Justin Reynolds - Red Tomato | Promotional Products Agency

How to Use Promotional Merchandise to Increase Referrals

by Justin Reynolds | Mar 23, 2017 | Business Resources, Marketing, Marketing Tips, Promo Products, Referrals

Imagine yourself in this situation: You come home from a long day at work with a massive headache. Your kids need to eat dinner and do their homework. The best part? One of your smaller family members stuffed a towel into the toilet. Now there is water flowing everywhere, and it’s beginning to seep into the kitchen. What do you do? Do you start researching on Hipages for plumbers in your area, or do you call up your neighbour who had an excellent experience with his last plumber? It’s a no-brainer, and also an example of how powerful referrals are. While you might not own a plumbing business, any company can benefit from recommendations. In the following paragraphs, we’re going to discuss how to use promotional merchandise to increase referrals.

There are so many clever ways to use promotional merchandise to your benefit.

After all, we built our own business around this service! The Promotional Products Association International has determined that 43 percent of people use a promotional product daily. 58 percent of people keep these items for up to four years. By putting your name on merchandise that people often use, you’re always in the back of their minds. We’re assuming that you’re already aware of how fabulous and rewarding promo merch can be. However, If you’re still not convinced, check out our post on how to combine promotional products with marketing automation.

Before proceeding, let’s make one thing clear: If you don’t ask for referrals, they more than likely won’t come pouring in. It’s like asking your Twitter followers to retweet you or requesting that your party guests bring something to drink: Ask and you shall receive. What’s so great about throwing promotional merchandise into the equation is that it’s a mutually beneficial process. Your client gets a free t-shirt, you get a lead to another potential consumer. Everyone is happy.

**By now, we’re sure you want to know exactly how to use promotional merchandise to increase referrals.**

One way is to literally ingrain that message into your products. For example, at the bottom of your coffee mugs, you could write something like, “Tell your friends know about our xyz company and let us improve your community!” When deciding what to write, consider what sets you apart from your competition. What would motivate clients to spread the word about your service? If your client is pleased with the work you’ve done, they will often be inclined to share their stellar experience with others. The promotional product serves as a kind reminder.

Another effective way to use promotional merchandise to boost your referrals is through a reward system. Say a client has recommended your service to ten people, who thereby hired you. You don’t want to be cheap and send them the same pen you pass out to strangers at events. As we’ve discussed before, people love being acknowledged and appreciated. Show your love by sending this rock star client a unique, elegant gift with your logo on it. This will clearly send the message that you are grateful for their loyalty.

All in all, promotional merchandise is an excellent way to gain referrals from your clients and successfully build your networking base.

Remember, however, that the products are just one part of the process. Think of them as a gateway to open up conversation. Follow up with your clients and be sure to remind them that you appreciate their business. Kindly encourage them to spread the word about you! This is how to use promotional merchandise to increase referrals.

If you need ideas for what kind of products to send to your clients- whether you are sending them an initial product to ask for a referral, or a follow-up reward, please let us know! This is our specialty at Red Tomato, after all!

Have you successfully used promotional merchandise to gain referrals? Share your experiences with us in the comments below!

How to Use Promotional Marketing in Marketing Automation

by Justin Reynolds | Mar 6, 2017 | Business Resources, Marketing, Marketing Tips

As a marketing manager, you surely know the importance of using emails as a crucial part of your marketing strategy. Emails are a great way to stay in touch with your loyal consumers, as well as reach out to those who are considering your services. It’s an essential part of marketing. However, adding promotional marketing into your emails can help you achieve higher conversion rates. This allows you to accomplish two things in one email, and who doesn’t want that? Read on to find out how to use promotional marketing in marketing automation.

The benefits of promotional marketing

Promotional marketing is a concept that some people may be on the fence about, since they fear they’re paying to give away merchandise for free. However, as we have discussed before, this is an excellent way to turn would-be clients into loyal customers. When adding promotional products to other media, it increases the effectiveness by 44%. Promotional marketing is very cost-effective, influential way to market your brand and increase your ROI. So, why not add this into your marketing automation and engage more people?

Before you begin to think that this process seems too complicated, or you’re hesitant to add another step to your email marketing campaigns, consider the following: People love free stuff. People are also inundated with hundreds of emails daily from companies wanting their attention. Whether their angle is providing information in the form of a newsletter, offering discounts on products, or an update on your company’s latest, most of these emails are ignored.

Why? Because, unless there’s something tangible in the email, it’s mainly a large waste of time for the consumer. However, if you offer a free promotional product, you’ve hooked in your potential client, and chances are that your call to action will be effective. And with the right product, the consumer will be happy. Happy consumers often become loyal clients, and that should make you happy (and successful!) in return.

Implementing promotional marketing in marketing automation systems

So, how do you go about integrating promotional marketing in marketing automation? First off, make sure that you’re doing email marketing effectively. You need to appeal to the right people with the content and products that will suit them. Make sure that you have a CRM tool that can help you analyze your demographic, and use that information to your advantage. Secondly, make sure that this tool works seamlessly with your email service provider – whether it be MailChimp or one of these equally stellar alternatives.

The last step to completing a successful promotional marketing campaign within your automated marketing system is also the most fun. Check out the wide array of merchandise in our boutique shops and select the perfect customisable products for your consumers. Then, it’s time to plan your campaign! As always, we are here to assist you every step of the way.

Why Red Tomato is right for you

At Red Tomato, we’re more than just a promotional marketing agency. We also provide integrated marketing solutions and want to keep you up to date on the newest technologies that will help your business thrive. If you need any assistance or further information on promotional marketing in marketing automation, please let us know. We are here for you and are more than happy to help with any questions you may have.

Have you used promotional marketing within your marketing automation? What was your experience? Please share in the comments below!

Using Emojis in Brand Marketing: Why it’s Important

by Justin Reynolds | Jan 31, 2017 | Marketing, Marketing Tips

No matter which way you look at it, marketing just isn’t what it used to be. Gone are the days of newspaper ads and radio broadcasts; social media has taken hold of brand marketing. Now we have hashtags, memes, and of course, emojis. If you want to stay in the game- and ahead of the curve- you’ve got to keep up with the latest and greatest. It doesn’t matter if you grew up listening to the Beatles or One Direction. Millennials hold the key to success, and you’d better pay attention. As you will see, using emojis in brand marketing couldn’t be more important.

Emojis are massively growing in popularity. Your grandma may even use a happy face 😀 or a heart ❤️ while texting on her iPhone. Even Facebook has added several emojis to their original thumbs-up button. In this age of technology and information, the meaning of what you write sometimes isn’t obvious. People want to express their emotions and make themselves understood. For this purpose, emojis are perfect. They represent a universal language that won’t get lost in translation.

So, what does this mean in the field of marketing? Can emojis actually help you grow your business? Yes, absolutely. Using emojis in brand marketing is one of the best ways to engage with millennials. Generation Z has grown up surrounded by digital information. By using emojis, you can simply, creatively increase brand recognition and improve communication. Emojis are the Ernest Hemingway of content marketing. One symbol can say more than any tweet’s 140 characters. They are simple, expressive, and don’t waste their time getting their point across.

By inserting emojis into your promotional marketing, you will grab millennials’ short attention spans. The benefit of using emojis in brand marketing isn’t just that you’ll look cool doing it (though you certainly will). They are very mobile-friendly, and since most people are glued to their phones, using them is a wise move. In addition, Google rank favors websites that are mobile-friendly. Adding that smiling cat 🐱 or sushi roll 🍥 emoji to your text could actually make your site pop up more frequently.

Now, before you go crazy writing your entire “About Us” page in stars 🌟 and beer mugs 🍻, do some research. Make sure you understand the meaning of the emoji, but also know who your audience is. While using emojis in brand marketing certainly helps you connect with younger people, not everyone is going to be into the same thing.

Look at your demographic. If you feel that using emojis could help you reach them, begin slowly and do some trial runs. Use one or two emojis to expand on the meaning of your message. Start off by testing the waters on social media. This includes calls to action (CTAs), status updates, and responding to clients’ comments. Once you have mastered your strategy, start using emojis in your newsletters, mobile push notifications, and even on your website.

Overall, emojis help to improve communication and relatability. They add a personal, friendly edge to plain text. They are very likely to engage your followers, increasing likes, shares, and comments. Emojis are considered a language- one that is the fastest growing in history. So, if you want to connect with millennials, you have to learn how to speak their language. With websites creating complete urls with emojis and Apple installing an emoji toolbar, it is certain that this is one trend that will not disappear. Don’t let your brand suffer because you’re afraid to throw in that winky face.

why you should love Australian made promotional products

by Justin Reynolds | Jan 23, 2017 | Business Resources, Industry Trends, Marketing, Marketing Tips, Promo Products

Here at Red Tomato, we’re awfully proud of the Australian made promotional products we offer and the suppliers who produce them. So we thought we’d use Australia day as an excuse to highlight this.

It’s a great time to recognise what exactly we’re doing for our economy and our community when hunting out the Australian made logo. As an Australian owned and run company we ourselves are always looking to support other local businesses in the promotional products industry. By doing so we believe we are forming a basis for growth for our economy. So why not make every day Australia Day and surprise and delight your clients or colleagues with an Australian made promotional product? They’re sure to love it.

Here are 5 reasons why we love Australian made promotional products here at Red Tomato:

1. Get creative – custom products are easy to create from local materials.

By using local materials, we’re able to create custom solutions for your brand with ease. Beautifully embossed stationary or metal work with intricate details is no challenge for our Aussie suppliers.

2. Australian made products have a relatively quick turnaround.

By buying Australian, there’s no waiting for overseas shipments – so your products are delivered in a timely fashion.

3. We’re using local materials, which are often great quality. Think of premium Australian leather products.

Not only are we supporting the Aussie hands that make the products, but also those who take care to produce local leathers, timber, and metals.

4. Supporting local businesses is always a great feeling, and it’s good for our economy.

For every $1 million dollars of manufacturing business in Australia, there is the following flow on effects (australianmade.com.au, 2017)

5. You’ll know your merchandise products have been made with ethical work practices in mind.

Knowing that you’re supporting the high work standards which our Australian government has put in place gives you peace of mind.

What are your favourite Australian made products? Leave us some pictures in the comments section!

Top 5 Promotional Apparel Trends for Your Company Clothing

by Justin Reynolds | Dec 18, 2016 | Industry Trends

Much has changed in the world of promotional apparel trends since 2016, which is why we have updated this article. At Red Tomato, we stay current, and we want you too as well. We are the go-to source for all of your promotional merchandise needs, and this is especially important for corporate uniforms. We want you to stay ahead of the curve and always dressed for success.

For what seemed like eons, the hip world of contemporary clothing did not cross over into the land of promotional apparel. However, apparel trends in the promotional products industry underwent a drastic make-over in 2016. Since then, corporate uniforms and promotional clothing alike have been following fashion trends closely. One of the best ways to showcase your company is to demonstrate its relevance through appearance.

Read on to ensure that your employees aren’t dressed like they’re part of “Gone With The Wind” cast. Likewise, don’t dare sell wearable promo merch that is so last year, or your ROI will be left in the dust.

Top 5 Promotional Apparel Trends in 2018

1. Not Your Average Logoed T-Shirt

Say goodbye to plain t-shirts and polos with small logos that look like they’re too shy to say hello. You want to be proud of your brand, so don’t be afraid to display it in a bold way. At Red Tomato, we’re a big supporter of transfer technology, which allows your logo to be placed anywhere and in any size on a shirt. Add a pop of colour (see below for this year’s coolest hues) to make your design stand out. And by design, we mean that the logo is just the beginning.

Do you have a favorite quote that sums up your brand? Use it. People want to absorb your company’s personality visually, so add in that metallic embellishment, embroidered sailor tattoo, or whatever suits your fancy. It’s 2018; don’t hold back on the creativity.

2. Hues that Make Your Clothing Pop

While the younger demographic of customers and companies continue to rise, so too does the demand for more fashion-forward promotional apparel. You have to stay current if you want to remain successful. That being said, retail fashion, as well as corporate clothing, is embracing a lively new palette. Here are some of the colours you’ll be seeing emerge this year:

Citrus colours like lemon, lime, and tangerine
Spring-infused pastels
Royal purples, from lavender to eggplant
Hot reds like ruby, scarlet, and merlot

3. Fashion-Forward Fabrics and Patterns

Why do people read fashion magazines? It certainly isn’t to achieve enlightenment. People embrace fashion trends, and so should you. If you don’t want your promotional apparel stuffed in the back of someone’s sock drawer, that is. Gone are the days when wearable promotional merchandise consisted of t-shirts made of the same fabric, style, and color. Now is when you need to get with times.

Corporate fashion nowadays is unafraid to step out in bold style. So much so that it’s tipping its hat to styles of the eighties and nineties.

Denim is back in a major way, showing up in diverse industries like service, corporate, and retail. Mismatched colours and treatments are welcomed in shirts, jackets, jeans, and even aprons.
Checkered and Gingham patterns are all the rage in button-down shirts, jackets, and more.
Add dimension to clothing with contrasting colours, zippers, or embossed lettering.

4. Keep Comfortable and Stylish in Luxury Activewear

When you think of a hybrid, does a Toyota Prius come to mind? Just as in the car world, the fusion of two seemingly opposite styles is the fashion du’ jour. Remember when you were too embarrassed to go to the store in your sweatpants? Athluxury, or athletic luxury, is the answer to your comfy dreams.

Athluxury has officially entered the scene for promotional apparel. You said you wanted good-looking leisure wear, and brands like Lululemon, Nike, and Under Armour have listened. Performance apparel is one of the most in-demand promotional fashion items on the market today. With form-fitting, streamlined cuts and high-quality fabric, this coveted style is the perfect canvas to show off your brand.

Not sure which style suits your demographic? Zippered hoodies, racerback tanks, and moisture-wicking shirts are some of this year’s best options.

5. Tailored Chic with High-End Labels

No matter what the latest trends are in the fashion world, classic style will always be on trend. There’s just something to say about an elegant dress or a tailored blazer. The way you invest in your appearance also reflects on how much you’re invested in your business. Corporate uniforms are an excellent way to ensure that you’re putting your best foot forward (in an Italian leather shoe).

High-end labels will never go out of style, possibly because they’re the ones setting the fashion trends. Red Tomato has teamed up with some of the world’s most coveted brands, such as Van Heusen and Calvin Klein. Not only do we offer fashion consulting, but we also do custom fittings to ensure the ultimate tailoring experience. Sign up here for access to our range of high-end corporate clothing.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our top 5 promotional apparel trends. Remember, our promotional products at Red Tomato isn’t just limited to the latest technology and reusable bags. (But yes, we do have the latest and greatest in promo merch!) We’re also here to help you stay ahead of your game and dress for success. These are the latest fashion trends in 2018. Feel free to reach out for a free consultation, or even if you need assistance with international sizing conversions.

What is your favorite apparel trend from this article? Is there a hot new style we should watch out for? Let us know in the comments below!