Recently I received a pen in the mail branded ‘Rasberry Consulting.’ Who doesn’t love a freebie? It was appreciated and actually pretty cute. It got me thinking about the use of promotional items when it comes to spreading the word about your brand.

We’ve all received branded promotional items such as pens or coffee mugs at conferences and trade shows and as giveaways from large businesses and organizations. However, we don’t often see them used outside of those arenas or being used by small businesses. This might be a good thing because business owners shouldn’t spend money on items that won’t be utilized or appreciated. The RIGHT item, though, could be a great way to set you apart and keep your name top of mind among clients and potential clients. Here are four things to consider when thinking about using promotional items:

1. Usefulness – Is this an item people will want to use? There’s no point in wasting money on something no one wants.
2. Appropriateness – Does this item appropriately reflect your brand? Think about the impression the item gives to your audience.
3. Relevance – Choose an item that makes sense for your brand. Don’t just do keychains because everyone else is doing them.
4. Aesthetics – Does the item utilize your brand’s colors and fonts? The item should be consistent with your other marketing materials.

Would you use promotional items for your business? If so, which would you choose?