Pencils are one of the best promotional items that can be used. They can be purchased in big quantities, they are inexpensive, and they are available in a variety of colours.

One of the problems is that companies are finding that people aren't interested in promotional pencils. In the day of computers, pencils in the workplace aren't as important.

So what is a company to do? Offer promotional pencils to those who are going to use them - kids. Here are some ways to get the word about your company and to make sure that your promotional pencils are used.

1. Pencils are a great back to school item and people are always looking for a way to save money when they are getting ready to send their kids back to school. Offer promotional pencils at conventions and trade shows in packs of ten or so.

2. Give pencils out at Halloween instead of candy. The parents of the children are going to thank you and it's a good alternative to giving out candy that is full of sugar.

3. For those employees who have children, make up a fun pack for them with things to help them get ready for school. Even though their father or mother may work for the company, they will still be going to school with kids who know nothing about your company.

4. Donate the pencils to schools to use as a fund raising item. This is not only a way to get the word out about your business but you can also claim it as a tax deduction when you are filing your taxes.

5. When you have a family function for your company, hire someone to dress as a clown and hand out pencils to the kids, along with other fun items that they might enjoy. They will be delighted with the clown and they will be happy to take the gifts he is giving out.

Even though promotional pencils may seem like something that no one will want, as has been shown above there are ways to make them work for you and your company. As it is with anything in business, to be a success you have to promote your products to the right people. Your promotional pencils are going to be seen and used, as long as they are given to the right customers and in the right fashion.

Promotional pencils can be a very successful item during the right times of the year - right before school starts, at Halloween, during school fund raisers, and any other times when children may be looking for pencils.

One thing about children is that they are always happy to get something free, even if it is just a pencil. To them, free is free, and they are going to be happy with any small gift that they are given.