“We need something for our next trade show.” That’s how many inquiries begin. Perhaps the quantity, budget, and deadline have already been set. But before we start planning promotional items, we’re interested in another question: What do you want to achieve with them?
Is your gift meant to spark a conversation, welcome a new employee, or commemorate a shared achievement? The answer will influence your choice of product. That’s why, at cadolino, our consultation begins with your goal and the people you want to reach.
A good briefing makes the selection process easier
You don’t need to have a fully developed product idea just yet. A few clear details will help us develop targeted suggestions. These five questions provide a good starting point:
- What is your goal? Would you like to make new contacts, nurture existing customer relationships, or thank your team?
- Who are you trying to reach? What interests, needs, and everyday situations do the recipients have in common?
- What message do you want to convey? What message should the gift convey about your company—and what do you want people to remember?
- What is the available budget? In addition to the product itself, consider the finishing, packaging, and the desired distribution.
- When and how will the handover take place? A face-to-face conversation at the trade show booth offers different possibilities than shipping to multiple locations.
These answers can help you assess whether ideas are a good fit for your project. This makes the decision easier and creates a common ground for marketing, HR, and procurement.
The same question can lead to completely different ideas
Let’s take a water bottle as an example: For a welcome package, it could be customized with the new team member’s name. For a sporting event, ease of use and portability might be the top priorities. As a gift for long-time customers, the material, design, and packaging can be particularly important.
So the product alone doesn’t define a concept. It’s only when you consider the context that it becomes clear which version makes sense and how you’d like to present the gift.
You can find specific examples of our work in our client projects and showcases.
Individuality begins before the logo
Personalization can go beyond just the print: it can involve choosing the right material, a suitable color, thoughtful packaging, or a message that captures a shared moment. Sometimes a tried-and-true product is the perfect fit. For other projects, a special design or a custom solution is needed.
In his original article, Marcel Spiess describes the consulting approach as follows:
“Our strength, however, definitely lies in developing ideas on how a client can embody its values in a promotional item in a sustainable and effective way.”
Planning Promotional Items – With Expert Advice from Switzerland
At cadolino, we turn your briefing into concrete proposals. Together, we discuss products, design, and implementation, as well as requirements regarding quality, budget, and deadlines.
For some initial inspiration, check out Trendolino to discover the latest product ideas. If you already know what you’re looking for, tell us about it: Who are you buying for, what’s the occasion, and by when?
