Calendars have long been standard giveaways for real estate agents and insurance salesmen. Many of today’s startups don’t give much thought to calendars because they find them dated. (Puns are free. You’re welcome.) However, calendars are still very much in demand. They make excellent giveaways because the branding is evident and accessible for at least a year. Here are 11 reasons you should consider calendars as your next swag item:
11 Reasons You’ll Love Calendars as Giveaways
In today’s digital age, a lot of people assume that calendars are an old-fashioned giveaway. But they are still very useful to a large percentage of your audience.
1. Display Potential
Calendars sit on desks or hang on walls. They are in full view of the person in the area where they are displayed as well as anyone who comes by. According to the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), 76% of people who receive calendars display them prominently. This is a huge benefit when thinking about branding power.
In sales, it takes several touchpoints to become top-of-mind for your customer or potential customer. Calendars do this quite quickly, especially if they are displayed in an area where the recipient spends many hours. If you think about the average employee who is at an office (or place of business) for 8 hours and the calendar prominently displayed within view, that’s a lot of exposure (whether conscious or subconscious) to your customer or potential customer. Because of this, most people can tell you the name of the advertiser on their calendar.
2. Fan base
Most people enjoy the beauty or learning of a calendar. In fact, 60% of people polled said that they would purchase a calendar if they didn’t receive one as a gift from someone. Because of its utilitarian value, even if the person you give it to doesn’t need a calendar they likely will pass it on to someone who does.
Which brings us to…
3.Ideal Gifts
Calendars are an ideal gift for that person you don’t know very well. If you have a wide and varied audience and cannot afford to personalize your swag, calendars can be a great solution that can make a lot of different people happy. Almost everyone needs a calendar.
Whether they hang it at their home command center or in their office, calendars can keep them on track and aware of what the day and month will bring. 82% of people polled admitted that they enjoy receiving calendars as a gift. Plus, calendars make a great gift over the holidays because even people who celebrate different holidays recognize that the new year begins on January 1st and they can appreciate the calendar as a new year gesture.
4. Amazing Variety
Calendars come with a wide range of choices. First, there are different formats. There are desk calendars, wall calendars, magnets, and even 12-months on single-page calendars. There are also panoramic calendars, reusable calendars where you can write in the date each month, daily calendars with bits of information such as trivia facts or historic dates of Interest, and there are even wooden calendars that use blocks as dates. You can personalize all of these options.
5. Personalization Options
With today’s calendars, you needn’t rely on the same old majestic pictures of things like federal parks or sunsets (although those are pretty). You can tailor your own content by adding special days, images, coupons, or tips. There is the option to start the calendar on a month that makes more sense for your business such as a back-to-school calendar that begins in September. You can highlight individual employees each month if you prefer or have consistent contact information throughout. The print on demand options make this type of personalization easy and affordable.
6. Cost and Value
As mentioned above printing is affordable. Like most products, the larger the number you purchase the lower the price. However, since you don’t want to end up with too many calendars we suggest ordering a starting number and placing more orders later if you need to. Again, since you can customize when your calendar date range begins there’s no pressure to give all of your calendars out before January 1st.
Plus, calendars are good for the entire year. you can even opt for an 18 or 24-month calendar for longer usage. Since calendars are displayed all day every day, that is a very little cost for daily branding and advertisement.
7. Utility
When it comes to swag, most people will tell you they prefer things that are handy, innovative, or fun. Calendars are definitely very useful. Even if the recipient keeps all of their schedules on a calendar app, having a desk calendar or wall calendar can provide useful information (like a tip of the day) or a needed distraction (through an enjoyable image). These additions make a calendar useful even if the recipient is not using it to track days or appointments.
Plus, according to the Promotional Products Association International’s (PPAI) Influence of Promotional Products on Consumer Behavior report, 50% of cellphone users admit they’ve never used the calendar function on their cell phones. So if you’ve been avoiding paper calendars because you assumed everyone is going digital these days, that is not necessarily the case.
8. The Law of Reciprocity
The law of reciprocity states that when someone does something for us, such as give us something, we feel the need to reciprocate. if a friend takes you to lunch, for instance, you will likely take that friend to lunch in the future. The same is true in business. If you give your audience some swag, they will likely look upon you more favorably and want to continue doing business with you in the future.
The fact that your calendar remains visible throughout the year means they will be reminded of your gift every day making it more effective.
9. Versatility
Because of the beauty of a calendar, there is some likelihood that after the 12 months is over your calendar may live a second life. Some people choose to frame their favorite pictures from the calendar while others will make things out of them such as notes, wrapping paper, or collages. Calendars can also serve as keepsakes as is often the case with magnet calendars of sports team schedules.
10. Budget versatility
Calendars are available at a number of price points. You can find calendars at a little over a dollar per item to several dollars per piece. When you factor in the amount of branding you get with daily exposure the cost per conversion or brand recognition is very low.
While calendars are inexpensive, they can also fit an audience that it is used to the finer things. There are many choices in executive desk calendars as well as reusable calendars that do not go out of date. Upgrades and exclusives can make calendars a nice high-end gift as well as a budget-friendly solution.
Bonus: Gift-giving Versatility
This article has focused on calendars as swag items for customers and potential customers, but you can expand your calendar promotion as well. Give calendars to employees, vendors, and anyone you want to have your contact information front and center on their desk and top of mind.
Business cards often and get tossed after they’re entered into an app, database, or another spot to be categorized. However, a calendar is functional and enjoyable. So they often remain visible. Visibility is also a bonus for people passing by.
ThinkQuik, can help you find the ideal calendar for your business. Calendars have a high rate of conversion because the branding and contact information is prominently displayed. While you can order calendars at any time, if you want them ready for the beginning of the new year, place your orders now. Contact us today for the best selection and least expensive production.
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