What’s on your desk? They say the pen is mightier than the sword; and the likelihood is you have a few promotional pens knocking around. In fact, in Autumn last year the BPMA did some research to find out what sorts of promo items people are using and keeping for longest, and it’ll come as no surprise that the promotional pen is still rocking the charts in the promotional popularity contest!
Writing by hand is still appreciated by many of us as something special and highly personal, despite living in an age where we’re used to typing on a keyboard. What impressed us about pens is their staying power- the research showed that 89% of those asked about which promotional items they use, and which they are most likely to keep – said pens. Not only that; but a whopping 83% of people said they have purchased from the companies that have supplied them with a promotional gift – so promo pens have still got it (and never lost it)
So why are pens such a great promotional item for your marketing campaigns?
Real value for money
No matter your budget, you’re guaranteed to find a pen to suit you – there are literally thousands of designs and lots of different suppliers to choose from. But, we appreciate you haven’t got time to scour them all, so that’s where we come in. With a consultative approach, we understand your target audience, your objectives and budget, and recommend the right product that will fit with your campaign and brand identity.
Quality
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The first thing to consider when choosing a promotional pen is who are the target audience and what giving scenario will they receive the pen? By ‘giving scenario’ we mean, for example, personally giving a gift to your best client(s) – which is very different to say, giving free promotional pens as giveaways at an event or tradeshow. Also, the quality of the pen can be determined by the type of material it’s made from, for example:
Plastic Pens: These are generally the most popular type of pen and are more often purchased in high volumes at lower prices, so work well for brand awareness campaigns using events or direct mail to reach a larger audience.
Metal Pens: These are particularly useful if you want to portray a more high quality brand image, especially if you opt for brushed metal / satin finishes, which exude premium quality. They can be used for general gift-giving scenarios such as special conferences/seminars within a gift pack, or as a special gift for specific clients. They tend to still be cost-effective as they can still be purchased in bulk.
Executive Pens: These tend to be more expensive and premium – which is why they are often top choice for companies wanting to send an extra special gift for their best
Choosing the right pen
Look and feel
What message are you trying to convey, and what do you want recipients to think/feel when they receive your pen? With product design, aesthetics are important – from shape and size, to colour and materials. For example, if you’re trying to convey an eco/green message as part of a CSR campaign, you could consider a recycled pen. Premium ‘executive’ brand pens such as Parker are often used to convey a high quality premium image, so could work well if your brand messages are about high quality and you’re targeting a more discerning customer. So by considering the overall look and feel of the pen, combined with your brand message on it, you can provide a positive awareness for the lifetime of the product, when complimentary to your specific campaign and target audience.
Getting the branding right
Think about how you want people to contact you and what you want people to do when they receive your branded pen – what’s the call to action? A company logo and strapline is great, but a means to get in touch provides the recipient with easy-to-recall contact information when it’s required – so consider placing a contact telephone number, email address or website address on the pen. For specific campaigns, the web address could be a link to a specific landing page or microsite, for example – or it could simply show the URL of your social media feeds or just the icons themselves. The size and shape of the pen may determine how much print space is available for your brand messages, so make sure you get the details of print areas and personalisation options for the pen you’re interested in.
You can also create impact using different print methods such as the simple screen print, through to engraving. Branding can be placed on the barrel of the pen, clip, tip or a 360 degree ‘wrap around’ to maximise your brand’s exposure and the use of the print space available. A subtle touch is to get specific parts of the pen produced in your company’s brand colours, such as the clip or barrel.
Lead times
Lead times can vary depending on the order quantity, the complexity of the branding techniques and the design of the pen, but generally lead times are quite short at around 10-12 days. We always recommend planning ahead, so if you know you’ll be running a campaign or event in a few months’ time, give yourself at least a month to factor in all of the design, branding and budget decisions that need to be made before your order is placed. This will ensure you have the right pen, at the right price, with the right message! BUT – if you’re a bit lastminute.com (like most of us), the great thing is, in most cases pens can be produced on express lead times of 2-5 days depending on the type of pen and the supplier, at an additional cost – but it’s worth it to get your pen on time for your big launch event!
Complete Branding Solution
We’re experts in providing the compete branding solution for our clients, so please get in touch today to discuss your requirements and how we can help you with your branded merchandise and clothing. Call us on 08707 500057 or drop us a line by email.