News Category: Industry News

Promotional umbrellas are an effective branding tool for most industries and companies, but as with most marketing tactics, some industries will find them a far more effective tool than others. Here are our recommended industries that we think customised umbrellas would be an ideal giveaway item:

1. Real Estate:

Using branded umbrellas as part of staff uniform or as a client giveaway is a great idea for the real estate and property industry. In a market that is competitive, standing out is essential, and umbrellas make for a great visual promotional aide. Whether you go for a handy mini umbrella, or decide to go for dramatic impact with a golf umbrella – these items are an essential for the property industry.

Promotional umbrellas are desirable giveaways as these are used daily and retained for a long time. Everyone needs umbrellas and on an average a family needs atleast 4 or 5 umbrellas for their home, office , car, garage etc. So, umbrellas will never outlive its popularity as promotional items.

2. Hospitality:

Maybe one less thought of for restaurants and cafes, and seemingly standard for hotels – but promotional umbrellas, if created with a bit of innovation and creativity, are an ideal promotional item for the hospitality industry.

Modern branded umbrellas now go beyond simple logo and colour schemes of your brand. Why not include an internal map with your company location highlighted, or plaster a full size image of your business? The options really are endless, and if done well, the customised umbrella becomes a staple of the industry’s marketing strategy.

3. Finance and Insurance:

Make a seemingly ‘dry’ industry more interesting with a funky, bright, promotional umbrella! The financial or insurance industry is one where a promotional umbrella gives off a visual metaphor of client ‘protection’.

4. Education:

When it comes to schools, colleges and universities, custom branded umbrellas can be a great giveaway item or branded merchandise idea. From students walking across campus, to school events outdoors like rugby games and cricket matches, school branded umbrellas will be utilized and appreciated by many.

Here are some ideas for promotional school umbrellas:

• Teacher or parent volunteer gifts
• New student enrolment gifts
• Graduating class mementos
• Fundraising events for booster club or sports teams
• Alumni events

It’s also a good idea to stock up your college shop with merchandise like umbrellas. Especially at large colleges with campuses that require lots of walking between classes, most students don’t remember their umbrellas. You’ll notice the first day it rains, you’ll sell out pretty quickly.

5. Sporting events:

Think about the last time you went to a community sports event at your local club. Advertisements were everywhere, and companies sponsor everything from team kits to the programs. But promotional items that are practical and useful, like a branded umbrella, have so much more of an impact than just traditional banner advertisements or flyers. Custom printed umbrellas are a smart way to give punters at sporting events something tangible that they can take home and use again. An added bonus – prospects will thank you when it starts raining during a game.

Custom printed umbrellas can also be a great giveaway item for corporate sporting events like golf tournaments. They’ll impress event attendees by being both an impressive and useful giveaway item, and again, tournament players will love the fact that they can take it home and use it again the next time they hit the green.

 

These industries are just the tip of the iceberg – no matter your industry, promotional umbrellas can really bring your branding to life. The umbrella you choose will all depend on your audience, industry, and brand. Our team of brand experts can walk through these considerations, and help you choose the perfect style and customization to maximize brand activation.

 

Promotional umbrellas can for sure provide your business/brand with much recognition, providing advertisement every time they’re used. You can tailor your umbrella to effectively reach out to your desired audience. 

1. RESEARCH: Identify your target audience:

Firstly it is good to identify your target audience and know the types of customers that you receive. This can allow you to create the perfect umbrella best suited to market to these individuals and is just right for your marketing campaign. 

2. DESIGN: Design options with your target market in mind:

Custom umbrellas can be created in various models with a number of different options to make your umbrella most appealing to specific audiences. It’s key to include details that will stand out and leave audiences with your branded umbrella in mind. Considering details such as imagery, coloring, sizing and text can play a large part in what type of people you attract.  

Imagery is an eye-catching feature that allows you to include visuals that appeal and relate to your preferred audiences. You may wish to include a quotation upon your umbrella, this can be to represent your brand, inspire individuals or to get a message across. Including something audiences will read, remember and ponder on will generate much brand recognition.   

Although text may be an element that you feel is unnecessary to target your desired audience, you may find that text that is big and bold with a large and dramatic display catches the eye instantly! Or you may want to go simple and basic that markets your brands name and logo to create more recognition. Use your target market research to guide you – what do they respond best to?

3. LOCATION: Location matters:

Take into account that locations matter! The places that you visit with your umbrella can have a large impact on what types of people you attract. There are also umbrella models that are most suited for particular locations such as city umbrellas. If you find yourself often in the city and are also a business that aims to attract a range of customers or larger companies or business owners, then this the model to consider. Cities include large numbers of people and a range of businesses, a perfect location for a promotional umbrella. Large crowds and a large umbrella can result in large numbers of potential customers!  

Parasols are a model of umbrellas that can advertise your business/brand in all weathers, all year around. They are often situated in a range of locations that attract a range of different customers so placing your brand identity on a large parasol can assist you in attracting more popularity and familiarity to your business. 

Golf umbrellas are another umbrella model that are a perfect way to find potential customers and market your business/brand. Often golf courses are utilized by groups of individuals on business outings or events. This most likely including business owners or individuals in industry related fields. Golf courses are large, spacious locations that can really make your custom umbrella stand out and catch the eye of many potential customers. 

4. QUALITY AND QUANTITY:

The success rate of promotional umbrellas can simply be down to you on how effectively your promotional umbrella acts. The more your umbrella is used will provide a higher chance of potential customers. Also, don’t forget that umbrellas can be brought to bear in all types of weathers. Whether you’re in the pelting rain or beaming sun, umbrellas can provide protection in all weather conditions, providing you with the opportunity to advertise your business/brand to individuals all year round! 

Promotional products are an essential factor of any marketing strategy to drive traffic to your business, bring new leads and keep your brand in front of your target audience. More than any other form of advertising, everyday items like umbrellas are a proven item in the line of promotional product for every type of business.

Find the Best Models

Umbrellas are available in a wide range of models and colors. Choose a unique model to attract some attention for your business. Umbrellas are an ideal way to show off your brand colors, logo, and some companies even allow imagery to be printed on both sides! The bold and large canopy will let your brand be seen from all angles, and will capture the eye of the public. Umbrellas remain prominent even in busy crowds – which gives them a great visibility.

Useful gifts get a high retention rate

Umbrellas are incredibly useful. Everyone needs them to stay safe from adverse weather, and they are an item you’d be loathe to throw away.  Your brand and message imprinted on custom umbrellas essentially creates a walking billboard for your business. Think of some fun graphics that will get all eyes on to your brand. Choose Promotional umbrellas from a wide range of models and sizes to fit the needs of your clients.

High visibility

Promotional umbrellas will draw attention wherever it travels and will help your customers remember your business. Wherever you are, and whatever your industry, promotional umbrellas are a fantastic option for promotional gift items.

Versatility

Umbrellas not just tick the boxes of promotional items but make great party favors and event gifts as well. Whether you use them as  creative wedding favors, a clever fundraising items – custom umbrellas can generate a lot of interest.

Promotional umbrellas are among the most popular giveaways for any business, of varying sizes. This is because, when made well, they are the longest-kept promotional product—an average of 14 months. Each umbrella generates more than 1,300 impressions, making them a great tool for your brand.

Here are four ways—besides the obvious day-to-day uses—to use these popular, effective client and employee giveaways.

Help customers make a statement:

If your target business client is fashion conscious and likes to make a stylish statement, a carefully selected umbrella, with your logo tastefully printed, can make a perfect business gift.

Perfect Photo Op Props:

Integrate your online and offline marketing strategies by creating impactful umbrellas and starting a digital marketing campaign with clients and staff using them! Have a competition for the best, most creative photo with your umbrellas being used – this can bring life to an otherwise standard photo op for all types of customers, and this can effectively combine your online and offline brand awareness activities.

Remind clients you’re stable, consistent and trusty when in stormy weather:

Get a storm-proof and wind proof umbrella to project the right brand values for your business – a really sturdy, good quality promotional gift like this reminds your customers that you’re always there when you need them.

 

Build brand ambassadors in your employees:

Umbrellas are an incredibly flexible giveaway. Give one to each of your employees and use them to market your business for free, while showing them you care about their comfort.

Branded umbrellas are an exceptionally well-received product once gifted. They are highly likely to be passed to another user if the consumer already has a functional personal umbrella, and they are unlikely to be thrown away within a short period of time, due to the help it provides in outdoor activities. Used creatively and effectively, they provide an invaluable brand awareness tool.

Contact iBrolly to discuss your branding requirements, we’re happy to help!

 

Promotional umbrellas are a fantastic idea for a promotional product. They last a long time, and offer both form and function in one very nicely branded and wonderfully designed item. But how to make it stand out from the crowd? Here are a few tips on how to get your branded umbrella to make a lasting impact:

 

Pantone matching:

Don’t settle for a stock colour with your umbrella – ensure your exact brand colours are used to get the full brand imagery impact you’re after. (IBrolly umbrellas are screen printed to the highest quality). Make sure your chosen supplier is able to use your precise colours when printing your umbrellas.

 

Make the most of the print area:

What’s the point of investing in what can essentially be a mini billboard for your business if you are just going to print one small logo on the canvas? Ensure your branding is prominent, striking, and well placed. There are certain companies who even allow for full photo imagery printing on the outside AND inside of your umbrella. Make the most of the surface area, and make your brand stand out.

 

Choose the right umbrella for your target audience:

If your ideal customer is a wealthy, appearance driven lawyer, then a small, budget telescopic umbrella with tacky branding is probably going to end up in a cupboard (or even the bin). We have a huge range of umbrella types, and know the industry well – so talk to our advisors about what branding options and umbrella type is going to be the most effective with your target audience.

 

Use imagery to make an impact:

Patterns, photos, striking images – these can surprise and delight any potential or existing customer. Add high quality images where appropriate to your umbrellas to stand out from your competitors and make your umbrellas more aesthetically fashionable.

 

 The devil’s in the detail:

Create the perception of attention to detail by branding unexpected areas of your umbrella – the handle, umbrella shaft, lining, and the tie wrap are just some unique areas that you can add your logo to on an umbrella.

 

 Don’t forget the packaging:

Speaking of detail, don’t forget to think about your umbrella packaging when you are designing your umbrella! Aluminium tubes give off a sense of sophistication, where a plastic case can also give off a lasting impression. We also offer postal tube printing which is ideal for larger umbrellas, like golf umbrellas and city walkers. Our printable postal tubes are an ideal opportunity to protect your clients’ umbrella whilst in transit and promote your brand at the same time.

 

With a bit of thought and detail, customisable umbrellas are an incredibly flexible giveaway for your clients and even your employees. Get in touch with one of our team today to discuss your options and needs.

 

When it comes to your marketing strategy, and particularly brand awareness, we know how important promotional products can be. As more and more businesses have moved online, it may seem that the need for promotional products has become less relevant in favour of social media campaigns and other online tactics. However, that means that the opposite can now make you stand out all the more. There is nothing more important than personalization in your marketing at the moment, and investing in personalized marketing helps companies stand out from the crowd.

1. Branded products increase brand loyalty:

In a world where choices are ever increasing, building a following around your brand is even more important. Brand loyalty can often be the deciding factor in whether a person buys from your business or someone else. One way in which you can encourage brand loyalty is through sending corporate gifts. A promotional gift which is useful is even more likely to increase brand support, and create trust.

2. Low-Cost Repeat Brand Marketing:

A digital ad on social media or a search engine is digested in a few seconds. An email is easily deleted. Physical branded products, however, last far longer. Useful products, such as pens, umbrellas, or torches, are something your customer is more likely to hold on to, and use. Every time a promotional product is used, it builds the potential for more people to gain awareness of your business. You’ve only made the initial investment in the product, but the return on the investment just keep going for days, weeks, or even years as items stay in use.

3. Create brand ambassadors in your employees:

It’s definitely not just your customers who will appreciate branded products. A strong brand identity through promotional items in the workplace can build staff loyalty – and even make them excited about the company vision, mission and values. Having staff who are proud to show off their place in a business, is a great way to help build employee motivation and teamwork – not to mention improve your free marketing opportunities.

4. Develop a Reputation for Quality:

Choosing cheap promotional items is fine for quick wins at exhibitions and an everyday handout. Everyone loves something free and will pick up free branded keyrings or pens for their desk. But a meaningful, high quality gift has a longer lifetime value, is more likely to get used, and will create an air of quality and professionalism around your brand.

For more information about our product selection, feel free to get in touch.