Promoting Your Green Business With Green Promotional Products

By Author: Bruce Munro
Total Articles: 4717
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No company, no matter how big or small, can ignore the impact that global warming is having on our environment. If your company is one that makes a concerted effort to operate within the parameters of a "green" business, you know how important the small things can be. Take, for example, promotional products. If you are promoting a "green" image yet use un-recycled plastic promotional products, it doesn't reflect much authenticity on your part. On the other hand, using "green" promotional products can go a long way to supporting your business’s "green" efforts.

Make Sure the "Green" Promotional Products You Select Reflect Your "Green" Efforts

A smart marketer knows the importance of synergy. It doesn't help much if you are making loads of effort in your operations department to "go green" but don't communicate that to your marketing or public relations department. The primary reason for most business’s "green" efforts is to gain customer respect and consequently increase customer buy-in for your products. If a core part of your brand building is to be seen as a "green business" ...
... then you need to incorporate this into every aspect of your marketing communication. Promotional products are often quirky but in a powerful way they reflect what is important to the business. You won't see a Fortune 500 company using cheap plastic pens as promotional items. Rather, they will use the best quality pens that exist to promote their company, reflecting that they are a successful market leader. In the same way, the promotional products you select will be a reflection of your company's "green" efforts.

Be Specific in Marketing Your "Green"

Going "green" is almost becoming cliched. Companies recognize the importance of keeping up a positive public perception so they will sometimes use the "green" playing card to try and attract market share even if their efforts are not genuine. This has resulted in some skepticism among the public. As a genuine "green" company, be specific about what makes your products or manufacturing process "green." Clearly communicate any industry accreditations that you have as part of your promotions. If, for example, you recycle glass to use for your packaging, then have this clearly stated not only on your product but also on any promotional products that you may use. In this way, there can be no doubt as to how "green" your efforts really are.

Types of "Green" Promotional Products that are Available

Often promotional products are seen as cheap and gimmicky, particularly when used in mass campaigns. This is because many promotional items are made from plastics and other materials that are not eco-friendly. The market for promotional products is being revolutionized though. You can still get cheap plastic promotional items, but they are now being made from recycled materials and are therefore fantastic "green" promotional items. Shopping totes are one example, pens and key rings are others. Recycled paper notebooks, pads and memo blocks also make some very funky promotional items. Not all "green" products need to be made from recycled materials. Sometimes they are given "green" status because they are made from easily renewable resources such as bamboo instead of hard woods. There are some very attractive desk organizers made from bamboo. Another "green" promotional item that clearly communicates its eco-friendly message is a potted plant. Not just any potted plant though. Get an indigenous shrub or tree that your client can plant in their garden as it matures. Alternatively, bamboo plants reflect your commitment to restocking sustainable resources.

Where to Find "Green" Promotional Products

There are a number of "green" promotional product providers. Some focus on recycled materials and others have quite a diverse range of products. A good way to see what products are available is to search online. Look for eco-friendly products, or promotional items that have some sort of "green" or eco-friendly accreditation. By browsing online, you can look at several different types of products, compare prices and get quotes on different quantities at the click of a button. If you have different market segments that you are trying to reach, then shopping online allows you to pick various quantities of different types of "green" promotional products for specific aspects of your promotional campaign.

Often browsing through the product catalogs can provide you with useful and inspirational ideas. This can be helpful if you are at a bit of loss as to how to start with your "green" promotional campaign. For example, if you are hosting a workshop on "greening" your office, you could use recycled note pads and pens for delegates instead of standard office issue. "Green" promotional products can speak volumes in terms of your company's commitment to environmental concerns so make every effort to use them in your promotional campaigns.
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Visit Able Promotional.com for promotional product items appropriate for corporate business gifts which will help convey a favorable reflection of how much you value associated business people. You can show your appreciation with our rich collection of premium promotional items, corporate gifts and promotional business gifts.