Companies and organizations have a lot of options available to them when it comes to advertising and marketing. From television spots to newspaper adverts, the choices are certainly not limited. When a double bonus is desired for the expenditure, promotional gifts can pay off. Many can keep on doing so.

Promotional items don't necessarily have to cost a lot to have a very big impact. From promotional polo shirts to clocks, bags and other similar merchandise, just about any well thought out and designed choice can get the job done.

So, how do promotional gifts deliver a double bonus?

The appreciation factor is a very important feature of promotional items. Even very small promotional products like logo pens can be greatly appreciated by recipients. More expensive and elaborate promotional gifts like jackets, clocks, private label champagne and so on can also have this bonus by showing customers and would-be customers they are valued by a company or organization.

When recipients of promotion gift items enjoy, appreciate or find a particular item useful, they not only take notice of the merchandise given to them, but also the giver. This can result in very positive feelings toward a company or organisation. It can also help develop lasting relationships. Loyalty leads to word-of-mouth advertising and repeat business. These things are the lifeblood for any company or organization.

In addition to giving customers something they appreciate, promotional gifts can also deliver a second and very valuable bonus. Since most promotional items display a company, product or organization's logo and/or slogans, they can also be extremely effective marketing tools. Even the most discreet designs tend to be noticed by recipients and others around them.

Depending on the promotional gifts selected, the marketing benefits can include such things as:

* Visibility - Promotion gifts that are meant to be displayed, worn or used in public can have a high level of visibility. This means they will not only serve to please recipients, but they can also "sell" others by default. This is an effective way to gain mileage from expenditures.

* Longevity - Some promotional merchandise items can have very long anticipated life spans. From promotional calendar products that are meant to stick around for at least a full year to promotional jackets that can be worn year in and year out, they deliver a marketing benefit that lasts.

* Cost effectiveness - Promotional gifts can be extremely cost effective based on the benefits they deliver. Even something small and relatively inexpensive, but incredibly useful, like logo pens can have a ripple effect when it comes to marketing.

Selecting the right promotion materials to give out as gifts can be a little daunting. To make sure a good selection is made, consider such things as budget, the desired message and the audience in question.

Promotional gifts can work very well to build up a company, organization, product or service. When a way to show appreciation to clients or would-be clients is needed, but marketing is also important, the right gifts will perform and even tackle double duty with no problem at all.