TradeNet Ideas

WOW... It's Hot Around Here!

2009-05-12T14:33:00.006-05:00

A customer wrote to us recently:

"My child's high school bought 750 hand fans for the June graduation ceremony. This is a welcome addition to our sales but more importantly, we will be more comfortable in the June sun. Hand Fans are a "no brainer" for graduation use.

The 750 piece order will have thumbnail senior portraits on the front and the graduation schedule on the back. Of course, "Class of 2009" will be floated over the kids pictures.

Thanks TradeNet!"

Hand Fans make a statement any time of the year.

Let's Table This Information!

2009-05-08T09:53:00.010-05:00

It is getting to be a lot like Summer.

With events, festivals, concerts, cook-off’s, and hundreds of other publicity intensive programs happening, there are a few really good promotional items that sell at this time of year.

One of these is the venerable Table Tent (item #6100). This commonly seen product advertises everything from beer to baklava to happy hour specials in restaurants and bars all over the world.

The Table Tent also has a use in event marketing. It is an inexpensive way to let people know when things are happening where ever they sit and spend time. Put your “Pancake Breakfast” ad on every break room table in the company. Announce your “Book Fair” to every reader in the library. Invite a few thousand diners to your “Taste of the City” get together on the table of every participating restaurant and eatery. Make sure the joint is hopping at your “Music Festival.”

Wherever there is a flat surface that attracts eyes, a Table Tent gives valuable information. And, since all flat sheet printed TradeNet products include FULL-COLOR printing on both sides at no additional cost, the inside of the Table Tent can be used for more information or a second event, saving time and advertising money!

Ask around your community for the people who are organizing the events and festivals in the area and show the Table Tent (item #6100) from TradeNet. They will be glad you did!

Sell It With A Slinky®

2009-05-06T11:53:00.004-05:00

A customer emailed us with this to say:

"I just checked with one of my accounts, a university, who ordered 2,500 pieces! She tells me - students love them, faculty loves them. "VERY COOL" everyone says. They immediately start playing with them. She said she handed them out the other day at an event and all comments are WHAT FUN! I know we just placed an order this morning and I have sold another order, just waiting for final approval from the client. Good Day!"

Need to get your message to stick? Try Slinky® Adhesive Note Pads.

MBC's Sell for Me!

2009-04-28T12:00:00.005-05:00

This heartwarming story of sales success comes from a promotional products distributor in the West:

"My friend Don said, “I needed a lawyer and didn’t know who to call. I was at my mother’s house and saw a small calendar with a business card on top hanging on the side of her refrigerator. I asked her about it and she said she gets one every year from her attorney. She said he was very good and it was a very nice gesture.”

(TradeNet has been making Magnetic Business Card (MBC) Products in dozens of versions for over sixteen years. They are a great item to use at any time of the year.)

"Don never thought about using calendars or any other “hang up” promotional product for that matter. He was intrigued. We discussed his promotional needs and they came down to two: 1) 'I need something really inexpensive. Money is tight.' And 2) 'I want something people will want to use with information that they need.'"

"I find that MBC products are just the thing. With a choice of calendars, notepads, sports schedules, (football, baseball, soccer, hockey, auto racing, etc.) helpful home and business tips and the “Skinny Mini” memo board, there is a design for every use and every interest. They are packaged in boxes of 100 pieces for easy distribution and the minimum quantities are low and affordable."

(So the big question is: “Do they work?”)

"I know that Don called his mom’s lawyer and spent “More thousands of dollars than I care to think about,” he said. "That’s a really good return on investment for an inexpensive promotional item."

(Editor note: Football schedules are available right now at your Distributor Central website.)

A Custom Fit

2009-04-28T10:45:00.005-05:00

A major bicycle manufacturer created a CUSTOM SHAPE MAGNET. The magnet featured one of their sponsored athletes. The magnet included shapes of the bicycle, the athlete and various outfits you could punch out. Fans of the athlete and sport could proudly display her likeness and bicycle around and have fun dressing her up on any metallic surface.

A Variety of Ideas

2009-04-28T08:47:00.014-05:00

A Safety Program Manager used TRI-FOLD LAMINATED WALLET CARDS to display a range of stretching and warm-up exercises for employees. The list of activities were to prevent aches and pains throughout the work day.

A city used MAGNA-PEEL POSTCARDS with MAGNETS to promote their new recycling initiative. On the postcard was a challenge to residents to recycle 1/2 pounds per person per day. The Magnet listed items that could and could not be recycled, along with a website and information hot line.

A couple use a MAGNA-PHRASE MAGNET to announce their upcoming wedding. The phrase magnet was made up of words from their life together, and the magnet showcased the couple and the "save the date" information.

A city zoo used LAMINATED CARDS to announce the zoo schedule for the upcoming year. Special events, website and phone number were highlighted on the card.

A pizza place used WRITE-ON/WIPE-OFF MAGNETIC MEMO BOARDS to hand out to prospective and current customers. On the front was the logo, website, and phone number with plenty of space to write memos. On the back was a menu showcasing the restaurant's myriad of choices and prices.

Getting the Word Out

2009-04-24T13:43:00.003-05:00

A hair coloring producing company sent out MAGNA-SEAL POSTCARDS WITH MAGNETS to salons throughout the country introducing their new product.

Magnets Make Sense

2009-04-23T15:51:00.013-05:00

1. Magnets Sticks Around
Think about how many times you visit a refrigerator in an average day. Multiply that by 365 and you will get some idea of the power of a magnet with your message on it. And that is just the first year. Most magnets last a lifetime.

2. Magnets are Greenish
Our magnet material is made from 70% pre-consumer recycled product. Magnets do not need batteries, water, or light to exist.

3. Magnets Can Be Customized
Custom shapes. Custom colors. Custom sizes. The only limitation is your imagination.

4. Magnets are Priced Right
There is a size and shape of magnet to fit every need and every budget.

5. Magnets are Limitless
We have magnets on memo boards, note pads, calendars, sport schedules and all of them can be personalized with your contact information.

Watch Your Step

2009-04-23T15:28:00.004-05:00

A custom MAGNET with bright colors and bold type, is placed on doctor’s doors and around emergency rooms to help remind them to shut the doors, clean up messes, etc. to prevent falls and injuries.

Magnetic Attraction

2009-04-23T15:22:00.006-05:00

A city police department used CAR MAGNETS to identify their local association members to each other and the public. Car magnets can be easily removed, adjusted, and stored for later use.

You can sell this memo board today!

2009-04-23T11:11:00.005-05:00

Memo Boards for the Health Care Industry:

Everybody wants to make the most of their advertising and marketing dollar. When money is tight, it is especially important. Before you blow that dollar on an advertisement, ask how long your dollar will be selling your message. Don’t be seduced by the newest and greatest trendy thing of the moment.

Classic products are classics because they provide proven results and proven value. One TradeNet classic is the venerable Write On/Wipe Off Memo Board (Item# 1000: http://tinyurl.com/tnetmemoboard ) because it is a really useful product.

It is selling right now in the Health Care industry and this is why: A man in Sacramento California recently visited his grand niece, the mother of the newest addition to their family. He noticed a baby sitter notes memo board on her refrigerator that he gave the family almost twenty years ago!

The memo board was still functional, showing the phone number of the hospital (unchanged in twenty years) and with the Home Emergency Information back print still providing helpful tips to frazzled mom’s, dad’s and baby sitters.

The memo board (which sold for $1.02 back then with a one color blue imprint and a black stock art back print) has lasted through two generations of kids and will probably be passed down to a third generation some day. The cost per impression (the method of determining how much an advertisement is worth) works out to be $0.00001328 cents a day! That is a pretty good return on investment for an item that now costs only $0.99 each in FULL COLOR (printed both sides) twenty years later!

Yep… for under a buck, you get 8 ½ x 11 inches of useful space on an item that goes into the home and can sell your business identity for twenty years! It applies to every kind of health program. Hospitals, clinics, individual doctors, pharmacies, nursing homes, service providers, web-based drug and supply sellers, sales teams… let your imagination run wild. For about $500.00 you get one of the best advertising values in the history of the medium.

A Memo Board does more for your customer than most other products!
ncw

Make the Message Stick!

2009-04-22T16:21:00.010-05:00

A message that sticks remains persistently in one’s mind; becomes convincing, established, or regarded as valid; adheres or clings to a substance or surface to be seen; and is why promotional full-color magnets work.

A recent Direct Marketing Association report stated that a postcard with a magnet attached is read at least 50% MORE OFTEN than other direct mail.

Full-color postcard with full-color magnets are the perfect way to increase your customer’s direct mail response.

A message that sticks has the best chance to succeed.

Easy Steps to Get Creative, Think Different and Gain a New Perspective

2009-04-22T14:43:00.012-05:00

Get Out There
While you are not thinking about specifics, an idea will occur. It may come while you are riding a bicycle, at a concert, on a road trip, or walking along the street. When inspiration comes, do not ignore it. Abandon the step-by-step approach and master lateral thinking.

Don’t Be Afraid
Make friends with fear. It’s OK to pause, look at it, slow down for a moment. However, do NOT let it stop you! The only way to lessen fear is to do the things we are most afraid of. Expect fear. Break out of self-imposed limitations.

Be Sense Able
Touch it. Smell it. Hear it. See it. Get your hands dirty, scrape your knees, explore. Sketch it out. Sharpen your brain – communicate and exchange ideas with other creative people. This is useful for stimulating ideas. It also gives you an opportunity to validate your ideas with colleagues.

Take Five
If you are thinking along a certain line and nothing happens, stop. Step out of your shoes, stretch, take a deep breath. Stop thinking about the problem. Let your subconscious take over for a while. There are cycles of creativity. We are not always in the harvesting phase.

What You Know
Gather information and materials. Be endlessly curious and collect specific and general information from as many sources as possible. Store data in any form you wish: computer or electronically, on file cards, in a series of notebooks. Putting information in your own words helps you remember and clarify the thought process. Learning is a lifelong quest.

Think With Your Heart

2009-04-22T14:23:00.013-05:00

A Heart-Shaped HAND FAN . . . or is it? Flip it and it can be a leaf; a spear; a fish fin; an arrowhead; . . . whatever your heart desires. Most shapes can be molded to fit any idea. Sometimes it takes just a little creativity.

365 Days of Big Exposure

2009-04-22T13:16:00.007-05:00

Use a 11x17 Full-Color LAMINATED CARD to announce your upcoming festival or celebration. Use the big size to display a calendar, list of events, etc. and leave room for ad spaces you can sell to the local businesses. Give your event and the participating vendors 365 days of exposure.

Really Great Wallet Card Idea

2009-04-14T12:11:00.002-05:00

You know the drill... you're on your cell phone and the voice message says, "Press 2 for a company directory" so you press 2. Then, you are asked to "enter the first three letters of your party’s name" and you come to a screeching halt. You look at your cell phone and all you see is a numeric pad with no alphabet characters on it. Shoot. What number does the “n” fall on?

Virtually every single customer, prospect or employee has the same trouble. Their phones may not have the alphabet on the number keys either. Well, TradeNet has solved the problem! We offer a wallet card back print with the alphabet under the right number for easy reference. There is even a place for your imprint! Every time they refer to it, they are reminded of the nice person who gave them this useful item!

How cool is that!

Check out the wallet card at http://tinyurl.com/walletcard and see how many really useful ideas you can come up with to promote your business with this amazing piece of artwork! The artwork is under the OPTIONS tab on the CLICK TO CHOSE STOCK WALLET CARD ART selection. It is Artwork style “PN”

Table Tents Rock!

2009-04-01T09:30:00.006-05:00

Our Table Tent (Item: 6100) is printed in FULL COLOR on BOTH SIDES!

Yes, I know that a table tent is traditionally a one sided item but what good does a plain white sheet of paper do for an advertising message? No logo, no theme... no nothing is what.

The problem with tradition is that it traditionally ignores progress when progress is a good thing. Two sided full color printing is a good thing. Learn it and use it and your customers will be happier with your product suggestions and your TradeNet supplied item.

Some great uses for ye olde back side are:
1) Bar food menu- "Not Yo Nachos- Bitty Burgers- Fries- ..."
2) Specialty Drink menu- "Tequila Sunrise- $2.50 on Wednesday"
3) "Specials"- "Hot Wings- 10 for $8 (regularly 10 for $10)
4) "Theme Night" schedule. - "Happy Hour for Accounts... Thursday"
5) Music group or DJ schedule
6) "Merchandise for sale" display- "Hey... wanna buy a t-shirt?"

What is your 'Back Side' idea?

(visit Nowell's selling tips blog Selling By Nowell Blog for motivation!.)

Great Ideas for Festivals

2009-03-03T08:01:00.006-06:00

A local community outdoor festival used a variety of products to get the word out about their upcoming three-day event.

FULL-COLOR POSTERS were used to announce the dates, times, website, a partial list of events and sponsors, and the headliner for the celebration.
FULL-COLOR TABLE TENTS were distributed throughout the community and beyond and worked as the poster to announce the dates, times, website, sponsors and headliner on one side, and a list of activities for the weekend on the other side.
FULL-COLOR DOOR HANGERS were distributed through the community with the event information.
FULL-COLOR TAGS were given to festival workers as ID badges and also as backstage passes.
FULL-COLOR CAR MAGNETS were used for festival organizers, and also to promote the festival while driving around.
FULL-COLOR FLYERS were imprinted with vendors, locations, sponsors, activities list, music line-up and a festival map, tri-folded and handed out the days of the event.

Great Ideas for Religious Services

2009-03-03T07:10:00.003-06:00

A church used FULL-COLOR MAGNETS to announce their Vacation Bible School.

A synagogue used a DOOR HANGER to encourage quiet while studying.

The Missionary Program coordinators gave FULL-COLOR MAGNETS reminding families of their phone and e-mail.

A local church used FULL-COLOR MAGNETS to announce worship times, contact numbers, and church officials names, etc.

A church used FULL-COLOR POSTERS to announce a youth-oriented evening of fun.

Great Ideas for Industry

2009-03-03T07:08:00.001-06:00

A new manufacturing company used BOOKMARKS/RULERS to announce opening a new location. The ruler was a special scale for measuring packaging.

The HR department of a manufacturing company uses the MAGNETIC MEMO BOARDS to remind employees of counseling office contact numbers.

A company uses MAGNETIC MEMO BOARDS as the way to remind employees of workplace and home safety.

Great Idea for a Charity

2009-03-03T07:06:00.000-06:00

A charity used BOOKMARKS to remind donors of the children who receive services. They designed sixteen different versions over a two year campaign.

Great Ideas for Municipalities

2009-03-03T07:01:00.005-06:00

A city refuse department used a large FULL-COLOR MAGNET to remind neighborhoods of trash pickup days. They required 300,000 magnets in 5 versions.

The Electric utility company gave FULL-COLOR MAGNETS to homes with the emergency number.

A local water district distributed MAGNETIC MEMO BOARDS with water saver hints and reminders.

The new Hazardous Disposal program was announced using a DOOR HANGER.

A town's public utilites mailed out a MAGNA-PEEL™ POSTCARD WITH MAGNET to customer's with Winter Water Preparedness Tips on the postcard and a 24-Hour Emergency Number on the magnet.

Great Ideas for Food Services

2009-03-03T06:59:00.008-06:00

A catering company used the MAGNA-PEEL™ POSTCARDS WITH MAGNETS to send a "Keep Our Number!" handy for company parties and events.

A restaurant uses NOTE PADS with their contact information and logo on it.

A grocery store uses MAGNA-PAD™ Grocery List note pads with their contact information on the attached business card magnet to hand out to customers.

Six restaurants in a city block sent MAGNA-PEEL™ POSTCARDS WITH MAGNETS with their delivery phone numbers. They used the postcard to indicate hours of operation.

A local bar and grill used Full-Color TABLE TENTS to display monthly specials, deals, and a calendar of events.

A pizza restaurant used MAGNA-PEEL™ POSTCARDS WITH MAGNETS mailed to carrier route sort lists to announce phone numbers and location of their nearest branch to residences and businesses.

A coffeehouse uses Full-Color TABLE TENTS to display their most popular drink choices for fast and easy ordering.

A cafe used Full-Color WALLET CARDS with stock balanced diet chart on the backside to promote their menu and give there customers a handy tool to use. Other alternative backside imprints could be a Tip Chart, a partial menu, dine-in coupons, or catering service and ordering number.

Great Ideas for Retail Services

2009-03-03T06:54:00.003-06:00

A surplus store uses NOTE PADS as a "want list" for customers.

A major food retailer uses HAND FANS to support local high school and college sports teams.

A farm and tractor supply used MAGNA-PEEL™ POSTCARDS WITH MAGNETS to announce the start of the planting season and offer a % discount on purchases.

Great Ideas for the Academic Community

2009-03-03T06:43:00.005-06:00

A University Music Department used NOTE PADS to remind teachers of a series of programs.

A university used a BOOKMARK to announce the availability of scholarships.

A college used a BOOKMARK/RULER to “Measure Your Success” while attending night classes.

A college sports team used the MAGNETIC MEMO BOARDS to remind boosters of the game schedules.

The local high school uses FULL-COLOR MAGNETS to remind parents of office and nurse phone numbers.

A grammar school sends students home with BOOKMARKS reminding parents of the “class cancelled” announcement phone number and website.

A college used FULL-COLOR POSTERS to showcase their women's lacrosse team.

A Prep School used MAGNA-SEAL™ POSTCARDS WITH MAGNETS to remind alumni of the upcoming reunion.

A school used MAGNA-SEAL™ POSTCARDS WITH MAGNETS to Save the Date for a fund-raiser evening event.

A high school used FULL-COLOR POSTERS to display Boys and Girls Sport Schedules for the school year on the top portion and displayed ads from local businesses on the bottom portion.

Great Ideas for Associations & Organizations

2009-03-03T06:41:00.001-06:00

A group of fire fighters and paramedics gave MAGNETIC MEMO BOARDS to local homes and residences with their logo and the local emergency numbers.

An orchestra gives out FULL-COLOR MAGNETS to remind brides of wedding services.

A local art museum uses FULL-COLOR MAGNETS to announce programs and show dates.

The tourist office of a southern country gives NOTE PADS to remind travel departments of their locations.

Great Ideas for Service Providers

2009-03-03T06:39:00.002-06:00

A funeral home used a tasteful HAND FAN for summer use.

A plumber uses FULL-COLOR MAGNETS to remind people of their 24 hour emergency number.

An auto repair garage gives out three different FULL-COLOR MAGNETS. One full year calendar, one with towing service phone number and a high school sports booster version.

A Home Center sends a LAMINATED CARD with the customer to encourage drought tolerant plants.

A self-storage four-unit operation used MAGNETIC MEMO BOARDS to remind renters of their rental due date and their storage facility phone number and hours and to record the renter’s unit number.

A Radio Station uses HAND FANS to remind listeners of their various stations at summer outdoor events.

Great Ideas for Family & Friends

2009-03-03T06:33:00.004-06:00

The Smiths used FULL-COLOR MAGNETS to remind family members of the reunion date and place.

Joy and Bill used the HAND FANS to announce their engagement and summer wedding.

The Green’s used large FULL-COLOR MAGNETS to announce their new grandchild.

The Schwartz’s used DOOR HANGERS to announce their twins (one on each side).

The Millers used FULL-COLOR MAGNETS to announce their move to a new address and to send out Season's Greetings to family and friends during the holiday season.

The Harts used FULL-COLOR MAGNETS to announce a new addition to their family.

A family used FULL-COLOR CUSTOM SHAPE HAND FANS (in the shape of his head) to congratulate their son.

Great Ideas for Financial Services

2009-03-02T15:08:00.001-06:00

A currency exchange and check cashing service uses a LAMINATED CARD to detail company pay days for a major employer near their branch.

A payday loan company gave NOTE PADS to local residents to remind them of the service.

Credit Unions use MAGNETIC MEMO BOARDS to remind depositors of hours and phone numbers. A popular use for the back is the Medical Emergency Chart offered at no additional charge.

A Credit Union used the MAGNETIC MEMO BOARDS with all the branch office numbers listed on the back and a full color mountain scene on the front with spaces for important local information.

The holiday schedule was highlighted on a WALLET CARD CALENDAR for a credit union.

An insurance agent gives MINI MAGNETIC MEMO BOARDS on birthdays and anniversaries with her phone number and emergency claim information on the back.

An insurance agent uses BUSINESS CARD MAGNETS to remind policy holders of phone number.

Great Ideas for the Healthcare Industry

2009-03-02T15:00:00.004-06:00

A Cardiologist sent MAGNA-PEEL™ POSTCARD WITH A MAGNET to other Doctors, Hospitals and Clinics announcing her new office location and phone numbers.

A regional medical clinic group sent MAGNA-SEAL™ POSTCARDS WITH MAGNETS to zip sort lists surrounding their local offices. 14 different locations combined for a 100,000 piece mailing.

An Urgent Care storefront sent MAGNA-PEEL™ POSTCARD WITH MAGNETS to 70,000 addresses giving their eight locations phone and address information.

Weight Loss Clinics use FULL-COLOR MAGNETS as inspirational message reminders.

A dental practice uses POSTCARDS to announce location openings, new staff hires and special services throughout the year.

An orthodontist gives graduating elementary school children PICTURE-FRAME MAGNET to remind future patients of his services.