I know I’m throwing a lot of topics out there this week, but they’ve all been on my mind. I’ve recently been looking into buying promotional items. There are a lot of things out there if you have the cash. It used to be that you needed to get your name in front of readers at least seven times before they would remember it. I actually think it takes longer now. What I’m curious about is what do you, as a reader, like to receive from an author (other than books)?
I don’t ask that lightly. I’ve been to a few conferences and have gone to the ‘goody’ rooms. There isn’t much that I hang onto once I return home and even then, the item isn’t likely to lure me into buying the author’s book. I know that’s harsh, but it’s the truth.
I mean I appreciate bookmarks, but I have a drawer full of them and I couldn’t tell you what names are on them beyond the one author I know personally. I also have several magnets that were stuck to my refrigerator for a year until I decided to clean it off. I know a few of the authors names, but again, I didn’t purchase a book from them based on a magnet. So this leads me to conclude that a lot of the promotional items are simply a waste of the author’s hard earned money. If you think I’m wrong, I’d love to hear why.
What promotional items do you like to receive? Do you keep them? Has a promotional item ever caught your attention enough to purchase the author’s book? Inquiring minds want to know. 
February 1st, 2005
I like pens the best, because they’re actually useful. I have an e-book author’s pen in my purse and I think of her everytime I use it. But I can’t say the pen made me buy her books. I had already purchased all of hers before getting the pen. :p
by Sylvia Day February 1st, 2005 at 11:05 amI can’t think of any promo item i’ve ever kept and none have made me buy an author. Matter of fact I found a ton I’d tucked away from a lunchone last year while I was cleaning last weekend. They all got trashed. I don’t use bookmarks (shame on me) and I’m so picky about what pens I use, those are worthless too.
I did win a Jane Millionaire t-shirt which I will very proudly wear *ggg* but that’s about the extent of it.
Cece
by Cece February 1st, 2005 at 12:29 pmThat’s honestly what I was afraid of. Hmm…
by Jordan February 1st, 2005 at 1:17 pmI think you’re doing one of the the best things you can do promotionwise, right here in your blog, by connecting with your readers/potential readers. Like everyone else ‘goodies’ don’t influence by buying. Either the ‘infor’ becomes part of the design and I don’t notice it–even if I’m using the thing (bookmark, magnet) or I eventually decide it’s clutter and throw it out.
by Jaq February 1st, 2005 at 8:39 pmWell even though I know it’s a waste of money, I did order some promotional items. I did it as cheaply as possible, so if people throw them away I won’t be heartbroken. I hope. LOL!
by Jordan February 2nd, 2005 at 2:56 pmHonestly I’ve never received an item that I thought was keepsakeworthy, except a signed copy of the book from the author. It was much more touching to have a note in the book, which I still own, then to receive a bookmark or mug. I’ve noticed some authors give away chocolate, which is nice but doesn’t really make me think of them. I just like the personal touch of your blogs.
by Shannon February 2nd, 2005 at 3:33 pmMy favourite promotional item is, always, a post-it pad, especially those with plenty of writing space. I haven’t received one from an author, so I don’t know whether I’d buy a book as the result. But I do know that because I use it a lot, I do tend to memorise a company name or a person’s name from it. My very first promo post-it pad was over 10 years ago and, to this day, I can recall the company name and, scarily, the street name. Interestingly, this doesn’t work with a writing/reminder pad. Weird, eh? I suppose it’s down to seeing them around my computer monitor whereas with a writing pad, it’s hidden under paperwork.
Once remembered, a person would browse in a bookshop, recognise that name, and it’s very likely that she will pick a copy up. It works for me. Sorry this is so long.
by Maili February 2nd, 2005 at 5:20 pmGood ones: pens and pencils, but harder to memorise authors’ names.
Useless: book plates, bookmarks, magnets, and postcards.
Yes, I vote for post-it pads as the most effective way to brainwash a person into remembering a name for life.
Thanks Shannon! Now I’m going to have work on being clever. Oh, the pressure, crushing down upon me. I try to crawl away, but the weight is too much to bear. Gasp. Gasp. Cough. Yeah, I don’t know what I’m talking about either. LOL!;-)
by Jordan February 2nd, 2005 at 7:12 pmMaili, I went with the pencils that have my website address on them and not post-it notes…sorry.
I do have cute little sharpeners that will sit on top of each pencil. (See lip trembling here.) I’ll also be doing a raffle at the Romantic Times Convention. I’m putting together a Wicked Women tote bag. I already have the horns, pitchfork, and tail ready to go into the bag. Did I mention it’s red with black zebra stripes? 
by Jordan February 2nd, 2005 at 7:18 pmPENS!!! I love pens! (My love of pens may or may not border on being a fetish, depending on who you ask.)
I also had a pad of sticky notes from an author in my chapter, and the nice thing about them is that I could share them. I stuck those sticky notes on everything. I have no idea of my son’s teacher or the mailman checked out her website, but I tried. *g*
(For the record, it was Sil. Romance, so I wasn’t scandalizing the school.)
by (Another) Shannon February 4th, 2005 at 6:41 amShannon, That’s cool that you did that for the author. Fingers crossed it worked. Thanks for weighing in about the pens. I’ll have to get some of those next time.
by Jordan February 4th, 2005 at 5:38 pm