We all have a drawer full of tchotchkes and knick-knacks that we may never use, but will never willingly throw away.

Stress balls, funky pens, keychains, and other cool junk probably line the back of that drawer…but there are some promo items you keep readily available at the front, right? Tape measurers, USB data sticks, earbuds, mini-screwdrivers…these are all things you may actually use!

Using promotional items in your marketing strategy is all about identifying what your target clients want/need/value and then finding a thematic promo item that match the demand with what your company is all about. The example we will use is tried and true: kitchen appliance retailers giving out potholders and oven mits to potential customers. The item generally matches the product perfectly.

Another example is kinda old-school, but the idea is solid: computer stores giving out mouse pads and screen cleaning brushes. Or banks giving away plastic piggy banks. How about cell phone retailers offering free cell phone cases? All those promo items match the product.

Of course, it’s not always going to be easy to find a “no-brainer” promotional item to match what your company sells. But it is certainly worth researching promotion item resources for a logical chotsky. And sometimes it even pays off to simply give away the hottest new trendy promo item, even if it has nothing to do with your business model!

The important thing to remember when selecting a promotional item is that it MUST increase brand awareness so that it helps encourage potential customers to remember your company. It helps if your freebies are directly aligned with what you are promoting, but it’s not always necessary. The most important thing is that you choose a tchotchke that you know your target customer would be happy to receive.