By partnering with a marketing support company, your organization’s brand can become more powerful than ever before.
As the new year begins, this is the perfect time to reflect on what worked — and what did not work — last year. There is no better moment than the present to plan for change, not only to improve your business but also to significantly boost your sales in 2025.
While doing so, analyze your competitive landscape and ask yourself one key question: “How do we elevate our company over the competition?” Whether you’re launching a new startup or you already have an established business that’s facing new competitors, you must communicate to the public that they have options, which they may not have considered before.
Having spent the past 30 years in the propane industry, I understand the importance of distinguishing your brand from others. When you want to promote your company, it’s crucial to communicate what you offer and how your services differ from competitors.
This is where marketing comes into play. In today’s digital world, print and promotional products still play a vital role in a company’s success. Whenever I meet with potential clients, I strive to leave company literature and promotional items behind. This strategy was designed to achieve two primary goals. First, I want my name to remain front and center when compared to my competitors. And second, I desire to have our company’s brand fresh in their minds well into the future.
Often, I don’t notice an immediate impact when I provide such items to my possible customers. However, over time, some clients do, in fact, become my customers once they’re ready to utilize my services. Many have even held onto items with my company information on them for weeks or even months at a time. Such longstanding effort — between an initial meeting and a final sale down the road — demonstrates the value of not only branding your company effectively but also yourself.
Market Your Company With Promotional Products
Think about this, for instance: When you see a propane truck traveling on the road or delivering in your neighborhood, is it branded with a company decal? Hopefully so, as people are more likely to remember that company over one that doesn’t advertise in similar ways.
In my opinion, such “old-fashioned” marketing is necessary today. After all, many individuals are currently overwhelmed by a barrage of emails and texts, to the point they can become overlooked or ignored.
As a result, I find the decades-old strategy of visiting people face-to-face and leaving behind a distinctive, memorable branded item to be the most ideal and effective way to gain new business, no matter what year it is.
My insight is supported by data, too. For example, according to research conducted by the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), there are six main reasons why you should incorporate promotional products and wide-format print into your comprehensive marketing strategy:
- They increase brand recognition They reach a wide audience at a relatively low cost
- They ensure your brand remains memorable and noticeable
- They help people learn about your new company
- They change or improve the perception of your brand
- They present your company in a positive light through consistent branding
Work With a Marketing Support Company
Last year, the propane industry spent $13 million on marketing, a figure that is projected to increase continuously throughout 2025, according to reports from the Propane Education & Research Council. This upward trend is driven by companies that are seeking to establish a consistent brand across their organization, whether they’re updating a logo in an independent company or fully integrating acquired companies under a single brand.
Vehicle and service center decaling are especially important in this industry. We are also seeing a rise in employee apparel expenditures as companies aim to promote their brand visibility. Given the significant role branding plays in disseminating information about a company’s offerings, it is crucial for owners, marketing directors and executives to collaborate with marketing firms that understand their core business and the message they wish to convey.
Based on my own experiences, I would have appreciated the opportunity to work with a marketing support company, especially one that would have generated creative ways to distinguish our organization’s brand from the competition. This need was not only crucial when I canvassed for new customers. It was also necessary during trade events and trade shows. A strong, memorable presence is — and will always be — critical. Period.
I have always believed in the power of sending branded gifts to our top customers and potential clients, as well. An offering of some form of giveaway has proven to be an impactful strategy as I’ve expressed gratitude to existing customers and encouraging referrals.
According to a PPAI report about why consumers keep and take promo products, there are various ways people can acquire promotional items, too, leading to practically endless options for you. For instance, the survey revealed that 47.2% of respondents received branded products by mail from businesses, such as a calendar magnet from a realtor or a sticker from a retail store.
Additionally, 45.9% of participants acquired branded products that were offered by hotels, banks, restaurants and similar venues.
Other notable responses included receiving company-branded products with a purchase (32%), obtaining branded items distributed to attendees at social events (28.2%) and being given company-branded products by employers or organizations (26.9%). These statistics illustrate that people remember brands when they acquire items that feature company logos.
For further proof of branding’s significance, according to another PPAI study, 90% of individuals who receive a promotional product remember the brand name.
Furthermore, 87% of recipients keep these promotional items for over a year. This prolonged exposure helps reinforce brand recognition as you continue to market your company to those customers. Your brand recognition is sticking and will continue to stick.
Promotional products and branding companies also enable businesses to be seen as value-added partners. Likewise, this partnership allows our clients to concentrate on their areas of expertise while we simultaneously provide insights and expertise in our field.
Enhance Your Brand Visibility
As we begin 2025, I advise companies to connect with wide format printing and promotional product suppliers. These companies are equipped to help enhance brand visibility, which will ensure your company is remembered.
Businesses should also leverage the services of marketing firms that not only produce a variety of products in-house, but also provide free consultative advice to promote their brands effectively, as well. Although digital marketing has become increasingly popular, the bottom line is this: The enduring impact of a tangible promotional product will create a lasting impression of your brand.
Are you ready to make your brand stick in 2025? There is no better time than now to enhance your company’s marketing and lead potential clients to become permanent customers!
