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!

Corporate Gift Shopping On a Budget

by Justin Reynolds | Oct 24, 2016 | Business Resources

The Value of Corporate Gift Shopping On a Budget

While some may consider Christmas the most wonderful time of the year, those shopping for a corporate gift on a budget may disagree You want to show clients your gratitude with a Corporate Gift, but your end-of-year bank account isn’t quite on board with demonstrating that appreciation. What, then, are your options?

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Achieving Goals: Setting Your Goals on a Clear Path to Success

by Justin Reynolds | Oct 17, 2016 | Business Resources, Marketing, Marketing Tips

Achieving Goals By Establishing a Clear Path to Success

92% of New Year’s’ Resolutions fail within the first two weeks of January. Following a path to realistically achieving goals means that the road has been cleared by the proper planning and motivations. How are you going to set yourself up to successfully reach your goals, both professionally and outside of your career?