FAQs

Navigating the world of promotional products can be confusing. Here's a list of FAQs to help you:

What are promotional products?

Promotional products - usually imprinted with a company's name, logo or message-include useful or decorative articles of merchandise that are utilized in marketing and communication programs. Imprinted products that are distributed free are called advertising specialties. Imprinted items given as an incentive for a specific action are known as premiums. Business gifts, awards and commemoratives are also considered promotional products.

How is promotional products marketing used?

Since promotional products can be used alone or integrated with other media, there are virtually limitless ways to use them. Popular programs cited most often by industry counselors (called distributors) are business gifts, employee relations, orientation programs, corporate communications, and, at trade shows to generate booth traffic. Additional ways to use promotional products include:

• Employee incentive programs
• New product/service introduction
• Dealer/distribution programs
• Co-op programs
• Company stores
• Generating new customers or new accounts
• Nonprofit fundraising
• Public awareness campaigns
• Brand awareness
• Marketing research for survey and focus group participants

What kinds of promotional products are available?

There are literally tens of thousands of different types and styles of promotional products. In many cases, it's even possible to obtain custom items that aren't found in any catalog. Examples of common items include pens, calendars, T-shirts, caps, coffee mugs, calculators, key chains, desk accessories and bumper stickers.

What products are the most popular?

Of the $17.8 billion that was spent in 2000 on products, the most popular was wearables/apparel. The top 10 categories for 2002 were:

1. Wearables: Aprons, uniforms, blazers, headwear, jackets, neckwear, footwear
2. Writing Instruments: Pens, pencils, markers, highlighters
3. Desk/Office/Business Accessories: Briefcases, folders, desk pen sets, calculators, cubed paper
4. Bags: Tote bags, shopping bags, satchels, gift bags, drawstring bags, cosmetic bags
5. Calendars: Wall and wallet calendars, desk diaries, pocket secretaries
6. Glassware/Ceramics: China, crystal, mugs, figurines
7. Games/Toys/Playing Cards/Inflatables: Kites, balls, puzzles, stuffed animals
8. Recognition Awards/Trophies/Jewelry/Clocks & Watches: Plaques, certificates
9. Sporting Goods/Leisure Products/Travel Accessories: Picnic/party products, camping equipment, barbecue items, bar products, plastic cups, binoculars, luggage, passport cases
10. Computer Products: Mouse pads, monitor frames, disk carriers, wrist pads, software

How effective are promotional products?

Research shows that recipients of promotional products remember the advertiser's name. A study by Schreiber & Associates (Peoria, IL) showed that 39 percent of the people receiving a promotional product could recall the name of the advertiser as long as six months after they received it.

Promotional products are ideal for creating awareness among a selective audience. Southern Methodist University conducted a study to measure attendee awareness of product demonstrations in three university communities. They found that selective distribution of promotional products out pulled school newspaper advertising by two-to-one.

Promotional products, used as dimensionals in direct mail solicitations, can boost response rates by up to 75 percent, according to a study by Baylor University.

Customers reorder faster and more often when promotional products are used instead of coupons. In a study by Southern Methodist University, customers receiving promotional products reordered up to 18 percent sooner than those who received coupons and up to 13 percent sooner than those who received no promotion.

Promotional products effectively reinforce employee sales contests, too. A Baylor University study of month-long sales contests in retail establishments indicates that contests reinforced by periodic distribution of promotional products were cost-effective and outperformed non-stimulated contests by up to 50 percent.

How long does it typically take for delivery of products?

The turnaround time depends on the product and quantity ordered, but generally it takes 7-15 working days to turn around a straightforward order. NOTE: 24 hour rush services are available for most orders.

Will I have one contact with Jansco or several?

You will have one account representative who will handle all of your needs and provide answers to your questions; however, depending on your immediate needs, other assistance is available. Click here for additional contact information.

Do you have someone on staff to help me figure out the details for artwork?

Yes. Jansco representatives will walk you through all the details of determining your artwork and the specifications. Click here for a complete description of our artwork requirements, contact your representative directly, call our main line at (888) 283-8833 or e-mail us at artwork@janscoinc.com.

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