Welcome to my 2024 unbiased promotional products trends guide!
I don’t know why all the guides out here are misleading. Or OUTRIGHT click baits.
This isn’t one of them, I promise…
I’m a serial eCommerce entrepreneur with 10 years of experience. I’ve been offering promotional items for the past 7 years. And I’ll clearly tell you what works based on my experience. So you enjoy HIGH PROFIT margins for your business.
In this guide, I’ll cover how to spot promotional product trends. BEST-SELLING promotional products to sell in 2024 and their benefits.
Let’s jump right in…
- How to Find Promotional Product Trends for Your Online Business?
- Top 8 Promotional Product Trends for 2024
- 1. Eco-friendly Promotional Items
- 2. Fitness Gear
- 3. Wireless Tech Products
- 4. Office Safety Items
- 5. Virtual/Hybrid Event Gifts
- 6. Pet Items
- 7. Outdoor and Leisure Products
- 8. Full Custom Products
- Benefits of Promotional Products
- People Also Ask About Promotional Products Trends
- What’s Next
- Do you want a successful import business?
How to Find Promotional Product Trends for Your Online Business?
I use these proven tactics to find the RIGHT promotional products ALL THE TIME.
1. Identify your Target Audience
This is the BEST way to find promotional products to sell online.
Ask yourself the hard questions:
- Who are you creating these products for?
- Where do they hang out? Is it on social media platforms, malls, parks, etc?
- Where do they live?
I know it sounds a bit cliche. But answering these helps you tailor your items to suit whoever you are targeting.
2. Google Trends – you can’t go wrong with this!
Ever heard of the term: “Google is your friend”? ABSOLUTELY! Google Trends helps you spot rising trends in the promotional product industry.
Let’s say you are in the fashion industry. You want to find the trending products to sell in this category.
Hit up Google Trends on your browser. Search for Custom Journals or Personalized Journals.
Assuming those are our search keywords, Google Trends shows:
We can see that there’s a steady demand for promotional journals based on search interest. Hence, you can stock custom journals to sell online.
MY TIPS. Compare Google Trends data for different results. To settle on one trend that is FAST rising.
Also, filter your results by region. That will help you spot demand for certain promo products in different regions.
3. Engaging in Online Forums and Communities
Being an active member in an online forum can give you insights into profitable promo items.
You get to interact with gurus in your industry. Who prolly have more knowledge and expertise.
And the best part?
They are 100% FREE.
Remember to participate in discussions. Share your expertise. And be polite to EVERYONE.
Don’t just join a forum and mute all notifications (I stopped that!). Also, gather feedback from “hot” topics and analyze findings. That way, you find the BEST promotional products that guarantee HIGH RETURNS.
Don’t know where to start? Here’s my Facebook Page where I share the HOTTEST product trend in the industry.
Next up…
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Top 8 Promotional Product Trends for 2024
Here’s a quick break-down if you are in a hurry:
These are four promotional items that GUARANTEE quick returns
- Eco-friendly promotional products – include reusable water bottles. Bamboo products. Or shopping bags.
- Fitness gear – gym bags, shaker bottles, etc
- Office Safety Items – Masks, logo-printed hand sanitizers, etc
- Wireless Tech – branded earpods, custom USB cables, etc
Others include:
- Full custom products – personalized calendars, custom mugs and tumblers
- Promotional apparel – self-explanatory
- Virtual or Hybrid Event Giveaways – Bluetooth speakers and headphones
- Outdoor & Leisure Items – picnic blankets, hammocks, etc
Don’t listen to the “Fake” e-commerce gurus. These promotional products are in HIGH DEMAND. And will help you scale your own eCommerce store to six figure…sorry, seven figures and BEYOND.
Now, let’s get to the nitty gritties of each item. And why you should stock them in your online stores.
1. Eco-friendly Promotional Items
Environmental sustainability isn’t just BIG in the eCommerce business.
But man…everyone is “woke” on pushing for eco-friendly practices these days. From social media, office spaces, grocery stores, and restaurants. Heck, even Drake knows the drill:
These promotional products help you stand out from the crowd in a huge way. And attracts eco-conscious/health-conscious consumers. You don’t have to stress about spending thousands of $$ on influencer marketing. EVER.
Also…
They improve business credibility by showcasing your brand’s commitment to sustainability. Consequently improving brand loyalty.
Here are some of my favorite eco-friendly promotional product ideas include:
- Bamboo fiber lunch box
- Recycled computer backpack
- Reusable bottles
- A4 recycled notepad
- Eco bags
- Recycled paper postcards
…the list is ENDLESS.
Just so you know, 81% of consumers are more attracted to eco-friendly items. Hence, they are likely to keep your promotional item way LONGER. Improving brand exposure and EXPLODING your sales.
2. Fitness Gear
Everyone is keeping fit these days. In fact, the fitness industry is now valued at a whopping $21.8 billion.
This means that the number of gyms and fitness centers is set to shoot up this year. Keep rising STEADILY for the coming decades.
Gifting gym enthusiast promotional items is a GREAT way to attract customers. Enjoy consistently high-profit margins for your eCommerce stores.
Here’s why…
If you are in the fitness industry, gym-goers are a PERFECT target market. That’s because they are already interested in fitness or health-awareness activities.
Hence, possibility to make immediate sales.
Again, it provides brand exposure since gym guys (or ladies) are likely to use your accessories. During their workouts. Consistent brand exposure makes you the No.1 choice. Especially when they need products related to your industry.
Common fitness promotional trending products include:
- Fitness towels
- Yoga mats and carrying case🧘
- Jump ropes
- Exercise bands
- Water bottles
- Duffel bags
3. Wireless Tech Products
These are my favorite, HANDS DOWN.
In my old age, I’ve come to the realization that tech products aren’t gadgets. These are your BIGGEST brand ambassadors.
Why?
I can recall by name every brand I remember from those branded headphones. Or USB cables I’ve been getting from attending tech events.
To cut the long story short, you’ll notice a significant increase in your online sales. By offering wireless products. That’s just it!
Some of the top promotional product trends in this category include:
- Wireless Headphones
- Wireless Power Banks
- Wireless Charging Pads
- Wireless Mouse
- Wireless Speakers
So, why am I pushing for wireless products?
EVERYTHING IS DONE ONLINE, GUYSS!
From virtual meetings, conferences, product launches, and trade shows, NAME IT!
Making life easier for online users brings potential clients to your store. Drive sales TREMENDOUSLY.
4. Office Safety Items
I know, I said everything is done online. But hold your horses…they’re still guys who prefer the “traditional” office setup.
I’m talking about CEOs, CFOs, CTOs, COOs, and other employees. These are good potential customers. And we ought to get them something to boost their morale too!
I am thinking of promo items like hand sanitizers, desk cable organizers, or stress balls. Just get creative and offer items that are IRRESISTIBLE.
MY TIPS. Think outside the box! Yes, offering a good sanitizer is good. But every seller is already offering that. A good promo item would be something like Digital Thermometers. (that gets employees to monitor their health while working). Or safety message board cubes.
5. Virtual/Hybrid Event Gifts
I’ve been attending virtual events for as long as I can remember. They connect attendees with sponsors and exhibitors. Plus, they are cheaper than live events, which makes them PACKED!
Some of the promo items in this product category include. Bluetooth speakers and headphones. Custom t-shirts. Or branded journals.
These giveaways are important for:
- Improve customer interactions
- Creating brand awareness
- Increased interest in your brand
I like giveaways because they make customers feel they are valued. Imagine getting a gift for just watching a presentation. Sign me up, please!
It also strengthens customer relationships. Set you up for success in the eCommerce space.
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6. Pet Items
Pet products have been in high demand for the past few years.
I’m a pet lover, and I would go to lengths to make my Mei happy.
IMO, I think pet owners will likely buy from a brand that cares for their dog’s well-being. And what’s a better way than to offer free custom pet first aid kits?
Other promotional items include:
- Pet Water Bottles
- Pet Adoption Kits
- Pet Tote Bags
- Pet Shampoo or Grooming Products
Make pet enthusiasts happy. Watch how they flock to your shop for the latest pet items in stock. You can’t lose!
7. Outdoor and Leisure Products
There’s nothing that beats the tranquility of chilling at the sandy beaches in the Caribbean. Sipping your Piña colada. (For me, that’s as good as life gets!).
Well-through-out travel products are likely to make the adventure/vacation worthwhile.
I’m not just talking about that travel towel you leave at your hotel. Or that oily sunscreen you wear before stepping out to the beach. NO.
Don’t get me wrong…these are GREAT promotional items.
But if I am to be 100% honest with you, most brands are probably doing that. So, you can outshine them by offering customized hammocks. Customized picnic grills. Picnic blanket. Or foldable and portable chairs with cooler compartments. Pretty awesome, right?
These products might just be your secret recipe to hitting that six-figure-a-month profit.
8. Full Custom Products
Lastly, we have customized items.
I like custom products because it shows that a business values me as a customer. Not just a statistic. Hence improving relationships and trust.
And the statistics are grim. 70% of consumers say that personalization is likely to win their loyalty. While 80% of companies noticed an upward trend. Since they started personalizing their products.
Custom products can be anything, for instance:
- Custom wearable blankets
- Tailor-made bags and backpacks with your printed logo
- Personalized calendars – with images and messages that represent your values
- Custom-made mugs and tumblers – for hot or cold beverages
…and that’s not even an exhaustive list.
Offering customized promotional items will beat Google Ads any day. That’s because customers feel valued. And tapping into their emotions guarantees repeated sales.
Remember, your full custom product should be HIGH QUALITY. Don’t decide to cut on costs and give customers WACK A** items.
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Benefits of Promotional Products
Since I started using promotional products, here are a few things I noticed:
Customer Loyalty
I ALWAYS collected feedback from my customers. One thing that has stood out is that customers feel appreciated. Yes, they want EXCELLENT products and services.
However, offering promotional products gives me an edge over my competitors. My customers keep coming back for more purchases.
Save on Marketing Costs
My marketing costs have GREATLY reduced. In the beginning, I would spend thousands of dollars on Google Ads. That has TREMENDOUSLY decreased since I started offering promotional products.
What’s the secret?
SIMPLE!
Promotional products act as traditional business cards. Just with much better results!
Increased Brand Exposure
Picture this…
A YouTube Ad passes your eyes a few seconds each time a day. Oh, and BTW, most people can’t wait to hit the “skip ad” button.
However, customers will wear your promotional apparel to the mall. Outdoor events. Restaurant. Or even hospitals. This isn’t just for one day; they probably wear it four times a week. Which increases exposure for your business. And brings in thousands of new customers.
NOTE. These are just a fraction of the benefits. You can get the FULL benefits in my detailed guide.
People Also Ask About Promotional Products Trends
1. Do Promo Items really work?
Yes, 100%.
Promotional items guarantee high ROIs for most businesses.
The only catch is that your promotional product MUST be useful to the customer.
2. What are the most useful promotional items?
This is quite tricky!
That’s because one promo item is useful to one customer. Might not be useful to another.
However, some of the most useful promo items for the majority of users include. Custom pens, power banks, USB flash drives, and reusable water bottles.
3. Where can I get clients that require promotional items?
A good place to start is by pitching huge corporations that have upcoming events. There are HIGH CHANCES that there will be a lot of attendees. Hence, your promo items will boost your brand exposure.
Also, approach businesses that have huge advertising campaigns (promoting a new product). These companies need promo items to give away as part of their campaigns.
What’s Next
Promotional items are a perfect marketing tool. For anyone looking to take their business to the next level. Especially for newbies who are struggling to maintain consistent profits.
They increase your brand exposure, sales, and improve your customer relationships.
And they are quite affordable too…
You start your promotional items campaigns with less than $500. Enjoy MASSIVE profits in just a few months.
Just remember to be creative with the promotional product you are offering. Ensure it provides MAXIMUM value to the recipient.
Do you want help finding your next promotional item?
PERFECT! Contact us at any of our service pages. Our customer representatives will be in touch IMMEDIATELY.
Leeline Sourcing will help you find the HOTTEST promotional item on the market today. Build a successful sales funnel. Guide you towards six-figure success!
Related Resources
Ecommerce Business Guide
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