An old cliché holds that the pen is mightier than the sword, and it’s certainly true that a pen makes a far better item for promoting your business. Despite the digital revolution, everyone still needs to pick up a pen now and then; making sure that the pen they do pick up has your message on it is a great way to promote your message with a wide variety of people. Promotional pens are among the most common items used for promotional purposes, and for good reason: they’re generally inexpensive, can be mass-produced for minimal cost, and are easily personalized. From the basic ballpoint pen that’s been a staple of the industry for many years, through the wide range of gel, felt and marker tips, to pens that combine a couple of functions in one convenient package, to high tech and high-end executive pens, it’s a wide open category, and one that’s made for promotional marketing. The basic capped stick pen is the entry level of this category. Easily personalized through screen-printing with a company name, logo, or slogan, stick pens can be used for external marketing (sales representatives hand out pens on every sales call, or the pens that are handed out at conferences and conventions) and internal use (at training seminars, meetings, offsite retreats, etc.) Slogans can be imprinted for programs and incentive campaigns on thousands of pens for very little individual cost, thus getting the message out to a large number of people in a very cost effective manner. Once you’re past the stick pen, you begin to see the vast array of options available. Promotional pens of brightly colored metal and neon hued plastic, with higher quality materials and more elaborate mechanical workings (think of “click" pens, gel pens, or instruments that might include multicolor pens, pencils, highlighters, and/or PDA styluses) can be used as incentives by salespeople with favored clients, or to identify members of project teams and special efforts. These pens can come in many styles and vibrant colors, can be made of space-age plastics and metals, and really make a statement as highly visible and coveted souvenirs. Of course, we’ve all seen writing instruments made of exotic woods and precious metals; gold, silver and even platinum are common materials for pens in this high-end category. Such items, while not commonly handed out indiscriminately, can be used for special presentations and awards, or to recognize a particularly valued client. Such pens frequently are engraved and include the name of the recipient. Understated elegance and precision engraving are the watchwords here, with the pens in question being treated almost as carefully as fine jewelry. A recent trend is for pens made with exotic woods like mahogany and oak to have laser engraving that offers an exciting look to the items, giving you the opportunity to have logos and slogans replicated with incredible precision. Pens at any price point can be personalized with names and dates of events. Even in limited print runs, this is still an excellent value.
In today's age of digital technology, most correspondence is conducted via e-mail and text. The long tradition of letter writing has fallen by the wayside and along with it beautiful handwriting, elaborately decorated notepaper and matching envelopes. The pastime of writing to pen pals has been replaced my Facebook and Myspace messaging, and the age of instant information has taken over the time that used to be taken to pen a letter.
I have a theory that most of us have pretty much forgotten how to use a pen; writing has become a slow and tedious task compared to the instantaneous chat available through MSN and other instant messaging services. The speed at which we all expect to have a reply these days rarely leaves time for letters to lazily make their way across to friends and family. And the effort of writing, posting and waiting doesn't fit in with our 'oh so busy' life styles.
I believe that is just the reason we should bring the art of letter writing back. We spend our lives rushing to get things done, and each time saving process allows us to do even more. We should embrace the time saving and actually use the saved time to do something relaxing, meditative and, well, nice. We all love to receive a letter in the post, one that isn't a pre printed business envelope anyway. The sight of an envelope that is neither manila nor standard off white, with a name and address lovingly penned on the front has an element of excitement. It prompts us to pop on the kettle, sit down and take ten minutes out to have a read.
Receiving a hand written letter has the power to make a person feel special and worthwhile; it is a quality experience. If someone has taken the time out of their day to write you a letter of love or friendship, it has an impact far greater than an e-mail with the same content. It is a personal touch which has a lot of meaning, and should be exercised more often than the yearly quota of birthday and Christmas cards, which are generally just a rushed token of slight sentiment.
Handwriting used to be a widely practiced art. Schools would dedicate many hours to the perfection of the written word, and each stroke of a fountain pen would be neatly executed. The ball point pen scrawls that pass for writing today have nothing on the unwaveringly neat lines of text that letters used to deliver. The pace of writing neatly, and with a fountain pen, leaves time for the mind to process thoughts and ideas, leading to a more poetic way of communicating. Everyone agrees that quality is more important than quantity, and I think that the quality of a hand written letter outweighs the quantity of all the free texts messages Gandalf can shake a stick at.
Try adding a personal touch to make a letter that little bit more special. Making or decorating your own writing paper is one way; using colourful envelopes is another. Adding stickers, stencils and transfers, or using speciality rubber stamps can add a memorable finishing touch. There are also kits available where you can seal the envelope with your own wax seal; it is almost worth getting a signet ring made especially for the purpose! Unlike an email with a themed backdrop adorned with emoticons, there will be no undeliverable mail notification for hand written mail delivered by snail.
Both Gareth Parkin & Dominic Donaldson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Gareth Parkin has sinced written about articles on various topics from Promotional Advertising, Promotional Advertising and Web Development. Gareth Parkin is the co-founder of Ideasbynet, the UK's largest online source of and other. Gareth Parkin's top article generates over 450000 views. to your Favourites.
Dominic Donaldson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cars, Touring Italy and Environment. Dominic Donaldson is an expert in the stationary industry.Find out more about and how thay could help revive the art of letter writing at Colour Envelopes. Dominic Donaldson's top article generates over 368000 views. to your Favourites.