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Thorne Communications Debuts New Greeting and Party Supply Website

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Thorne Communications LLC Carlson CraftPromotional products marketing company, Thorne Communications LLC, has introduced a revamped greeting and party supply website featuring Carlson Craft products. The new website address is ThorneCommunications.CarlsonCraft.com

The new site features easier navigation, grouped around categories of products, including:

“We were so excited to hear about the changes Carlson Craft was making to the ecommerce platform. It makes it so much easier to find the products you want,” says Heidi Thorne, president of Thorne Communications LLC. “We’re also glad to see the addition of D-I-Y supplies. Many of our clients want to be more creative and customize what they send to select individuals. This gives them an opportunity to shop for these high quality supplies online without having to depend on inventories at local craft stores.”

The site will continue to be updated with new products as they become available. Customers can complete their order, from start to finish, online. For those who require more customized assistance, a customer service team is available by phone from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), at 1-877-290-8487 or 1-507-386-2320, using code RVD30.

Customers who were ordering custom postage stamps from the previous site will still be able to do so until the new site is updated with this offering. The link http://bit.ly/CustomPostageStamps should be used for the stamps until further notice.

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An Alligator, a Toy Legend… and Promotional Product Trends from ASI Orlando 2012

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While it’s definitely winter here in Chicago, the outlook (and weather!) was warm and sunny for the  ASI (Advertising Specialty Institute) Show in Orlando which was filled with some hot promotional product ideas for 2012. I was a speaker for the Education Program, speaking on using public relations, social media and multimedia for promotional products distribution businesses. Here’s a video of my interview with ASI’s Chris Ruvo and a quick public relations tip:

Click Here to View My Interview with ASI’s Chris Ruvo on YouTube

Opening day of the ASI Orlando tradeshow saw crowded aisles. Always a good sign! And ASI President Tim Andrews announced at one of the functions that the industry had grown to $18.5 billion, up from 6.2% from 2010. Also good news.

Here are some of the new trends and ideas I spotted. (And, yes, the alligator and toy stories follow… you gotta learn something first, okay?)

  • More Emphasis on Made in the USA – Noticed that the standard booth signs provided by the show had identifiers for those suppliers who were offering made in the USA promotions. This was very helpful. As well, since the show found it important enough to take this extra step and expense (logo was in color imprint), that is a good indicator of what is happening in the market. With my emphasis on USA made products, you can bet I was glad to see this.
  • Tech Gadgets that Aren’t Tech – I saw a number of tech-related gadgets and gizmos, but they weren’t actually tech themselves. Mostly it was items that could be used in conjunction with tech toys such as cell phone skins, handy accessories for cleaning or maintaining electronics, ear buds, etc. Seeing less calculators and the like. It’s obvious why. Our smartphones have assumed the duties of so many tech items, having additional items to do these functions has become obsolete. Some of these new tech-friendly items are scheduled to launch early spring 2012. We will be featuring some of them along with ideas for using in future posts. So stay tuned.
  • The Green Scene… or Not Seen – While there were a number of booths that prominently featured greener promotional product options, there were far fewer than in the past couple of years. You can either be discouraged or encouraged by this. You can be discouraged because the economy seems to have impacted the forward progress of the green movement. Or you can be encouraged because a number of the green initiatives are now standards including product offerings that are BPA-free, recyclable, durable and reusable, biodegradable, or are more socially compliant (e.g. made in the USA and/or with fair labor). I saw many examples of all of these initiatives throughout the show floor.
  • No Magnetic Force – Sure magnets are still around. But I saw more products that could be applied to surfaces with repositionable and removable adhesives. Quite some time back I discussed this trend in my post Promotional Products We’ll Be Laughing at in 50 Years (or Less). Expect this trend to get even more traction going forward.
  • Refill, Reuse, Refill – One of the hottest items featured by almost all the major suppliers were those insulated reusable takeout tumblers, similar to those you can buy at Starbucks-type restaurants. We’ve been carrying them for a while on our USAandUnionMadePromoShop.com site. Many of them are dishwasher safe (thank God!) and are a greener promotional product selection since they can be used and reused over and over again. While standard water bottles (whether plastic or aluminum) will still be useful or preferred in some settings, these are so much more convenient for today’s working or mobile lifestyle. I’ve always found it difficult to enjoy a cold drink from a standard travel tumbler and keep my eyes on the road. It’s the straw access that makes them useful.

Click Here to See More About Reusable Tumblers (YouTube video)

And some additional fun highlights from the show…

Promotional Slinky in Retro Packaging Available from USAandUnionMadePromoShop.com

Heidi Thorne with Tom James of Slinky Products at ASI Show Orlando 2012

Heidi Thorne with Tom James, Slinky, at ASI Show Orlando 2012

It’s Slinky®! – One of the legendary toy products of the 20th century was the Slinky®. The simple, yet addictive, metal spring toy was invented by Richard James in 1945 and met with wild success. At the show, I got to meet Richard James’ son, Tom. Tom is actually part of the Slinky legend. How? He’s the one who discovered “it walks down stairs.”

You’ll be glad to know that genuine Slinky® toys, imprinted with your logo and in a cool retro box, are made in the USA (always have been). Plus, they’re made of 90% recycled steel. They are available by special order from the USAandUnionMadePromoShop.com.

Click Here to Send a Request for Pricing Info on Promotional Slinky Toys

You might also be interested in licensed Slinky® adhesive notepads that we’ve recommended to our clients for a couple years now.

Check Out My Video on Made in the USA Slinky® Adhesive Notepads on YouTube

And, now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for, the pic of me with Willy the Alligator from Gatorland…

Heidi Thorne visits with Willy the Alligator at ASI Show Orlando 2012

 

Plus, I was glad to catch up with Branndon Stewart from Promo Labs at the show. Promo Labs is the sponsor of the Industry Voices award. I was honored to have them name me to their 2012 Industry Voices honorees. Thanks, Promo Labs!

Heidi Thorne visits Promo Labs Booth at ASI Orlando 2012
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Promo Labs Names Heidi Thorne as Industry Voice 2012

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Heidi Thorne, Thorne Communications, (shown 5th from left) has been named as a 2012 Industry Voice by Promo Labs. Photo courtesy of Promo Labs.

Heidi Thorne, Thorne Communications, is Named as a 2012 Industry Voice by Promo LabsPromo Labs (UPIC: prmolabs), a provider of sales and marketing tools for the promotional products industry, has announced its second annual list of the most important voices in the industry. Nominated by the Industry Voices from 2011, the members of the 2012 Industry Voices are big thinkers and social media experts who also demonstrate a passion for progress in the promotional products industry.

The 2012 Industry Voices will be honored at the PPAI Expo in Las Vegas with a giant 10-by-15 mural illustrating each of the 11 personalities. The mural will be located next to the Promo Labs booth (#3063) and will be painted by two professional artists live during the show for attendees and exhibitors to enjoy.

“Our industry is fortunate to have smart and progressive leaders who are willing to share what they’ve learned to advance our entire industry,” said Branndon Stewart, Promo Labs’ vice president of marketing. “We’re proud to recognize them on the biggest stage of the year at PPAI Expo, and we look forward to sharing their insights throughout the year.”

The 2012 Industry Voices includes a wide array of leaders representing suppliers, distributors and service providers, including:

  • Jeff Anderton, Co-Founder of Leashables and Mass Transit (@JefeAnderton)
  • Rick Brenner, CEO of Prime Line (@RFBrenner)
  • Charles Duggan, Director of Bus. Development at Greystone World Resource, Owner of LookwhatWOW (@IronManDuggan)
  • Tonya Allen Gould, Founder of TAG! The Creative Source (@ToniaAllenGould)
  • Jonathan Irvin, Director of Operations at Promo Kitchen, Founding Partner at EasyPromos3d.com, Partner at bNetCentric (@JonathanIrvin)
  • Paul Kiewiet, Former Chairman of PPAI, Certified Life Coach at Fowler Wainwright International Institute of Professional Coaching (@PaulKiewiet)
  • Kim Newell, President of World Wide Lines, Inc (@KimNewell)
  • Danny Rosin, co-President at BrandFuel and Band Together (@DannyRosin)
  • Mark Shinn, Founder of Incentives West (@FindingPromo)
  • Heidi Thorne, Founder and President of Thorne Communications and PromoWithPurposeShop.com (@HeidiThorne)
  • Bryony Zasman, Vice President and part owner of ZOOMcatalog (@ZOOMcatalog_Bry)

Throughout the year, Promo Labs will feature each Industry Voice on the Promo Labs blog, detailing their predictions for 2012 industry trends and ideas for working smarter in the new year.

3D Calendar Adds New Dimension to Your Promotional Marketing

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If you’re looking to add a new dimension to your marketing for the New Year, check out this pop up 3D calendar idea…

Click to View Pop Up 3D Calendar Video on YouTube

Why does this idea work?

  • It Uses the Surprise Factor – Like those cans that have a crazy item jump out when opened, your customers will certainly be surprised at these promotional desk calendars that automatically pop into shape when removed from the envelope. Attention getting!
  • It Engages More Senses – We’re so oriented toward just sight and sound. So when something can also engage touch, your message can break through the attention barrier by engaging more senses.
  • Year-Long Exposure – Even though I use my e-calendar all day long, for quick date and day of the week referencing, I still use a physical calendar (actually two of them) on my desk. It’s actually faster than the e-calendar. In businesses like mine where I need to count production due dates and such, this is helpful. As well, on this particular calendar, your logo and info is located on two panels for added exposure.
  • Toy? Stress Reliever? – I’ve seen these pop up calendars in use in offices over the years. What I also have seen is people tossing them in the air and squeezing them flat and letting them pop back into shape. So is it an executive desktop toy? Stress reliever that’s better than popping bubble wrap? Let your recipients decide!
  • Saves Money – These pop up calendars can be mailed in standard first-class mailable envelopes (not square-shaped) which saves you money on postage. Plus, they are shipped to you already inserted in the envelopes to save you time.
  • Made in the USA – And you can be proud of using a promotion that’s USA made.

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Is Obama’s Efficient Spending Order Anti-SWAG?

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The promotional products industry is in an uproar. On November 9, 2011, President Barak Obama announced his Executive Order Promoting Efficient Spending which states:

Sec. 7.  Extraneous Promotional Items.  Agencies should limit the purchase of promotional items (e.g., plaques, clothing, and commemorative items), in particular where they are not cost-effective.

SWAG How to Choose and Use Promotional Products for Marketing Your Business by Heidi ThorneBecause it specifically targets “promotional items,” you can see why the industry is concerned. According to the Advertising Specialty Institute State of the Industry Report 2011, the government makes up about 3.8% of the total market revenue for promotional products. That’s certainly one of the smaller market segments overall. But the fear is that it will create a ripple effect that will spread to other market segments. The specter of the collapse of the pharmaceutical market for promotional goods in 2009 when new PhRMA (Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America) guidelines went into effect looms all too large.

So, is Obama’s Executive Order on limiting the purchase of promotional items anti-SWAG? In theory, I say no. Why?

  • It Says “Limit,” Not “Eliminate” – Unlike the PhRMA guidelines which prohibit even using or offering imprinted giveaways for ethics issues, this order merely limits purchases.
  • It Targets “Extraneous” Spending – Those of you who follow me know that I hammer home the concept of Promo With Purpose. If the government can’t tie a promotion to the accomplishment of a specific objective, they shouldn’t buy it, with or without an Executive Order.
  • It Focuses on “Cost-Effective” – If a government agency can find another way to accomplish a particular outreach objective without promotional products or with lower cost alternatives, they should do it, again, with or without this Executive Order.

I see this order as a call to more conscientious marketing within the ranks of the government… as well as to all of us in the marketing arena. Also, it calls upon promotional product sellers and consultants to help show their government customers the importance of using these products and how to use them more effectively.

However…

This Executive Order takes a negative spin in a follow-up press release where it details a “Stop Swag” program. Wonder if this administration will have a similar attitude when it comes to reelection time next year. I’m sure that at that time, promotional signs, bumper stickers, and buttons will then cease to be viewed as “non-essential.”

Agree? Disagree? Discuss in Comments below. Or, if you’re in the promotional products industry, give your Congressman or Senator a piece of your mind. I did.

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The $2,000 Business Holiday Card… and How to Avoid It

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Well, had it happen again this year. Had another client inquire about custom holiday cards for business. I totally understand where they’re coming from. They want something that makes them stand out from the crowd. I get that. But here’s what that entails…

Cards that can be customized with your name or logo help reduce the cost of a totally custom holiday card.

First, you have to design it. If you don’t have a competent graphic designer on staff, you’ll have to hire one. Usually, companies want more than just their logo splashed on it. Often they want some custom illustrations, too. Illustration work and layout take time and can be VERY expensive. In talking with a design friend of mine, he guesstimates that it could take up to 4 to 6 hours or more to create a custom card, depending on what’s being requested. A good designer can run you up to $150 or more per hour, that’s a whopping $600 to $900 right out of the gate. Even if you hired a designer that’s on the lower end, say around $50 per hour, that still could run you up to $300 or more and it hasn’t even been printed yet.

MyJellyBelly.comYour designer may also charge to assist with the print buy, but that’s probably negligible when you consider how much it will cost to print a short run holiday card. You could see estimates of $3 or more per card for a run of 500 to 1,000. That’s what we call “make them go away” rates. And you may not even need 500. Regular print houses will not even entertain some of these jobs. It’s just too expensive for them to set up presses and people.

With a designer for 500 cards…

  • 4 to 6 hours at $150 per hour = $600 to $900
  • 500 cards at $3 per card to print = $1,500
  • Total = $2,100 to $2,400

Now you’re thinking “I could do this myself.” Sure, you could use some royalty-free stock art (my favorite is iStock Photo) and blend in your logo. That lessens the time it takes, but it still takes time to select the artwork (I tend to get lost looking at all the spectacular artwork out there) and do the layout. Remember, this is not time that is billable. Doing a custom layout is an EXPENSE of yours or your staff’s time (plus benefits). Plus the time to monkey around with temperamental ink jet printers just isn’t worth the hassle. Add more hours of unbillable time for printer aggravation.

So how can you get a professional looking custom holiday cards without the custom price tag or hassle?

Link to Thorne Commmunications Carlson Craft Dealer ShopsiteGo “Customized” Instead of “Custom” – With today’s enhanced commercial printing capabilities, customizable cards are a way to get a custom look without the custom price tag. Your company name or logo is worked into the standard design so it looks like it belongs there. This could reduce your custom business holiday card spend by 50% or more.

See a collection of holiday card designs that can be customized with your name or logo

Avoid the “We Printed Them on Our Ink Jet” Trap – Admit it. A card printed on an ink jet printer looks like a card printed on an ink jet printer. You’re not fooling anyone. If you absolutely have your heart set on designing your own card, then, for heaven’s sake, get it printed by a print house! Not only will you save money on those hugely expensive ink jet cartridges (mine always seem to be in the $50 a whack range), your image won’t suffer either.

See custom design printing options (even for quantities less than 50!)

Get Personal & Get It Done for You – I love this idea from my girl, Cindy Schroeder, of Bright Bookkeeping (BTW, a flat out awesome QuickBooks Pro Advisor). How would you like to pick out a real, live physical card from your computer. No, this is not the ink jet kind we just talked about. These are high-quality gloss finish, personalized with signatures or photos, that are produced and mailed for you… one at a time! You could create a one-off, totally custom card for anyone or everyone on your holiday card list. Really. And it’s extremely inexpensive. I’ve been using Send Out Cards/Bright Cards for a few years now. Cindy will even let you try it for free.

Click here to send a FREE holiday card from Send Out Cards/Bright Cards

Realize E-Cards are E-Waste – With budgets being tight, the temptation is to go e-card. Okay, they’re an option. But for your best customers, they are not. Most of those messages will be trashed immediately after viewing. A mongo e-card attachment or an unadorned email with a link to an e-card are just in poor taste for business. Segment your list and send a beautiful physical card to only your best customers and prospects. You’ll save money and save face.

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In Chicago? Check these Fall/Holiday 2011 Networking Opportunities

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Thorne Communications, a promotional products marketing company in the Chicagoland area, will be participating in two fall/holiday networking opportunities in 2011 in Chicago’s western suburbs.

Networking 2.0 – Hosted by the Carol Stream Chamber of Commerce, Networking 2.0 will be a F2F (face-to-face) meetup of Chicago area networkers on Thursday, November 17, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Carol Stream. Whether they’ve connected on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Plus or through chamber of commerce events, this is an opportunity to meet your online network IRL (in real life). Smartphone users will have the opportunity to learn more about QR codes and how to use them. There will also be an accelerated networking opportunity (think “speed dating” for networking). The main feature of the evening will be a panel discussion with these social media experts:

Click Here to Register for the November 17 Carol Stream Chamber Networking 2.0 Event

Daily Herald Business Ledger Newsmaker’s Forum: Business Outlook 2012 – Hosted by the Daily Herald Business Ledger, this look at the upcoming year’s economy will be held at the Doubletree Hotel in Downers Grove on Thursday, December 8. Thorne Communications will be displaying holidays gifts from their GiftsImprinted.com shopsite of made in the USA products. As well, author and promotional products marketing expert Heidi Thorne will be offering and signing her book, SWAG: How to Choose and Use Promotional Products for Marketing Your Business.

Click Here for More Info and to Register for the Daily Herald Business Ledger Newsmaker’s Forum on December 8

Promotional Product Role Model: Starbucks

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It is absolutely no secret that I am a Starbucks green tea addict. But I also patronize their coffeehouses because they do so many things right on a marketing level. And here’s a great example that a fellow Starbucks fan and career consultant Jan Marino of High Gain Companies (www.TakeBackYourCareerNow.com) first brought to my attention even before I saw it in the stores.

Starbucks teamed up with the Opportunity Finance Network to develop the Create Jobs for USA initiative which provides financing to community businesses that need help (see www.CreateJobsforUSA.org for details and to donate). Having union clients and having a shopsite dedicated to made in the USA and union made products, you can imagine that this program struck a chord for me.

On top of being an initiative I believe in, I have to give kudos to Starbucks and OFN for staying true to the program’s mission and using a Made in the USA wristband to promote awareness. How many times have you seen a program that promotes American workers, supported by foreign made goods? I’ve seen it way too many times. A huge marketing and public relations faux pas.

Eco Friendly Promotional Product Guide by Heidi ThorneWhat I also like about the Starbucks Create Jobs bracelet they used was that it is adjustable for the wearer. One of the difficulties with many wristbands is that they are either too big or small. While we can source popular silicone wristbands made in USA (currently only through special order), marketers may also want to consider adjustable bands to accommodate a wider group of wearers, making them more likely to actually be worn.

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How to Promote a Product with Custom Mints

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Looking for a promotional idea that’s a “breath of fresh air”… literally? How about custom mints? View this video to see how.

SWAG How to Choose and Use Promotional Products for Marketing Your Business by Heidi ThorneFollowing is a short list of the kinds of products and services you could promote and applications for these tiny, but mighty, promotional products. As you can see in the photo, I’ve used also used them to promote my book, SWAG: How to Choose and Use Promotional Products for Marketing Your Business.

  • Tradeshows
  • Weddings
  • Events
  • Food packages such as frozen food, cereal, and snacks
  • Restaurants
  • Books and magazines
  • Software
  • Tech products
  • Services

See even more cool ideas in this video from the manufacturer:

Click Here to View More Ideas for Promotional Mints on YouTube

We can help you design a custom mints box just for you! Connect with us on the Contact page at PromoWithPurposeShop.com.

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Green Marketing Tip for America Recycles Day or Earth Day

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“Made of 100% recycled material.” Yay! I’m always glad to see a label like that on a product, promotional or otherwise. It means that some materials have been diverted, either permanently or at least temporarily, from their trip to the landfill. As well, it means that less resources were used to produce virgin plastic or paper.

But in this video, we’ll talk about an issue that often gets overlooked…

Or Click Here to View the Green Marketing Tip for America Recycles Day (if player is not visible)

I always have to laugh when I see composite or constructed items in recycle bins. What do people think happens at a recycling plant? Do they think there are elves who disassemble each item as it makes its path through recycling process?

Check out this video for a view of what actually goes on in a recycling plant…

Eco Friendly Promotional Product Guide by Heidi ThorneSee what I mean? Think about that binder I showed in my video. Where do you think that will end up? Yep, in the stream to the landfill.

So before you purchase a green promotion for America Recycles Day or Earth Day, think about its next life.

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