
I'm a pretty savvy web shopper... For years, I have purchased for personal use and for the businesses. My favorite thing? When it shows up at the door, on time and is better than I expected!


But how do you make that happen when ordering promotional products that are imprinted with your company logo, phone, website, etc.?? Actually, several of these thoughts below are true for any business you are dealing with! Expect professionalism!

Just some thoughts:
1. If there are words spelled incorrectly all over the website you are considering buying from, BEWARE! An occasional typo is one thing. But when words and typos are scattered all through a website, this should be a HUGE STOP SIGN! You are trusting this company to get the info printed on your promotional giveaways or corporate gifts. You want it correct, right? If they can't get their website correct, what makes you think your promo pens, notepads, etc. will be treated any differently?


2. For me, the same STOP rule applies when there are errors in grammar all over a website. I want my orders, professional or personal, handled with attention to detail. Isn't this critical when you are talking your company's imprint and contact information?


3. VeriSign seals. Did you know there are companies that simply put the graphic on their website and are NOT VeriSign approved? Here's how you know the difference: when you click on an authentic VeriSign seal, information about the website pops up. If it doesn't, it's most likely being abused. You can Click Here for info straight from the VeriSign site.

3 more things to consider when buying on the web in my next post! I'm on a roll now!


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Tuesday, December 8, 2009

So, have you already said thank you to your customers/clients? What did you do? A Holiday Card? A Gift card? A gift basket? All certainly acceptable. But how do you get to "WOW"?

First, acknowledge that some clients won't recognize a "WOW"! Do something you feel GREAT about. Budgets have been cut in some cases...but presentation counts! And can set you apart from the crowd! Presentation...let's assume your clients aren't local so you can't deliver in person. The gifts will have to be delivered UPS or FedEx. Along with a lot of others from your customer's other suppliers. How do you make yours memorable?

Food gifts are very popular this year. Food=Comfort I laughingly told a customer, a burp after devouring the food, but that's it. No long lasting feelings of goodwill.

And yet I do recommend food gifts. Here's the twist I recommend: send them to arrive the week of January 5. (I also recommend that some of our clients send to arrive prior to Thanksgiving! It worked!) Bet you will have very little competition. Unlike anything you send the month of December!Instant presentation. Instant "you stand out from the crowd"! Say "Happy New Year" instead of "Merry Christmas" or the politically correct "Happy Holidays"!

Another thought: get a food gift with a "stay behind". Candy jars you can go back and refill year round. Very popular this year: sets with snacks + a practical desktop gift. Here are some examples:
Biz Card Holder
Glass Coasters
Post-it Note Holder


Need other ideas? Check with a PROMOrx specialist!


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Thursday, October 15, 2009
Day in and day out, we get calls asking about "Green" "eco friendly" "recycled" "recyclable" "Earth Friendly" or "Environmentally Friendly" promotional products. When I ask if they know the difference, most of the time, the answer is "I don't care, just want something cheap".


Recycled vs recyclable is the most mis-understood. Recyclable basically means you can...recycle it that is. It it most likely not a recycled item. A promotional product can be both recycled and recyclable. Here's a great article with more info: Recyclable doesn't mean anything!

Don't get GREENWASHED! Do your homework. Know the difference! Ask me! I'm the green queen!


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Sunday, October 11, 2009
A little bit of fun:


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Monday, October 5, 2009
It's October! And everything is awash in pink. And that's a good thing! Millions of dollars donated to research. Definitely a good thing.


What's getting me the last couple weeks: the number of items out there promoting Breast Cancer Awareness that have links to potentially cancer causing ingredients. Ironic, huh?

Here are a few examples:
1. Aluminum bottles lined with BPA epoxy resin liners

2. Vinyl bags which may contain phthalates

3. Cosmetics containing parabens and phthalates

4. Water bottles that contain BPA


Google some of these terms if you're not familiar. As my Grandmother used to say,"it will curl your hair"! And yes, we have some of those items on our website. Some customers don't care, it's all about what's cheap. We try not to preach. But we do try to point out the better alternatives.

I get that we need to provide research dollars. I love the participation of all these companies. I just wish some of their marketing gurus had thought past the dollar sign. Yes, some BPA free bottles are more expensive. Aluminum water bottles are cheaper than Stainless Steel Water Bottles.(Stainless is the better alternative!)

But what's the message? And what about the growing numbers who know about BPA, parabens and phthalates? (Including this chemistry dropout!) How do they feel seeing a pink ribbon on these products?

A client I was working with last week planned to order a specific water bottle. When I told her the bottle contained BPA and offered her an alternative, she thanked me for pointing that out and ordered the more expensive water bottle. That customer got it!


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Friday, September 18, 2009
Couple of things that have happened over the past couple days got me to thinking...we're sometimes so focused on saying "NO" that we forget to say "YES"!

Many years ago, an old boyfriend's Mom used wanted to load us up with her baked goods and whatever else was in the pantry when we would leave her house. My boyfriend always told her "NO". The look on her face told the story. She was a full time stay-at-home Mom. This was her life. This went on for a couple weeks.

Then I said "YES", I would love whatever cookie or cake she wanted to send with us. Her eyes lit up. I went out the door with her care package. And as much as I hate to admit this, promptly gave it away. True Confession: her baked goods weren't my "cup of tea". But I never told her. She felt needed. And it was so little effort on my part. Oh, and I split from the boyfriend. If he didn't care about his Mom's feelings, what made me think I would be different?!?

Switch to business. I offered free giveaways for 2 events. Free to them, good exposure for PROMOrx. Both responded back asking what I had. No problem, they probably needed to make sure their bags were large enough. I answered to both that I had a variety of items that I would supply. Both answered back that they only wanted 1 of the items. I responded that I didn't have enough of any 1 item, but would send a mix. No reply from either. I guess it was their way or the highway. I said "YES". They, by not responding back, each said "NO".

A story with one of our suppliers: This company is complaining that business is off. You would think they would jump through hoops to keep customers happy. Guess that memo never made it to customer service.
"NO", you must talk to Rep#1.
"NO", there's no one else who can help.
"NO", you can't talk to the art department, it's not allowed.
"NO", we close promptly at 5, so you'll have to wait until tomorrow if Rep#1 doesn't call you today.
One little "YES" somewhere would have left me a much happier customer.

My point? "YES" works! Not all the time. But people need to feel special and appreciated. The power of "YES"! When someone offers you something, especially for FREE... Stop. Pause. Consider. And just say "YES". You could be keeping a customer. You could be making someone's day.


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Thursday, June 11, 2009

My husband is working toward his dream of becoming a pro golfer. His dream came a bit late in life! But when you have a dream, you need to chase it! So I have encouraged and supported him on this path for the last several years. Many people have dreams they never work on. Not the case with him. I am very proud!

But last weekend I took it a step further. I went to the driving range with him. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, an excuse to be outside and with my husband.

Many moons ago, I actually hit a few clubs, played 3 par and lots of putt-putt! Hardly qualifies me for his level of golf! But there I was, on the range watching him. Getting a feel for his practice routine.

He hit a lot of balls. I couldn't see where half of them landed. I have a tendency to lose them in the air. At some point, he asked if I wanted to hit some balls, too.
Moi?!? OK, being a good sport, I figured I would hit one... if I was lucky!

The first 2 skimmed the ground, didn't go far. The 3rd one made it a little farther.
That's when my husband stepped in, very calmly, gave me some instructions. The 4th
ball went even longer. He watched and gave me some more pointers. The 5th ball landed on the green, 2 inches from the hole. I put down the club. I know when to quit!!
(when my husband was telling our son who is also into golf, about this, he knew before my husband told him that I had stopped after the last one! Smart kid!)


I have thought about this all week. There is a definite line between the golf course and business and just life in general! Here are my thoughts:
1. Practice is critical. Having a plan: priceless!
2. Have a good coach, someone you trust, who can step back and evaluate.
3. Be prepared to double bogey on occasion. (That's bad!)
4. Be supportive of those around you. We all need "atta-girls" and "atta-boys"!
5. Know when to put down the club and try something different.
Or just stop and savor the success!


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Tuesday, May 26, 2009
My husband and I took a day trip over Memorial Day weekend to the north Georgia mountains. It was billed as "art in the park"...but lots of the "park" was the asphalt on main street! Anyway, lots of local and regional exhibitors in tents. A small town that did not have enough parking to meet the demand. Businesses and churches a couple of streets over were charging to park in their lots...pretty standard for these type of events.

We cruised through once to get the lay of the land. And noted a group of
enthusiastic teens encouraging cars to park in their lot. Some were standing, some were holding signs and yelling at passing cars! We passed other lots where folks were sitting in chairs waiting for business.

We decided to park in the church lot where the students were. If we have to fork over money, we wanted the lot with good karma! We stopped at the top of the parking lot to pay. Smiling teen girls took our money. And then came the simple question: "would you like some FREE bottled water"?

We could tell from their tone and emphasis on "FREE" that they had been turned down before. My reply: "Turn down free water? No way!" They handed 2 bottles of cold water through our car window.

Value added service. WOW! We were impressed!

My thoughts:
1. they were prepared. The water had been purchased and was chilled.
2. they were thinking about their customers. Us. The ones parking and walking!
3. they did it with a smile!
4. they did what no one else was doing!

PS their parking lots were overflowing!

Simple business principles. Observed on a holiday weekend. Implemented by teens. WOW!


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Sunday, May 17, 2009
What's hot? What's popular? What's your #1 seller? What are people buying for trade show giveaways this month? What's in?

You have just read some of the most popular questions we get here at PROMOrx week in, week out, month in, month out. Here's what interests me: why aren't businesses asking "what's right for my company?"

What's popular may not be RIGHT for your business situation. What other companies are buying for their trade show giveaways could be WRONG for your business.

Here's what we ask prospects:
1. do you want a giveaway or a promotion?
2. what's your budget?
3. what have you done in the past that worked?
4. what have you done in the past that was a flop?
5. who is the recepient?
6. what do you want the end result to be?

You would be surprised at how many times these questions aren't answered.

Spending your marketing dollars wisely takes some thought. We can make recommendations all day long. Someone(who had the time to count I guess!) said there are over 750,000 items that can be customized with your logo. That's a lot to get your hands around!!

But here's the newsflash: we want to make good recommendations that will allow your business to make the best choice, get the most bang for your marketing dollars! And to do that, we need info!

PROMOrx did a really cool flexible flyer introducing our website last year.
It's here: Fun Flyer We get lots of comments about how fun and addicting they are from clients and prospects. And then, they ask "how much"? Hmmmm....

How much would you spend from your marketing budget if you KNEW it would bring a return? That's what PROMOrx looks at. Do we need a giveaway? A thank you gift? A promotion? An attention getter? What's our budget? What did we do last? What worked? What didn't?

Buying your company promotional giveaways or marketing items isn't brain surgery. Find a promo products specialist you can count on and one who will ask you questions to make sure you are making smart purchases! One who will tell you about the letter opener that the blade falls out of, that the end of that pen is notorious for falling off,that the ink will last for 5 minutes in that pen. And oh, yes, did you know if you fly with those pens they will likely explode? Really.


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Monday, May 11, 2009
As a kid,I loved to read! Seuss. Nancy Drew. Mysteries. I am thankful for a love of books which opened doors I never imagined! And as an adult, I still love to read!

But is the Kindle the way to go? Or what about the "Big Mac" Kindle DX ? I haven't made up my mind!


I am also a big believer in CANI(thanks to Tony Robbins!). That's Constant And Never-ending Improvement! So here's what's on my bookshelf this month!


I just started subscribing to Success Magazine : What Achievers Read
In the 2 issues I have read, there were great business tips and great personal tips! This one is a slam dunk!

My book of the week is Collapse of Distinction: Stand out and move up while your competition fails I am currently 4 chapters in and VERY impressed! Have even been tweeting with the author, Scott McKain. (you can follow him at @scottmckain And follow me at @PROMOrx_Vickie


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