What was big on the trade show scene? Tattoos.  Many companies gave away custom temporary tattoo stickers. No one wants to wear just your logo, but they may like a tattoo featuring a clever saying with your logo in smaller print.

I was surprised to see several REAL tattoo artists set up near trade show events. Couple this with open bar events, and I see potential for spontaneous, unintended consequences. Although I’m all about effective branding, lifetime permanent branding is something I can do without!

Rackspace Hosting  had a really popular giveaway, with branded tattoo sleeves. Rock on! They also scored with free samples of Starbucks Via instant coffee, which were appreciated the morning after Daylight Savings Time cheated us out of an hour of sleep.

An unusual exhibitor with a different giveaway was the ACLU, with earplugs promoting awareness of digital privacy rights. Ear plugs and a branded case make a handy and inexpensive advertising specialty for college students, musicians, construction workers, and industrial safety-themed promotions.

Longhorn Koozie Keeps it Cold

Finally, what’s a tradeshow in Austin without Texas Longhorn-themed swag?  WCG and Bob Pearson did not disappoint, sharing a “snap and wrap” koozie that comes flat, but wraps around your beverage when you snap it.

What exciting promotional item have you seen lately that made you say “woot?”

 

 

 

 

Complex SxSW Design

My next two posts feature  this week’s South by Southwest Interactive show in Austin, Texas. How does  the virtual world of bits and bytes relate to the physical world of t-shirts and branding? Internet types know good design whether it’s real or virtual, and have dreamed up some interesting promotions that combine both physical and internet components.

 My favorite official shirt from the show features a fashionable American Apparel style t-shirt. It’s a five color design, with lots of complexity that requires an expert screen printer.

A Really "Graphic" Tee Gets the Message Across

Sometimes simplicity, not complexity, makes for the best design. Look at the t-shirt from Brown Paper Tickets. You know at a glance what their value proposition is. They’re a fair trade event ticketing company, with services that are free to event producers with simple flat fees for buyers. I get it.

Another way to stand out from the crowd is to pick a signature look and color, and stick with it, like dotJenna, who is President of TheMarketingShop.com, and specializes in social media and web marketing for the real estate industry.

Hot Pink is the Look for dotjenna. Photo by NoNoJoe flickr.com

Jenna brands herself with hot pink, whether its business cards, t-shirts, or beverages. Instant Imprints made some hot pink and black t-shirts for dotjenna and her team for their Cog’aoke (Karaoke) competition at SXSW. Their performance was a hit, with standing room only.

 Earlier in the article, I promised to tell you about some intriguing promotions that combined physical and online elements.

Pepsi sponsored the Pepsi Refresh Project, which awarded $50k to an individual or group with the most exciting digital pro-social idea. Festival participants used a hash tag to vote online in Twitter for the best project. Then they took their cause offline, by writing in their favorite project hashtag on a button that they wore to build support among the thousands attending the conference.

Pepsi Button & Twitter Promo Combines Virtual & Physical

Finally, have you heard of “Stickybits”? Essentially, they are stickers with a unique UPC code that allow you to attach a digital item to a physical item, using an iPhone application. This is a great idea, because it lets you attach extra rich video, music, or detailed content to a physical item where there isn’t space for the information.

Stick a Digital Note with StickyNotes

For example, you can use Stickybits to attach a digital resume to a business card. Or you can use the stickers to add updated information to a product flyer. Another application would be to attach music to a birthday card.  How does it work? You use a mobile phone application for the iPhone or Android phones to scan the sticker and attach the information online. Then the recipient scans the product with their mobile phone application to view or listen to the content.

 What do you think of these promotional ideas? Can you see people enjoying the “game” aspect? Or is the combination of digital and physical too complex to follow?

World's Largest Building Wraps

It’s the downtown building wraps that have even the most sophisticated city slickers all agog. There are massive images of the Dallas Maverick’s all-star forward Dirk Nowitzki and Cleveland Cavaliers Star LeBron James featured on the Bank of America, the Hyatt Regency and the Rennaissance Hotel. The B of A banner has a height of 30 stories and an area of 53,000 square feet, and will surpass the old record set in the Phillipines in 2008.

I suspect that since you’re reading this blog, you have an appreciation for eye-catching designs, signs and marketing. Although you probably aren’t trying to set a world record, you know that effective color combinations, unexpected placement, and some creative thought helps get your name and message noticed on everyday banners, vehicle signs, shirts, and promotional items. We’d love to help you with that–as long as it
doesn’t involve climbing 30 story buildings!

By the way, if you’d like to see some more great Dallas photos, check out Clark Crenshaw photography.

NOT the UT T-shirt

Licensing departments diligently protect their brands, and destroy the merchandise or prohibit resale in the US. Fortunately, the University of Texas Department of Trademark and Licensing approved the donation of 13,000 T-shirts and a thousand caps to the earthquake victims in Haiti. It’s nice to see licensing take a back seat to charity.

“With the terrible tragedy and loss the Haitian people have suffered and are still experiencing, we do realize this donation may not be a very high priority for them,” said George H. Mitchell, the University Co-op president. “However, we all need clothing and this is a small contribution we can make to assist in their recovery.” It was a more than a good faith gesture, because it represented $300,000 in retail merchandise.

Attention, NFL Licensing Deparatment: Let’s hear about your plan to give Haiti of all your losing team “Superbowl Winner” t-shirts after Sunday’s game!  The only question is, who’s it gonna be? Do you think the Colts or the Saints will win the Superbowl?

Striking New Logo

As you seek to grow your business or not-for-profit, are you looking for the latest and greatest technology or tool to help you get ahead of the next guy? I have to admit that’s how I’ve viewed social media—a cost-effective way to outsell the competition. This week, I had the opportunity to hear Chris Brogan, social media guru and author of “Trust Agents”, speak to the Dallas Social Media Club. Essentially, it was a talk on how to use the new tools of social media in old ways. And I mean that in the most positive way.  Stay tuned.

 Chris began his talk by asking how many audience members were in customer service. Trick question. Apparently the right answer is we are ALL in customer service. By the time he asked how many were in sales, we had caught on and all claimed to be in sales.

Chris Brogan, author of Trust Agents

He encouraged us to view our business roles as farmers, and not as factory workers. We need to focus on preparing the soil and watering and nurturing the crop. A farmer has patience and doesn’t expect an immediate reward. In contrast, a factory worker focuses on throughput, speed and efficiency. In a factory, it’s just a transaction, on a farm, it’s a relationship.

We were exhorted to “Grow Bigger Ears,” listen more to others, and to focus on relationships.  Chris described the recipe for success as being 2 parts helping others, 2 parts connecting with others, and 1 part selling. And new tools, like FaceBook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, are great for connecting with others. A hint from Chris: stop networking in just your own vertical area or geography. If the economy hits a speed bump, your whole network loses their jobs at the same time! Build some diversity by networking in different fields and cities/states. 

We should be using these new social media tools to affirm others.  Recommend their business on Twitter, respond to their requests for information or introductions in LinkedIn, comment on their blogs. Come to think of it, it sounds a lot like the Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated, and don’t constantly try to sell something to them. So it’s using new tools in old ways, to support old-fashioned values. 

Thank you to Mike Merrill, Cynthia Smoot and the Dallas Social Media Club #smcdallas for hosting this event and for selecting Instant Imprints as the T-shirt supplier, and to sponsors Trip Case, Nomee, Southwest Air, Fairmont Dallas, and Firehost.

1)      Have a plan.  Before the end of January, document top goals in terms of sales, profits, or other objectives. Keep it posted where it can be seen every day.  You may not achieve everything, but you will achieve more if you have a plan and measure your business against the plan.

2)      Network, network, network.  Investigate new networking groups, whether they are general lead-sharing or dedicated to a type of business or profession.  Attend the same group weekly or monthly. In addition to in-person networking, if you haven’t yet jumped into online or social networking, you are behind the times! At a minimum, you should set up a Linked In account and a Facebook fan page for your business. If you can commit to daily micro-blogging, Twitter might be for you. Here are some social media tips for small business. By the way, we’d love for you to FAN Instant Imprints on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. We share helpful information on marketing your small business, club, or cause.

3)      Increase Your Web Presence.  If you don’t have a web site, get one. A simple site can be developed for as little as $500 to $700.   If you already have a web site, learn about search engine marketing to drive more customers to your site.  If you are a single practitioner, your good name is what you sell. Register your name as a domain name for just $10 at www.godaddy.com.   For a price that low, it’s best to reserve it now, even if you’re not yet sure how you will use it.

4)      Take advantage of low-cost business promotion. Think seriously about putting signage on your vehicle.  Even if you only use a personal vehicle part-time for business, a set of removable magnetic signs on each door can dramatically increase your exposure for as little as $40 per door.  See earlier post for more info on vehicle signs. Put your logo on some shirts or jackets, too.  It will help to “brand” you and serves as an ice-breaker as you attend your networking events.  Of course, Instant Imprints can produce the signs and the logo apparel for you!

5)      Know your top 10 customers. Identify your top ten customers or prospects for 2010.  Make sure you understand their needs, motivations, and tailor your services and sales pitch to suit them.  You will see exponential benefits from this effort, since other customers will have similar needs.

6)      Remember work life balance. It’s not all about work. If you find yourself struggling to have enough family time, spiritual time, or exercise time, make specific appointments on your calendar.  If exercise is a new resolution for you, we can help you commit with a customized T-shirt or personalized towels and gym bags.

To make resolutions work, they need to be tackled immediately and repeatedly.  Carpe Diem! Or, perhaps we should say “Carpe Annum!”

Michael Paulsen Houston Chronicle

Championship UT T-shirts are already printed, and will arrive in sealed boxes at UT Co-op stores in Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas by game time.

If the Longhorns win, truckloads more of the T-shirts will be standing by, according to Brian Jewell, vice president of marketing for the nonprofit University (of Texas) Co-op. The Co-op stores will stay open after the game if UT wins, to capitalize on immediate fan demand. Retailers have long since discovered that it’s worth the added cost and risk to have the goods available immediately upon victory.

But what happens to all those shirts if (gasp) the Longhorns lose? Are they quietly shipped off as a donation to a third world country? Is there an alternate universe where people are walking around in T-shirts with slogans like “TCU Frogs: Fiesta Bowl Champs”, “Arizona Cardinals: Winners of the 2009 Super Bowl” Or “John McCain, 44^th President?”

I’d like to think that with today’s concern about eco-friendly practices we wouldn’t waste the T-shirts, but alas, they are shredded and destroyed. At best, the shredded T-shirts could be recycled as stuffing for pillows and sold at a fraction of their former value. Unless…..maybe there’s a marketing spin …..Biggest Loser Pillows?  NOT!

In that spirit, we surveyed Instant Imprints store owners across the US and Canada, and bring you our collective wisdom on trends for the imprinting business.

What’s Out, Played Out, or Not Hot

Political humor—Digs on Sarah Palin or Barack Obama.  It’s SOOO 2008.

Rainbows—SOOO 1980.

Hearts—ask us again on Feb. 14^th about this prediction!

Arial font. BORING! May we suggest Verdana, Tahoma, or Impact if you want a clean look with some personality?

Anything to do with Tiger Woods—sorry Nike!

PING—too expensive during a recession.

Digital photo frames with logos

Branded DVD cases

Starbucks gift cards—once again, prices are too high during a recession. But, for true fans like me, keep them coming!

Branded plastic bags—no one wants to remind you that they sponsor products that are unkind to the earth.

What’s In, What’s Hot, What We’ll See in 2010

Branded eco-friendly, reusable organic fiber bags. EVERYONE wants to remind you that they sponsor products that are kind to the earth

Sports bottles made out of recycled materials. Avoid those disposable water bottles!

Eco-friendly, organic cotton or sustainable fiber t-shirts. We predict the premium pricing will drop some over the next year, as eco-friendly tees become a staple in manufacturer lines, and not just a couple of stock numbers.

Shades of green—more of the color green, including pistachio and forest.

Tight tees with a youthful fit will remain popular. Although you’ll continue to see more skinny jeans, we aren’t ready to predict the death of baggy jeans quite yet.

Moisture-wicking or dri-fit golf shirts will continue to be really popular.

Sue Sylvester inspired track suits (from TV show “Glee”) will take off. We may have jumped the gun with this one!

Logo hand sanitizers will be a popular giveaway at tradeshows this winter, as we hit the peak flu season.

Memory or USB sticks will continue to be a hit. Apparently, you never can be too rich, too beautiful, nor have too many flash drives.

What’s your prediction for 2010? What’s hot, what’s played out, or what do you wish would disappear from fashion?

If you like the idea of a family crest or coat of arms, you can research it at http://www.allfamilycrests.com/. Most of the family crests displayed are for names of European origin including English, Scottish, Irish, German, and Spanish. You can check out the crests and learn about the symbolism incorporated into the design. If your surname isn’t listed, why not design a family emblem, using symbols with special meaning for your family?

Promote Your Business While You Drive

Ever wondered what type of advertising gets you the most eyeballs at the lowest price? The average delivery truck makes 16 million impressions in a year, according to the American Trucking Association, making vehicle signage the single most effective method for getting your name known. Surprised?  In essence, your car or truck is a rolling billboard.  Potential customers see your advertising message while stuck behind you at a traffic light and while crawling through rush hour traffic.  If you have a retail location, your vehicle parked in front can attract even more attention than your permanent sign.

 There are three basic types of vehicle signage: magnetic, vinyl, and wraps.  If your business is part-time and or your vehicle is multi-purpose, consider magnetic signs that can be removed on a daily basis. 

Magnetic Signs are Great for Multi-Purpose Vehicles

 A pair of magnetic signs can run from $150 to $300, depending on the number of colors used and the complexity of the design.  Real estate agents find magnetic signs to be convenient, since their cars are used for both business and personal use.

 For a dedicated vehicle, Instant Imprints recommends using vinyl lettering as the cleanest and most professional way to promote your business.  The cost is similar to a magnetic sign, but with greater durability.  Vinyl lettering can be applied to side and rear panels or even on windows if visibility isn’t obscured.

A wrap provides an “all-over” look for a van or SUV and uses lettering combined with colorful artwork and photos.  Wraps are extremely effective in grabbing attention due to their novelty.  Types of businesses using wraps include TV News vehicles or name brand consumer product promotions. Cost can be a concern, since they run from $2500 to $4000 per vehicle.

 Regardless of the type of signage selected, consider these guidelines:

•  Keep it simple—service, name, phone and website
• Readability—go with a clean, simple font
• Focus on contrast—dark lettering on white shows up best
• Largest lettering for most important part