Advantage Print Solutions

Author: Debbie Smith

5 Tips to Attract new Business with Personalized Apparel

I’m not sure why, but if you put a designer logo on a shirt, people want to wear it.

Look at Nike, Lulu Lemon, Polo, Tommy Hilfiger or any other major clothing brand. The logo shirt is a classic approach of marketing a brand and selling a business. People wear brand names to make a subtle statement, “I’m athletic.” (Lulu Lemon, Nike) Or, “I have expensive taste.” (Polo, Tommy Hilfiger)

Whether your business is big or small, a well-made shirt, hat or other clothing item is showing off your brand and can help generate new business.

When someone sees a brand on any apparel, they know the person sporting it cares enough about who you are to wear it in public. No matter what, it will generate some interest. So when the logo on a shirt gets noticed and someone looks you up online, congratulations! You have now successfully marketed your brand.

Here are 5 ways to attract new business with customized apparel.

1. Be Relevant

If you cater to people who have the type of income to hang out at golf outings and country clubs, put your logo on polo shirts, high end jackets and button down shirts. Make sure that if your employees are wearing or using anything with your logo on it, it’s high quality.

If your customers are women who love yoga, then of course put your logo on yoga clothes.

2. Make the logo readable.

A big mistake many people make is not taking the time to review their customized apparel to make sure the logo is readable. You don’t want it to be too big but you want to be sure to work with a promotional specialist that will make sure you see a proof and will correct any problems with the logo before printing it on hundreds of shirts, hats and/or jackets.

3. Give personalized apparel and hats to your employees.

Don’t be stingy on this. If your employees like where they work enough to wear your logo on their apparel, you’ve done a great job. Nothing says a company is great more than employees sitting around on their own time wearing their company’s apparel.

4. Give away apparel for kids.

Everyone has kids. Free clothing or hats for kids is welcome by most any parent. Make a statement that you care about your employees’ kids and your customers’ kids.

5. Have uniform shirts, aprons, jackets and hats for employees

If the nature of your business has your employees interacting face-to-face with clients and customers on a daily basis, then having uniform shirts, hats and jackets is a great idea for your employees and for marketing.

Whether they are in offices or out in the field, or working in casual environments, having a uniformed staff looks professional and gives your company a high-end feel. No matter what your brand is, you can always ensure your staff is dressed to impress in a way that gives an advantages over competitors.

No matter what you ‘re looking for, we at Advantage Print Solutions are here to make sure you logo looks sensational where ever it is!

I look forward to helping you soon,

Debbie Smith, Owner

Contact us today.

October 1, 2015
3 Simple Items for a Successful Tradeshow

If you have a trade show coming up, you know there are many things to get ready!

First and foremost is your staff. 85% of trade show success is because of your staff. You can have a million dollar “booth” but if your people aren’t friendly, knowledgable and dressed in nice company apparel, you will be wasting your money. The folks who stop by your booth want feel that your company is trustworthy and your people are helpful and knowledgable.

3 Simple Items That Make a Big Difference

You need to be sure that when people glance down an isle, they notice something about you that makes them want to stop.

1. Retractable Banners

Retractable Banners are great because they are relatively inexpensive, they travel easy and you can design them to pop! Use a professional graphic artist to create great imagery and color that enhance your brand. You can use multiple banners with different messages placed throughout your space. They retract into their stands so they are easy to travel with and easy to set up and take down.

2. Table Top Throws

Novices often forget that they need to cover tables with Table Top Throws. Many conventions come with some sort of table cover, but having a logo and tagline on a cloth cover makes your booth look professional and clean.

3. Trendy Give Aways

Let’s face it, people expect give aways at trade shows. Why not try something a different than a pen or memory stick?

Self care is very trendy! Help spread the message that it’s good to take care of yourself with pure, healthy items.

Essential Oil gifts are appreciated by everyone. Don’t be fooled, men like to take care of themselves too. It’s a gift that won’t get thrown out until all the contents are used up! Let them see your logo every time they use it.

Water Bottles are always wanted. The “trend” of exercising is never going away. Many people are carrying their water in their own bottles instead of buying bottled water. Why not have them carry around your logo as well?

Advantage Print Solutions will hand hold you through the entire process of getting ready for your next trade show or big event.

I look forward to helping you,

Debbie Smith, Owner

Contact us today.

September 22, 2015
Great Fall Promotional Items

It may feel like summer, but fall is just around the corner.

Fall conjures up images of football games, tailgate parties, and cool weather. It’s a great time to give promotional gifts to your prospects, customers and employees!

There are hundreds of simple fall promotional items that like footballs, drink holders, rally towels and even custom eyeblack tatoos.

How about a promotional blanket?

Blankets are wonderful gifts. No one throws away a blanket!

Blankets are warm and fuzzy. Blankets are cozy. Blankets make people feel safe and secure.

Wouldn’t you like your customers and employees to associate being warm and fuzzy, cozy, safe and secure with you? A blanket with your logo on it subconsciously makes them feel that way about you. They will convey a message of trust and well being.

There are hundreds of choices when it comes to blankets.

You can go with a full camping package (that include blankets and sleeping bags), inexpensive rollup blankets or more expensive cashmere blankets.

At the end of the day, quality product, that is memorable and useful really does make the difference between closing a deal and losing a deal.

** All items shown do not include the set up and shipping charges.

Contact us today to find the perfect blanket for the perfect occasion!

Choose wisely as you spend those marketing dollars.

September 10, 2015
Think Outside the Box

Think Outside The Box

There are hundreds of thousands of promotional items to choose from.

How do you stand out from the crowd? Pens and mugs are great, they definitely imprint your brand but…

How about trying something different?

If you’re a yoga company or one that caters specifically to women, how about putting your logo on fitness pants?

Fitness pants are comfortable, so why not have your logo tastefully placed so that when these are pulled out to be worn, your logo gives a warm and fuzzy feeling?

What an amazing gift!

Everyone gives out t-shirts or hats, but how about bibs?

They are family friendly! Have bibs in multiple colors to give to employees who have new babies.

How about a stadium seat, just in time for football?

What a useful item that will never get thrown away.

Stadium seats are lightweight and can be folded to be stored and used year after year. It will get taken to events where many other people will see your logo.

You can’t go wrong with this kind of promotional item.

Speaking of families… don’t forget the toddlers!

If you have a family picnic or outing planned, a sweatshirt or t-shirt for the kids is a thoughtful (and welcomed) gift for any parent. You would be surprised at how positive it is to have your logo running around on adorable kids.

Using promotional products to gain exposure and name recognition for your business is an effective marketing tool.

Set yourself apart from the others in your industry.

If you choose products that your target customers make use of often, you will obtain positive exposure for your business.

For more ideas see the blog about cool, geeky gifts.

Advantage Print Solutions will help you through the entire process of getting something uniquely you. Contact us today!

August 19, 2015
7 Tradeshow Secrets – How to Make the Most of your Booth

Getting people to stop by your tradeshow booth is harder than you might think.

How do tradeshow pros do it?

Here are 7 secrets to tradeshow success.

1. Begin months before the tradeshow opens.

Tradeshow pros being a month (or even two) before the tradeshow opens. They are busy researching, communicating and searching for past clients. They are contacting as many people as possible weeks before the tradeshow is open using social media, email and even snail mail to let their people know where to find them at the show!

2. Know when to talk and when to listen!

Tradeshow booth staffers need to know that they are NOT to act like used car salesmen. To get anyone to pay attention to what you have to offer, you must pay attention first, to everyone you engage with. Ask them questions, let them talk. Take time to make the person feel like they can trust you. Very few people are going to buy on the spot, but if you make them feel important, they’ll be back.

3. Give away great FREE stuff. People LOVE free stuff!

Seriously, you know that a great percentage of people who go to tradeshows are there simply because they will get a ton of free stuff. If you aren’t advertising something for free, you are not going to attract anyone to your booth. Period.

Inexpensive giveaways such as pencils (with your company on it) are a novelty. Why? They’re nostalgic. People will stop and think of simpler times.

Tote bags are great for a few reasons. People won’t throw them away. They’re useful. They are green. These days many people keep all their tote bags in their car for shopping! Why not have one filled with non-perishable groceries and a gift card to Whole Foods as a give away?

Get creative with your free giveaways. Start planning at least 6 months before the show so you have time to come up with ideas that fit your company!

4. Formulate a plan on how you will follow up with leads.

Have a plan on how you will gather information from people who stop by your booth. Know what information you want to gather.

Know what you’re going to do to follow up before the trade show even begins. Know who will follow up, how they will follow up and when. Don’t waste your time and money. Follow up is the key to success.

5. Wear Personalized Apparel.

Make sure your staff looks professional and that they belong at your booth with personalized apparel.

Comfortable apparel is important. Have more than one shirt for everyone on staff at the show. Wear the same color pants or skirts to look cohesive and like a team.

6. Have a great booth or table.

No matter what your budget is, you must have a professional presence or people will just walk on by.

If you can only afford a table, make sure it’s covered and you have professional table top displays and/or a banner.

Use professional images on your banners. Don’t skimp on this. You can use these again and again if you do it right the first time!

7. The final secret is to have fun! Enjoy meeting new people. Large sales are made with simple, honest conversations.

Advantage Print Solutions can help you with ALL of your tradeshow details. From personalized apparel to free give aways to tradeshow booths, we have you covered.

Advantage Print Solutions will hand hold you through the entire process of getting ready for your next tradeshow or big event. Contact us today!

July 28, 2015
3 Awesome Tech Gifts and Gadgets

3 Awesome Tech Gifts and Gadgets

1. Portable Chargers

Do you know anyone who doesn’t use a cell phone, iPad, Kindle, iPhone, Android or any other mobile device? Portable Chargers are useful gifts that people will use day in and day out. Portable Chargers come in all shapes and sizes and vary in price depending on the features. Some have multiple USB ports, some can charge multiple devices. The power capacity varies depending on the battery size and type.

Browse the Portable Chargers in our catalog or contact us to help you make the best choice based on your company’s needs.

2. Selfie Sticks

Selfie Sticks are a fun gift that a lot of people won’t buy for themselves. So why not treat them to something that’s a guilty please that they won’t throw away? Something fun that will remind them of you and your company when they use it?Selfie Sticks have become so popular that some venues have banned them. Disneyland doesn’t allow them due to people using them on rides, which is obviously a hazard. However, people love selfies, so they love Selfie Sticks!

Most Selfie Sticks are on metal sticks that are extendable, with a handle on one end and an adjustable clamp on the other end to hold a phone in place. Some have remote or Bluetooth controls, letting the user decide when to take the picture. They vary greatly in price depending on the features and size.

Search the catalog yourself for Selfie Sticks or contact us to help you get the one perfect for your company’s needs.

3. Phone Holders, Wallets and Sleeves

Remember the “card holder”? You know, the geeks used to walk around with them hanging on their pockets? Well, they have been replaced with the cell phone holders, wallets and sleeves.

There are MANY phone wallets and sleeves to choose from. They keep credit cards safe from demagnetizing. Check out the catalog for all the options, or contact us to help you decide which makes the most sense for your company’s needs.

Phone Ring Holder

This gadget is so unique, I have to share it. It’s also inexpensive.

This wonderful metal ring cell phone holder with reusable adhesive can stick to the back of any smart phone or tablet computer. How many people do you see walking around with their phone in their hands? How about a ring that keeps it from falling? And not only that, they can take it off and use it as a stand! The two rings can be revolved in either horizontal direction 360 degree or vertical direction 180 degree. This is a unique gadget that any geek would love!

There are thousands of geeky gifts and gadgets to choose from. Contact us and we can help you decide what will make the most impact for your company.

Get the Advantage!

I look forward to meeting you.
Debbie Smith, CFC
debbie@AdvantagePrintSolutions.com
(614) 519-2392

July 14, 2015
Welcome to our new website!

I am really excited about my updated brand and new website, AdvantagePrintSolutions.com.

It makes me proud to tell my clients to “check out my website.”

From the first click you can see the wide variety of products and services we offer. There are many promotional, print and apparel solutions available. With the new website, we tried to make it easy to understand and provide help to find the perfect solution for you.

If you want complete peace of mind on any project, Advantage Print Solutions is the company for you. For over 20 years, we have been helping businesses make a great impression.

If you need a specific promotional item for an event, it is easy to search the product catalog available on the website or simply fill out the quote form for more personalized assistance.

Take a quick moment to read the case studies listed on the website.

You will be able to see how my extensive knowledge of the print and promotional industry, can help your business become more successful and profitable.

I am looking to build a long term customer relationship and make sure your projects are done on time and on budget.

Get the Advantage!

I look forward to meeting you.
Debbie Smith, CFC
debbie@AdvantagePrintSolutions.com
(614) 519-2392

July 1, 2015