One of my very favorite brand-new products that I had in-hand recently is the Chalk It Up Ceramic Mug. It’s a regular mug with a write-on exterior surface, and it even comes with two pieces of chalk. Chalkboard paint projects for the home have become quite popular, especially with DIY-ers, and now you can incorporate the fresh idea into your corporate strategy. Let me get you started with some exciting product use ideas:

1. During seminars, while the speaker has the floor, jot down any pending questions you have to ask during Q&A so you don’t forget them.

2. Brainstorm solutions—jot every solution you can think of. You can always erase the weaker ideas and develop upon the stronger ones.

3. Write down important thoughts as you’re working at your desk, before they escape your memory.

4. Instead of tying a ribbon around your finger, try writing reminders, such as “pick up milk” in a place where you’re sure to see it.

5. Revise, scratch off and add to your to-do list throughout the day.

6. Jot daily uplifting quotes on the mug to keep you feeling inspired.

7. During new-hire orientation, have associates break the ice by writing interesting facts about themselves on the mugs. Or use them as a name badge alternative.

8. Pass notes during meetings without distracting your boss.

9. College professors and speakers can write key discussion points on the mug and consult them discreetly.

10. Offer a toast at your next special event. Prepare your short speech right on your coffee mug.

This multitasking mug is like an imprinted memo board you can drink out of! I hope this gives you a jump-start on some creative and entertaining promotional ideas for this fabulous chalk trend.

~Jessica

Who said imprinted Post-it® Notes are only for taking notes? I came across some fabulous alternative ways of using the office staple, mostly gleaned from Pinterest. Speaking of Pinterest, are you following 4imprint yet?  

Check out this creative adhesive note art:

Do you have dreary walls that you aren’t allowed to paint on? Decorate them with colorful adhesive notes:

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Apparently there was a whole Post-it® War happening in the windows of Paris. The results are pretty amazing:

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Ugly refrigerator? Use it as a designer canvas for Post-it® art:

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 On the more practical side, adhesive notepads are great for Brainstorm Boards. Have your team members or college students write their ideas on personalized pads and stick them on a white board or wall like this blogger. Then, arrange and re-arrange the ideas by category or subject.

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Create a non-traditional wedding “guest book” by having guests sign adhesive notes with their well wishes. Imprint your new name and wedding date on your very own personalized notepads. This idea would also work great for a holiday “wishing tree.”

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My hope is that you will never look at personalized Post-it® Notes the same again!

~Jessica

The 2012 election season is just beginning! Encourage voter participation for local, state or national elections with a local campaign to inform and educate—not about the candidates, but on the election process itself.

We all know politics is one of the touchiest subjects there is, but an education-based approach to the election process provides people with essential information on where and when to vote. Efforts to promote voter registration, educate about the election process and what to expect at polling places is especially useful for first-time voters, or those who are new to the area and might not know the procedure for your municipality.

City Government 101
Most people understand the role of the mayor or sheriff, but you may consider holding an “election day preview” meeting in conjunction with the local newspaper or library that explains the lesser known offices being voted on (what exactly does a “city clerk” do?), the length of the terms served, and other helpful information to take into account before election day.

Versatile memo books with a patriotic design help participants take notes while showcasing a full-color logo!

Imprinted bookmarks with voting dates and polling locations are low cost and easy to send via direct mail or hand out door-to-door by voter registration task forces. Identify volunteers with custom buttons or imprinted lanyards to set community members at ease.

See our Campaign & Election Advertisers store for more ideas!

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Sunglasses are one of the most distinguishing, sought-after accessories in the fashion world. Some signature styles have even become part of famous style icons’ looks. Everyone knows what Risky Business, Jackie O, and John Lennon sunglasses look like, right? Sunglasses have even been the subject of famous music hits. Be careful, because I Wear My Sunglasses at Night is about to be stuck in your head. 

Emanating the famous Wayfarer sunglass style sported by the famous celebs above, we offer the star-worthy Risky Business sunglasses in opaque, translucent and two-tone colors. Your business name will become attached to the style on the imprinted earpiece.

Aviator sunglasses seem to never go out of style. Originally developed to protect pilots’ peepers, aviators have evolved into a fashion mainstay. They also happen to be part of another one of Tom Cruise’s famous looks in Top Gun.

Notoriously, sunglasses can easily become misplaced, sat on, or unscrewed. We highly suggest a matching visor clip to keep your new sunglasses from disappearing.

 Personalized sunglasses are great giveaways for summer vacation venues, spring break destinations, taverns, cruises, concert halls, summer festivals, and amusement parks. 4imprint even gave out the Risky Business sunglasses to associates at an outdoor concert event this past summer. They were quite a hit!

~Jessica

Training and professional development are top values here at 4imprint. Earlier this month, we unveiled two all-new training rooms to keep all our associates learning and growing.  Check out these great colors!

Training sessions at 4imprint aren’t complete unless there’s a good supply of sweet treats and boredom-busting stress relievers to keep the atmosphere light. My personal favorite is the simple Solid Color Stress Ball—it has just the right amount of squishiness!

What training essentials keep your team excited about learning?

In honor of adding the 500th member to our team here at 4imprint, our local newspaper, The Oshkosh Northwestern, put out a fun Q&A article starring our fearless leader and president, Kevin Lyons-Tarr.

Take a look at what makes us a “best place to work” and how that translates to better service for you!

You just never know who you’ll run into at trade shows and events. Along with the year’s newest promotional products, you might also see someone famous, like our coworker Gail discovered at the most recent PPAI show in Las Vegas.

Here she is chillin’ with Flavor Flav, a rap icon who most recently starred in several VH1 reality shows and Celebrity Wife Swap!

In honor of Flavor Flav’s signature clock necklace, take a look at some promotional clocks and watches that might work for your next event or promotion!

Even though I see hundreds of promotional products every day at 4imprint, it’s always exciting for me to get new ones to dress up my desk! This new addition to my personal collection is from a supplier visit last week (they love spoiling us with samples!), and it’s our Bob ‘N Magnetic Clip Holder.

Since Bob’s got magnets inside his hands, I like to slip a paperclip onto my day’s to-do list and let him hang onto it until I’m finished up. His enthusiasm helps my keep energy up….even on tough Friday afternoons!

If you haven’t heard yet, there’s a new crusade setting out to make the everyday a little more beautiful. It’s called “yarn bombing.”  Artists have been busy covertly planting pretty little knitted surprises around various big cities. The idea is to give mundane city objects, like bike racks and lamp posts, pretty colorful cable-knit sweaters. One website calls it “improving the urban landscape one stitch at a time.”

Here are some that Moriah found near home:

I recently saw another blog post where the author similarly added beauty to a few outdoor environments, including a sidewalk crack. She painted hearts on some ordinary rocks and set them out with the sole purpose of brightening people’s days, especially those who were downcast.

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This novel concept of randomly making people’s days brighter translates perfectly into promotional territory. Think of it as the antithesis of graffiti.

With the proper approval, leaving behind “flower bombs” in the industrial park or logo’d mint tins at popular dating spots (movie theaters, restaurant tables, etc.) will have potential customers equating your company with good times and extra thoughtfulness.

Finding an unexpected, wacky stress ball in the dentist’s chair or a personalized bookmark in a newly purchased novel is such a rewarding special touch. What ways could you translate this heart-warming trend into a marketing opportunity for your business?

Making someone’s day brighter is not only good for business, but it can also be good for the soul. Wouldn’t you agree?

~Jessica

New Years’ resolutions are in full swing, and gyms are packed with new members. If ever there was a time to encourage your customers’ new health habits, it’s right now!

Whether you’re launching a new workplace wellness program or you’re in the throes of new membership marketing, we have great promotional incentives ready for you!

Let’s just take a closer look at what the typical gym-goer brings to the gym, shall we? It’s a great place to start thinking about designing a starter kit for your desired audience:

1. Hand towels are used for various things from wiping down equipment to wiping away sweat. The life of your logo far exceeds the cost!
   
2. Let’s face it: gyms are known to be germ-laden environments. Keep a supply of pocket hand sanitizers available for extra protection.
   
3. If there’s anything a person might bring to the gym, it’s likely going to be a water bottle. Proper hydration is essential during any workout. This one even saves space in their gym bags:
   
4. Members often must bring their car keys, gym passes, and locker  keys into the building with them. Why not capitalize on that opportunity and offer a logo’d keychain? They can even clip all their keys to their new bottles or gym bags.
   
5. Nearly everyone on the cardio machines will engage in some sort of entertainment, whether it’s reading or listening to tunes. Add a bonus incentive to signing up by giving the first 50 new members a wearable MP3 player.
   

Check out more great solutions for your next Health and Wellness Campaign.

~Jessica