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If you rely on trade shows for a good part of your sales leads you already know that promotional giveways are now the norm, not the exception.

Everyone is vying for the attention of potential customers with some sort of promotional trinket that they hope will embed the name of their outfit in the brain of its recipient. When choosing promotional products to hand out it is important to keep two things in mind- usefulness and exclusivity.

Having attended and participated in many trade shows I can attest first-hand how the excitement level wanes with each promotional pen and promotional key ring I am handed. Unless I am given such an item that is truly unique and interesting (ooh, this pen is also a laser pointer) it gets tossed in a bag that sits in a corner until it gets used sometime in future.

The best place to start with a trade show promotional giveaway is with something big, inexpensive and a bane to all of your competitors that see it (and they will).

A nice-sized promotional tote bag capable of holding all the other promotional giveaways people will receive during the course of their visit is a great idea. A good sized bag will also sport a good sized logo that will be seen all over the event, greatly increasing the awareness of your brand.

Also, there is something to be said about knowing how bothered your competition will be when someone trots in to their area toting your promotional bag. Promotional tote bags can be very inexpensive and are available in both standard and recycled green materials.

Now that you have your bag it’s time to choose a pen to lay out on the front table for anyone to take. Don’t break the bank with this, you want to reserve the bulk of your budget for your premiere promotional gift, we’ll get to that later.

Choose a promotional pen by it’s combination of attractiveness, ease of use and price. There are many unique promotional pens that write well and are reasonably priced, your promotional gift supplier can help you find a promotional pen that meets these requirements.

Promotional key chains and promotional fridge magnets are similarly priced alternatives that work just as well. If your trade event is open to the general public there will most likely be children in attendance with their parents. Kids love promotional balloons, even more so when they are filled with helium and tied to their wrist or stroller.

This is your opportunity to expose your brand at eye level during the entire course of the show. I can’t tell you how many times I have been thanked for placating a fussy child by handing them a balloon. One thing to note about ordering promotional balloons- make sure the information is printed as large as possible, otherwise you run the risk of having a small logo that is illegible from more than a meter away.

And now, the premier promotional gifts, the ones that will rise to the top as cream does with milk. The premier promotional items do not have to be terribly costly, only extremely useful, interesting and/or a good representation of your organization. These are not to be handed out liberally, only to current valued customers and people who spend some time in your booth that seem legitimately interested in your services.  

Promotional stress toys are great trade show giveaway items that have the potential to represent your product or service in a very personalised way.

Promotional mousemats are always welcome and useful. The promotional mousemat has a very large printing area for displaying as much information as you see fit. Promotional water bottles can keep people cool while displaying your brand.

They won’t be throwing away the promotional mug you hand them anytime soon.

These are but a few examples of what is available to you for your trade show branding campaign.