It seems to get tougher every year. Finding new promotional items to excite your audience is a challenge in itself, but if you're also trying to increase your profit margins, you might find yourself stuck. The easy solution is to partner with a fundraising company that handles all of the details - but you pay for that convenience with loss of control over your pricing and profits.

A better idea? Purchase your fundraising materials outright so you can have complete control over the entire process, while still offering desirable items your buyers will appreciate. It's easier (and more affordable) than you think.

Stylish Pins Tell a Story

Candles, cookie dough, candy, and other perishables are popular choices for fundraising. The only trouble is, once they're gone, they're gone. Why not choose an item that will not only last for years, but also offers buyers a memory? Lapel pins are the perfect choice.

If you're raising funds for new athletic equipment or to pay for the senior trip, a pin featuring your school's mascot will make buyers feel as if they're a part of your victory. Include the year, your class motto, or other details to make your pin an instant collector's item.

Special events from the past year can be remembered with photographs reproduced in offset printed lapel pins. They're perfect for drama-club production posters, team photos, or any other image requiring a wide range of colors and detail.

For charity fundraisers, consider a stylized awareness ribbon to represent your cause. The instantly recognizable ribbon shape lends itself to a variety of formats, and pin designers can easily add elements such as logos, dates, and even short phrases to make your pin truly memorable.

There's no need to settle for just one single style though. Give buyers several options to encourage more sales. Booster club fundraisers would benefit from a pin for each team, while charity events might offer different pins for varying levels of donation.

Total Pricing Freedom

You know your customers best - what they want and how much they're willing to spend. When you buy your fundraising items outright, you have complete control over your pricing and profit margins, which allows you to better plan your fundraiser.

Depending on the style and accessories you choose, custom lapel pins can be one of the most affordable fundraising options available, often costing less than a dollar per pin. And of course, you can choose a variety of pins at different price points to offer something for everyone in your audience.

Ordering lapel pins for your fundraiser couldn't be easier. Look for a supplier who offers custom color matching, so your logo, mascot, or other design elements are a perfect match. Also, you'll want a variety of options for jazzing up your pins, such as colored gemstones, flashing lights, and bobbles. Don't forget the quality upgrades, as well: jewelry-grade clasps and enhanced packaging add value and encourage more sales. Finally, be sure to choose a manufacturer that offers quick shipping, so you'll never miss a deadline. You'll build a better, more profitable fundraiser with quality pins from a responsive, reputable supplier.


Andy Chen is Manager of Lapel Pins CN. When you need custom lapel pins visit http://www.lapelpinscn.com.

For many businesses, holiday celebrations are at the heart of the marketing calendar. Christmas sales can mean the difference between a good year or bad for a retailer, while Valentine's Day and Mother's Day are critical to a florist.

But don't overlook Independence Day. Camping and parades and family gatherings are the perfect opportunities to get the message out about your business, whether you're in retail, service, or even manufacturing.

Get Creative with Custom Lapel Pins

Retailers - Lapel pins are a unique bonus offer to improve holiday sales. Whether you're selling grilling equipment just in time for summer barbeque season or offering discounted rates on a golf vacation package, a small gift, such as a custom lapel pin, can seal the
deal.

Service industries - Want to spread the word about your business? Join in the local Independence Day celebration and provide custom lapel pins bearing your logo to parade watchers and others. An attractive metal pin is far more likely to be kept (and displayed) than a flier or other advertising, which means that recipients will remember you long after the holiday is past.

No matter what type of business you're in, offering an incentive can help keep your promotion alive for months to come. Consider giving a discount to return customers who wear your pin into the store on subsequent visits. You could also plan a "refer a friend" promotion and give each customer two pins - one to wear and one to give to an acquaintance.

And don't forget about your employees. They're what make your business a success, and Independence Day is the perfect opportunity to host an employee appreciation party. Invite your staff and their families out for a picnic. Provide a small goodie bag with coupons for restaurants, tickets to a local theme park, and a custom lapel pin to commemorate the occasion.

You might even create special pins for long-term employees, celebrating years of service or other milestones. Adding colored gemstones, danglers, or other effects to your original pin design lets everyone know that this pin - and the person wearing it - is special.

Also, consider including the year in your pin's design. Employees and others will look forward to each year's design and will enjoy displaying their growing collection. The tangible connection to your company builds loyalty, improves customer service, and even helps recruit new employees who want to be a member of such a solid team.

Holiday Designs Become Instant Collector's Items

Custom lapel pins with your company logo or slogan will certainly get some attention. Recipients consider them to be jewelry and will wear and display them for years to come. But if you add a bit of holiday whimsy, your lapel pin is suddenly a highly sought after collector's item.

A burst of colorful fireworks above your company logo instantly connects your pin to this favorite summer holiday. For even more pizzazz, add blinking lights or colored stones and watch your recipients' eyes light up as they show off their new pin.

When you order your pins, look for a supplier who offers custom design work and color matching. For best results and lasting beauty, manufacturers should use only quality metal backings. Finally, timing is everything, so choose a vendor that offers fast shipping, so you won't have to worry about missing out on the fun this Independence Day.

Andy Chen is Manager of Lapel Pins CN. When you need custom lapel pins visit http://www.lapelpinscn.com.