With promotional items there are standards: t-shirts, mugs, note cubes, calendars, magnets and keychains. Then, there is the really creative. Sometimes with a specific campaign, you may want to go above and beyond and really start a buzz about your company.

This is not to say that creativity always costs more money. In fact, a really cheap promotional item can go a long way if the right message is attached. For example, the first idea stems from a friend of mine who worked at a career school. She is ever so quirky and wanted to create a fun item for an upcoming career fair.

Backscratchers

Whose back doesn't itch? That's when Donna came up with the idea to get backscratchers printed with this saying: "Itchin' for a new career?" and then the school's name. Her boss through she was brilliant and approved the item. The idea was fun and simple, and it worked. People circled around the gymnasium carrying bags full of literature and actively scratching their backs. It helped that her booth also was giving away some bigger items that required people to fill out entry blanks, which kept people at the table longer. The item caught on, that everyone wanted one, even those from competing schools and businesses.

This idea can be applied to any type of industry:

Mortgage/Real Estate- "Itchin' for a new home?"

Car- "Itchin for a new car?"

Lawn care- "Itchin' for greener grass?"

The list is endless- just insert your product after itchin'!

Chocolate Bars

There are many candy companies that will print any message you'd like on a candy bar. Unlike other items, this is one that will not last long. However, the item is still memorable. Try putting the message, "The sweet smell of success?." on it and tie it in to what you are offering. They actually will get to taste is as well, which could also be a way to write your message. ("Are you tasting success?") Either way, this is something that everyone will enjoy and is sure to get a call of thanks. (Just make sure they aren't allergic!)

Umbrellas

You will be graciously thanked for saving a hairstyle and new blouse when one of your clients remembers that the umbrella you gave her is under your seat. This is one item that is sure to save the day, as well as keep your logo literally in front of dozens or hundreds of people- depending on where the user is walking! Or perhaps one of your clients will keep it in his golf bag, and if it rains while on the course, other golfers will get a peak at your message as well. Some promotional items fair well just sitting somewhere, but an umbrella is something that can be used for years to come. I once got an umbrella for signing up for a newspaper subscription- and this was one of those nice big golf umbrellas- and I still have it! (It had the paper's name and comic strip characters all over it.) Umbrellas fan out to be pretty big, which means ample space to display your logo and message! There are mini-fold up umbrellas up to larger golf umbrellas. (And, there are even hat umbrellas!) An umbrella is also a form of protection, so companies with a protection-theme (insurance, security, healthcare, etc.) could get extra mileage out of this.

These are just three unique ideas that maybe you never thought of. There are many more creative ideas out there to make your promotional item be effective and stand out from the rest!

Cindy Carrera is a freelance creative author who's written numerous articles about PR including: business promotional items, custom promotional products and wholesale promotional items.