Archive for the ‘Marketing’ Category

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
plastic
Gareth Parkin asked:


Choosing the perfect plastic pens for your business promotion means considering who will use it, when, where and what you’re trying to say about your company. Of course, budget plays a role as well. From grip to clip, you want to make sure you make all the proper considerations before ordering hundreds or thousands of writing sticks.

Ink Type

While nearly all plastic pens used for promotion are ballpoint, there are gel, rollerball and highlighter pens available as well. Ballpoint pens are the least expensive and least desirable. They are, however, the easiest to use and last longer than gel pens and nearly as long as those with a rollerball. The pasty ink tends to dry out within a month or two and even a little dirt can render a ballpoint pen unusable.

Rollerball, gel and highlighter plastic pens will help you stand out from the common ballpoint giveaways. They will cost you a bit more but if different is what you want then one of these choices might be ideal.

Barrel Size

The barrel of the pen is the outer plastic sheath that holds in the mechanism and ink stick or reservoir. In addition to the length and width of the barrel, you should consider the shape and any features like clip or ergonomic grip. Wider barrels are more comfortable to write with for most hands. If you can find room for it in your budget, consider a rubber grip and a fatter lower barrel.

If you are promoting to an elderly or disabled community, you definitely need a wider pen. The pressure is spread out over a wider surface, requiring less of a grip.

One of the great benefits of choosing plastic pens for promotion is that plastic is malleable and comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Metal pens are almost always more narrow and without a soft grip.

Life Expectancy

The life expectancy of your printed plastic pens depends on whether you choose disposable or refillable. So does the price you’ll pay per pen. Nearly all plastic pens are disposable to keep the prices down. If you choose refillable plastic pens, your choices will be considerably reduced and your cost will rise significantly.

If you are really set on the idea of refillable pens, you might want to consider metal, rather than plastic. The cost is about the same and the writing weight is a bit more comfortable.

Form and Function

Besides a quality writing instrument, many businesses realize the importance of multi-functionality. If your clientele is technologically savvy, consider a plastic pen and stylus pair or a mechanical pencil and plastic pen duo.

There are plastic pen and tape measure combos, pens coupled with a carabiner clip and others with bubble fluid and a wand on the end. With multiple color choices and great space for a logo or other message, the bubble wands are perfect for promoting to children, families or brides to be.

When choosing plastic pens for marketing, you shouldn’t be overwhelmed with the options. Take it one decision at a time and you can eliminate many of the choices all at once.



Katerina Rodgers

Sunday, October 25th, 2009
plastic
Geoff Caplan asked:


Plastic cards. They are not new. But what is interesting is that companies are increasingly seeking new and innovative ways to utilize plastic loyalty cards for a long lasting branding impression, in addition to specific messaging.

Retailers use this concept well. They know that providing an offer on a plastic card instills loyalty, card retention, brand re-identification and a “top of mind”: awareness that is powerful and unique. After all, these plastic cards, especially when wallet-sized, can be truly thought of as “wallet sized wonders.” They are durable, memorable and kept for a long time.

The power and flexibility of loyalty cards is as adaptable as the customer wishes it to be. These cards lend themselves to a wide variety of business situations that is quite impressive.

Plastic cards provide marketers with a tremendous array of options. It is now possible to wave a wristwatch and have your car all gassed up. You can flip a keychain and quickly pick up that latest bag of fast food. Flash your plastic when entering the gym your next month’s fee is paid.

The loyalty engendering aspects of plastic cards are especially interesting. Marketers know that value-based offers embedded within plastic cards promote a high branding awareness while encouraging additional, ongoing business.

Credit card issuers are especially skilled at exploring new and innovative methods of enabling plastic cards to promote loyalty and more frequent use. There is a definite appeal to offering fast transactions for mobile, time sensitive, on the go consumers. When you add to that the capacity for incentives based on repeat visits, value-based incentives and the loyal patronage that results, the card issuer has a winning and powerful marketing tool.

Credit card customer churn is forcing card companies to intensify their efforts with customer loyalty. Nearly every adult American has at least one credit card. Meanwhile, issuers are hoping that the availablility of new and innovative ways to use these cards will promote usage and brand loyalty. As plastic loyalty cards continue to evolve, consumers might discover that the familiar wallet-sized shape is changing. The basic purpose and functionality of these cards, however, will always remain the same.

Many leading plastic card manufacturers have excellent capabilities to produce and customized all types of plastic loyalty cards. Visual Products Inc. for example, is a direct-to-the-industry manufacturer that also has its products available for purchase by businesses and consumers.

For additional information, contact John DiDonato. John is President of The Plastic Card Factory, a leading manufacturer and distributor of plastic business cards and related products in Lake Worth, Florida. He can be contacted via the company’s website, http://www.plasticcardfactory.com, or by calling 1-866-539-7231.



Hailey Reyes