Fifteenyears ago, I visited Germany for the first time. Instead of flimsy plasticcarrier bags, most supermarkets offered cotton tote bags, emblazoned with theirlogo, for a very modest price. I made it my mission to collect as manydifferent ones as possible, and I'm still using them now. I've forgotten someof the places I visited, but I can tell you the names of all the supermarketswhere I shopped. How's that for long term advertising?

Nowthe UK has caught up with the green movement, and everyone is taking reusablebags into Tesco to clock up Green Club Card Points. Your tote bag could be inthere, telling all the shoppers in the UK's largest supermarket chain aboutyour products and services. If your promotional budget only runs to one type ofbag, opt for the most versatile product ? the cotton tote bag. Choose long orshort handled bags, then sit back and watch your corporate message walk thestreets for all to see!

Everyoneneeds bags for all sorts of things. My husband has appropriated one of mycotton totes for his fishing gear; my daughter in law uses hers as babychanging bag, and for my sun-worshipping niece, the cotton tote doubles as abeach bag. Most bags are machine washable, and they're strong enough to carryalmost anything without complaint.

Froma promotional point of view, the cotton tote has many advantages. It?smulti-functional, it's portable, it's durable, it requires minimum storagespace and it's a cheap but quality product. With a large area for your imprint,this is a must-have freebie which will work hard to promote any business.

Choosea design that's not too garish or girly, and the bag can be a unisexgiveaway.  Ladies may prefer long handlesso the bag can double up as a shoulder bag; men probably won't care about thehandles as long as there's not too much pink or purple in evidence. Ecowarriors will appreciate your company for helping to save the planet. In factthe only people who will think your giveaway is a bad idea are those companieswho manufacture ?designer? cotton tote bags and sell them for the price of aweek's shopping!

Fillyour promotional bags with goodies and literature at trade fairs andexhibitions. In these recycling times, people prefer a reusable bag to aplastic carrier bag, and the advertising will last longer and be seen by morepeople. Your advertising campaign is in the bag!