Why Pens are Awesome Promotional Products.

Last month was Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Halloween. We juggled wearing pink and orange and deciding between Panera Bread’s pumpkin muffins and Pink Ribbon bagels. (Tip: Pumpkin spice latte and pumpkin muffin at the same time is way too much pumpkin.) We have another fun double month – November is No-Shave November and Novel Writing Month. So while I decide to choose to battle my boyfriend over shaving or engagement plans, I have no problem connecting this month’s other theme to my position at Gold Bond Inc: Pens. Why pens? Before computers and before typewriters authors were using pen and paper to write their stories.

Even with all the iPhones, iPads, Siris, note taking devices, and recorders, we are still using pens. Personally, I love the way the ink flows out of the pen and sinks into the paper. The paper is white, then suddenly oozing in black or blue. Needless to say, my favorite pens are super glides and gel pens.

Okay, so that’s the function of a pen and my obsession but what does this all have to do with the promotional product industry? Really, I just want to take a look at the simple-ness of a pen and how it expands a brand. Everyone is using pens. Everyone. Not everyone needs a mug or a water bottle; men usually don’t respond to hand mirrors and women aren’t always fond of key chains.

Pens are a very large species of promotional items. Pens sit at low ends and high ends of the cost spectrum, come in a variety of colors with grips and no grips, and write in a range of colors as well. There is a pen out there that can be pad printed, screen printed, or laser printed with your logo in full color or one color. Such a simple device, pens are bought, given and shared because everyone needs a writing instrument at some point. Pens are an easy hand out and way to transcend barriers. A small simple item is great for any business on any budget.

Pens stick around for awhile and interact with many people and moments. Even when pens are lost, when they are found a new connection is made. Several weeks ago I read an article in an industry magazine from last year. In it, two agents from two different companies realized both had planned the same vacation in the same spots months apart. The first agent agreed to place their company’s pen in a secret location at one of the spots for the second agent to find. The second agent did not find the pen when he arrived. Instead, someone else came along and was exposed to the pen. Can you imagine the person who found the pen calling the agent?

Pens are pretty much the perfect promotional product. Don’t you think?

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