Rainy Day Branding: Smart Campaigns with Branded Umbrellas
There are endless items you can use to brand your business, so why not consider promotional umbrellas? Consider umbrellas with company logo in the brand’s colors, and customers will remember you… on a rainy day.
Why Umbrellas Make Smart Promotional Tools
Custom umbrellas cost more than pencils, koozies, and other promotional materials. So why are they smart branding tools? The Washington Post shows that even protestors are using umbrellas to convey messages!
Here are several other reasons to use them for branding:
Visible: Think about when you carry an open umbrella. It’s visible, right? Everyone around you on the busy streets, at outdoor events, or anywhere else will see the umbrella and the logo you have placed on it.
Durable: Umbrellas aren’t something people have to buy on a regular basis. They last for a long time and hold up well against weather conditions. Since most people have the same umbrella around for years, your brand gets a high return on your investment as far as exposure goes.
Useful/Practical: Umbrellas are practical, useful items that everyone needs at some point or another. You can customize them to suit your brand. Add the logo, colors, and design, and the practical gift becomes a great marketing tool.
Versatile: People whip umbrellas out in the rain, but also to block the sun or shield from the wind. They are versatile in their uses and can be designed in any manner.
Associative: When someone receives and uses an umbrella from your company, it can help them associate positive feelings with you. Well-made items that last for a long time and are useful give customers feelings of gratitude and loyalty towards your company.
Ideal Campaign Settings for Branded Umbrellas
Branded umbrellas don’t have to be of the small, hand-held variety. They can also be larger and set up in ideal locations to brand your company in just the right way. Consider some of these events and settings for your larger branded umbrellas.
Outdoor Seating at Restaurants: Restaurants that share your brand’s image are a great location for a branded umbrella to provide shade and relaxation for customers.
Sports Events: There are many sports events that don’t have a lot of shade. Place your branded umbrellas off to the sides during soccer games, baseball games, tennis matches, and other sporting events, and those who get hot will be grateful to your company for the respite from the heat.
Parks: Parks, playground areas, and picnic spots can have a lot of sun. That means high heat on some days. Umbrellas with your logo allow for comfortable, shady spots.
Fairs: Get attention at events that attract crowds, like farmers’ markets, concerts, and street fairs.
High-Traffic Areas: High-traffic areas always need more shade; whether it’s a bus stop or tourist attraction, umbrellas help.
Design Tips for Maximum Impact
Before you spend money on branded umbrellas, it’s smart to design them to work perfectly. The New York Times lists the best umbrellas, and quality is important. There’s no use in wasting funds on something that won’t have the impact you want.
Here are items to consider:
Logo Placement: There’s no point in having a branded umbrella for your company if you can’t see the logo! Place the logo where it will be most visible.
Keep the Brand Consistent: In anything you do, you need to keep your brand consistent. That means choosing umbrella and text colors that go along with your brand.
Keep it Simple: Simple is often best. If you choose a pattern that is too busy, the cluttered look loses its impact.
Integrating Umbrellas into Seasonal Campaigns
Umbrellas work well at many times of the year, but not every day of the week, all year round. It might be best for your company’s budget to integrate them into seasonal campaigns. If you are located in a rainy region, you know when the rains usually hit and when the weather is dry. Place an order for branded umbrellas to hand out during those rainy portions of the year. Customers appreciate the gesture more when they use the branded item right away. And, with umbrellas, they will use them in the future as well.
Weatherproofing Your Marketing Message
Your marketing message doesn’t have to be for sunny days only. It’s actually a good idea to weather-proof your brand and ensure customers know you are there for them in the good times and the bad. Umbrellas are a perfect symbol of that idea. They help shade you from the sun and keep you dry from the rain.
In conclusion
There are plenty of marketing options available for your brand, including customizable items like umbrellas. Customized umbrellas are a good fit if you want something unique, useful, creative, and high-quality. While pencils and pens are inexpensive promotional items, umbrellas last longer and are more appreciated, which brings brand loyalty your way. Take care with the design to ensure your brand is consistent and stands out.
