Promotional products and promotional items are a tool that most companies enjoy using to promote their business. However, if you constantly have massive quantities of promotional pens or promotional mugs in your storage closet, you might not be using your promotional products to their full potential. You've paid for these items, so why not make them work for you? Here are five tips on how to make the most of your promotional products and business gifts:

• Carry them with you. It doesn't matter if you're going on a business trip to Japan or taking your daughter to softball practice-always keep a few small promotional products in your purse or pocket. You never know when the opportunity will present itself to pitch your idea to a potential client or investor, and more often than not, people find themselves without so much as a business car to hand out. By keeping a few of your promotional products and promotional items with you, you'll always be prepared.

• Don't order more than you need. Although many advertising promotional products are fairly inexpensive, there's no need to buy in super-large quantities. If you want to buy in bulk, that's fine, but try to budget for no more than 6 months to a year's worth of promotional products at any one time. Why? In that 6-12 month time period, your phone number could change, your company could merge with another company, or you may invest in a new website. You don't want to have boxes of obsolete promotional products and corporate gifts simply because a few things are now incorrectly printed on them.

• Think of promotional products and corporate gifts as a branding technique. Sure, promotional products are free give-a-ways for the most part. However, don't miss this chance to brand your business or organisation. Your promotional products should be recognizable yours, even if someone can't read your name on them. Include your company's logo and signature colors, and then don't waste time handing out these items!

• Make sure your employees make use of the promotional products. When you order promotional products and advertising gifts, have a short discussion with your employees about them. You'll need to cover when they should hand them out, where extras will be stored, and who will be offered the items. You can't do everything yourself, so make sure that your staff understand the policy about giving away promotional products.

• When in doubt, hand them out. Do you constantly find yourself meeting with clients and wondering if they have one of your promotional keyrings or printed mouse mats? When you simply don't know, offer the item! Most people who've already received a promotional product will respectfully decline, but even if they don't, that product will be put to good use. The idea behind promotional products is that they are cheap and easy to give away, so make sure that you aren't being too stingy with them!

For additional information on advertising promotional products, promotional items and marketing business gifts check out the leading promotional gift suppliers online today!