Chances are that you've probably never wondered about the secret life of your promotional products. They have a job to do for you, and they do it, showing off your business name and attracting customers. Let's take a look at a day in the life of a promotional products favorite ? a travel mug ? to see just how they get their job done.

6:15 A.M. ? Joan puts on the coffee as she's getting dressed for work. She puts out the travel mug she got as a promotional gift from her favorite office supplies warehouse on the counter, and briefly remembers that she needs to check the supply closet at work and place an order today. Yep, that bright logo reminded her. Your mug is doing its job already, and Joan hasn't even started her day.

7:30 A.M. ? Joan fills her mug with fresh coffee and heads out the door with it in her hand. She passes four people on her way to the car park and lifts her mug in greeting to each. She's not thinking about advertising your business, but she's doing it nonetheless, because she's waving your logo at everyone she sees.

8:15 A.M. ? As Joan gets into the city, she finishes off the last of her first cup of coffee and turns into the drive-through window of her favorite coffee shop, where she hands over your travel mug for a refill. Someone standing in line at the counter catches a glimpse of the logo out of the corner of her eye and remembers that she just got your catalogue in the mail and it's sitting on her desk at work.

8:30 to 8:45 A.M. ? On her way through the building to her office, Joan stops to chat with several people. None of them particularly take notice of her travel mug, but your logo is seen for several minutes longer than most people see it in a newspaper advert.

9:00 A.M. ? There's Joan, comfortably ensconced at her desk ready to start her day of work. There's our hero, the trusty travel mug, sitting on the desk before her. Over the course of the morning, another six people will enter Joan's office and spend varying amounts of time standing or seated at her desk. All of them will see your logo on her mug. One of them will even comment on it, and Joan will tell them how to get a coupon to get one of their very own.

11:30 A.M. ? As busy as her morning has been, Joan hasn't thought about ordering copy paper until now ? but as she picks up her mug to go refill it at the coffee station, she remembers again. This time, she picks up the telephone and dials the number on the mug ? so nice to have it there nice and handy ? and places an order with your company.

Not all promotional products live the life of an office worker. The key ring from the car dealership, for example, lives in Joan's boss's pants pocket, but like most promotional products, he gets out and around a bit himself. He's been responsible for at least two sales since Joan's boss has owned him ? one to the parking valet who noticed the dealer's name on the key fob and asked about the service there and one to the service station dealer where Joan's boss gets his auto serviced.

Promotional products are an excellent way to extend your advertising. Aside from the obvious advantages of having your name and logo seen more often, a good promotional product also gives your customers the chance to sing your praises. Now that you know how hard promotional products work for you, why not give a few of them a chance to do a great job for your company?