The excitement in going to a trade show is coming home with interesting giveaways. Since being at a trade show means being close to your prospective customers, it’s important that you offer unique items they will remember you by. Research proves that promotional gift items work. Several market researches have been conducted, to track the response to various promotional strategies. The results prove people who received promotional gifts and printed items: 1. Were able to remember the name of the brand or the organization that gifted them with promotional products, as compared to those that just handed them promotional product literature. 2. Were a lot more likely to report positive feelings about organizations that had gifted them promotional items, as compared to those that had sent them a direct mail minus a gift. 3. Felt more inclined to respond positively to a call from a company that had gifted them with a promotional product than those that didn’t.Aside from giving the trade show go-ers the gift they’ve come to expect, promotional products can work some other wonders for you as well: Drive traffic to your booth. You can draw a huge crowd in front of your booth (as well as connect with lots of prospects) just by having an interesting gift. Everyone will want to know what’s going on and who you are. While they wait in line, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to explain your services and collect leads to follow-up on after the show. When people are in other locations of the convention center and see your name on a bag or a cool item, they’ll seek you out. Leave behind a good feeling about your company. While any gift is appreciated, a special one can create a connection between what you do and your prospect’s needs. What are the best promotional products to give out? Be creative! Try to pick a gift that will not only incite your prospects’ curiosity but also tie in with your business. For example, a beauty website or fashion magazine might give out a lip-gloss or a compact. An investment bank might think about a translucent calculator. Pens, while they may seem like a naturally inexpensive choice, are an effective way to establish your brand. Experts say that pens have a high “pass-along” value and can actually promote your company up to 8 times longer than any other giveaway. Once given to a prospect, the pen will be used at work, could be lent to a colleague, or left behind in an office. As a result, your company name will travel and inspire brand recognition.