Bankers Advertising

There are over 30 million golfers in the United States and Americans spend over $5 billion a year in golf equipment – golf balls being a major part of this. Are you planning a golf event this summer or fall? We can help you select the right golf ball for your event.

There are three levels of performance:

• Recreational Golfer
• Aspiring Professional
• Tour Performance

It’s all about the construction and layers of the ball. A ball can have 2-5 five layers. Each layer provides more flexibility and control of the ball, and experienced golfers take advantage of these attributes in every swing.

The core is the most inner component and usually made of rubber. It is considered the “engine” of the ball and gives you the distance.

The mantle is the next layer. It is made of either rubber or a strong, resilient plastic. The mantle provides the “feel” of the ball – whether it feels soft or hard coming off the face of the club.

The third layer is the cover, again made of some sort of rubber or elastic plastic and dictates the “control” of the ball. The more layers you have, the more flexibility and control the ball offers. Control basically means spin, resilience and durability on the course.

Ever wonder about the dimples? The dimples typically come in two shapes, either circular or hexagonal and they are what reduces drag, produces lift, increases distance and stability. Some manufacturers differentiate themselves with the pattern of their dimples.

Finally, every ball comes with a clear, slick coating that protects the ball’s surface from degradation from sun, impact, fertilizer, etc. As your golf skills increase, you take more advantage of those attributes as you play through a round.

Each construction type provides a different launch off the club – changing the angle, spin rate, ball velocity and overall aerodynamics. Again, this is all more important to experienced golfers who tend to find a ball they like and stick to it loyally – though for special events, are happy to try out a new ball of an equal or similar sophistication.

As you plan your next golf event, ask yourself about the type of golfer they are targeting, what kind of course they are planning to play on, what their price point is, etc. We can help you select just the right ball and help your promotion or event make the right impression!

Source: BIC Graphic USA

Remember the “magic words”? Growing up, my mother would always ask me “what is the magic word?” Of course, it was either ‘please’, ‘thank you’ or ‘sorry’. Let’s also not forget about ‘you’re welcome’ and ‘excuse me’. It didn’t take too long before I remembered to say them all the time.

So, why is something that was so engrained in our early vocabulary so quickly forgotten? “Magic words” are not just for children. Why don’t we use them as adults? I don’t think, as some would argue, that society on a whole is on a downward spiral. I think we need a reminder that, as with any skill, we need to practice our “magic words”. No matter your age these essential words are effortless to say and convey a sincerity to others. They have a powerful ability to create positive interactions, so we all should look for opportunities to use them daily.

Thinking back to my positive Chick-fil-A® experience, I wanted to learn more about the company. Turns out the founder has written several books about his recipe for success, inspiring more people, how it’s easier to succeed than to fail, and more. I now have added a few more books to my “need to read” list.

Chick-fil-A® is beating the competition by re-training workers to say ‘please’, ‘thank you’ and ‘my pleasure’. According to QSR Magazine, the chicken chain is statistically the most polite chain in the restaurant business. Their employees were credited for saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ the most and also, get this,….smiling at customers.

While small pleasantries are easy to dismiss, these little things play a key role in their success. Analysts have said that customer service is the key to Chick-fil-A®’s success.

One of the things that stood out to me the most was the young man answering my “thank you” with “my pleasure”. This intrigued me. As a mother of two teenage boys, I think I would fall over if my boys ever said that!

The founder of Chick-fil-A® was Truett Cathy and here is the backstory on “my pleasure” from their “The Chicken Wire” blog – Humble Beginnings – How Truett Cathy’s Love for Customers Grew from a Coke and a Smile.

 Making it a Pleasure to Serve

One of Cathy’s simplest expressions of love has become a memorable part of the Chick-fil-A® experience: “My pleasure.” 

Cathy was visiting a high-end hotel, and when he thanked an employee, the man helping him replied genuinely, “My pleasure.” Cathy felt his sincerity, and the memory of the man’s smile and those two little words stayed with him for several days.

He decided to ask his restaurant owners, team members, and even his corporate staff to respond with “my pleasure” whenever someone said thank you.  “You expect that from a five-star hotel,” Cathy said. “But to have teenagers in a fast-food atmosphere saying it’s their pleasure to serve—that’s a real head-turner.” “My pleasure” became an expression of love for customers. Almost immediately Cathy began receiving letters from customers telling him about their experiences after hearing restaurant team members say those magic words. It was genuine, and customers knew it.

“It was all about the smiles. Every interaction, every cold Coca-Cola, every meal, every cow, every ‘my pleasure’ was an opportunity to express Cathy’s genuine love and draw a smile.”

For me, not only did the “my pleasure” stand out but the entire experience. They went above and beyond from beginning to end. Think about this and how can we apply this to our sales and business world. Do you hear the “magic words” at your favorite businesses you visit? Do you or your employees use the “magic words” when interacting with your clients? Would it make you stand out? I am sure it would. Courtesy is contagious. The “magic words” change our tone completely and engages the customer. As we know, our attitudes will win them over and keep customers coming back. This is a good reminder to all of us – always deliver more than expected.

Brands spend billions of dollars each year on efforts aimed at influencing consumers by following a traditional marketing model. The U.S. alone accounts for an estimated $298 billion in ad expenditures annually and was recently named the world’s largest advertising market.

Developed in 1898 by one of advertising’s founding fathers, Elias St. Elmo Lewis, the traditional marketing model narrows the consumer decision-making process into four key stages: awareness, interest, desire and action (AIDA). This model helps marketing strategies steer the consumer through each stage of the decision making process.

Historically, advertising has been considered the most creative influencer for brands—a belief that is protected and nurtured by many of the world’s leading ad agencies. Yet the world we live in today looks much different than it did in 1898. Now consumers have access to information to form their own opinions of brands.

The Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) released their 2017 Consumer Study, released earlier this year, revealed that 83 percent of consumers said they are more likely to do business with a brand after receiving a promotional product. Yet the promotional products industry represents only seven percent of the world’s advertising dollars spent. So, are companies getting a solid return on the 93 percent of advertising dollars spent outside the promotional products industry? The short answer is… no, not really.

The results from the survey might surprise you. When compared with traditional and emerging forms of advertising, promotional products clearly lead the field in terms of reach, recall and reaction.

Advertising is a science and PPAI has the numbers to back the winning formula of promotional products. We are sharing some of the data from the survey which will help you prioritize your marketing dollars.

Source: PPAI – PPB, June 2017

Are you looking for an item that can win the hearts of all audiences? Promotional plush animals make a long-lasting brand impression. Don’t paint plush into a kid’s corner. Plush is a promotional item which is held on to and considered a “keeper”. I know I have a couple of branded stuffed animals at my home and office. Do you know anyone who would throw a new plush bear away?

10 Reason Companies Buy Plush

1. Broad Appeal
2. Connects on an emotional level
3. Creative
4. Tangible and Interactive
5. Gives a company character
6. Strengthens a brand
7. High perceived value
8. Brings a company to life
9. Small product with big impact
10. Reaches across all ages, demographics and industries

Open the door to smiles. People like plush animals and they keep them. Your brand will create a warm and fuzzy feeling every time they look at your logo. Promotional plush are highly visible (stays on desk, bookshelf, etc.), create sentimental feelings and become a brand collectible/lifetime shelf life.

We have a zoo-full of promotional stuffed animals available to make your message roar!

There is nowhere quite like a county fair. The smell of corndogs, the sound of calliope music and the sight of colorful booths conjure up happy childhood memories. What better way for you to advertise your business than at a county fair where thousands of people come to have fun and see what their local businesses have to offer. In small towns across America, county fairs are usually the highlight of the summer.

Whether a giveaway or item for purchase, customized products are the best way to draw attention to your brand. Products need to be relevant to your offering and brand culture. Providing your customer with something they can take home makes their experience engaging, more memorable and meaningful. We can help you make the most of your festival or fair presence by recommending promotional items that will make a lasting impact long after the event is over.

To help, here is a rundown of some of the best fair handouts. The criteria’s for these items are: 1) functionality-will the recipient actually use the item; 2) visibility-will the item’s functionality lead it to be passed on and seen by more than just the recipient; 3) price point-will the combination of functionality and visibility justify the cost of the item.

#1 – Notepads:  People do not throw out notepads.  After a note is written on the pad, it is kept for a period and often handed to someone else.  The notepad is the perfect combination of functionality, visibility and price.

#2 – Stadium Cups: Stadium cups are a very versatile handout. An item like this will be well received and useful for quite some time.

#3 – Pens: Pens are an item that is commonly lost by its owner.  However, when it is lost, someone else finds it.

#4 – Fanny Packs: For years, custom fanny packs proved to be a powerful marketing solution that appealed to a wide audience. Although they peaked in popularity in the 80s, these convenient packs are suddenly finding themselves back in style. Today, these clever and timeless personalized fanny packs offer great on-the-go logo exposure while ensuring a more convenient and safe experience for the recipient.

#5 – Phone Fans, Hand Fans or Misting Fans: Fans are superb promotional items because they really come in handy on those hot summer days. Recipients will want to keep them in their bags, backpacks, or cars at all times; so when everybody else is suffering in the heat, they will feel cool and refreshed.

#6 – Sunscreen: One of the most thoughtful giveaways for the spring and summer is promotional sunscreen. Not only is it important to everyone’s health to use sunscreen but, by using it as giveaways, your customer is spreading the word and helping protect others from harmful UV rays.

#7 – Flyswatters: Think about how relieved the recipient will be when you hand them a promotional fly swatter that helps keeps nasty bugs off their bodies and away from their food. Flyswatters are available in all sorts of different shapes and colors.

#8 – Yardsticks: Do you want to promote your business’s or organization’s growth. The best way to get your name out there is with promotional yardsticks. Yardsticks are available in several colors and offer plenty of room for your name and logo. Yardsticks are extremely useful; they can be used in class, at home, and in the office.

#9 – Coloring Books: Are you looking for a fun giveaway for their littlest fans? Customized coloring books imprinted with your logo so parents will know whom to thank when their little ones are happily distracted. Promotional coloring books are educational and entertaining giveaways for pediatricians, dentists, restaurant owners, or anyone who interacts with children.

#10 – Sunglasses: Give clients the gift of eye protection with a pair of custom printed plastic sunglasses. These fun and unique promotional items are sure to get the attention of many with the wide range of color options available. Did you know that people with lighter colored eyes (blue, grey, green) are more sensitive to sunlight and florescent lights than people with brown eyes?

#11 – Sling Backpacks – People tend to refrain from picking up or buying merchandise just because they don’t want to hold on to it all day but if a company offered a free backpack…. Just think how many promotional advertising pieces they could be going home with!

Act now, let us help you carousel your logo around promotional items at the next county fair.

In less than 8 weeks, a total solar eclipse will sweep across the continental United States for the first time since 1918. Astronomers are calling it the Great American Eclipse.

On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America (weather permitting) will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature’s most awe inspiring sights – a total solar eclipse. This path, where the moon will completely cover the sun and the sun’s tenuous atmosphere – the corona – will stretch from Salem, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. Observers outside this path will still see a partial solar eclipse where the moon covers part of the sun’s disk. This will be one of nature’s most awesome sights. Bright stars and planets will become visible as well.

It is estimated that nearly 100 million people in the United States will view a portion of the 2017 solar eclipse, making it the most-viewed eclipse ever. You won’t want to miss it!

Looking directly at the sun is unsafe except during the brief total phase of a solar eclipse (“totality”), when the moon entirely blocks the sun’s bright face, which will happen only within the narrow path of totality.

The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” or hand-held solar viewers. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun. To date there are very few manufacturers that have certified that their eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard for such products. We have a variety of glasses to choose from. The glasses are the safest on the market.

The best viewing areas are highlighted on this map. There are many school, community and other special events being planned in the following states: Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina. Many towns/cities are planning on offering special viewing areas. However, there are additional events all over the country being planned as well.

We encourage you to research the Total Solar Eclipse and find out what may be happening near you. Get on the “bandwagon” and create a special summer promotion. We are a source for “eclipse glasses” and other fun souvenirs to promote this once in a lifetime event. Contact your Bankers Sales Partner to help you start planning a fun promotion. They can help you with ideas and more information.

Information courtesy of NASA and LA Times.

LED, CREE LED & COB Flashlights

Do you ever wonder…what’s with all the acronyms in the flashlight world? Let us dissect and explain this revolution in lighting!

LED

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. This technology has been around since the sixties! Through research and developments the once expensive lighting has become main stream. When compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, LED bulbs use 75% less energy and last 25% longer. LED bulbs emit light in a targeted direction – making them a perfect match for flashlight.

CREE LED         

Most people mistakenly think that CREE is a brand of flashlight. Actually CREE is the company that makes high output LED bulbs that are used in flashlights. This new technology gives us a bulb that is super bright, will burn for 100,000 hours and offers twice the lumens per Watt when compared to a Fluorescent bulb! These long lasting bulbs will secure a longer lifespan in our households having a positive impact on the environment. High five CREE LED!

COB

COB stands for Chip on Board. This is the newest technology in LED lighting and means that multiple LED chips are packaged together in one lighting module. This is like a circuit board and has no casing, enabling a much denser array of light. You may be asking yourself what??? No worries, me too. What we really need to know is that they have been designed to use less energy, have a life span of 40,000 – 50,000 hours, can be super compact but extremely bright!

We have styles in all of these categories to brighten your customers way. When looking for the right flashlight, make sure to consider the bulb!

Light up your brand today with flashlights.

Recently, I had the pleasure of eating at a Chick-fil-A®. Here in Iowa, we only have nine in our state. My first experience was a couple of years ago while traveling out of state with a group. They constantly talked about how much they looked forward to it. Because I had not eaten there before, I didn’t understand their excitement, but I quickly learned why they held the restaurant in such high regard.

So, when asked just recently if Chick-fil-A® was ok for lunch, I didn’t hesitate. The restaurant again did not disappoint. The employees treated us with courtesy from the minute we arrived. A gentleman opened the door and welcomed us. The young man who took our order was polite, patient and didn’t make me feel rushed while I tried to decide. When I thanked him, he said “my pleasure.” Our food was ready before I finished paying. Each table had fresh cut flowers, and in the restroom, they had not only soap but also sanitizer and, most impressively, mouth wash. What? I have never been anywhere that has mouth wash available! Lastly, to top it off, the greeter came around to each table offering to refill drinks, check in to see if anything else was needed and then left mints on your table. I asked my co-worker if this was really a fast food place. Wow, there is no comparison. As we left, yep you guessed it, the greeter held the door, wished us well and gave us a coupon for a free drink on our next visit.

I left feeling good about the experience and the food. We chatted about the experience for quite a while, and it lead to several conversations about service. Our experience at Chick-fil-A® proves that making a lasting impression on the customer can make a world of difference and create brand loyalty. In the case of Chick-fil-A®, my first experience was great, and my second experience was even better. I am a loyal fan now.

A co-worker shared with me that last year when she was with her daughter and granddaughter at the local Coralville mall, everyone had to go to the tornado shelter area due to a weather warning. Strangers were crammed together and hunkered down for shelter near the food court area, a potentially scary situation for everyone, especially kids. During that time, Chick-fil-A® employees were handing out chicken nuggets and juice boxes to the kids to help keep them calm. Their thoughtfulness was an example of going above and beyond. It reminds me of the saying – Go the extra mile. It’s never crowded.

It is easy to feel that people are so disconnected from each other in today’s world. Customer service is not what it used to be and so those that provide great service really stand out more than ever. I firmly believe that “People really do buy from people and brands they know, like and trust.” I myself follow this motto. Do you?

In this case, Chick-fil-A® delivered more than expected. All the way through my visit they went the extra mile and the little extra touches stood out and created a meaningful experience. Remember – small things make a big difference. We should be doing something similar with our customers and ensuring they have the same kind of warm fuzzy feeling when talking about using us. It is an opportunity to reflect on our service and what can we do to stand out from the competition and ensure we are exceeding our customers’ expectations.

Tomorrow is National Ballpoint Pen Day. #BallpointPenDay

Everyone uses and appreciates pens.

Writing instruments continue to be one of the largest promotional product categories year after year. Consider these facts and make the “write” product choice:

• 50% – U.S. Consumers own promotional writing instruments
• 76% – the percentage of consumers who say they keep the pens they receive as promotional items in their home or office
• 54% – writing instruments are the most-remembered promotional product
• 6 months – the average promotional pens are kept
• 363 – the number of impressions per month that a promotional provides to a marketer

Keep your promotions on the “write ” track. Check out website –  for thousands of pens to fit your needs.

What’s the first thing you notice about a person? Their smile is a common answer.

Smiling is such a valuable business asset. As Jay Danzie says, “Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling after having an experience with you becomes your trademark”.

Think about this quote – Your smile is your logo. Did you know that people who smile appear as more likeable, courteous and even competent? How is your logo today? Remember this quote from Connie Stevens, “Nothing you wear is more important than your smile”.

Yes…business and life can be tough, but make it easier on yourself, your clients and those elusive prospects – smile.  Let them know you enjoy what you do and can’t wait to deliver their goods or provide a unique idea. It’s simple, sales and customer service begins and ends with a smile.

It seems that we are all stressed to the max.  I not only see it everywhere I go but can hear it through the voices over the telephone and the words I read in emails.  Think about your day and who you have encountered today – from the bank teller to check out person at the store, from the guy at the drive up window where you got breakfast to the person on the phone when you called to make reservations, etc. Were you greeted with smiles? If you are like me, probably not. When you approach a counter in a business and the person serving you or checking you out doesn’t look at you or smile, how do you feel about giving the business your money? I bet not so well. “Do not let the world change your smile…….let your smile change the world!” (author unknown)

It leaves me wondering, what happened to all of the smiles? We need to be able to separate our personal life and business life, remembering not to take our personal issues to work. Also, we need to be able to separate business issues from each other – if you just got off the phone with a problem order and the phone rings, leave the problem on the desk and don’t carry it with you on the next call. This reminds me of my time as a restaurant owner, if I had a table with a problem, it’s not the fault of the table next to them. I needed to greet and help them with a smile and don’t let others turn my smile upside down.

How do you establish rapport in an instant? One obvious but sometimes overlooked tip: offer up a smile. A smile is one of the most basic and universal indicators of openness, friendliness, relaxation, and likeability. Smiles are contagious – customers and your business thrive on it.

How can you tell whether or not you’re maximizing your smile factor? Consider the following questions:

1. Do you smile while you’re talking about what you do?
2. Do you smile even when you’re on a phone call and the other person can’t see you?
3. Are you smiling in your professional headshot or profile photos on social networks?
4. Do you know how many times you’ve smiled so far today?

For a smile to be effective, sincerity counts. If a smile is clearly forced or false, it will do more damage than good. Did you know it takes 43 muscles to frown, but only 17 to smile?

Remember – Smile and Dial

Smiles over the phone might be unseen, but they are most definitely heard. Since 84% of the message over a phone is your tone of voice, making sure that “smiling tone” comes through is imperative. I was given a mirror once for my desk, told to look at myself and SMILE when on the phone. It works. Have you tried it? Remember, everyone smiles in the same language.

Don’t forget – Digital Smiles

Smiles, aka Emoji’s, are taking on the world. Not only do we love to see smiles in person but we also love to receive digital smiles.

We all like to receive emails or texts with a smiling emoji or an email with a smiley face. I have to admit it always makes me smile to see it and brightens my mood. The same goes with social media, we “like” or use one of the emoji reactions on our friends postings. Emoji’s help people communicate their emotions, they bring a fun element to texting and social media to help people share their feelings.

Conclusion – Promote Smiles

A picture is worth a thousand words. A smile is worth a thousand bucks.

The retail market is full of emoji’s and smiley face items and we continue to see more and more products available in our industry to promote this growing trend. Make a cool brand statement during your next promotion campaign with a fun smile campaign.

Turn smiles into success and contact us today to help you plan a fun promotion or campaign today!