Promos, Giveaways, Incentives, Awards, Gifts, Prizes, Oh My!

Promos, Giveaways, Incentives, Awards, Gifts, Prizes, Oh My!

When it comes to promotional products, ever wonder what the difference is between incentives, premiums, awards, gifts, giveaways, and prizes? It’s a lot, I know! As a superhero, it’s my job to keep you informed on the best ways to promote your brand, so let’s break these terms down a bit.

First, what are promotional products, you ask? Well, promotional products are items used to promote a product, service or company program including advertising specialties, premiums, incentives, business gifts, awards, prizes, commemoratives and can include other non-imprinted or imprinted items.   Now let’s break it down further…

• Incentives are rewards for a purchase or performance.  Incentives can be utilized to motivate a particular course of action or drive one preference over another. Tangible awards and merchandise fulfill the need for recognition that most people desire. One idea we particularly love is the incentive program. Our superheroes work with various departments to develop a reward program that could be related to safety, sales growth, team building, wellness, or years of service. Also, a program doesn’t require big-ticket items or overwhelming details to get results. Consider continuity gifts to recognize goal-minded recipients. A continuity program would consist of a progressive series of coordinating gifts, usually with a logo or message. Each level of achievement earns the next gift in the series. Whether you need a couple items for your event, or you are considering a points program or sweepstakes we have the resources to customize your program.

• Awards are recognition exchanged for performance. Employees crave recognition among their peers. Whether it’s a personal best achievement or corporate record-breaking award, an award can provide recognition, sense of pride and positive reinforcement long after the award is presented. Awards can consist of plaques, trophies, clocks, watches and sometimes other merchandise, typically engraved or imprinted with the details of the achievement.

• Premiums are products imprinted or not, that are given in exchange for purchase or for 
  meeting a certain goal.  It can be something given to a customer upon purchase of an item,or something given to employees for meeting sales/performance goals. Get your employees motivated by offering a premium for achieving goals. For customers, a gift with purchase is a great example of a premium.

• Gifts are items given “just because.” As a customer or employee, it is always nice to be acknowledged. Gifts are great to share for a thank you, holiday, birthday, anniversary, or “just because.”

• Giveaways are a way to say, “Thank you for being here!” They are great ways to generate awareness and/or goodwill. Giveaways are great for trade shows, openings, church functions, and so much more! Need some giveaway ideas? We’ve got you covered!

• Prizes are rewards for performance or, in a contest, sweepstakes or lottery, selection by chance. Sometimes referred to as a sales incentive award. Prizes can be great a great way to move people into action. I mean, who doesn’t like winning?

Promotional products go very deep and wide into almost every industry. Just pay attention, and it’s hard not to see some kind of promotional product everywhere you look! One of our superpowers as marketing superheroes is to spot the need and provide the solution! Now that you have seen promotional products broken down a little better, let us know how we can rescue you!