Action Promotional/Gloria Lafont’s Weblog

The good old coffee mug remains one of the most popular promotional items and, according to a recent study,  4^th in line as far as most used by receivers, after pens, apparel and bags. You might be considering these or have invested in some and haven’t used them all up. Besides handing them out bare as they come, they can be filled with goodies and wrapped with cellophane and tied with a ribbon, for great added perceived value. 

Recently, one of the members of my industry Master Mind Group, came up with 29 ways to use a mug and challenged the rest of us to make the list grow to 100. It was a fun exercise, and I want to share with you 12 of them, randomly selected, as all were really creative. 

These are all using the white, “C” handle, most basic and inexpensive ceramic mug of all:

1. Use as a package for a small gift. A good example when working with children: give a mug with a teddy bear inside: the toy goes to the kid, the mug is for the mother. (Actually, one of my clients thought of this one)

2. Use as a flower vase when delivering flowers. Great to congratulate a client on her birthday, a promotion, an accomplishment, etc.

3. Use as a reference card: imprint with important company dates, phone numbers and extensions.

4. Use as a calendar: imprint a calendar on one side, company message on the other.

5. Use as a desk caddy: fill with imprinted pens, pencils, small ruler, letter opener, etc.

6. Use as a jelly bean dispenser. Perfect for sales people: give as a thank you gift after first purchase, great excuse to revisit your client for “re-fills” 

7. Use for employee motivation: imprint with compliment such as “Top Achiever”, or as an award, imprinting achievement using gold ink.

8.   Make it a kit box: a tool box, filling with mini-screwdrivers, mini-flashlight, tape measure, etc. Or fill with a sewing kit, a first aid kit, you get the idea.

9. Make it a commemorative souvenir: imprint with event info and/or picture. 

10. It’s a fundraiser: imprint with worthy cause info, then sell it.

11. Make it a recipe card: great idea for restaurants and caterers: imprint wit a simple recipe. 

12. It’s an important safety reminder, example: “Change the batteries in your smoke detectors when Daylight Savings Time changes.”

If you’d like to know how to apply ideas like these  to promote your business effectively, leading to  tangible results, contact us. We’re here to help.