Whether you're working or studying, note taking is an important skill that will help you ace your exam or perform your job well. Studies show that people recall only 50% of what they hear, of which 20 to 30% is incorrect. Can you imagine if we all had to simply rely on memory? Much of our ideas would be lost if we didn't write them down. We waste time and money when we drive back to the supermarket for that missed can of canola oil. We pay penalties when we forget to pick up our kids from day care on time or when we miss paying our credit card bills. Note taking would be so much easier if everyone were equipped with the right tools. Here are some promotional note-taking tools that you can give out in school and at work or keep within arm's reach: A good pen that writes well, with ink that doesn't dry up easily. Or how about something that writes well even on an aircraft? Lined notebooks with good paper, especially one that looks good inside and out. (I love this notebook's soft leather cover, available in red and pink!) Thank God for whoever invented sticky notes. Whether you're looking ...

And I hope you don't get them to make coffee for you or run over to Starbucks to get a doubleshot espresso for you . . . But there are three reasons for getting interns: Get more work done. In this economic climate, people are forced to step up, learn new skills, and tap their other talents, previously gone unnoticed. But because there's so much work to do, they've been working long hours to get work done. Solution? Get interns--not to get coffee for you or to pick up your dry cleaning but to help out with real work. Share the knowledge. Isn't it nice to take part in molding young minds? Consider it your company's legacy to give back and contribute to the knowledge pool--internships are the easiest way to do that. On-the-job training gives them a taste of what it's like in a real workplace, where deadlines are the order of the day and one needs to keep learning new strokes to stay afloat. One day, when one of your interns becomes a hotshot marketing/sales maven, she'll look back and thank your company for the education. Learn from them. Who says learning is a one-way street? Interacting with young minds helps you ...

The people who run the Brooks Hearing and Speech Clinic know the importance of feedback. Beyond listening to patients and finding solutions to their hearing and speech problems, Jami, Cathy, and Lance Brooks pay attention to what marketing tool works best in promoting the family-run health facility. Over the years, they have come to rely on only one promotional item—the Neo Krystal EZ gel roller pen —and all for a good reason: the product’s quite popular with patients and at special events. “People love it!” Cathy said in an e-mail. “When our patients come in, we give them the pen to fill out their paperwork and they always comment on it and ask if they can [keep] it.” The promotional pen has gotten so popular that in the last four years, the clinic has ordered 2,800 pieces of them from Branders in five separate instances. Not one to keep a good thing to themselves, they’re also quick to recommend Branders to other clinics looking for promotional items that bring results.

Barbara Ferris of Toronto-based Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services was looking for promotional items she could give out in an event. Among the giveaways that Barbara ordered were Accord pens and flashlight carabiners. The Accord pens, which she asked to be imprinted with "Justice Cluster," were "very comfortable to hold and well balanced, so they sit nice in your hand." The personalized flashlight carabiners--a bright twist on a flashlight, only it comes with a carabiner hook and split rings to hold keys--were "light and very handy," Barbara wrote in an e-mail to her account manager, Penny Williams. Bright promotional idea The flashlight carabiners, which came in attractive purple tones, attached easily to purses and backpacks, Barbara shares. From personal experience, Barbara has found the flashlight carabiner really handy in an emergency. "Mine actually provided some good light a few weeks ago when the lights failed in the subway system. It provided enough light to see up the stairs," she shared. In fact, other practical ministry employees like Barbara have kept these flashlight carabiners in their vehicles and used them as emergency lights or given them to their children to attach to their school bags. Because she ordered so much of these flashlights and ...

Troy Tyson, director of finance and operations at the KIPP Indianapolis College Preparatory, was looking for promotional products that the school could use for its recruitment efforts. KIPP Indy is a free-enrollment public charter middle school that trains fifth to eighth graders to ensure that they go to college. Its students undergo a rigorous college preparatory program and are expected to master algebra and high-school-level literature regardless of their individual academic history. Troy was initially interested in the promotional horizontal keyboard and monitor calendar, but his account manager at Branders, Alex Andersen, had a better suggestion: the Bright Write Lighted Pen. Convinced, Troy put in a rush order for 100 pieces of the custom light-up pens that same day. The pens proved to be “effective marketing tools,” Troy later wrote in an e-mail. “The guests at the conference really took note of them. [I think] the light-up feature really grabbed people’s attention.” Despite the fact that Troy had ordered the pens on short notice, he was able to get them on time through Branders’ rush service. Putting in a good word for his account manager, Troy wrote: “I would like to thank [Alex] for getting the order done so quickly, which allowed us to ...

Grace under pressure. Calm. Resolute. If that is something that best describes your company, then the Uni-ball(R) Vision Elite pen (as low as $2.19) is for you. Featuring a patented design that prevents ink leaks on a pressure-filled aircraft, this special pen has a 0.8mm tungsten carbide ball that delivers fade- and water-proof strokes. It also has a uniquely designed barrel that isn't seen in most other promotional writing instruments. To boost ticket sales, one airline customized the promotional Uni-ball Vision Elite pen with its logo and sent it out to corporations and individuals who did a lot of traveling, positioning itself as an industry leader for business travel. The airline's flights saw an increase in ticket purchases as well as good referrals. Find out if this promotional pen best fits your brand. Call 877-BRANDERS and ask for a sample. Get subscriber-only discounts on promotional items when you sign up with the Branders newsletter.

Halloween is on its way! Have you ordered giveaways for the occasion? The sweet treats will surely be part of your shopping list, as will these reflective custom goody bags. But if you're looking for something inedible and for keeps, how about these mini Halloween bubbles? They're fun toys that the whole family can use. These promotional bubbles come with Halloween character caps in line with the season. For employees, how about these promotional pumpkin stress balls? I am also loving these cute bubble pens with the pumpkin head, which will surely get your logo noticed. If you're marketing to parents, these promotional rubber Frankenstein and vampire duckies are perfect bath-time entertainment for their kids. Remember to order in advance so you don't get left out in the fun this Halloween.

Yesterday we suggested some back-to-school giveaways below $1 you can use to pep up your business in time for school opening. Now here are some promotional items that every dormer will find useful: 1. A promotional ballpoint pen that encourages them to write home. If being away from home is stressful for college kids, just imagine how nervous parents back home will be. The custom Write Home ballpoint pen carries every reminder of home: house, key, welcome mat, and sold sign icons. I think this pen sums up what our old folks always say to us: "Take care of yourself--it's the best thing you can do for those who care about you." 2. A personalized door alert to make sure they're safe. Instead of the usual boring university pennants, this one makes a good welcome gift to dormers. 3. A promotional door hanger indicating when to stay away and when it's okay to visit. More than a sign, this custom door hanger is a good way to reach out to a big group. University laundry shops, fast-food delivery outlets, car and laptop repair shops, bookstores, school supplies stores, counselors, and teen support groups can use this giveaway to target dormers, especially college freshmen who are still ...

If you're thinking of a promotion in time for school opening, here are our top picks for less than a $1: 1. Promotional trinamic tools What's to like: It's a four-in-one tool that consists of a ruler, magnet, paper holder, and letter opener. What's not: It's got sharp a edge that's a no-no in some schools, so this one's staying at home or in the office. Keep away from people with murderous tendencies. (I'm watching too much CSI.) 2. Sports bottles with your logo What's to like: These 20oz promotional sports bottles are BPA-free, which means they don't contain any substances that may not be good for your health. Also, minimum order per color is only 50 pieces. What's not: They don't come in my favorite colors, but surely that won't keep you up at nights? 3. Promotional notepads What's to like: This giveaway is a good way to build presence especially if you're marketing toward a college-age demographic needing a sticky note to remind of everything that needs to be done for the day. What's not to like: You don't get to choose where to imprint your logo--the imprint area is at the bottom of the sheet. 4. Promotional maze pens What's to like: It's a handy toy to have ...

I notice that when I see successful individuals they look and play the part. They dress nice and have expensive cars--basically they look like they have money. But success isn't just measured by just your salary. Individuals are successful because they achieved the goals they set out for themselves. For example, being apart of a loving family, or getting the gold in the Olympic games. People set out goals that they want to achieve whether it be short-term goals or long-term goals. On the other hand, when I see successful businesses, they also look and play the part. Their web page looks professional, or I might see their logo on something with more value to it than a pen or a mug. Not that anything is wrong with putting a brand name on a promotional pen or mug, but it's also beneficial to put your brand name on something with more value. For example a promotional fleece jacket, or a premier duffel bag. When people see brand names on promotional items that are more costly, you are telling them that you are a successful business because you treat your clients with care and respect. This gives your business the clients that ...