What is "local" to a Localvore?

Many towns across the U.S. launched "Shop Locally" campaigns. You can find them from Lafayette, California to New Orleans, LA. I love the idea of shopping in your hometown - seeing neighbors and friends out there and putting money into your local projects. The most successful is the local farmer who grows the food and brings it to the local farmers' market.

But, hometown shopping is trickier with other products. Have you checked the labels in your favorite shirts...Vietnam, China or Thailand...It's rare to have it say Made in the USA. So, even though I buy the shirt from my local boutique, it is not usually produced locally or even in the USA. So, have far do we go to shop "local"? Do we start local, then regional, then state, then nation? Then world? What about B2B? Most of our customized products are made overseas and then decorated in the US. We do have products that are Made in the USA but they are the minority.

I think it comes down to balance - aim for local and US made and, if not available - at least buy from local businesses. Make concientious buying decisions. Becoming a Localvore means more than eating fruit from your local farms. It can mean doing business with others in your community. They will in turn put money back into the local economy.

So, if you are in the Bay Area and would like a local connection to promotional products, you can check out www.o2marketing.com.

Create Buzz

What a free cup of coffee can do for you! Starbucks announced on November 1st that it would give away a free cup of coffee to everyone who voted in this election. Wow! It's likely that they gave away hundreds of thousands of cups (they are not telling) for free...I wonder how many muffins were sold? You can check out their ad for it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2J8KJDsqqY.

What can you do to create buzz? Think about your tradeshows and events. Your prospects might need an extra something to get them to stop by. What could that be? A free pen? Maybe. What about hand warmers? Or a slinky? Or gingerbread cookies? Connect with them in a fun way - the connection will last longer. Build your relationship with them over a free energy drink. That creates a buzz!

Sun, Water and Wind Powered Gifts

Alternative energy is a popular topic in the news. It can also be part of your gift giving.

Solar powered products are very HOT! A little sunshine keeps these gifts powered. Your gift will be much appreciated for its longevity and its thoughfulness. We can do solar charges, radios, key tags, clocks and more. Here are a few gift ideas to give your customers.

Solar Charger and Solar Key Chain and Solar pedometer and Solar Radio

Water Power is less common but there are a couple of gifts that stand out as possibilities:

Water powered clock and Water (or beer or wine) powered calculator

Then there's wind...

ok-it's really a Wind-up flashlight/charger and a Hand fan (you produce the wind)

Lots of alternatives!

Show your clients that you are doing something to help the environment by giving them one these gifts!

Pink is the New Black

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So, bring out the pink and celebrate the women in your life (including you)! You can check out http://www.nbcam.com/ for information on National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You can check out these promo ideas to get into your employees and customer hands and show them you care:

Your employees and customers expect you to invest in your community. This gains you trust and goodwill. Consider this cause or others as an investment in your customers as well as your charity. Everyone benefits. You can read more here: http://www.causealliancemarketing.com/why-cause-mkt-works.html

Leen to the Kanteen

Aluminum water bottles, also known as canteens, kanteens and flasks, are showing up every where retail. SIGG and Kleen Kanteen are some of the most popular and most expensive. The ones shown above are available with a custom logo. They are a great gift that promotes health and ecology (reusable) while staying in front of your customer. Sizes vary from 14 oz to 24 oz. The prices also vary from $4.35 each on up to $8.99 each. Why not capitalize on a retail trend while also promoting your business? We all need to drink water!

08.08.08 Ozone Event

On 08.08.08, we are hosting our Ozone event. Being that "8" is the Atomic Number for oxygen, we just couldn't help but celebrate 08.08.08! (The Chinese like our idea so much, they scheduled the opening of the Olympics for the same day!)

We will provide yummy experiments of sodium, calcium, and potassium. Clients will marvel at the products made from aluminum, gossypium and polymers.
Support the Atomic Number 8…Oxygen…get elemental ideas you can’t live without!
Friday 08.08.08 from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
401 Roland Way #150, Oakland, CA 94621
RSVP to mego@o2marketing.com
All attendees receive 8% off orders placed by 09.08.08

Light Up Your Luggage

Trying to find your black rolling bag on the airport conveyor belt? It's a problem for many people...including your customers. That's why a light up luggage tag makes such a great marketing gift. It's usuable, memorable and inexpensive (under $4.00). The luggage tag lights up as it gets jostled...allowing it to stand out from the rolling bag crowd. No more colored yarn for you or your customers. Next, I'll be looking for "The Clapper" car key finder..."clap on, clap off"!

T-shirt tips and treats

Take a t-shirt, design some graphics and print them in various spots, embroider over it and then add sparkles...The t-shirt is your canvas. We're used to the 2 color logo on the front left chest and the large 2 color logo on the back, but why not put some design wrapped around the shirt or print a soft pattern in the background and drop the graphics on top. Here are some favorites...

For a one time gift for a friend or relative, check out www.cafepress.com. You can design and order your own t-shirt there. If you are looking for higher quantities for an event and need some graphics, check us out: www.o2marketing.com. We'll design something to fit you to a "T"...corny, I know.

Saccharin and BPA

What's safe? Some things that used to be safe are now deemed unsafe...think margarine! Now, they make it without transfats...but who knew how bad transfats were until recently. Another food additive that has a murky past is saccharin - does it cause cancer in humans as they showed in lab rats? Didn't they give them enormous amounts of the stuff...more than humans would ever eat? If it isn't ok, why are they still selling it? It's still up in the air.

And now, here comes "BPA" (Bisphenol-A). It's a chemical often found in can linings and some polycarbonate bottles. Is it bad or not...you can read this article from The National Geographic Society which seemed very even handed about it: http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/114/bpa. It sounds like... it's still up in the air. However, I know that if I were pregnant, I would probably not want to drink from a BPA bottle...just in case.

So, if you are thinking about your next branded water bottle promotion for your company, there are alternatives. BPA is usually in bottles that are clear harder lastic. Here are some options:
http://www.crownprod.com/index.php?p=viewcat&cat=13&subcat=6

You can always go with regular "bike" bottle that do not have BPA either like these:
http://www.humphreyline.com/store/category/cxk3/Bottles.html

Or go aluminum like these...they are also called flasks:
http://www.logomark.com/ShowProductsByCategory.asp?CategoryRoutingID=152&CurrentPage=1&SortBy=1

Or read more...good luck.

The Tape-Flag Highlighter...Mark Important Stuff

Most people know about Post-It Notes. Even the name is used generically like Kleenex and Coke. We put them all over our computers, calendars and refrigerators. You can even check out a blog that is dedicated to art on Post-Its: http://thepostitproject.blogspot.com/. It's a hard product to top but 3M has another one that's getting a lot of press: The Tape-Flag Highlighter. Oprah even interviewed the inventor on her show: http://www.oprah.com/tows/slide/200801/20080115/slide_20080115_350_113.jhtml. Why are they so great - you can highlight and tab important information. It's a 2-in-1 product...multi-tasking at its finest! Check them out and cosider using them for your next promotion...your customers will love them...maybe they'll start a Tape-Flag art blog...that's some tiny art!

Spill Proof lids...No more spills

Drinking and Driving is a chronic issue. How many of us do it and don't admit it? The results are expensive...dry cleaning bills, car cleaning and loss of caffeinated beverages! It seems that the solution is first to admit to the habit and then to take steps down the road to recovery. The car manufacturers have helped us by providing the cup holders. Now, we need to buy a travel tumbler with a lid that won't spill. We have a couple of great ones that can bring closure to this issue. Once you are healed of this habit, you can sponsor others by providing them with one of these tumblers with your company's logo on it. They will thank you every morning while you promote your business. Let's solve this today. You can see other colors here: http://www.etsexpress.com/search_results.php.

Hip to be Square?

These days baseball hats have lots of bells and whistles from pockets, bottle openers, puffy embroidery, inside custom labels, all over imprints, screened bills and more. So, I was surprised to see something new...a square shaped bill.

It's not for everyone but it could work if you're going for something new. I'm not sure if you're supposed to wear it flat or curved - the hipness factor changes quickly on this - but it is unique. Check it out and let me know if you're feeling...hip to be square.

Why give naked pens?

I like receiving gifts. I like ripping the wrapping paper and opening box. Friends usually take the time to wrap a gift or put a card into an envelope. So I am not sure why companies so often ignore the packaging of their corporate gifts. They give out naked gifts! Maybe it's one step too many to think about or maybe it's the cost. Whatever it is, I know that they might show more appreciation for their clients if they took that extra step and showed that they care - one step more than most.

Most nice gifts come in boxes that can be decorated. Some can have cards inserted into the box for a nominal fee. Wrapping paper and tissue can also be customized. All it takes is another step...and a naked pen can become a well dressed and appreciated gift.

Will you pay for organic?

As we know from grocery shopping, an organic apple costs about 20% more than a non-organic one. As consumers, we decide whether the extra cost is worth it to us based on what we value. In the promo world, organic t-shirts also cost more than regular cotton t-shirts. Is it worth it? That depends on what a company values. Does your company have a "green" initiative? Our largest industry tradeshow was full of organic, green and recycled products...are you interested?

I really like some of the recycled notebooks, bags and pens. They are modern and simple. They also cost a bit more, but I think you get more bang for your buck there. It's always worth it to pay a bit more for promotional products that have more value and keep the message around longer.

Maybe the Prius owners of the world (people who are willing to pay a bit more for a car that is ecological) will start asking their companies for "green" branding gifts.