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PPAI Expo: 7 Tips for a Successful Week in VegasPPAI expo tips for success

PPAI Expo: 7 Tips for a Successful Week in Vegas

Published January 10, 2019

Heading to Vegas for PPAI as a first-timer this year? It can be overwhelming with so much to see and do – but fear not! We surveyed the promotional products pro’s and got some great tips for having a successful PPAI Expo. Even if you’re a promo veteran, we hope you’ll take advantage of this list to have the best expo ever!

1. Prepare:

Let your clients know NOW that you’re heading to PPAI to research the latest and greatest products, and meet with suppliers to gather ideas to help grow business.

Prior to heading out to Vegas, send out an email blast, make some phone calls and post on social media. Let everyone know that you’re investing in this event, why you’re going, and how it can help them. Ask your clients and prospects if they have any events coming up, or better yet, suggest a few events for them (here’s a monthly event list we put together). This will help you stand out and it’s a great touch point to contact your prospects and clients if you haven’t chatted in a while.

2. Pack:

A few essentials you won’t want to forget:

  • Your written goals for the show
  • A list of suppliers or peers you want to meet up with
  • Itinerary for meetings and classes
  • Comfy shoes for walking
  • Lots of business cards
  • Healthy snacks
  • Re-fillable water bottle
  • Power banks and portable phone charger
  • Notebook + a reliable pen
  • Hand sanitizer, gum, chapstick
  • Layers! Temperatures can fluctuate in the casino and expo center

3. Take Advantage of Education Day!

PPAI has a host of amazing classes and keynote presentations from some of the best marketing and sales minds in the industry. Be sure to check out all of the classes and seminars available at the show, and schedule some time in your itinerary to attend these sessions.

Be a sponge, and keep an open mind.  You’ll get lots of ideas for new ways to grow business, be more efficient, create value, and get better at marketing and sales.  Soak up as much knowledge as you can, and don’t forget to implement what you learn and follow up with the new contacts you make!

4. Utilize Tech & Apps for Efficiency 

SAGE has a great mobile app that helps you organize your entire PPAI Expo itinerary. Make a walk- list of the show floor in advance, upload photos and take notes right in the app, share with your team members, view all of the education classes, search for exhibitors and products, connect with other attendees, and more!

Instagram is a great app to find out what’s hot at the expo. Follow hashtags like #PPAI #PPAIExpo and get a look at everyone’s highlights from the show. Suppliers usually post their show specials and giveaways, here too – this can be a great way to find out about awesome deals and freebies!

Traveling with friends or colleagues? Divide and conquer! Split up the show floor, and make a shared Google Drive folder or iCloud album so you can have an easy place to find everyone’s photos and notes.

5. Email Clients from the Show Floor

See an awesome idea for a client as you’re walking around? Snap a picture and write a short email or text while it’s fresh in your mind, and send it off. This makes less post-show follow-up work for you—and shows your client that they are top-of-mind.

6. Eat Healthy & Hydrate

We can’t promise you’ll win big on the slots, but we can promise there are lots of germs floating around.

Between all of the handshakes and product samples being exchanged, be sure to wash your hands frequently. Also, stay hydrated to avoid catching a bug! Look for the water hydration stations.

There aren’t always a lot of healthy, quick food options at Mandalay Bay, but there’s a Whole Foods Market just 10 minutes away. Why not grab an Uber and get some groceries for your whole team? Staying nourished and hydrated keeps your brain working at full capacity, and will help you get the most out of the show.

7. Network & Socialize

There are lots of great mixers and networking events to take advantage of at PPAI. Ask around and you’ll be sure to find some great meetups to make new connections and grow your network.

The networking opportunities are one of the best parts of Expo. You get to meet new people from all over the country and share ideas, and find new opportunities to collaborate or get involved in the industry.

We hope these tips help you organize your plan for PPAI Expo this year. Have another tip to get the most out of Expo? We’d love to know. Share with us in the comments! Visit the Warwick team at booth 3450 to see our new products and enter our drawing for a free 250-piece self-promo!

Want some more tips for rocking it at PPAI Expo? Check out these great resources, too:

Sage World: Surviving the PPAI Expo

Before, During, and After: How to Get the Most Out of PPAI Expo

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A Full Year of Event Ideas for Promotional Products Distributorsnational great outdoors month

A Full Year of Event Ideas for Promotional Products Distributors

Published January 4, 2019

2019 is here, and whether you’re diving in or still drafting your own written marketing plans, be sure to take a big-picture look at the full year ahead. We put together this list of selling ideas and seasonal events to help you and your clients plan out their 2019 promotional marketing initiatives.

Distributors – you know it’s ideal to get your clients thinking about upcoming events with as much lead time as possible. We recommend planning for your seasonal promotions and events at least 2-3 months in advance, if not sooner. We know it doesn’t always happen that way…but starting to discuss a yearly plan with your clients now can help you mitigate rush fees and reduce stress up against tight deadlines later in the year.

ProTip: Bring this event list to PPAI next week to help you brainstorm some specific, strategic campaigns as you walk the show floor!

January 

(Plan + pitch these themes and products in November / December or sooner)

View January Monthly Observations Here

  • Fitness + Nutrition
  • Productivity / New Year’s Resolutions (calendars, planners, organizational tools, office items)
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day (1/16)
  • National Chocolate Cake Day (1/27)
  • Tax preparation (Pocket folders, document pouches, financial / bookkeeping tools)
  • Travel / Vacation planning / Cruises / Resorts (calendars, photo frames, document pouches)
  • Weddings / Wedding Expos (calendars, planners
  • Employee recognition (awards, certificate folders, branded gifts, apparel)
  • National Blood Donor Month

February

(Plan + pitch these themes and products in December / January or sooner)

View February Monthly Observations Here

Browse more February holidays here.

March

(Plan + pitch these themes and products in January / February or sooner)

View March Monthly Observations Here

April

(Plan + pitch these themes and products in February / March or sooner)

View April Monthly Observations Here

May

(Plan + pitch these themes and products in March / April or sooner)

View May Monthly Observations Here

June

(Plan + pitch these themes and products in April / May or sooner)

View June Monthly Observations Here

July

(Plan + pitch these themes and products in May / June or sooner)

View July Monthly Observations Here

August

(Plan + pitch these themes and products in June / July or sooner)

View August Monthly Observations Here

September

( **Busy season starts this month for many suppliers** plan + pitch these themes and products in July / August or sooner)

View September Monthly Observations Here

October

( **Busy season for many suppliers** plan + pitch these themes and products in August / September or sooner)

View October Monthly Observations Here

November 

( **Busy season for many suppliers** plan + pitch these themes and products starting August, September, October or sooner)

View November Monthly Observations Here

December

( **Busy season for many suppliers** plan + pitch these themes and products starting July, August, September, October or sooner)

View December Monthly Observations Here

 

Want to do something different? National Day Calendar is a great online resource to use when looking for creative new campaign ideas. Beyond the widely recognized holidays and mainstream seasonal events, there are also some more fun and obscure ones, like these…

Campaign ideas for all year round:

Ask your clients if they host or sponsor any of the following types of events – and when! Check in to see if they have been satisfied with the results they’ve gotten in past years, or if they’d like to get more brand exposure, capture more leads, drive more web traffic or social media engagement, then plan a smart promotion around their goal.

  • Self-promos (Plan at least 2 per year – send out in June / July and again in November / December)
  • Corporate anniversaries
  • Employee Appreciation Celebrations
  • Fundraisers, banquets and Galas
  • Birthdays and retirement events
  • Bar/ bat mitzvahs
  • Quinceaneras
  • Award ceremonies + recognition
  • Trade shows & conventions
  • Sales meetings
  • Class reunions
  • Annual town festivals
  • Local chamber business events
  • Small business association meetings
  • Networking events

We hope these event ideas help you generate some creative, timely proposals for your clients! Don’t try to tackle them all – prepare a list of 3-5 events that will resonate best with each client based on their values, their customer base, and their sales cycle. You can also use this list to help them part ways with stale, old, overdone promotions, and replace them with fresh, innovative promotions.

Take action now: Make some calls, draft some emails, and get some meeting dates on the calendar with your clients and prospects. Be sure to leave plenty of time to choose the right promotional products, get your orders in, proofs approved, products made and delivered for all of your 2019 promotional campaigns!

Have another idea that we missed? Please leave us a comment below, or drop us a note on Facebook! 

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5 Ways to Leverage Thanksgiving as a Great Promo Opportunity

5 Ways to Leverage Thanksgiving as a Great Promo Opportunity

Published November 6, 2018

There are lots of ways to show gratitude for your clientele. What better time than Thanksgiving to express your genuine appreciation for those who’ve supported your business?

If you’ve never tried a gratitude promotion, here are five reasons Thanksgiving is the perfect time to ramp up your promotional marketing strategy.

1. You can capitalize on the Black Friday Hype.

Now is the time to prime your customers for holiday shopping by touching base with them. Stay top of mind with a special offer, coupon, or freebie that they can redeem on Black Friday.

If you don’t want to be part of the “Buy! Buy! Buy!” hype of Black Friday, you can take a different route on Black Friday. Here are some easy ideas:

  • Host an open house with coffee and simple snacks.
  • Coordinate a charitable event. If it seems too much for you to manage, ask for local chamber of commerce members to help.
  • Volunteer at a soup kitchen or shelter. Invite a group of clients to volunteer with you.
  • Be like REI and close up shop for the day. This is a balancing act and, let’s face it, a gamble. But what you might lose in sales, you could make up for in customer appreciation and loyalty for giving your employees a hard-earned day off.

2. Also, Cyber Monday.

While not as highly publicized as Black Friday, Cyber Monday is worth investing in if you have an e-commerce website or even if you sign-up forms on your website.

Planning a Cyber Monday promotion can help drive traffic to your website. Where can you advertise your Cyber Monday promo products special?

  • Email
  • Social media (posting in your feed and creating ads)
  • PPC – Google and Bing
  • Being in the promotional products industry, check marketing, advertising, or small business-focused websites for listing of Cyber Monday specials.
  • If you’re a member of your chamber of commerce, see if they offer advertising opportunities.

Create a special landing page on your website for this campaign, generate a UTM code, and use Google Analytics to measure and track ROI driven from your promotion.

3. Express gratitude and people will remember you.

Sometimes, a simple heartfelt “thank you” means more than that $100 gift.

This year, give thanks with a thoughtful sentiment. Include a personal gift, card, or offer—or just keep it to the simple sentiment and message. Don’t forget to hand-sign your note—this small detail makes your efforts more thoughtful and genuine.

4. Beat the holiday rush.

As the holiday season ramps up, customers will be inundated with offers, emails, mailers, and long to-do lists.

It might be hard to capture your customers’ attention in December, so stay ahead of the curve and touch base with them in November instead.

If you’re sending Thanksgiving cards to customers, plan to send them to arrive a week or two before Thanksgiving so as to stand out from the Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions.

5. Spread the gratitude.

Your customers, your community, the world can always use more positivity.

Let your social media followers share their positive stories as part of your promotion. Host a contest or giveaway asking your customers to share what they’re thankful for. Those who participate can be entered to win a gift card, complimentary service, or another meaningful prize. Select several winners to send promotional gifts as a thank you for participating.

As an added bonus, you can create a blog post from the content generated by your customers (get their permission first).

Bonus: Give back.

Sponsor a food drive or a “Giving Tuesday” fundraiser for a local non-profit or a charitable cause that is special to you. Invite employees and clients to contribute, and post your progress on your website and social media. This is a great way to give back to those in need, spread awareness, and have fun!

Whether you decide to send out greeting cards, calendars, or another custom promotional gift to your customers, don’t miss the chance to leverage this oft-overlooked holiday as a promo opportunity.

Have another great Thanksgiving promo idea? Share with us in the comments, or let us know on the Warwick Facebook page.

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3 Ways to Grow Business in 2019 With Promotional CalendarsCustom Promotional Calendars

3 Ways to Grow Business in 2019 With Promotional Calendars

Published October 23, 2018

For many brands, giving out promotional calendars is an annual tradition. Other businesses may not be so keen on the idea of giving out printed desk calendars or stick-on calendars in today’s digital age. We get it! That’s why we’re here with some creative ideas to get more ROI out of the traditional branded calendar.

Distributors — here are a few case studies and ideas to share with your sales team.

1. Inspire a New Year’s Resolution – Think about how your clients’ services or products can fit into a new year’s resolution. How can their business improve life for their end-user customers? Can they help them decrease stress in 2019? Become more organized, or live a healthier lifestyle? Can they help them reach their business goals? What about improving family life or personal relationships?

Chances are, there’s a great way to position your client’s business in a way that will inspire their end-user customers to take action in 2019. Focus on the problems they help solve for their target audience. Mail a custom value stick calendar, desk calendar, or trifold calendar with a special, timely offer for a free trial, discount, or consultation to be redeemed by January 31st, with some creative ad copy about how the business wants to help them make 2019 a great year.

2. Track ROI with a special promo code or URL. We often hear how hard it is to track the ROI of promo, especially with printed items like calendars. However, with a little digital strategy, this doesn’t have to be the case! Talk to your social media specialist or web admin about creating a special landing page, promo code, or social media contest to tie in with a printed calendar. Print the unique URL on the calendar with a clear call to action you want your customers to take. We recommend using  bit.ly to shorten a customizable, trackable link for simplicity.

Maybe you use the calendar to direct recipients to comment on a Facebook or Instagram post with a goal they have for 2019 in order to win a $50 gift card to your business. Perhaps you encourage calendar recipients to visit a special landing page to submit a form for an exclusive coupon. (Bonus: this can help you capture emails for your email marketing list, too) If you have Google Analytics set up (it’s free!) You can track all of your website traffic, and add some real ROI to any promotion.

3. Encourage Monthly Repeat Business in Store. Hand out value stick calendars printed with a promo code good for 10% off a customer’s next order when they bring in last month’s calendar page! Encourage repeat traffic in store for restaurants and cafes, retail shops, salons, and beyond. This idea also works with our premiere Desk Calendars, which have tear-off monthly pages and 3 imprint areas included, with NO setup charges.

Bonus: Once you knock it out of the park for your clients with custom 2019 calendars, they’ll want to repeat the promotion (or something similar) year after year. Calendars are the #1 annual repeat promotional product order – which means steady business and repeat orders year after year.

Have another creative case study involving custom calendars? We’d love to hear about it! Please leave us a comment here, or share with us on the Warwick Publishing Facebook Page.

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Insider Tips to Save Money on Custom Pocket FoldersHow to save money on presentation folders | by Warwick Publishing

Insider Tips to Save Money on Custom Pocket Folders

Published June 7, 2018

When it comes to ordering custom pocket folders, there are seemingly endless options. From paper stocks to printing methods, foil stamping, embossing, sizes, styles, die cuts, and quantity price breaks, it’s not always clear how to get the best deal on your presentation folders. We’re here to guide you and clear up the confusion—and save you some money.

Here are a few insider tips to save you money on your next pocket folder order:

Think about shipping

With the exception of Linen folders, orders are packed 250 folders per carton. This means you can save on shipping when you order in 250 quantity breaks.

Foil vs. Ink Printed

If you’re ordering less than 1,000 folders, foil stamping is typically the more cost-effective option. At 1,000 folders or more, ink printing is less expensive.

Foil stamped presentation folder
For orders less than 1,000 folders, you can save with a foil stamped finish as opposed to printed.

Want full-color? Buy in bulk.

Everyone wants full-color presentation folders—but not everyone has the budget. To get what you want, at a price you want, think about purchasing folders in bulk. Full-color ink printed pocket folders have the best pricing in quantities above 1,000 pieces.

How to get more branding for your buck

Want multiple imprint locations? Don’t like being limited to the 5″ x 6″ imprint area for standard foil stamped folders? If you have a big design, you need a big branding space. So go for printed folders. The imprint area for ink printed folders include the front cover, back cover, and folder pockets.

Folder style doesn’t always impact price

With the exception of legal folders, small quantity folders, and budget folders, our standard ink printed or foil stamped folders can be made in any regular style die cut at the same cost.

Ready to add some custom branded folders to your office supply closet, or perhaps personalize your welcome packet?

Why order pocket folders from Warwick?

  1. We’re the only supplier endorsed by Noteworthy to fulfill their prior presentation folder orders.
  2. No setup charges
  3. 60 + paper options, including more than 30 recycled paper stocks
  4. Downloadable templates online
  5. Low quantity minimums starting at just 50 pieces
  6. Manufactured in the USA

We hope these pointers help you save on shipping and get the most out of your budget. Still have questions about ordering custom pocket folders? Need a quote? Our team of folder experts can help. Get in touch with us today.

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Golf Event Promotion Ideasgolf-photo-folder-Warwick

Golf Event Promotion Ideas

Published March 27, 2018

‘Tis the season for planning golf tournaments!  These annual events offer SO many great opportunities for branded exposure, and they’re held in almost every community. Some are organized by industry trade associations or individual companies, city groups or municipalities, and other golf events are held as fundraisers for non-profits. Between sponsorships, raffles, ticket sales, and donations, golf fundraisers can bring in big money for local and national charity organizations, and big exposure for brands.  If your clients are looking for new ways to expand their reach this year, suggest they get involved with a golf tournament!

Here are a few golf promotional products from Warwick that are popular for golf fundraisers and tournaments, plus a few tips on how to use them.

Golf Frames and Photo Folders – NQP Sale through 4/30/18

golf picture frame WarwickThese custom golf picture frames make nice keepsakes for golfers and guests. Set up a photo station, hire a photo booth company for the dinner reception, or a professional photographer to take foursome shots out on the green. Guests will love having a personalized photo keepsake to remember their day.

Pro Tip | Find a dedicated photo sponsor to cover the cost of the custom golf event frames or folders. Put that sponsor’s logo on the frames for additional branding exposure that will go home with each guest. Our NQP Sale on our Custom Golf Event Photo Folders & Frames ends 4/30. Mention code PC0314 when ordering.

Personalization methods include full-color digital printing on golf photo folders for 4×6 and 5×7 prints, or foil stamped personalization on our golf dimple folders and matboard bevel frames. If your client is hosting or sponsoring a golf outing, we’d love to help them extend their branding reach beyond the event with a personalized frame that goes home with each guest.

Golf Event Save the Dates & Bottle Hangers

golf promo products WarwickOur custom trifold calendars make perfect save the date reminders or invitations for your golf event. The trifold design provides lots of space for sponsorship and advertising packages, too. These custom trifold invitations (#1620) come with envelopes and are lightweight and just as easy to mail as a greeting card.

Our custom A2 Folded Cards make great invitations and RSVP reminders also, if you’re looking for a smaller

Our custom bottle hangers are also a nice way to promote a call to action at the golf event or tell a story. We all know that sales and donations are driven by emotion, so help your guests connect with the cause! Every non-profit has a compelling story behind its founding, and this can be a great way to get guests to engage with the organization, donate to the cause, or purchase raffle tickets on-site at the event.

golf-fundraiser-promotion

 

 

Another option to promote your golf event is our full-color billboard calendar. You can use the space on the backboard to tell the story for the non-profit or charity the event will benefit. Here, the organizers used the space to highlight photos of the children who benefited from the event. The calendars were used as save the date reminder gifts and were sent to the last year’s golfers in December to keep the event top of mind throughout the year.

The coupon gatefold photo folder is a great way to give sponsors some addded promotion and increase brand engagement after the event is over. Perforated sides can be printed with custom coupons and special offers from the event sponsors. We’ve also seen customers use these flaps for drink tickets and raffle tickets! Here, the folders (with event pictures inserted) were mailed out to participants after the tournament. Sponsors loved the added exposure and were able to track coupon usage, helping prove ROI in supporting the tournament.

Have another idea for a great golf event promotion? We’d love to hear it! Please leave a comment below, or share your thoughts on the Warwick Facebook page.

 

 

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Trade Show Guide – 16 Tips to Succeed at ASI Orlando and PPAI ExpoTrade Show plan 2018

Trade Show Guide – 16 Tips to Succeed at ASI Orlando and PPAI Expo

Published January 3, 2018

2018 is here, and that means it’s tradeshow season! Heading to ASI Orlando, or PPAI in Vegas? Planning ahead with this trade show guide can save you a lot of headaches, and will help you make the most of your trip. The tradeshow pilgrimage is a big investment of your time and your money, so make the most of it! Here are a few tips to help you prepare — doing so will give you a much better return, and you’ll be able to pass the value along to your clients, too!

Before the Show:

  1. Create a “shopping list” from your clients. This helps you stay on track with what to look for and to avoid time-wasting distractions.
  2. Contact your clients and prospects before you leave. Send them a short note that you’ll be attending a large industry expo, and let them know you’ll be on the lookout for new products and campaign ideas for the coming year. Ask them about any future projects they’ve got in the pipeline. Ask about their goals for 2018, and any new challenges they want to overcome. Make a list to carry with you so you can look for samples and product ideas that could fulfill their needs.
  3. Review the education classes and make a daily itinerary of the classes you want to attend. See the ASI Orlando Education schedule and the PPAI Expo Education schedule
  4. Make a list of your top suppliers and their booth numbers – take a look at the floor plan, or better yet, download the mobile app for each trade show to help you organize your time.
    • For ASI: download the EventMobi Experience app, then enter the event code: ASIShowOrlando18 – this app allows you to search for exhibitors, review the show schedule, look up course descriptions and speaker bios, find booth locations, create your own agenda, see live coverage on social media, and receive important alerts.
    • Browse the ASI Orlando Floor Plan
    • For PPAI: Browse the PPAI Expo Floor Plan
    • Download the SAGE mobile app for PPAI which lets you:
      • Search for exhibitors by company name and quickly find their booth number
      • Create a walk list and share it with your co-workers
      • View an interactive show floor plan
      • Search products from the exhibitors in attendance
      • Add notes, pictures, video and audio recordings on products and suppliers that interest you for easy reference after the show
      • View the education schedule to plan out your day, then take notes during the sessions and email them to yourself or your colleagues
      • Connect with fellow attendees on all things Expo in the newly added Discussion Area

       

Don’t forget to pack:

  • A power bank (or two) to keep your phone charged (make sure you have enough space cleared off on your phone for pictures, too!)
  • Notebook and pen for education notes, product notes, contact info, and post-show reminders
  • Comfy walking shoes and good socks
  • lip balm & lotion
  • refillable water bottle – it’s very easy to get dehydrated! Free water stations at PPAI – every time you refill your bottle you save $5. Drinking lots of water helps prevent illness, soreness, and fatigue.
  • Healthy snacks and energy bars – save money and time by eating on the go!
  • Hand sanitizer & wipes
  • Vitamins / Tylenol
  • Comfy, professional clothes
  • Nightwear for mixers and social meetings
  • FitBit – you’ll be amazed at how many steps you’ll take on the show floor!
  • A written plan of specific vendors and products you want to see
  • A sense of humor and an open mind
  • Optional: a second rolling bag to pack catalogs and samples from the show- shipping services are offered on-site, but can be pricey

During the Expo:

  1. Walk the floor with a buddy, co-worker, regional pal or neighbor. Multiple sets of eyes and ears are always good. Some companies actually split up the floor and meet during lunches or to share their best finds.
  2. Visit the new products pavilion early on if possible. Take pictures of items that you like, then put them on your planned route.
  3. Plan out the top suppliers you want to see first – visit them early in the morning before the floor is crowded, then visit the rest.
  4. Get plenty of rest, and take breaks when you need them
  5. Take product pictures with business cards in them, or a short demo video
  6. Ask specific questions: Get a little deeper with your suppliers than just asking, “what’s new?” Instead, get specific. Try asking, “Do you have a suggestion for something to help my client target millennials at a college campus event?” Or, “My banking client is looking for a unique, memorable gift under $20 to give new accounts this year. What do you recommend?” Ask questions that will help them partner with you to provide the most value to you and your customer.  Chat with the multi-line reps and suppliers about what you’re working on, who your clients are, what challenges you face. Let them show you how their products will work for you. Ask each company the best seller for the best price, too – for those clients with tight budgets.
  7. Keep your phone charged – use it to take pictures of products AND SUPPLIER INFO that interests you. Make sure you get the vendor sign, or business card with contact info in the photo also, for easier follow up. This helps you stay organized digitally
  8. Go to as many education sessions as you can! Ask questions. Introduce yourself to the speakers afterward. Get to know the key players that can help you get connected into the community.
  9. Lastly, by getting connected to the right people, get yourself invited to the right parties! Take some time to let loose and have fun.  The Promo Kitchen Mixer is a great one — RSVP on the promo kitchen website.

After the Expo:

  1. Review your notes from the show floor and from education sessions. Highlight the most important items for follow up (start with 10). Send emails to your clients or start putting your proposals together while you wait at the airport to fly home.
  2. Connect with your new friends on Commonsku, LinkedIn or Facebook – grow your network, and stay in touch with other distributors and suppliers!
  3. Write a blog post. Share your new wealth of knowledge with your clients. Write at least one blog post, or a small series of posts with the best business tips you learned from the show. This makes great content for your social media pages, your website, and your email blasts. It also makes you look like more of an expert on marketing and promotional solutions, and can help you grow your business, too.

Whether you’re new to the promotional products industry, or an ol’ seasoned pro, we hope this list helps you get the most out of your 2018 trade show visits. See you in Orlando and Vegas! Did we miss something? Leave us a comment below with your best tips for this Trade Show Guide to success!

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5 Smart Ways to Use Custom Holiday Cards

5 Smart Ways to Use Custom Holiday Cards

Published October 17, 2017

Holiday cards don’t have to be boring. When done right, custom holiday greeting cards can provide a memorable experience for your customers. Custom holiday cards improve customer relationships. They show customers that you value them, and keep your business and services top of mind during the holiday season. Holiday cards from Warwick are a great value, too — and there are lots of ways to use them to give your business a boost!

1. Build loyalty. Send a small gift ( like a 2018 Value Stick Calendar) or a special coupon for a discount on the customer’s next visit. This builds goodwill with your customers and encourages repeat business.

2. Be thoughtful. Send a handwritten note thanking the customer for their support. Share a story about your business growth or a highlight from your year to show them how they contributed to your success. Choose one of our stock holiday sentiments, or write your own. Be sure to hand-sign each card, too – taking a few extra minutes to do this (and using a real stamp) will make your card stand out.

3. Provide value. Send a short list of money-saving tips, a couple of your favorite holiday recipes, or a relevant “how-to” article inside the card. Keep it generic enough that all of your customers can appreciate the information, but specific enough that it relates to your brand or the products and services your company offers. Here are a few “value-add” content ideas:

  • Calendar of local upcoming events
  • 5 ways to lower your energy bill this winter
  • Local holiday gift guide
  • 3 ways to prepare your car for winter
  • 10 exercises you can do at the office
  • 8 ways to be more productive and stay organized in 2018

4. Invite them to engage. Use the card as an invitation to participate in a contest. Encourage user-generated content by asking customers to post an “action shot” picture of your product in use to social media with a custom hashtag for a chance to win a gift card or larger prize.

5. Ask for a referral. Customers will be spending lots of time with family and friends in the next couple of months. Including a simple “Would you recommend us to a friend or family member?” note in the card after you’ve thanked them and provided a discount or a gift can be a great way to build business. New customers trust the recommendation of a friend or family member over any other marketing source.

Nee more reasons to order custom holiday cards from Warwick?

  • Free gold or silver foil-lined white mailing envelopes are included with your cards
  • Award-winning card designs with over 100 classic and premium styles to choose from
  • Low 50 piece minimum order
  • Made in the USA from quality card stock
  • Free stock sentiments and personalization! Add your company logo or signature

Communication with your customers is a vital part of keeping them engaged with your business. Browse all of our award-winning custom greeting cards online! We’re here to help you design the perfect custom holiday cards to strengthen customer relationships, drive referrals and build customer loyalty. Have another idea to use custom holiday cards? Leave us a comment below or share it with us on the Warwick Facebook page.

 

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5 Ways to Delight Customers and Stand Out with Custom Thanksgiving CardsThanksgiving Cards

5 Ways to Delight Customers and Stand Out with Custom Thanksgiving Cards

Published October 3, 2017

Custom Thanksgiving cards are a unique and thoughtful way to stand out around the holidays. This inexpensive promo can be a great way to show appreciation for your customers while offering an incentive just ahead of the holiday season. Beat the barrage of Christmas mailers and emails! Here are 5 reasons to consider sending Thanksgiving cards this year, and some ideas to use them to grow your business.

View custom Thanksgiving & holiday cards online.

 

  1. Do something different. Sending a greeting card at Thanksgiving isn’t something every company does. Sending a card outside of the Christmas holiday season makes your business stand out. Differentiate yourself and your brand by being unique. Don’t forget to hand-sign the card!
  2. Express gratitude for your customers. This is the perfect time to send a sincere thank you message to those who’ve kept you in business. Share a personal message about your company milestones and be genuine in thanking your customers for helping you get there.  Offer a coupon or free gift to thank them for their loyalty– that act of being thankful and recognizing your customers builds goodwill, and reinforces your brand in a genuine way.
  3. Beat the holiday mail rush. Your message has a better chance of being delivered on time, and being noticed around Thanksgiving. You’ll be in front of your customers in a tangible way just as they’re gearing up for holiday shopping.
  4. Offer an early holiday shopping special. Customers who are in shopping mode (and they most likely will be, on Black Friday!) are always delighted and excited about special offers. Offer a (good) coupon code for an online special in your card, such as 50% off a regular priced item. You want the incentive to be strong so it truly feels like a gift, rather than a weak marketing attempt. For retail businesses, print off a physical coupon for customers to redeem on their next visit. Include an expiration date to create a sense of urgency about the offer. This will help increase traffic to your business and help boost holiday revenue.
  5. Plan a gratitude campaign. The world could use more positivity. Get your customers involved in sharing what they’re thankful for as part of a contest for a larger drawing or giveaway. Use the Thanksgiving card to announce the contest and invite customers to submit a story or entry online – tying into your website and social media for even more exposure.

Bonus: We have low minimums – you can order as few as 50 custom Thanksgiving cards, starting at just $1.74/ card. Mailing envelopes are included, too!

View all of our holiday cards online here! Have you tried sending custom Thanksgiving cards to your customers in the past? What worked well for you? We’d love to hear about it – drop us a comment below, or share your story with us on Facebook here.

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Custom Holiday CardsCustom Holiday Cards

Custom Holiday Cards

Published September 7, 2017

Send good cheer to customers and colleagues with personalized Custom Holiday Cards. Business greeting cards are perfect for sending out corporate greetings to customers, clients, and employees.

Want personalized Christmas and holiday greeting cards? No problem. Just choose a stock sentiment and add your company logo or signature. Our holiday greeting cards are a great way to keep in touch with business colleagues and say thanks to loyal customers. Contact your promotional consultant to order custom holiday cards with your own message and your logo!

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