Why Eco-Friendly Promotional Products should be part of your Marketing Mix
David Platt • 27 June 2023
Eco giveaways and your marketing mix
We live in an environmentally conscious world with businesses and consumers becoming increasingly aware of their environmental impact. The result is the increasing demand for eco-friendly products. So for the marketer eco-friendly branded merchandise is not only a responsible choice but also the future in marketing. We discuss how they can enhance brand image and reflect the corporate ESG strategy.
Building Brand Reputation and Reflecting Values
Customers are actively seeking out brands that demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship. By incorporating eco-friendly promotional products into your marketing campaigns, you showcase your brand's values and dedication to sustainability. This builds trust and loyalty among environmentally conscious clients, who are more likely to support brands that align with their beliefs.
Creating Lasting Impressions
Branded giveaways have long been an effective way to create lasting brand impressions. However, by choosing eco-friendly options, you extend the impact beyond initial brand recognition. When clients receive high-quality, sustainable gifts, they are more likely to use and retain them, resulting in increased brand exposure over an extended period. This longevity translates to ongoing brand visibility and positive associations. The secret of any branded merchandise is ‘usability’ and longevity.
Engaging the Millennial and Gen Z Demographics
Millennials and Gen Z are increasingly influential within the business community, and both generations prioritise sustainability. These tech-savvy and socially conscious individuals appreciate brands that share their values and actively participate in sustainable practices. By incorporating eco-friendly promotional products into your marketing mix, you capture the attention and loyalty of these vital demographics. A demographic who’s influence can only increase over the coming years.
Differentiating from Competitors
Standing out from your competitors is a key to success. By embracing eco-friendly giveaways, you differentiate your brand and set yourself apart from others who may still rely on traditional, less sustainable marketing methods. This distinction helps you capture the attention of environmentally conscious customers seeking businesses that prioritize sustainability. Indeed it hard to image any business who would not appreciate dealing with an environmentally conscious supplier.
Enhancing Brand Image
Adopting eco-friendly promotional products can significantly enhance your brand image. It positions your business as a responsible and forward-thinking organization that takes sustainability seriously. By associating your brand with eco-consciousness, you attract environmentally conscious customers who prioritize sustainability in their purchasing decisions. This does require that the choice of merchandise is seen as sustainable, products, even if made of recycled material, will not work for you unless they are known to be recycled. So we need to let the customer know by printing ‘recycled’ on the product or giving information leaflets with our giveaways
Contributing to a Greener Future
Choosing eco-friendly promotional products isn't just about marketing—it's about making a positive impact on the planet. By opting for sustainable materials, reducing waste, and supporting responsible manufacturing processes, you actively contribute to a greener future. This commitment resonates with consumers who appreciate brands that prioritize environmental responsibility. But it is also the right thing to do.
In the near future every customer will be concerned with sustainability. By incorporating these products into your campaigns, you not only demonstrate your brand's commitment to the environment but also appeal to a growing consumer base that values eco-consciousness. Building a reputation as a sustainable brand helps differentiate you from competitors, engages key demographics, and creates lasting brand impressions.
At Pavilion Earth, we offer a wide range of eco-friendly promotional products that meet rigorous sustainability standards. Contact us today to explore how we can help you elevate your marketing strategies while making a positive impact on the planet. Together, let's embrace the future of marketing through sustainable practices.
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T he Changing Cost of Eco-Friendly Products: Is There Still a Premium? SUMMARY • Eco-friendly promotional products used to be 25-30% more expensive • In recent years the volume of eco friendly products has grown substantially • So, the price differences have eroded • Eco and non-eco are now comparable in price – the product features and embellishments are more important to the price, than the eco status In recent years, the market for eco-friendly promotional products has undergone significant changes. Hi, I'm David from Pavilion, and I'm here to explore just how much the pricing paradigm has shifted for products branded as "eco" compared to their standard counterparts. If you'd asked me this question five years ago, I would have estimated a premium of 20-30% for eco products. However, the last half-decade has brought some surprising developments. Eco Products Go Mainstream Eco products have become increasingly mainstream, leading to higher volumes and reduced manufacturing costs. To understand how this has affected pricing, I conducted a survey comparing various popular products. Comparative Survey of Eco Versus Standard Products **Notebooks**: I started with notebooks, considering a batch of 100 with a one-color print. Comparing a standard hard-backed notebook made from PU (polyurethane) to a recycled PU version revealed minimal price differences—around 5%. While eco options like recycled leather or apple peel versions are pricier (£12-14 each), they compare more to luxury brands like Moleskine.
Searching for a branded gift or promotional product? Finding it hard to discover something new, something different? This post will give you a different way of finding what you are looking for by explaining how the industry works and why endless browsing may not be the right approach - or you can watch the video here 1. Understanding how the promotional products industry works a. Promotional Products Distributors The web sites you see on Google are numerous – indeed there are 2,873 distributors in the UK, each selling branded merchandise and each with a website. The web sites vary from the aesthetically pleasing to the overcrowded. BUT you will see the same products on many different web sites – why? b. Promotional Products Manufacturers The number of actual manufacturers is relatively small – a few hundred – each making a single product line, whether that be bags, notebooks, pens or clothing. But the vast majority of the manufacturers will only sell to the Trade – you will find it difficult to access them without the distributor. c. Merchandise Wholesalers In addition to the manufacturers, there an even smaller number of ‘wholesalers’. These Trade only suppliers will stock a huge range of products from many different sources and brand the product with your logo. They may also allow electronic feeds of their products to the distributor websites. d. Images of products So, as you search the myriad of websites presented by Google, you are looking at distributors with potentially the same product lines. ‘But they appear different’ – I hear you say. Yes, that is because each distributor, ourselves included, chooses what we believe to be the best promotional products for a particular price and quality, and the best images. Three problems We may have chosen the wrong products We may have chosen the wrong image The products constantly change so it is really tough to keep the website updated But, remember all the distributors buy from the same sources and virtually all could supply ANY of the products you see….. 2. I don’t know what I am looking for but will know it when I see it! This is true for 95% plus of everyone searching. You do however have some basic parameters: Rough cost per item Estimate of the quantity An understanding of who it’s for An understanding of your brand How the product will be used TIMING This last one is the ‘real kicker’ – you may find what you want but not be able to get it in time – in our experience this happens so often. 3. Alternative approach – a guide So, what is the alternative approach? Have the distributor do the work for you – for FREE We spend every day looking at products, attending industry exhibitions and meeting with manufacturers and wholesalers. We know what is available and when. We can help you clarify a brief and then present you with ideas. We can even quote on a product you have seen elsewhere. See us as your guide. OUR PROMISE – no pushy sales people – happy to chat by email or WhatsApp if you prefer.
The top 5 most popular promotional merchandise for the Summer - let's look at what's hot!
