Choosing a new promotional products (or gifts) vendor

With the type and quality of promotional gifts used fundamental to the success of a marketing campaign, it is important to take care when choosing a new vendor. It is essential to choose a company with the relevant experience and expertise to meet the promotion’s objectives.

It is not simply enough, however, to find a vendor that sells innovative and creative promotional gifts, as what really makes the difference are those suppliers that are equally passionate about the service they provide. After all, there is little point in sourcing the most amazing gifts, if they are delivered a day after the campaign began or are faulty in any way.

The first port of call when choosing a new promotional gifts vendor are the relevant trade associations such as PROMOTA, BPMA and ISP. These are able to offer advice and details about their member companies, all of which adhere to a strict code of conduct.

If the order is particularly large or complex, the vendor should be able to prove that they have detailed knowledge of sourcing that type of promotional gift and a good track record in handling similar orders.

For large orders, it is also advisable to request actual production samples for approval rather than relying on mock-ups. Extra time should be factored into the total schedule to allow for this.

The most successful promotions are those that offer the recipient something a little bit different. The chosen vendor should be able to suggest a range of fresh and original ideas – promotional gifts that deliver the wow factor.