The Promo Direct Blog

Just a couple of decades ago, marketing used to be a completely different ball game. The rules and ethics were a far cry from what it is now. Circa 2000, the age of door-to-door and direct marketing unofficially came to a halt. Marketing as we knew it, changed forever.

The rapid advancement of the digital age brought about a paradigm shift in how we look at and approach the age-old methods of marketing. The base remains the same – the main objective of marketing is not lost.

Marketing still revolves around promoting your brand to the customer. It’s still about selling. The action, however, has shifted online. The past decade has witnessed 3 defining moments inspired by the Internet that changed the face of marketing:

Citizens become Marketers: This is the age of Social Networking. A major portion of marketing strategies is aimed at promoting services through Facebook and Twitter. Companies have now realized that people themselves can recommend a product or a service through these social sites. If we like a particular product, we usually go on Facebook or Twitter to write a good word or two about it or we end up liking their pages. This attracts more people to the company’s profiles on social networks.

Quality Content begins to rule against Aggressive Marketing: Companies no longer use spammy emails or nosy salesmen to pester you with inane messages about their products. Instead, they are now focusing on creating high quality content that convinces and attracts potential customers. This is the Information Era, where the consumer only wants to read and see material that will benefit him. You get them the information they want and you will get their attention!

Everyone decides to Blog: As of 2013, almost every guy worth his salt owns a blog. Everybody wants to express their opinions and spread the word about their likes and dislikes. So what better way than Blogging? For many, Blogging has now become an integral part of Marketing.

Tags: Internet Marketing

What is the importance of Viral Marketing in today’s ultra digitized world? How does a company benefit from astute marketing campaigns? But most importantly, what exactly is Viral Marketing?

Well, this form of marketing is nothing but promoting a certain brand and creating awareness about it through the Internet and social media platforms. Truth be told, we are living in an age where almost everyone is hopping onto the social networking bandwagon. During such times, it becomes easier to target your brand and create a noticeable mark. Do you have eye-catching videos at your disposal? Do you have appealing pictures filled with

worthy Information? If yes, then you are all set to launch a meaningful viral marketing campaign that will catch the attention of a widespread audience.

But before you embark on that journey, take a peek at these important tips, which will aid you immensely in your marketing activities:

Go for what is popular. This means that you need to research extensively by monitoring the case studies of viral marketing campaigns that were popular in the past. Know and analyze what made them famous and the measures they adopted. Have a look at the trends that are grabbing people’s attention.

Stay away from direct selling. If you are going to hard sell your products, then it will only yield unsatisfactory results. Promote your company and its products by reaching out to your target consumers in an indirect way. Associate yourself with a popular trend or bring up a relevant issue and then make your products be known through that.

The Internet and Social Media is all about sharing. If you want your Viral Campaign to do wonders, then make your content easily shareable. Do not impose any kind of conditions. The information or the advertisement, which is a part of your promotion, should be free for one and all.

Viral Marketing strategies succeed when a company thinks from the point of view of the consumer. It’s easier to grab attention if you are catering to their innate needs and desires. Targeting your audience through correct and tactful methods will eventually lead to a worthwhile viral marketing campaign.

Tags: Viral Marketing

St. Patrick’s Day falls on March 17 every year and is observed in remembrance of Ireland’s revered patron’s saint.

There is a bit of entertaining history behind St. Patrick’s life. As a teenager, he was kidnapped from his home in Britain and taken as a slave to Ireland. He went through several hardships for 6 years before finally running away from his captors and returning back to his family.

He grew up to become a respected cleric and returned to Ireland as a Bishop. St. Patrick’s devotion for the betterment of the Irish poor made him immensely popular in Ireland and a force to reckon with in Irish culture.

St. Patrick’s Day is widely celebrated in America, thanks to the huge presence of Irish-Americans. Though there is no federal holiday to mark the occasion, several Americans host Irish-themed parties that serve alcoholic drinks and food. Street parades are held in the following American cities: Pittsburgh, Denver, New York, Chicago, Boston, Houston, Seattle, New Orleans, Detroit and Philadelphia.

Several companies join in the celebrations by giving away St. Patrick’s Day themed giveaways. If you haven’t associated your business with this fun-filled day yet, then it is time you did! Head over to Promo Direct for some exciting giveaways to highlight your brand.

Tags: St. Patricks Day

International Women’s Day is observed on March 8 to celebrate the role played by women in society. This special day gives us the opportunity to appreciate women not just from America but across the world. Whether its women from the past or present, they deserve to be valued for their roles in business, the society or simply as mothers, wives and daughters.

The Socialist Party of America is credited with observing the world’s first ever Women’s Day way back on February 28, 1909. Even though this event was only celebrated nationally in America, it inspired the Europeans to think along the same lines in support of women.

On March 18, 1911, International Women’s Day was celebrated for the first time ever by more than a million people from Denmark, Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Numerous parades and demonstrations were carried out to offer solidarity to women across the world.

March 8 was proclaimed as International Women’s Day in 1977 by the UN. Over the years, this day has been used to highlight the plight of suffering women around the world. The 2013 theme is “The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum”.

How do you plan to show your support for this special occasion? You could show the women you are associated with that you care by giving away quality giveaways. Whether its employees in the office or the clients you deal with, they will appreciate your thoughtful gifts.

Wish you all a good International Women’s Day from all of us at Promo Direct!

Tags: Womens Day

Valentine’s Day – the most celebrated occasion among couples – is just around the corner. This special occasion has come a long way since Pope Gelasius I declared February 14 as Valentine’s Day in the year 496. In America, this romantic day received a big push in the 1840s when Esther Howland of Massachusetts launched the first ever Valentine Day cards.

Have you ever promoted your brand on this special day? If not, it is time you joined in the festivities by distributing Valentine’s Day themed giveaways to highlight your brand.

Featured in this article are a compilation of 8 fun facts taken from the online world. These facts showcase the significance of this special day and the emotional chord people associate with it:

1. The total value of imports for cut flowers in 2011 stands at $880,893,904. A major chunk of these cut flowers were used in bouquets that were given away to loved ones on Valentine’s Day.
2. As per stats released by the US Greeting Card Association, approximately one billion cards are given away in the United States each year.
3. Did you know that 15% of American women send themselves flowers?
4. A whopping 73% of those who buy flowers are men!
5. A staggering 189 million stems of roses are sold in America on Valentine’s Day alone!
6. Popularity list: Valentine’s Day cards are given to teachers, kids, moms, wives, sweethearts and pets, in that order.
7. American men spend an average of $130 on gifts for their loved ones.
8. Richard Cadbury – the founder of world renowned chocolate brand Cadbury – launched the first set of chocolates more than a century ago for Valentine’s Day.

Head over to Promo Direct to explore some exciting Valentine’s Day promotional products!

Tags: Facts, Valentines Day