| With the start of the school year just mere weeks | | | | covers more so then an imprinted pencil or pen, |
| away for some, it's hard to believe that the graduating | | | | because there's a better chance of parents seeing |
| class of 2008 is about to take their place in the | | | | them. |
| academic world. Whether they're in college, high school, | | | | -Stick with the classics. According to the National Retail |
| or even elementary school, the one fact that's known | | | | Federation, the average mid-western family will spend |
| is that major retailers are focusing on the back to | | | | approximately $521 on school supplies this summer. |
| school season even earlier than usual. Bed, Bath, and | | | | And here's another fact that needs no official |
| Beyond launched their "College Bound" seasonal | | | | reference: they don't want to. Imprinted rulers and |
| department at the end of June, placing their summer | | | | calculators are simple items and though they may |
| merchandise in the clearance section. Armed with the | | | | seem boring, especially with the vast assortment of |
| knowledge that many local elementary and high | | | | promotional items available, they'll get used. Why? |
| schools were just beginning their summer vacations, I | | | | They're classic and they're on every school's back to |
| still wasn't surprised by the display. In the retail market | | | | school shopping list! |
| "Merry Christmas" is posted in stores and malls before | | | | -If you have the money to be tech savvy, go for it. |
| kids have even put the final touches on their | | | | The flash memory market is huge. Mom and pop |
| Halloween costumes, or uttered the words "Trick or | | | | stores are most likely not going to be able to afford to |
| Treat." | | | | hand out promotional flash memory drives, but banks |
| In the promotional products world, the term "Shop | | | | specializing in loans should consider them. Offer them |
| Early" is gospel to some customers. Purchasing | | | | up in August as an incentive to open a student |
| promotional products early not only allows buyers to | | | | checking account, and load them with data about |
| avoid rush charges, but it can have a distinct impact, if | | | | handling your own finances for the first time. Parents |
| the promotional item is a seasonal giveaway. The | | | | and students will be appreciative. |
| "Back to School" market is no different. Retailers don't | | | | -Think Long-term. The items that students have at the |
| need to be the only ones capitalizing on the revenue | | | | beginning of the school year don't usually last until the |
| brought in by lap desks, bean bag, chairs and dorm | | | | end of it. Giving out a promotional planner, for instance |
| accessories. The average business can gain revenue | | | | ensures that students will have something that can use |
| by promoting themselves with back to school items as | | | | all year round. That's 12 months of branding, right there. |
| well. Here are five tips as to how to go about gaining | | | | -Pens are ALWAYS in demand. The typical student, |
| the revenue of the back to school market, even if you | | | | college or otherwise, will always be in search of a |
| aren't in the business of selling extra-long sheets and | | | | writing instrument. Offer up a free pen imprinted with |
| binders. | | | | your logo, and it will save them the trouble and cost of |
| -Know your target audience. If you know who you're | | | | buying pens. Promotional pens can be excellent ways |
| aiming to reach, it'll make it ten times easier to pick a | | | | to brand your message as they're almost always |
| promotional item. After school tutoring programs could | | | | loaned out, which means your message is circulating. |
| benefit from handing out imprinted folders or book | | | | And in the end, isn't that really the intention? |