Buzz Worthy
Archive for December, 2011
3 Steps to Improving Your Company Web Site
0505 days
by Brandon
in Brand Strategy
In this digital age, it’s almost impossible to sustain a successful business without having a presence online. And the most important starting point for building that presence is to have a company Web site. If you haven’t yet created a Web site for your organization, or if you’re just looking for ways to improve your site, you’ll want to check out the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI)’s latest YouTube video: “How to Improve Your Company’s Website – Counselor’s How-To Minute.”
ASI’s Dave Vagnoni has a few tips on improving your Web site. Here’s a quick summary of Vagnoni’s points:
1. Make your page faster
If it takes too long for potential customers to load your Web site, you may lose them before they’ve even seen your products. To keep your page as fast as possible, remove large photos and files. One resource for testing your Web site’s speed is Pingdom.com — it measures your Web page’s components.
2. Provide special services
What sets you apart from your competition? Offer services such as online chat, a unique search, etc.
3. Optimize your site for mobile devices
Almost everyone has a smartphone today, meaning that often times people will be accessing your content from their mobile devices. How does your Web site look on a cell phone? Reformat and code your site’s information so that it will also fit on a smartphone screen.
Watch ASI’s video below, and you’ll be one step closer to making your company’s Web site even better!
Why Join ASI?
0508 days
The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI)’s Web site boasts that members “get group buying-power on products and services” that will help build their businesses. But there’s really so much more to it. Check out ASI’s latest YouTube video which outlines the benefits of joining ASI:
The testimonials really say a lot about how ASI promotes success among promotional items distributors and suppliers. From helping organizations to be mobile to providing the tools necessary to exceed customers’ needs, ASI allows members to stay ahead of their competition. If you haven’t yet looked into an ASI membership, now’s the time!
ASI Ugly Sweater Contest
0512 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Items
Face it: It wouldn’t be the holidays without some ridiculously ugly sweaters. In the past, they’ve been reserved for grandparents and fashion victims.
But awful holiday knitwear has actually become cool; many people take part in ugly sweater parties, contests, and more. This year, the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI)’s Editorial Department held an ugly holiday sweater competition of its own. Let’s take a look at some of the nominees:
Those are some pretty foul-looking sweaters! To view the full list of nominees and to cast your vote for the ugliest, click here. Thanks for the laugh, guys!
What’ll be Trending in 2012?
0516 days
It’s hard to believe it’s already December 19; where did the year go? 2011 has surely had its ups and downs. But now’s your chance to be ahead of the curve and take a peek at what’ll be trending in 2012.
According to the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), there are five trends that will impact the promotional products industry over the course of the year. Let’s take a look at what they are:
1. Local Elections
2. Altering Buying Habits
3. Brand Focus
4. Fierce Competition and Pricing
5. Emphasis on Customer Service
Do you agree with ASI’s predictions? Share your thoughts below!
The Joe Show Presents New Products!
0519 days
We love the Advertising Specialty Institute’s The Joe Show – Joe’s always got a great group of products to show off. The latest episode is no exception! Check out the video below, in which Joe gives us a look at friendship bracelets, watches, and more!
The great thing about The Joe Show is that Joe gives you ideas for how to appeal to specific audiences. For example, Joe asserts that friendship bracelets and watches will be popular among “teens, tweens, and early twenty-somethings.” It’s always important to have an idea about who your giveaways will be aimed at!
Distributors: Will You Use ESP Mobile?
0523 days
If you’re a distributor, you’ve probably worked with ESP Web before. According to the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), ESP allows distributors to have a real competitive advantage. It allows salespeople to search through hundreds of thousands of products find exactly the right item for their clients.
According to a media release distributed today by ASI, the highly useful tool will soon be available on mobile devices. When will users get to download the new application? The media release reports that “ASI will introduce ESP Mobile to the industry during demonstrations at the ASI Show in Orlando January 16-18.” Furthermore, a version that’s formatted for the iPad will be available in March.
President and CEO of ASI said that ESP Mobile is the future of the promotional products industry. According to Andrews, the app “is incredibly fast and provides the same great search functionality as ESP Web. It not only allows you to search hundreds of thousands of products; it offers detailed info on suppliers as well. It’s like having a walking industry directory right at your fingertips.”
What do you think — will you make use of ESP Mobile for product research?
Are You On Twitter? 3 Steps To Success
0526 days
by Brandon
in Brand Strategy
If you’re in the promtional products industry, chances are you utilize a variety of social networking platforms to reach your customers. But are you using them to their fullest potential? Check out the video below in which Counselor magazine’s Dave Vagnoni shares tips on how to succeed with Twitter:
To summarize, Dave’s got three steps to success:
1. Ask & Answer — Engage customers and potential customers by asking questions. Don’t forget to acknowledge and respond to mentions, too!
2. Market & Search — You can use Twitter to share your blog posts, upcoming events, and more.
3. Follow Poeple that Matter — Follow people in the industries you’re looking to work with, and create a network!
These are some really fantastic tips. Have any others you’d add? Share your thoughts!
BREAKING NEWS: ASI Spectrum Catalog Already a Hit
0529 days
Despite huge advancements in the digital world over the past decade, print media are still extremely effective. An Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) media release distributed today reports that the institute has already sold almost 300,000 copies of its highly-anticipated 2012 Spectrum catalogue.
According to Timothy M. Andrews, ASI President and CEO, “…Studies show that catalogs work and, in fact, 91% of the time, recipients take action as a result of something they noticed in a catalog, with nearly half buying a product.” Andrews attributes this year’s already exceptional feedback to the catalogue’s wide array of products.
The catalogue, ASI reports, is filled with a large amount of items throughout 26 categories such as computer accessories, travel and health and beauty. Through purchasing the catalogue, distributors have access to fun and inexpensive items under $1 as well as to more upscale products such as leather iPad covers. These giveaways and more are all featured in ASI‘s “digest-size catalog” which gives “you the ability to satisfy a variety of your customers’ needs.”
Spectrum offers over 500 products from more than 100 top-notch suppliers, 65 of the year’s best sellers, specially-marked, free shipping, and much more! For a free sample look at the 2012 Spectrum catalogue, click here.
McDonald’s Avoids Toy Ban with 10 Cent Charge
0533 days
“Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years.” That’s according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And in an attempt to fight childhood obesity, on Thursday the San Francisco legislature put into effect a ban on the distribution of promotional toys with high-calorie meals. But fast food chains are already fighting back.
According to the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), “the law states that promotional toys (like those included in meals at establishments such as McDonald’s and Burger King) can’t be given away with kids’ meals that exceed 600 calories or lack fruit or vegetables.” But here’s the catch: the regulation only applies to toys that are handed out for free.
That’s why some San Francisco McDonald’s are now asking for a 10 cent donation with each Happy Meal in order to get the kids their toys. ASI reports that the proceeds will be used to build an updated Ronald McDonald House at the UCSF Hospital.
What do you think — should McDonald’s keep skirting the toy ban, or should it comply with the new law for the sake of children’s health?