Are YOUR Branded Products Making You Money?

Are Your Branded Products Making You Money?

Donna, dressed as Cupid, was setting a light tone for a serious conversation. Donna shared insights from the PPAI trade show and explained that she hates wasting other people’s money. She stated clearly that she refuses to recommend products she knows will break, leak, or be thrown away. Both discussed how people remember who gave them a poor‑quality item and how those moments shape a company’s reputation.

Trade Show Strategy & Smart Value

Donna shared a detailed client example involving a trade show with 500 attendees. Rather than ordering 1,000 pens, she asked whom the company was trying to reach. She explained that typically only about 6% of attendees are right‑fit prospects. Based on that insight, she created a three‑step strategy targeting those individuals before, during, and after the show.

Results included 25 prospects invited, 19 who attended the booth, 9 who became clients, and an 18% increase in business over two years. She emphasized that this outcome resulted from intention and planning, not from spending more money.

Marketing During Economic Uncertainty

Donna shared the Kellogg’s vs. Post example from the Great Depression. Post cut their marketing, while Kellogg’s increased advertising, invested in radio, and launched Rice Krispies with Snap, Crackle, and Pop. Kellogg’s profits increased by 30%, and the company became the dominant brand. The example reinforced why visibility and consistency matter most during uncertain times.

Product Reel #1: Lifestyle Photos

The first product reel showcased new products in lifestyle settings. Donna highlighted items designed for travel, fitness, and everyday use. They emphasized the importance of co‑branding, explaining that when a company’s logo appears alongside a trusted retail brand, it acts as a credibility endorsement. Donna shared examples of long‑lasting products, including a Samsonite backpack that fits a carry-on rolling bag, creating long‑term brand exposure.

Client Appreciation Month (February)

Donna explained that February is Client Appreciation Month and shared five ways to show appreciation:

• Personalized gifts
• Supporting charities or causes important to clients
• Handwritten thank‑you notes
• Welcome boxes for new clientClient Recognition awards

She emphasized that appreciation does not always need to be a physical product. Donna explained that intangible gestures such as volunteering time, donating, purchasing tables or tickets, or supporting a client’s nonprofit can be just as meaningful and often more impactful when aligned with what matters personally to the client.

Product Reel #2: New Product Pavilion

This product reel highlighted items featured in the New Product Pavilion at the PPAI trade show. Donna explained that this area showcases brand-new products entering the market, giving viewers a first look at what’s new and emerging. The reel focused on innovation, functionality, and fresh ideas, reinforcing the importance of staying current with trends and understanding what’s newly available.

Valentine’s Day – Loving on Your Clients

Donna’s Cupid segment focused on personalization and connection. She shared ideas such as handwritten notes, thoughtful gestures, and small but meaningful gifts. Their conversation reinforced that hearing one’s name and feeling personally recognized plays a powerful role in loyalty and connection.

Corporate Training & Strategic Planning

Donna discussed her corporate training programs and her role in helping companies plan branded products strategically rather than relying on last‑minute decisions. She challenged the idea of simply ordering products online without a plan and outlined questions companies should ask about timing, outcomes, and intent.

She explained that rushed decisions often lead to wasted money, expedited freight, and poor product choices. Planning ahead allows access to better pricing, availability, and results. Kim stressed that leadership involvement matters and explained why disconnecting from strategy leads to missed opportunities.

Client Retention vs. Acquisition

Donna and Kim reviewed TRUE/FALSE statistics showing that it costs up to 7x more to acquire a new customer than retain an existing one, and that a 5% increase in retention can increase profits by 25–95%. Donna emphasized that many companies focus on acquisition while overlooking existing relationships.

“Giving should be part of every marketing plan and viewed as reinvestment in your business.” Donna also previewed Employee Recognition Day (March 6), emphasizing that employees and your teams are the backbone of a business.

Product Reel #3: Trade Show Floor

The third product reel showcased products exactly as they appeared on the trade show floor in Las Vegas. Donna highlighted pet products and industry‑specific items, including safety gear. She explained that many booths were organized by industry, reinforcing that relevance drives use. Kim shared a real‑life example of her husband using branded safety items regularly in his trade.

Surprise and Delight Marketing:
National Pizza Day – February 9

Donna shared ideas for using National Pizza Day to show appreciation, including pizza lunches, themed gifts, and simple ways to recognize employees and clients, “while enjoying a slice or two.”

Some ideas include:

• Host a pizza party at the office or a local pizzeria
• Send pizza delivery vouchers for remote teams
• Give pizza gifts (cutting boards, pizza cutters)
• Pizza lunch meetings with employees and clients
• Pizza-making classes
• DIY pizza kit deliveries

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS