Editor’s Note: This blog post was originally published in March 2017 and has since been updated to incorporate the latest Advertising Specialty Institute data and promotional items under $1.
Advertising your organization effectively doesn’t have to be expensive. When you’re working within a budget, you need marketing ideas that won’t break the bank. Great news! There are many fantastic, low-cost promotional items available. In fact, there are hundreds—even thousands—of promotional items under $1. Keep reading to see which giveaways will generate awareness and leads.
Totes and bags for on-the-go
Because they are carried all over the place, it’s not surprising bags generate 3,300 brand impressions.
Fairs, festivals and tradeshows are great venues for the Heat Seal Exhibition Tote, which can easily hold flyers and other materials your customers may grab. For a reusable, go-anywhere bag that people will take to the store, library or even to the beach, hand them an Everyday Grocery Bag with your logo printed on any one of several brilliant colors.
Planners to keep them up-to-date
Planners and calendars are a sure-fire way to keep your name in front of customers for 12 full months. It certainly helps that many people still prefer paper planners over digital ones. After all, paper calendars can help reduce digital overload and give eyes a break from phones and computer screens.
An Opaque Monthly Pocket Planner is small and compact, making it easy for people on the go to carry it with them on the job. Or if they prefer more space to make notes for each week, a Diamond 2-Tone Weekly Planner lets them see a more in-depth look into their week’s schedule.
Drinkware under $1 is useful again and again
Did you know that 88% of consumers own promotional drinkware? That’s a lot of beverages being served with a side of branding!
Water bottles are used at home, on the road, in the park and at the gym. Branded sports bottles, like the Sport Bottle with Push-Pull Lid, are promotional items under $1 that will demand attention. For a splash of color that can change the fortunes of your business, give stacks of Mood Stadium Cups to nonprofits needing cups for a carnival or other event.
Health items that are convenient and portable
Sometimes the best promotional items under $1 are ones that seem rather ordinary. These can turn out to be extremely popular, extremely useful and extremely effective giveaways. For example, promotional health items are very useful, with the healthcare industry being one of the top 10 buyers of promo products (PDF).
If you’re in the healthcare field—whether a drug store, home health service company or senior living center—a 7-Day Med Minder can keep your name in front of your target audience seven days a week. Customers who take medicines regularly will be reminded of how much you care every time they use it. People also take branded health items with them when on the go, so consider a logoed Bandage Dispenser. That way, first aid will always be available when and where they need it.
Snacks and candy for an inexpensive treat
People love food, candy, chocolate, snacks—you name it! Food is such a popular giveaway that U.S. consumer and corporate food-gifting is a $20 billion market.
Why are food items so popular? Maybe it’s the instant gratification, like with the fruity flavors in the 5 Piece Mini Candy Roll. Perhaps it’s because food can feel like a reward—try wrapping a Hershey’s® Mini Chocolate Bar in your logo. Or maybe it’s because food is right for almost all situations, including busy events or trade shows. A personalized Flip Top Dispenser with Sugar-Free Mints might be just the thing to keep the conversations going.
Budget-friendly pens that are incredibly effective
The humble pen is actually the most cost-effective promotional product under $1, since the cost per impression is a mere 1/10 of one cent.
They’re incredibly useful, and 89% of Americans (PDF) own some sort of promotional writing instrument. The next time you need a signature, let potential customers use an Epiphany Pen and then tell them to keep it. If your crowd is a little more tech-savvy, a Tri-Band Stylus Pen can be used to jot down ideas on paper or on a phone or tablet.
Promotional products under $1 for the win
People’s homes are filled with promo products, meaning every time they fill that coffee mug, write in that planner or use that pen—they’ll be reminded of your brand. With the incredible variety of promotional items under $1, there’s sure to be one that fits your budget and your target audience’s needs. For more budget-friendly promo item ideas, read Do more with less, thanks to inexpensive promotional products.