Introduction
From the bamboo reed pen to the ballpoint pen of today, pens have been in use for thousands of years, with the first being recorded around 3200 BC. Pens satisfied an immense need to communicate smoothly through writing and possibly convey information to a younger generation.
Since the invention of the pen, up until today, the use of a pen has surpassed the basic need to write and send information. A pen is now used for a whole host of reasons, some of which are to create ink art, printmaking, and advertising.
The use of a pen as a means of advertising is fairly new, as it only came to be with the advent of the ballpoint pen. It has proven to be an effective strategy, as everyone needs a pen. Be it to jot down a number, put down a signature, or make an illustration, pens are extremely useful in our everyday lives, making them ideal promotional material.
In this article brought to you by HelloPrint, we will be outlining why ballpoint pens are the best promotional materials for your business. Here are some key reasons to invest in these pens as part of your marketing campaign of choice:
Cost-effectiveness
For any emerging or growing business, finding cheaper alternatives to traditional marketing options is key to success, especially early on. Sure, billboards, TV, and YouTube ads are great options, but they can be extremely expensive for a decent turnout.
Ballpoint pens, with their low cost for mass production, offer you a cheap and reliable way to reach customers and stay relevant for long periods of time.
This kind of campaign is easy to sustain as it requires a small budget as compared to other advertising options. They offer an outstanding return in terms of cost per impression and are known for their incredible ROI.
They are practical and useful.
Unlike most other promotional materials, like flyers, pens have the potential to reach many more people as they solve a real problem. Pens offer practicality rarely seen in other advertising options, as they fulfill a basic need to write.
When paired with a dynamic design, a pen would be looked at numerous times and would stay as a constant reminder of your brand.
Pens also offer one thing that no other promotional material offers, in that they can change hands multiple times before reaching their end. A single pen can generate over a thousand views over its lifespan, making it a very economical and strategic means of marketing.
Target your audience.
Like many other handheld promotional materials, pens create the opportunity to target the specific audience you want to reach out to. By giving out these pens during sales, you can reach the specific clientele that suits your brand identity.
You can also give these pens as gifts when your chosen customer base makes a purchase, to show them that you are invested in that relationship. Creating a relationship with these customers can foster a sense of loyalty, which can be rewarding for your business in the long term.
Brand exposure
Pens as a means of marketing create a unique opportunity rarely seen in other marketing media. Pens, because of their functionality, stay much longer in the hands of the user and are far less likely to be thrown out in comparison to other marketing media. This is perfect for boosting brand visibility.
The pen to be used as promotional material should display the brand logo and brand name, as well as a memorable catchphrase: These are important so as to leave an imprint of the brand’s identity on the minds of the users. Ensure to decorate the pen using the brand’s colors, to create a complete memory of your brand.
Be sure to go for an eye-catching design when creating your ballpoint pen in order to captivate as many people as possible, as this pen is likely to change hands multiple times.
Ease of customization
The special thing about ballpoint pens is that they can be designed in a plethora of ways and can be made perfectly to suit your unique tastes.
There are a number of things to consider when customizing your unique pen, mainly:
. Aesthetic
The visual aesthetic of your pen is crucial to whether a customer takes a liking to it or not. An attractive pen will not only be kept for longer but will also catch the eye of everyone else around you.
Ensure to look over a good number of designs before deciding on one that you find most visually pleasing.
. Functionality
No one wants a pen that spills ink, writes inconsistently, or breaks easily. When creating your custom pen, ensure to go for high-quality materials that the user might find trustworthy and would be far less likely to throw out.
Pens are usually passed from person to person over a long period; hence, it is also key that they be durable in order to pass this test of time.
. Brand identity
The persona your brand portrays has to remain consistent in order to resonate with your customer base. Choosing a promotional product that suits this persona is important as it tells your customers that your brand remains cohesive and consistent, therefore trustworthy.
Be it for a clothing brand or a stationary brand, use colors and designs that fit the overall narrative.
A lasting impact
A pen can vary in how it is made, what it looks like, and how long it lasts, but the important part about them is that they tell a story. A simple ballpoint pen can make a difference in how your brand is viewed and how often it is remembered by simply staying in homes, offices, classrooms, and anywhere else a pen might be used.
Conclusion
A ballpoint pen can give your branding efforts an incalculable reach and frequency. When used as a promotional item, it becomes more than just marketing; it becomes an integral part of your brand and a means of conveying the values of your company to the public. These advertising materials will give you a distinct advantage since they are personal and tactile in an environment where digital noise is dominant.
Laila Azzahra is a professional writer and blogger that loves to write about technology, business, entertainment, science, and health.