According to recent studies, businesses are reaping greater rewards by using promotional products as extensions of other marketing activities. Advertising, direct mail, web promotions and public relations are significantly more effective when appropriate promotional products are included. Why? Because advertising specialties have unique ability to customize a message to a specific audience or need.

For example, a microbrewery recently introduced its new brand of beer by giving away cork coasters imprinted with a replica of product’s label. Besides protecting furniture, coasters provide endless name recognition.

A film processor used imprinted magnetic frames for a store promotion. The company reported customers liked frames so much, they told their friends, which ultimately led to a 22% increase in sales.

During latter part of 1999, many companies used promotional products to generate enthusiasm for their millennium “bug” projects. One firm’s goal was to encourage enterprise-wide teamwork to upgrade computer systems. Items including baseball caps, beverage containers, screen savers, and newsletters were imprinted with slogans to remind employees of program.

Marketers are also finding packaging makes a big difference. A building supply company sends prospects a tee shirt compressed into a brick. Another firm sends clients a packet of gourmet coffee or tea, inside a glass mug with message, “Take a break on us.”

But you may be missing some really valid money-making options, and it may be time to take a second look at that bad first impression.

In many ways, owning your own typical business - whether it is a traditional 'brick-n-mortar' company or an online enterprise -- has become complicated and expensive. The owner often ends up with a low paying job and long, thankless hours. I've heard it said that average entrepreneur earns about three dollars an hour, on average. Is that what you want for yourself?

Yet 185,000 people in North America are joining networking movement every week. Can that many people be that wrong? According to a recent article in Time Magazine, "Network marketers will make more money in next two years than in auto, travel and computer industries COMBINED!"

Hmmm... what are we missing here? Let's take a look at 'upside,' positive aspects that may be inherent in network marketing opportunities that may not be present in traditional business start-ups.

First of all, there's usually a minimum of paperwork. In traditional business, many of us are drowning in paper, in spite of all claims that we are nearing a 'paperless society.' Just state and federal licenses, applications, and tax forms we have to fill out, alone, can be pretty daunting!