Idea Of the Day: Sunglasses ####### Ultimate Cool ..... Branded with a Logo ..... Fun to wear ..... Great to Give!

Today researching sunglasses for an upcoming client event.

Who doesn't enjoy buying or getting for FREE a brand new pair of sunglasses?

 I LOVE sunglasses and have many pairs!    Part of each summers' ritual is selecting a new pair. (or two).      Most friends who are enjoying outdoor events seem to  live in them ALL summer.  An added benefit:   Sunglasses protect your eyes which is extremely important!    

 In the world of incentives & promotional products,  sunglasses can be custom imprinted/ branded on the neck strap, side frame, or  front of lenses.   How convenient?   A promotional product or incentive which is COOL to wear, appreciated,  promotes safety, desired  and PROMOTES your brand.

 Having your LOGO or message been seen over and over again in a creative way couldn't be easier!

Ultimate Cool ....


Here are some ideas for using sunglasses for your upcoming promotions or events:

1.  Use as a "wearable" at events:  runs, walks, hiking, trade shows
2   Give- out at trade show/community event booths when people LIKE your social media pages.
3.  Use as a Thank You Gift or Gift with Purchase Premium
4.  Perfect for a  Customer Referral Incentive
5.  Excellent for a Sales Achievment Award
6.  Creative Speaker Gift
7.  Promote Eye Safety

Idea of the Day! Dog Lovers Promotional Product! Dog Bone Shaped Flash Drive!

I was researching Custom Flash drives for a client, and came across this cool and very USEFUL customized  dog bone shaped Flash Drive.   I thought they would be great for:

1.  Donor Gift for Pet Rescues
2.  Novel Fund Raising Item for rescues to sell
3.  Gift for vets to give customers
4   Perfect for families to store pet photos and pet care records
5   Incentive or Co-op advertising product for pet product manufacturers to provide to retailers
6.  Cute  referral or Thank You gift for pet service companies to give clients
7.  Adorable for pet friendly Hotels and Restaurants to use for marketing

For more info:  Here is a link.
Click for more information on dog bone shaped Flash Drives

Feel Free to email us at
Email us for more information

Be kind to your heart! ( February Special)

Every February I look forward to Valentines Day!!  It's the perfect moment  to remind loved ones how much you care!   This great communication also transcends into business.   

What can your business do to communicate with customers, employees or prospects how valued they are?   Creative signage is one way to go.    Another thought :   A  heart shaped promotional product reminding people all year about your gratitude!  Moreover, if you are out at in the community, meeting people at events makeing sales calls, take a stroll to your local bakery and bring in Valentines cookies, candies or cake pops.  Have Valentines themed items in your office waiting room.   Why not a Valentines Day potluck at your office?     A humorous valentines card exchange, photo contest, food decorating contest would also be fun.   Local restaurants can be worked with  offering Valentines Dinners as prizes!  Why not?


PS  This  adorable and useful heart shaped letter slitter can be imprinted with your logo. It is on Special  with us all February at .64 each!   Other colors available:  solid: (pink, red, blue, black, white) translucent:  (red,  blue, purple,  white) min 250 pieces
explore.connectthedotsadvertising.com/search/savedsearchID=26823  (letter opener-This is a perfect  item to give out WITH other Valentine Themed Gifts.)

http://explore.connectthedotsadvertising.com/:quicksearch.htm?quicksearchbox=heart
Heart themed promo products is another way to go for heart themed promotions.  All on special with us through Feb.

For our business, I order a variety of heart shaped letter slitters in assorted  colors and distribute them throughout the month of Feb. to  friends & and customers.  

 Stay tuned for heart themed "health" ideas in our next post.

Heart Themed Promotional Product

Adorable Heart Themed Vintage Postcard

This post was shared with me from Karan Wrolson  over at Exite-ed.com and has valuable information for "Back To School" tips.    Remember us when your kids' school clubs,  events and fundraising activities need an item, (tee shirt, wrist band, pen/stylus...something fun) with a graphic or logo.   Have a great school year!   Roberta

Dreading the Fall Slump?

            Parents are well aware that, after the first rush of excitement during the initial months of school, their children’s enthusiasm for school tends to crash around November.  They begin to drag themselves to the breakfast table, complain about going to school, and make parents dread the rest of the school year.  As I have often heard from my students, “I am always happy to be back at school in September.  I have new clothes to wear, new classes to go to and I get to catch up with all my friends.  But, after awhile, it gets so boring!”

            Yes, parents, this is quite typical.  There are a few things you can do, however, to avoid this draining phenomenon.  Here are a few suggestions:

            1.     Make it part of your daily routine to check in with them.  A simple “How was your day?” will only get a grunt or two out of them.  Instead, make it a point to sit next to them and say “Tell me about your day.”  This open-ended statement will result in more information.  Use that information to continue your discussions in the next few days.  For example, “You told me you have an important English paper coming up.  Where are you at with that?”  Show your genuine interest by being physically relaxed and unhooked – no phone or laptop getting part of your attention.  

            Then, share your day with them.  Not a simple listing of activities and certainly not a litany of how awful your day was!  Instead, share one experience from your day that you can describe in feeling words.  For example, “I had a meeting with my boss and she gave me a big project to work on.  I’m kind of nervous about it but I’m also excited because it will give me an opportunity to learn new things.”  Notice in this example how you are acknowledging being nervous as well as your need to learn more. Too many parents assume they have to portray themselves as all knowing and all confident.  By sharing your true feelings with your child they will be able to learn a few vital truths:

1.    It is not all about them.  There are important things going on in their parents’ lives as well.

2.    It is not weakness to admit when one doesn’t know something.  Learning never ends and it can be something to look forward to.

3.     Adults feel the same kind of emotions children do – excitement, fear, sadness, anger, etc.  Therefore, the parents will be able to understand the emotions their children feel.

4.    Emotions, even strong ones, do not have to result in a crisis. 

5.    The family is a place where they can always talk about what is bothering them.

            Your children will now be far more likely to share their feelings when things trouble them.  You have become more human, more approachable.  Don’t forget to share your happy feelings as well and celebrate them with your child.  Again, they will then do the same.  The family becomes a team – encouraging each other on.

            2.     Keep an eye on their sleeping patterns.   They need adequate rest to keep up with the demands of school.  The National Sleep Foundation reports that teenagers need an average of 8.5 to 9 hours of sleep every night in order to function well.  It improves their ability to learn, decreases moodiness and anger, and helps them manage stress. 

            3.  Nutrition is vital!  You will note their appetite increasing around the age of 10 in girls and 12 in boys.  This is due to the impending growth spurt of puberty.  If you do not put some controls on this, they will tend to gravitate to junk food as a quick fill-up.   Stock pile your refrigerator and cupboards with healthy snacks.  Protein, carbohydrates and fats are the body’s energy sources. Calcium, Iron and Zinc seem to be the most lacking in the adolescent diet so, if necessary, provide them in vitamin supplements.

            4.     Don’t let your children burden themselves with over-commitment.  Yes, it is of value for them to be involved in some school clubs, sports, and activities.  However, too many involvements simply put unnecessary stress on them.  Their health and schoolwork will suffer. 

            They will follow your lead in this so remember your responsibility as a role model.  If you spend your days and nights rushing about trying to be all things for all people you are teaching them to do the same.  Instead, teach them the value of time by using yours wisely.  Probably the most important time expenditure you can spend is time with them!  Time with them should be locked down in your daily calendar.  Eating together at dinnertime has become a lost art and it is truly the best way to have this daily bonding.  A Friday or Saturday Family Night is vital no matter what age they are.  It re-confirms the family’s connection to each other.  Show them the importance of having ‘me’ time as well.  Seeing their parents take a few hours every week for healthy relaxation will help them develop that habit as well.

            The benefits of following these 4 simple tips are this:

ü  The bond with your child will deepen.  You will be ready with support for them well before anything reaches the crisis point. 

ü  Home will be a good place to return to every day.  Family members will view their home as a place where everyone listens to and helps each other.

ü  Children will have the proper amount of rest to help them be attentive in school.

ü  Proper nutrition will give your children energy while also avoiding obesity from a poor diet.

ü  Your children will learn how to prioritize their time.  They will select a reasonable amount of activities, will schedule ‘down time’, and avoid an exhausting and frantic pace during the school year.

            This school year will be the best ever – for your children AND for the family!

Karen Wrolson

Excite Ed!

www.excite-ed.com

805.427.0231

           

The Cell Phone Real Estate Market is booming!

Cell Phone Wallet IS Cell Phone Real Estate.   Why not Keep your brand remembered?


The Real Estate market is booming!    Yes, the cell phone real estate market!

Your  branding and Logo can be seen many times per day for only "penny's" per impression! 

 One hot property :   Silicone wallets with 3M adhesive which sticks to the back of any phone.  Securely holds up to 3 credit cards, a drivers license or business cards. 

  It is also good for hotel keys and will not deactivate the strip.  Credit cards will be protected from deactivation on phone.  

This is a perfect gift for trade shows, community out-reach and fundraising incentives.   Also, this is a perfect "container" for gift cards during the holidays too!

For more information: 

http://explore.connectthedotsadvertising.com/search/savedsearchID=16683

SPECIAL OFFER:  3.89 each

Use Promo Code CTD1110

exp. 6/31/2013

Nurses Week is around the Corner

You can still participate in Nurses Week - 2103!  It is around the corner!    Now is the time to act!  What a fabulous way to recognize nurses if you work within the the healthcare industry or to reach out to nurses within your community.

Nurses  Week -2013 theme:   Delivering Quality and Innovation in Patient Care.   
Dates for National Nurses Week are May 6-12 (always starting on the birth date of Florence Nightingale).


Celebrations during National Nurses Week typically include great food, fun - thoughtful activities and recognition events.  Often, continuing education seminars is a component.  Nurses Week provides a quality outreach opportunity for local,  community businesses as well. 

How to Thank Nurses?    Nurses are honored with gifts & food  by friends,  family members, members of the community, coworkers (i.e  doctors and administrators) who want to acknowledge  appreciation.  

Some ideas include:  products with a logo and / or a Thank You message for nurses.   Gifts jazz-up events. Balloons, banners and under 1.00 give-outs are a great way to promote &  draw attention to your event.   Gift suggestions for nurses might include:  Stylish tee shirts,  bags, coolers and  Spa items.   We will post more ideas later this week as well!

Some of my favorite choices are on this link for Bags, Coolers and Spa Items
http://explore.connectthedotsadvertising.com/search/savedsearchID=16081

Click for a general search of gifts under advance search
http://explore.connectthedotsadvertising.com/

Yes, times are tight these days, even so,  Nurses are really important to remember!
These hardworking professionals deserve a Thank You!

Insulated snack bag

Under 3.00 cooler constructed with heavy  fabric

The perfect Cooler

Thoughtful Spa Gifts

Is your business ready for Arthritis Month?

Arthritis Month is around the corner!

According to the CDC Centers for disease control & Prevention
"Currently, an estimated 50 million Americans reported that their doctor told them they had arthritis. As our nation’s population ages, the prevalence is expected to increase"

You can promote your business and show your
companies' sensitivity to arthritis. Are you trying to 
connect with active adults or seniors?

Why not accomplish this goal
with a Jar Opener? They are helpful
and handy kitchen items for people with arthritis. They are available in a variety of
colors, shapes and sizes. In fact, you can even find them out of
re-used products too...such as tires. For under .99 it is easy to get out your message!

Additional advertising benefits for jar openers include:

1. Jar Openers have a Huge Imprint Area to promote your message.
2. There are 101 ways to use jar openers! Highly functional.
3. Most people keep promotional products in their kitchen for over 5 years! Meaning
your message will be seen over and over again for years.

We have over 10 in our home! In the kitchen, (to open jars and as coasters), in the bathroom, (to stop the bathtub drain & open pill bottles) and even under plants on our window sills.)

Jar Openers: I couldn't live without them!

More information can be found online at http://www.ConnectTheDotsAdvertising.com