For the first the time ever, the staff at InkHead have picked 12 of our favorite new products and brands for 2012. Regardless of why you need a promotional item, chances are you will find an item you (and your customers, prospects, or employees) love here.

Top Promotional Products: InkHead’s 12 Picks for 2012

1. InkJoy Pens: Touted as “the world’s most stolen pen,” InkJoy combines the best traits of gel and ballpoint pens into a wonderfully smooth writing experience. With unbeatable smoothness and a lightning-quick drying-time, InkJoy is the synthesis of the functional and the emotional. Find out why InkJoy Pens are what’s hot for 2012.
2. ProShot Water Bottle: Superior to traditional push-pull sports bottle caps and closures, the ProShot Water Bottle is easy to use and extremely sanitary because it requires no mouth or hand contact to open. Simply squeeze the bottle to drink, and release to close the spill-proof, leak-proof valve. Perfect as a wellness incentive, this water bottle is proudly made in the USA.
3. Promotional Built NY Products: BUILT designs fashionable, high-quality neoprene iPad cases, lunch totes, laptop sleeves, and more. Ideal for employee appreciation gifts or customer incentives, BUILT products are made to last.
4. Promotional Glass Water Bottles: We expect to see more glass water bottles hit the market in 2012. Why glass? Glass prevents metallic taste and odor build-up as experienced with other water bottles.
5. Custom Reusable Grocery Bags: With more communities implementing plastic bag bans, reusable shopping bags look to be all the rage in 2012. Shown above, the Non-Woven Grocery Tote Bag from PrimeLine features a drawstring closure, side pocket, and front pocket. The foil lining is designed to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold!
6. Bella Apparel: Bella, the #1 supplier of quality woman’s casual and active wear, offers 100% ringspun cotton tee shirts, tank tops, jackets, pants, and more. Super-soft and fashion-forward, Bella apparel is perfect for any company looking for affordable, comfortable clothing for women.
7. 22oz Triton Filter Water Bottle: A relatively new trend in promotional water bottles, self-filtering water bottles will also be hot in 2012. The Triton Filter Water Bottle features new filtration technology developed for NASA. This BPA-free bottle is made in the USA and its filter traps impurities down to 2 microns!
8. Full-Color Custom Water Bottles: Where water bottles once limited to simple single-color or spot-color imprints, Leed’s new PhotoGraphixx decoration method overcomes this obstacle by using fine half-tones and an expanded color range to bring graphics to life while offering the durability of other decorating methods.
9. Full-Color Promotional Acrylic Tumblers: Leed’s new PhotoGraphixx decoration method is also available on other types of custom drinkware, namely the incredibly popular Sedici Tumbler.
10. Custom Canvas Apparel: With an eclectic city serving as the driving force for inspiration, Canvas men’s apparel is a mix of classic style, pop colors, innovative fabrics and sleek design creating a style that attracts the best kind of attention.
11. Custom Kenneth Cole Leather Bags: This year, we’re excited to introduce ultra-luxe leather Kenneth Cole computer bags. Ideal as an award for a top-performing employee, our new line of Kenneth Cole bags are sure to be one of the top promotional products for the year.
12. Custom Polypropylene Hats: After seeing many polypropylene hats at the 2012 PPAI Expo, we expect it to be a top seller this year. Seen here is the stylish five panel, high-profile constructed non-woven polypropylene hat, available in 8 bold colors.

The Bottom Line

Every year, the promotional products industry sees changes in trends. By using InkHead’s list of top promotional products for 2012, you can be sure that you’re giving customers, employees, and prospects a unique gift!

Remember, our picks for the top promotional products of 2012 are subject to availability and may not always be in stock at the time of your order. Should you discover any of the items featured below discontinued or out of stock, please call us 800-554-0127 between 9 AM and 8 PM ET to speak with a promotions specialist. He or she can assist in locating a suitable alternative.

InkJoy Pens are one of our top products for 2012

Have you heard about InkJoy, the new pen from Paper Mate? Touted as “the world’s most stolen pen,” the InkJoy combines the best qualities of ballpoint and gel pens into one single blissful writing experience. With incredible smoothness and a fast drying-time, InkJoy is the synthesis of the functional and the emotional.

What’s even better is that InkHead carries the InkJoy pen among its vast selection of personalized pens, so you can customize the InkJoy pen for your next marketing event or promotion. We’re so excited about the InkJoy that we named it one of our top promotional products for 2012!

Here are 5 of our favorite ways to use custom InkJoy pens from Paper Mate. How would you use the InkJoy pen?

5 Ways to Use the New InkJoy Pen

1. Trade show giveaways: Because the InkJoy pen is new, trade show attendees will be excited to get their hands on one. What’s more, attendees are more likely to remember the booth that had the new pen versus the booths that had the same old trinkets.
2. Employee appreciation gifts: Discerning employees will appreciate the new pen and will be excited to show them off to their friends.
3. To promote movies or other exhibitions: If you have an event approaching, the InkJoy pen will get invitees excited about attending the big show!
4. Educational programs: The InkJoy pen is also great for back-to-school programs, university clubs and student organizations!
5. Direct mail campaigns: Using the InkJoy pen in your direct mail campaign is bound to generate some customer interest.

The Bottom Line

Thanks to the Paper Mate’s global campaign, chances are that you have heard about the new InkJoy pen, the world’s most stolen pen. Thanks to InkHead, you can now order the InkJoy pen customized the way you want!

How could your company use the InkJoy pen? Have you already ordered the pen and seen positive results? Leave a comment to tell us about it!

The InkJoy pen is subject to availability and may not be in stock at the time of your order. Please call 800-554-0127 between 9 AM and 8 PM ET Monday through Friday to confirm stock is available.

Learning how to launch a new product effectively will improve your company's return on investment.

When launching a new product, there are many things you will need to consider.

Almost as important as the creative and technical minds that design and manufacture the new product is how you plan to take the new product to market. Are you targeting a new audience with this product? Have you already researched your competition to make sure that you have a unique offering? Are you prepared to adjust your marketing strategy when your competition responds?

If you are looking to learn how to launch a new product, keep reading to learn our 9 strategies for success.

How to Launch a New Product: 9 Tips for Success

1. Keep everyone on the same page. A key component to a new product launch is the cooperation of all parties involved. Make sure to hold meetings or dispatch communication regularly. This will make sure that everyone knows his or her role in the new product launch and that deadlines are being met.
2. Analyze your competition. What other companies are in your space? Try to empathize with your customer and determine why he or she should buy your product instead of one from a competitor. Note also the marketing techniques your competition uses. While you may not want to draw direct comparisons between you and your competition, you will need to know exactly what they offer and how they offer it.
3. Identify your ideal customer. Your product should satisfy a need or desire of your ideal customer in a way no other product can. Use your CRM (customer relationship management tool), a customer survey, or social media to find new orders from your existing customer base.
4. Determine your product’s unique value proposition. One of the cornerstones of marketing is identifying what sets your product apart from other companies in your industry. It doesn’t matter whether the difference between your product and others like it is tangible or qualitative; just make sure the marketing materials you develop highlight exactly what makes your product special.
5. Decide on a marketing strategy. Your ideal customer and your product’s value proposition could very well dictate how and where you market your new product. The real key is to make sure you convey a cohesive message across all channels.
6. 

   T-shirts will build buzz for the launch of your new product.

   Use a promotional product to introduce the new product. Promotional products such as those sold by InkHead can be used to interest prospective clients or excite current customers about your new product or service.
7. Test your launch plan. If possible, create a select group of customers and prospects and test your launch strategy on them. Make sure to take note of what works and what doesn’t. The point of a test run is to iron out any kinks and identify strategies that don’t operate as expected.
8. Take your campaign live. After you’ve tested your strategy, it’s time to take the product to the streets. Consider kicking off the new product launch campaign at an event or trade show. Marketing at trade shows is a great way to build buzz for your product, both through word-of-mouth and mass media coverage.
9. Know when to start again. Your product’s life cycle in not indefinite. As you notice your competition change their approach following the launch of your new product, remain agile and proactively adjust your marketing strategy accordingly as your product lives out its life cycle.

The Bottom Line

The 9 tips above are a good starting point for anyone wanting to learn how to launch a new product, but they are not the only strategies you should bear in mind.

Have you or your company launched a new product in the past? What advice would you offer our readers? Leave us a comment below to let us know!

The items featured in this post on how to launch a new product are subject to availability. Please call 800-554-0127 between 9 AM and 8 PM ET Monday through Friday to confirm stock.

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ASI Shows such as the one in Orlando are good places for us to meet with our top business partners.

This morning, InkHead CEO and President Chris D’Agnese and Business Development Specialist Felipe Gonzalez headed to sunny Florida. No, they’re not taking a winter vacation; they’re attending ASI Orlando!

The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) is an industry organization devoted to helping distributors and suppliers grow their businesses by working together. Events such as the PPAI Expo 2012 and the ASI show in Orlando give us a chance to meet with our business partners, check out the newest products from our suppliers, and learn more about the industry so that we may better serve you.

Here are 5 reasons why we will be at the 2012 ASI Show in Orlando, FL:

5 Reasons Why InkHead is at the ASI Show in Orlando

1. To network with other industry professionals. Networking events such as the Speed Networking Session allow us to meet other people working in the space and learn from them. It also provides the opportunity for us to work more closely with our preferred suppliers.
2. To learn new about marketing techniques and tactics. One of the greatest draws of the ASI Show in Orlando is the large number of education sessions taking place during the show, including a number of classes on new marketing practices that we can use to connect with new customers.
3. 

   Bill O'Reilly will be participating in the keynote event at the 2012 ASI Show in Orlando.

   To attend the keynote discussion between Bill O’Reilly and James Carville. We’re greatly looking forward to hearing the thoughts of both these highly-successful pundits on the current political landscape, the 2012 elections, and how campaign products can be used effectively in a political campaign.
4. To see the newest products from our top suppliers. While PPAI is the largest show of its kind, the 2012 ASI Show in Orlando also welcomes a good deal of the industry’s top suppliers, including those that we work with most frequently.
5. To go to product training seminars. In addition to offering marketing education, the ASI Show in Orlando includes product training for each of the most popular product categories, which we can then share with our customers, enabling them to make the most-informed purchase possible.

The Bottom Line

Representatives from InkHead will be at the ASI Show in Orlando from January 16-18, 2012, so that we may better serve you.

Do you have any questions for Chris and Felipe when they return? Let us know!

Any products mentioned in this post about ASI shows are subject to availability. Please call 800-554-0127 between 9 AM and 8 PM ET Monday through Friday to confirm stock.

Company coffee mugs make great items of appreciation for employees or thank-you gifts to customers.

Since the InkHead.com catalog of custom coffee mugs features over 600 styles, choosing the perfect mug can be a daunting task. To make things easier, we have hand-picked 10 of our most popular company coffee mugs. 

Because these company coffee mugs are so popular, they may be out of stock at the time you order. If this is the case, please call us at 800-554-0127 between 9 AM and 8 PM ET Monday through Friday. We can help you locate a suitable alternative.

InkHead.com’s 10 Most Popular Company Coffee Mugs

	11 oz White Ceramic Mug One of our most budget-friendly mugs, the 11 oz. White Ceramic Mug is the ideal giveaway for any business, school, or organization on a tight budget. Just remember that the minimum quantity for this particular item is 144 pieces and orders must be placed in case quantities of 36, so be prepared. Cost Category: Economy Ideal for: Small business new customer welcome items, schoolteacher kits, and trade show giveaways
	11 oz Budget Mug While slightly more expensive, the Budget Mug only requires a minimum quantity of 72 pieces, half of the White Ceramic Mug. Also, FREE 24-hour rush production is available for the Budget Mug, so you can have the printed company mugs in your hands sooner. Cost Category: Economy Ideal for: Last-minute trade show giveaways, private events, customer appreciation gifts
	Evolve 16 oz Omega Mug If you’re looking for a budget-friendly personalized travel mug, you can’t go wrong with the Evolve Omega Mug. The USA-made Evolve Omega Mug is made from biodegradable plastic and comes in 6 stylish colors! Cost Category: Economy Ideal for: Political campaigns, non-profit organizations, and new employee welcome kits
	Salina 16 oz Polypro Mug The Salina 16 oz Polypro Mug, made from BPA-free plastic polypropylene, only requires a minimum quantity of 24 pieces, making it an ideal company coffee mug for even the smallest businesses. Cost Category: Moderate Ideal for: Employee appreciation, customer retention programs, company stores
	12 oz Aztec Soup Mug Looking for a unique coffee mug? Featuring a broader base and matching spoon, the Aztec Soup Mug is ideal for a warm lunch on a cold day. Just remember that the item must be ordered in case quantities of 36. Want to know more? Watch our promotions expert Derek show off the Aztec Soup Mug! Cost Category: Moderate Ideal for: Teacher gifts, nurse appreciation week, restaurant giveaways
	Vortex Tumbler A new spin on an old classic, the acrylic Vortex Tumbler features double-wall technology designed to insulate the contents—which essentially means that this tumbler will keep hot things hot and cold things cold! This tumbler also comes with a lid to alleviate spillage. Cost Category: Moderate Ideal for: Customer appreciation, student giveaways, outdoor event promotion
	On The Go Tumbler The 14 oz On the Go Tumbler features double-wall insulation and is made from BPA-free plastic. Available in quantities as low as 25 pieces, this tumbler includes a foam exterior that will aid in keeping drinks warm while keeping hands cool. Cost Category: Moderate Ideal for: Employee appreciation, company stores, customer retention
	Anton 14 oz Mug The 14 oz Anton Mug, featuring an acrylic exterior and stainless steel lining, will make recipients truly feel special. We offer FREE 24-hour rush production service for this item as well, so you can have the items in your hands as soon as possible! Cost Category: Executive Ideal for: Executive gifts, top customer appreciation, employee thank-yous
	Biodegradable Tumbler The 14 oz Biodegradable Tumbler is ideal for an eco-conscious company or organization looking to reach out to customers. Made from biodegradable and BPA-free plastic, this item will be appreciated by recipients for years to come. Cost Category: Executive Ideal for: Earth Day events, environmentally-conscious companies, company stores
	Double Wall Ceramic Tumbler Over the past couple years, the Double-Wall Ceramic Tumbler has become the most sought-after custom coffee mug in our catalog. Made from high-quality ceramic, the Double-Wall Ceramic Tumbler is perfect for just about any promotion. Cost Category: Executive Ideal for: Booster club raffles, employee appreciation gifts, new product launches

The Bottom Line

If you are thinking about ordering coffee mugs for your company, any of the 10 mugs mentioned in this post would be a great choice. 

Which of these coffee mugs might you buy? Are there other promotional coffee mugs in our catalog that you would like included on this list? Let us know!

The company coffee mugs featured in this post are subject to availability and may not be in stock at the time of your order. If this is the case, please call us at 800-554-0127 between 9 AM and 8 PM ET Monday through Friday. We can help you locate a suitable alternative.

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Attending a convention soon? Follow these 7 tips for marketing trade shows to make the most out of attendance.

Have you attended a trade show in the past without properly marketing your appearance beforehand? How successful was the trip?

For most companies, trade shows and conventions are ideal opportunities to meet existing customers, to learn from industry leaders, and to find new prospects. To make the most out of attendance, however, companies should also spend the time and money necessary to inform customers of their attendance.

Here are 7 strategies for marketing trade show appearances to maximize your profits.

7 Strategies for Marketing Trade Show Appearances

1. Announce the trade show on your company website. This may seem obvious, but too often in planning a trade show appearance, a company will neglect baseline marketing efforts. Use blog posts, press releases, or landing pages to highlight all public appearances for the company, not just trade shows.
2. 

   Use a magnet in a direct mail campaign to market future trade show appearances.

   Employ a direct-mail campaign to encourage customer attendance. If your company has the budget for direct mail advertising, then consider creating a campaign to announce the trade shows that the company will be attending over the course of the year.
3. Feature the appearance in your email marketing campaigns. If you have an active email newsletter, discussing a personal appearance at a trade show is a good way to motivate subscribers to attend the show as well. Consider offering hands-on training at the show, so customers will receive an added benefit for attending.
4. Broadcast news of your attendance on whichever social channels your company uses. Social media is a growing component to many companies’ marketing strategies. If your company is active on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn, make sure to leverage these sites to their fullest. Encourage employees attending the show to announce it on their personal profiles as well—assuming they are willing to be ambassadors for the company, of course.
5. Contact customers that reside near the convention site. Make sure you call customers that live close to the convention site to see if they’ll be attending the event. If not, consider offering them complimentary tickets to the event or paying their office a visit before heading home.
6. 

   Market your trade show appearances by giving customers a token at one event good for a high-value gift at another event.

   Mention future appearances at other events. If you attend a series of shows every year, inform the customers and prospects you see there. You could even encourage attendance to future events through a series of promotional items or vouchers. For example, you could give visitors at one event a custom token good for a higher-value giveaway at the next event.
7. Run a Facebook contest to give customers a chance to win tickets to the trade show. Get your customers excited about the event by giving them a chance to win tickets to it with a Facebook contest. Need help getting started? Make sure to read our post about preparing for a Facebook contest.

The Bottom Line

Marketing your trade show appearance to customers will help you make the most out of attending a convention. Following these tips will make the trade show as productive as possible.

How do your company market trade show appearances? Have you had success using a strategy not mentioned above? Share it with us!

All products mentioned in this post about marketing trade shows are subject to availability. Please call 800-554-0127 between 9 AM and 8 PM ET Monday through Friday to confirm stock.

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