Bulky catalogs. Endless web searches for marketing items. Researching the best promotional items for your target audience. Yes, you could use your time scouring through bulky catalogs and chasing down your best pricing on promotional products online. But, that costs you time, and what if you aren’t sure what products would be best for what you are trying to accomplish?

An experienced promotional consultant will help answer your questions — even those you might not think of or didn’t know you should ask. He or she will help you create a program that will get you results, save you time, and conserve dollars for additional marketing strategies.

Here are 10 reasons why you should consider using a professional promotional consultant.

#1: Promotional consultants do more than push products.

Successful promotional campaigns don’t happen by chance. To realize goals and achieve results, promotional programs must be carefully planned, taking into consideration the audience, budget and, of course, the ultimate result to be gained. Yes, you can buy a product anywhere, but an experienced promotional consultant partners with you to solve problems, plan programs, and get results.

#2: Professional promotional consultants have access to vast product research resources, including an extensive database which contains more than 700,000 quality products.

Yes, you can find a mug online, but a promotional consultant can find HUNDREDS of mugs, in a multitude of colors, sizes, shapes, materials, designs, etc. Have you saved money if you purchase mugs that are not the right color? Is it worth the extra savings if you get mugs that break due to inferior quality?

#3: Promotional consultants are in tune with the latest trends, including hot items and the newest products.

Many online services show you the products they want to sell; a qualified promotional consultant will listen to what you want and help you find the right product for your needs. A qualified promotional consultant can add creativity, innovation, and imagination to your overall program to achieve your desired goals.

#4: Your promotional consultant is more than just a salesperson.

Chances are you will buy promotional products more than once in your career. Once a company uses a promotional consultant, this relationship often continues for years. Why? Your promotional consultant is someone with whom you have worked, someone you know and trust. In many cases, companies use the promotional consultant as part of the creative team, even including him or her in marketing meetings.

#5: Personalized service is the role of a promotional consultant.

A professional promotional consultant invests in the relationship with each client. When going online, your selection is what the internet company decides to make available. When you work with a promotional consultant, product selection is determined by your needs and goals, enhanced by the experience, creativity and recommendations of the promotional consultant who has your best interests at heart. Online, you’re a faceless, nameless buyer. With a promotional consultant, you’re a client with your own personal shopper, receiving service along with ideas and prices. When you order online, who monitors your order and your deadline? Your promotional consultant has your interests in mind. Seldom do you receive this kind of personalized, “hand-holding” customer service from an unknown online company.

#6: Industry promotional consultants can offer experienced advice on how to imprint items.

You may have found the perfect key chain, but will your logo imprint on it? Will it be recognizable? Some things don’t work, or something else might work better. A qualified promotional consultant can explain the best printing process for your program, your imprint, and the product you’ve chosen.

#7: Trained promotional consultants can save you money in the long run.

Often, a price you see in a generic catalog or on the internet does not cover many hidden costs, such as set-up, imprint duplication, shipping, etc. A promotional consultant can help you avoid unexpected and unbudgeted costs by quoting the total price upfront.

#8: Promotional consultants will work with you to get your artwork imprinted properly.

Say you want your company’s logo embroidered on a golf shirt. How do you insure it will be done properly and with the correct colors? A trained promotional consultant can work with you to insure accurate transfer of your artwork, including correct fonts, size, spacing and many other important factors. And your promotional consultant’s commitment to quality customer service will guarantee your satisfaction with the finished product.

#9: Professional promotional consultants can assist you in developing a workable distribution plan for your products.

Distributing a promotional product is as important as the item itself. Research shows that a carefully executed distribution plan significantly increases the effectiveness of promotional products. But what if the cost of distributing your product is more than the product and more than your expected ROI (return on investment)? A promotional consultant can help you avoid unexpected problems like these.

#10: Promotional consultants are the experts in their field.

When you’re sick, you want a doctor who has the specialization and training to help you. PPAI promotional consultants like Star Bullets Signs & Marketing meet the highest qualification standards in the industry and display “The Mark of a Professional.” In addition, the MAS (Master Advertising Specialist) or CAS (Certified Advertising Specialist) designation after a promotional consultant’s name means the consultant has earned the industry’s only official certification. There’s no need to spend all your time on the internet or searching through catalogs. Your promotional consultant will come to you — At Star Bullets, We make house calls!