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Dare to be Different!

Posted on August 15, 2025 Posted in Marketing Strategies

3 Tips to Help Your Promotional Products Stand Out
Dare to be Different! 3 Tips to Help Your Promotional Products Stand Out

Businesses of all sizes regularly turn to promotional products to help them build brand awareness, nurture positive customer relationships, and solidify a strong brand identity – but in order for promotional products to perform their best, they need to make an impression and earn a spot in your audience’s memories.

As a marketer or small business owner, you can’t afford to blend into the background…so why not dare to be different? Don’t let your giveaways blend into a sea of indistinguishable pens and plain mugs - instead, use these three pro tips to position your promo in a way that gets your brand noticed:

1. Choose Products That Are Useful and a Little Unexpected

Utility is incredibly important when it comes to promotional products, because people are far more likely to keep a product that serves a real purpose in their day-to-day life. But that doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself to generic or obvious product choices! The goal is to strike a balance between practicality and uniqueness.

To achieve this, one trick is to start with the product category or purpose that you want to serve…then, brainstorm ALL the ways you could help your audience within the constraints of that pre-defined area. For example:

Exceptional Shopping Bags: When choosing reusable shopping bags, go for ones with added functionality to suit your business niche. Wine shops can offer special totes with bottle-sized compartments, and grocers or farmers markets can offer insulated bags to keep fresh produce cool. We even have a fun tote that can be colored in with crayons, turning a regular shopping bag into a source of entertainment for kids!

Unexpected Tech Accessories: Stylus pens and phone wallets are popular tech-related gifts, but it’s a lot less likely that you’ll see a flexible pen that can transform into a phone stand, or cute webcam cover that’s also a mini ring light being gifted at your next work conference.

A display of the promotional Insulated Grocery Tote (CM5462) and the promo 4 Bottle Non-Woven Wine Tote Bag (CM1185).

Products that offer both function and a bit of novelty tend to stick around longer and remind people of your brand more often – so get creative!

2. Customize Beyond the Basics

Adding your logo is the starting point, not the finish line. There’s a ton of customization options that you can tap into to build products that perfectly encapsulate your brand’s vibe. Everything from the material your products are made of, to the messaging and graphics you choose, to the colors and functionality of your items can be intentionally selected to suit your style. If your goal is to stand out, try:

• Using bold, trendy colors rather than default neutral shades

• Adding a slogan or graphic that ties into your current campaign

• Opting for products made with alternative or high-quality materials, like a hemp tote or marble coaster set.

For some more tips, check out our recent article on product customization.

3. Create Experiences Around Your Products

Rather than simply handing out promotional items, think about how you can incorporate them into a larger brand experience. This not only helps your products feel more special, but also increases engagement and social sharing potential.

In action, this could look like:

• Running a giveaway contest where winners receive branded merch

• Sending curated product kits to event attendees ahead of an event

• Or even encouraging customers to share photos of themselves using your products on social media, with a branded hashtag.

An image of a person taking a picture of their gift box filled with promotional products.

At their core, promotional products are all about building connection and recall. By choosing products that feel thoughtful and unique, customizing them with creativity, and promoting them in a way that invites participation, your business can leave a stronger impression than your competitors who rely on the same old products.

If you’re ready to explore some fresh promo ideas, you’ve come to the right place. We’re always adding new and exciting products to our collection, and our blog and social media are chock full of product features and marketing tips to help you get inspired - so make sure to keep in touch!

promo products made easy.