Are your trade show giveaways failing to drive traffic to your booth? Aren’t you getting the post-trade show calls you’re expecting to get? Then maybe it’s time to think twice about the promotional items you’re using.

One of the many things I noticed during my years covering trade shows was that many of the exhibitors used the same promotional items year in and year out: ballpens, notepads, lanyards, sports caps, and keychains. I’m not saying these are lousy giveaways, but did you ever realize that if you walked down one hall of a trade show, you’d be getting the same promotional items from the exhibitor two booths away?

One of the successful Branders stories I’ve heard is that of an exhibitor that used personalized plush monkeys to promote its brand. The client was tired of the usual trade show giveaways and wanted something unique. The promotional plush monkeys he ordered was successful in driving people to his booth that season, and they kept in touch too. They loved the giveaways so much that the client decided to get more of them the next season.

How about you? How has Branders made your promotion successful?