Take Charge

It’s the last month of the year and it’s your last chance to take charge of the year ahead to order promotional products, gifts and giveaways for 2019 before the tariffs come into effect. Starting January 1st, tariffs could increase the cost of your promotional products imported from China. According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), approximately $200 billion worth of Chinese imports will be subject to additional tariffs. The exact tariff structure is yet unknown, but we always like to educated our clients on the industry changes.

Thinking smart is always good business. Planning smart is even better business. Yes, it takes a lot of dedicated work to plan out all of your purchases for 2019 but if you take charge and get your team together you will not only save big, but you will also enjoy the holidays more because you will already be ahead of the game and your competition. If you start 2019 prepared, purchased and ready, the tariffs will not be as painful.

Speaking of taking charge, there are so many charging devices available that are always a welcomed gift or giveaway. You could develop an entire campaign, for example, inspiring your clients to “Charge Ahead,” “Get Charged-Up,” or “Charge into 2019.” A campaign with a play on the word charge works wonderfully with a myriad of charging devices in a range of prices to suit your budget. You could choose anything from a simple car charger, a portable charger to a wireless charger for your home or office.

At SEP Communications, we love helping businesses and we love hearing about your needs. Let us help you charge into 2019. Happy Holidays!

Client Gifts Made Easy

Gift planning does not have to be daunting. The secret to gift giving is to start planning early so that you have time to put all of the pieces together in a way that shows how much you care about the recipient. The anticipation of opening a gift is sometimes more rewarding than the gift itself. It is the experience of feeling special, even if it is only for a few minutes, that is priceless. Everyone likes to feel appreciated and cared for.

To make your gift giving memorable, it is important to stay on brand with your enclosed card, your wrapping paper, and the exterior box of your gift. However, the gift can be anything from backpacks, to drinkware to journal books depending on your client’s tastes and your budget.

 If you are not sure where to start, SEP Communications will help you with everything you need. Whether you need just a little help, or you need us to help you plan, implement and deliver your gifts. We are ready and excited to learn about your gift giving needs.

Perfectly Personal

Personal, personal, personal - we cannot say it enough when it comes to giving gifts. When you give gifts that are personal to your clients, it shows that you care about them and appreciate their business and your relationship with them. There are many ways to make your gift giving personal starting by engraving your client’s name, initials or nickname on a myriad of gifts available. In the past, companies could only fulfill large quantities of imprinted products. Now, with today’s technology small orders are available to further create a custom gift. It may be easier to purchase the same gift for all of your clients however, it will be far more impactful if you put your clients into groups and personalize your gifts according to your client’s tastes and personalities.

Personalized gifts can be anything from upscale leather luggage to journals to travel coffee mugs. With the holidays fast approaching, now is the time to start planning your gift giving, especially if you want to personalize your gifts. At SEP Communications we are happy to explore with you the endless opportunities to personalize gifts even with small minimum orders. Let the holidays begin!

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

Autumn is here, school is in session, and prepping for the holidays is in full gear… hopefully that is. Fall officially begins the count down for the holidays. If you want to stand out from the crowd, send your clients an early holiday gift filled with the coziness that fall brings. There are plenty of ways to incorporate the festivities of Thanksgivings as a catalyst to acknowledge how thankful you are for your clients and customers by sending them something now.

Here are a few gifts to say, “Thank you for your business” all in the spirit of fall.

Jump in to everything pumpkin spiced. September launches PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte) season and every market that creates anything with a flavor or an aroma have joined in. There are a plethora of pumpkin spiced options to choose from that include everything from pumpkin spiced coffee and coffee mugs to pumpkin spiced cold pressed soap.

Another fall inspired gift option is to explore all things warm, wooly and wonderful. Warm, fluffy blankets are perfect way to start the fall season solving an easy answer to chilly offices and drafty corners. Wool in all shapes and forms from gloves, to sweaters, to scarves is always a welcome sight. With the luxurious texture and warmth of wool, it sends a message to your clients that you care about them and their personal comfort. Socks with the ability to design and create any image you can imagine make for a wonderful, fun gift to warm even your chilliest client.

Here at SEP Communications we are thankful for everyone we meet, help and provide detailed services to. We welcome the gift giving season with anticipation on how to best help you say, “Thank you” to all of your clients complete from beginning to end.

A journal entry a day keeps the doctor away

A balanced diet and exercise are healthy habits to keep you in good physical condition. Although exercise can help your mental condition by reducing stress, journaling is another way to reduce stress that not only improves creativity, writing and communication skills but also boosts memory, helps goal achievement, increases IQ and emotional intelligence and evokes mindfulness.

Just like diet and exercise, journaling has to be consistent to be effective. Most people journal from a few minutes to 20 minutes a day. If you are not sure where to start, the next time you are feeling stressed find a quiet space and think about what you are experiencing and start writing without worrying about how it looks or sounds. According to The University of Rochester Medical Center, “When you have a problem and you're stressed, keeping a journal can help you identify what’s causing that stress or anxiety. Then, once you’ve identified your stressors, you can work on a plan to resolve the problems and, in turn, reduce stress.”

Sometimes people need an incentive to start journaling. One look at beautiful journals and the bounty of colorful pens can be what inspires you to open a journal and start writing. There is an enormous community of people who not only love to journal, but enjoy the creativity and relaxation of doodling, hand lettering and improving the lost art of good penmanship. If you don’t regularly journal and decide to start, you will soon understand the benefits and want to share it with others making journals the perfect gifts for clients.

At SEP Communications we want to be part of your journaling journey. We have so many ideas to help you select the perfect journals and writing instruments for your clients. Please contact us with any questions you may have. Happy journaling!

Marketing Abc’s and Back-to-School Swag

Summer is the perfect time to think about promotional products to give away in the fall with back-to-school swag using the Abc’s of marketing. The Abc’s include - A: Advertising, B: Branding, and C: Client relationships. Using back-to-school themed promotional products along with your marketing campaign can bring you to the head of the class with everything from notebooks, journals and pens to cool tech office gadgets.

A for Advertising

Make the most of your advertising by having a well thought out campaign that includes your budget, target market, media platforms, printed collateral, and promotional products. By using a well thought out plan you can make the most of your advertising budget. Promotional products can be a low cost component of your campaign to get your name out and let your community know the products and services you offer.

B for Branding

Staying true to your brand is one of the most important things you can do to help your clients understand who you are and what you do. The clearer your branded message is the more your clients will remember you, recommend you and call you when they need you.

C for Client relationships

Client relationships make a company and keep it growing. Fostering client relationships in our ever increasing competitive world takes persistent and ongoing contact. Repetitive contact will keep you on your client’s mind. A simple email engaging your client in a conservation about newsworthy technical advancements that could help their business is one way to stay on their minds another way is to send them something fun and memorable in the heat of the summer, for example: ice cream!

Whatever your marketing plans are for the fall, be sure to include the Abc’s of swag in your client’s swag bag. If you need help finding the perfect accompaniment to your campaign, let us know. We will love learning about what you do and how to help you. Please contact us at Sep Communications for anything and everything to communicate your message and help promote your brand.

Diversity Creates a Competitive Edge

From L to R  McCall Credle-Rosenthal, Lois Brezinski, Nikki Korval, Marty Harris, Sheila Cormier, Veronica Betancourtm Darcey McNiff-THompson at the Florida Business Women Council’s “Shining Stars” Awards Gala - June 2, 2018

Today, more companies are realizing that making the commitment to partner with gender and ethnically diverse suppliers is not only socially responsible, but it also helps those companies jump ahead of their competition. According to research by the Hackett Group, companies generate 130% more revenue by using diverse suppliers from minority-owned businesses.

The McKinsey & Company report, Diversity Matters, looked at financial results composing of top management and boards to conclude “…companies in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to have financial returns above national industry medians and 15% more for gender diversity.” The report also states, “The unequal performance of companies in the same industry and the same country implies that diversity is a competitive differentiator shifting market share toward more diverse companies.”

If you’re not sure where to start to be more diversified and want to learn more, consider going beyond the boardroom by joining an outreach group to help women and minorities through mentoring programs and internships. Another option is to volunteer on a community board to help minorities and encourage your employees to do the same. At SEP Communications, Marty Harris – President, is on the board of advisors for the Florida Business Women’s Council whose mission is to create an environment that provides women with resources and support to expand and reinvent careers, focus priorities and to turn new challenges into great opportunities plus, help women grow in all aspects of their professional and personal lives. SEP Communication is certified by the State of Florida, The NGLCC and WBENC – Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and she will be attending the WBENC National Conference this month in Detroit.

SEP Communications loves diversity and we are proud of our certifications. We look forward to working with you and helping you learn more about us and what we do because most of all we want to help you succeed, grow and thrive in a diverse business community.

T-shirt Fabric Demystified

Not all t-shirts are the same, especially when it comes to fabric. If you have ever had the task of ordering t-shirts, you may have shopped around based on price. However, knowing your fabrics can help make the comparison easier. Cheaper usually means cheaper fabric. When you want to impress your clients, cheap fabric might not be the best option. It might be better to print fewer t-shirts of quality.

To help make an educated decision when choosing t-shirt fabrics here are a few fabrics to think about before you next t-shirt order.

Fine Jersey - 100% cotton that is lightweight and comfortable.

Lightweight Jersey - 100% cotton that is prewashed to provide softness and less shrinkage.

CVC Jersey - 60% cotton and 40% polyester.

CVC (Chief Value Cotton) is soft and durable, but it does not include rayon in the blend making it a budget friendly quality fabric.

Sueded Jersey - 60% cotton and 40% polyester. Soft fabric that has a suede fine finish.

Spandex Jersey - 57% cotton, 38% polyester and 5% spandex. Soft, comfortable fabric that stretches and has fabric memory.

Tri-Blend Jersey – 50% polyester, 25% cotton, 25% rayon. Soft fabric with great drape, stretch and recovery.

65/35 Poly Cotton Heathers – 65% polyester and 35% cotton. Lightweight super silky fabric that is durable.

Burnout Jersey - 65% polyester and 35% cotton. Burnout is semi-transparent woven fabric that is comfortable, soft and stretchy.

Lightweight Cotton Poly Jersey - 60% cotton and 40% polyester. Ultra-soft, fine gauge blended fabric that is semi-sheer.

Inspired Dye – 100% Cotton. Perfect a for vintage t-shirt look. The fabric allows for softer shades and finishes.

 At SEP Communications we are here to help you every step of the way from understanding t-shirt fabrics and the differences between them to choosing color, logo embellishments to fulfillment.

We’ve Got You Covered

Spring is here, the sun is high, and the rain is coming down. It is also the perfect time to create promotional products that let your clients know you have them covered. You can brand anything from traditional rain umbrellas to golf umbrellas to bistro umbrellas as well as rain ponchos.

Depending on the region you are marketing your company in and the type of business you have will help you determine what type of raingear to give away at your next tradeshow. For example, if you are in a big city where most people take public transportation you might want to opt for a lightweight, collapsible umbrella. If your client base is active and the athletic type, you may want to consider a sporty rain poncho. Or, if you are going to a tradeshow near a golf course you may want to giveaway windproof golf umbrellas.

Another option is to give away new inverted umbrellas that close from the inside down so that the wet umbrella does not spray the user as it closes. This is also a real advantage when you have to get into a car. No more getting the umbrella stuck in the car door frame and getting even more wet once you are safe in a dry car.

Keeping dry and out of harmful rays of the sun with handy branded raingear will keep your clients thinking of you all spring long! If you need more ideas and ways to keep your clients covered, please contact us at SEP Communications. We love helping companies stand out, rain or shine.

Beyond Embroidery

When deciding to imprint a logo on promotional products most companies choose the traditional route by using 4-color process, laser, stamping or embroidery. However, there are a few new ways to imprint your logo that can make your swag go from good to AMAZING! These new techniques include HXD, Epoxy Dome and Mixed Media.

For everything from totes to backpacks to apparel, embroidery and silk-screening have been the standard. However, HXD takes your logo and makes it three dimensional with the additional option of making it metallic gold, silver or bronze. Texturing your logo is also an element of the capabilities of HXD. With HXD, you can also choose textures of herringbone, wavy lines or dimpling. To create this effect all you have to do is send us your logo and our skilled team will render the effects to create a 3-D rendering for your approval.

Another cool imprinting technique is the Epoxy Dome. If you have ever looked at a water droplet before breaking, that is what the epoxy dome looks like over your logo. Like a water droplet, the epoxy adds a 3-D effect enhancing whatever is encased in the epoxy. The epoxy creates a crystal, clear dome that encloses your logo with a surrounding black bezel border to further enhance the sleek rounded edging.

 Lastly, mixed media is also an interesting new way to enhance your logo. Mixed media starts by using a laser imprinted image and then combines the imprint with either embroidery, transfer or PhotoGraffix overlay.

 At SEP Communications, we are so excited to share these new techniques with you and we are happy to answer any questions to help you understand how these new techniques can bring your branding to the next level.

Accolades and Awards and Praise – OH MY!

In order for employees to stay motivated, they need to be appreciated, included and trusted. They also want opportunities to grow their talents, be rewarded, empowered and have access to mentors. When employers know this, their company flourishes and retains employees through a healthy company culture.

However, being appreciated is the number one thing employees need to feel valued. Accolades go a long way especially if the accolades are given in front of coworkers. Not only does it show your appreciation, but it can motivate the entire staff to strive for more.

Accolades along with a gift mean even more. Sometimes it is hard to figure out what an employee desires and would love to have. Incentive gift programs are a perfect way to give employees the freedom to choose their own gift. Your happy employee can go online and choose the gift from a variety of options you preselect.

At SEP Communications, we can help you come up with the perfect incentive package to fit your company and your budget. We love exploring creative ideas and look forward to celebrating your success!

Oh, the possibilities…

It’s 2018 and the possibilities are abundant. We are so excited to get the year started by attending the ASI (Advertising Specialty Institute) Show in Orlando January 2-4. We will be participating in educational talks to learn more about production processes companies use for customization which will enable us to think of even more creative ways to use your branding on promotional products.

Oodles if inspiration will fill the showroom as many exhibitors will be displaying their newest and coolest products. Not only will we be learning about new products, but we will be thinking of new possibilities for our clients to stand out with their branding on the new products.

With so much inspiration, as much as we love going to the ASI Show we love coming back to the office even more. We can’t wait to share new products and innovative ways to incorporate them into our client’s branding. This month we will be posting new promotional products on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. If you are not already following us, please check out our profiles and join us on our journey as we post new items and helpful tips.

We hope to partner with you to make 2018 amazing!