There are promotional products sitting forgotten in desk drawers all over Britain. Others probably went straight into the bin.
Then there are promotional products people actually want to keep.
That difference matters.
If you're spending money putting your company name on merchandise, surely it makes sense to choose something customers will genuinely use?
That's where promotional umbrellas have a considerable advantage.
Useful Beats Disposable
Think about some of the promotional merchandise you've received over the years.
How much of it do you still own?
A good quality branded umbrella is different because it solves a genuine problem. When the heavens open and there's an umbrella sitting in the car, office or hallway, nobody cares that it was originally a promotional gift.
They're simply pleased to have it.
And when they open it, your company logo goes with them.
Your Advertising Leaves the Office
This is where promotional umbrellas become particularly interesting.
A branded mug might be used hundreds of times, but generally remains in the same kitchen. An umbrella travels.
It can appear outside railway stations, on high streets, at sporting events, outside hotels, on golf courses and during the morning commute.
A large promotional golf umbrella provides an especially impressive branding area.
Instead of a tiny logo on a small promotional product, you've potentially got several square feet of highly visible canopy moving through a crowd.
That's difficult to achieve with many other forms of branded merchandise.
Don't Just Print a Logo
Modern printed umbrellas also offer far more creative freedom than businesses sometimes realise.
You could choose a canopy that closely matches your corporate colours, print several panels or create something significantly more ambitious with a full-canopy design.
That opens up some interesting possibilities.
A drinks company could create an umbrella resembling its packaging. An estate agent could use its distinctive brand colours. A hotel might prefer understated black umbrellas with elegant white branding.
The objective isn't necessarily to make the loudest umbrella possible.
It's to create one people want to carry.
Quality Matters
There's another consideration that shouldn't be overlooked.
Your promotional merchandise represents your business.
Give somebody a flimsy product that breaks almost immediately and it doesn't create a particularly positive impression.
Choose a quality umbrella with a strong frame, attractive canopy and professional printing and you've created something with genuine perceived value.
Better still, it could potentially remain in use for years.
Every rainy day then creates another opportunity for your branding to be seen.
Promotional Merchandise That Earns Its Place
Before ordering your next batch of promotional products, ask one simple question:
Would I actually want one of these?
At Promotional Umbrellas, we specialise in branded umbrellas in the UK, with options ranging from cost-effective promotional models and compact folding umbrellas to substantial storm-resistant golf umbrellas and spectacular full-canopy printed designs.
We can also help with artwork and choosing the most appropriate umbrella and print method for your campaign.
Because promotional merchandise shouldn't be something you give away simply because everybody else does.
It should be useful.
It should represent your business properly.
And, most importantly, it should be worth keeping.