• Are promotional products still relevant in a digital world?

• Where do branded products fit into my marketing strategy?

• I have a limited budget - will promotional products or digital ads get me the most bang for my buck?

We see questions like this all of the time, and they’re completely valid! In a world that’s chock full of advertisements in every form imaginable, there’s an impossible number of ways that an organization can advertise - and perhaps two of the most accessible options are promotional products and digital advertising.

But which one is best? Well… it’s not so simple. Each method has its advantages - but when they’re used together, that’s when they can really shine!

Digital Ads for Broader Reach

Digital ads — including social media campaigns, search engine ads, display banners, and video spots — are designed for reach, targeting, and immediacy. Digital ads can be very cost-effective, and they’re great for broad reach and specific targeting. Turn to digital advertising when your goal is to:

• Reach a large audience quickly: Perfect for announcing sales, product launches, or seasonal promotions.

• Target specific demographics: Platforms like Meta and Google let you reach customers by age, location, interests, and more. You can be as broad or as targeted as you want to be, and easily explore different targeting options to find your people.

• Drive immediate action: Digital ads can link directly to landing pages, making them ideal for e-commerce sales or lead capture.

Promotional Products for Deeper Connections

Promotional products, like digital ads, are affordable and attainable marketing tools - even for small businesses with limited budgets. However, their strength that sets promotional products apart is their physical presence.

Branded items can be used, worn and interacted with in the real world. They create real space for your brand in your audiences’ homes, cars, desks and purses, making them especially useful for cultivating deeper relationships and lasting impressions. Here’s a few situations where branded products really shine:

• Building lasting brand recall: Unlike a fleeting ad impression, a useful product stays with your customer for weeks, months, or even years.

• Rewarding loyalty: Giveaways, gifts with purchase, or customer appreciation packages strengthen existing relationships and encourage repeat business.

• Creating buzz at events: Branded swag at trade shows, community events, or sponsorships keeps your logo in circulation long after the event is over. A good-quality giveaway also makes a great first impression to prospects!

• Deepening sense of belonging: Branded gifts make people feel like they’re a part of your circle. When they wear or use them, they feel connected to your brand, and the other people who shop, work, study, or train with you - fostering a sense of community, creating social desirability, and reinforcing brand loyalty.

Why They’re Better Together

Both digital advertising and promotional products are top-rated tools that provide realistic and affordable marketing avenues for small and large businesses. Each has its own strengths - but by combining them you can really supercharge your marketing efforts, achieving broad reach AND creating deep connections!

Here’s just a few ways you can do it:

1) Promote Your Swag Online

If you’re giving away branded products, use digital ads to spread the word. For example, “Sign up for our newsletter and get a free tote bag” can be promoted online to build both your email list and lasting brand awareness.

2) Create Social Media Moments

Encourage customers to post photos of themselves with your branded items. Run a hashtag contest and boost the best posts! This turns your customers into brand ambassadors while giving you fresh, authentic content.

3) Reinforce Campaign Messaging

Use promotional products as a physical reminder of a digital campaign. Being present in both the physical AND digital worlds will make your campaign that much stronger!

Promotional products and digital advertising aren’t competitors — they’re teammates. Digital ads get your message in front of the right people at the right time, while promotional products keep your brand in their hands and on their minds.

When you blend the two, you create a marketing strategy that’s not only visible, but also memorable - turning one-time viewers into long-term brand champions!