Now that the New Year is in full swing, businesses of all kinds are planning and preparing for growth. Since many companies are already thinking about a new year of marketing programs, the timing is right to talk to them about cost-effective, proven branding tactics.

Idea Custom Solutions and the many distributors and suppliers we support can help businesses in all sectors get a handle on their campaigns for upcoming events.

A month ago, Sage World’s marketing blog published an infographic on what it considers the most popular promotional product categories for last year, based on 71 million internet searches. When broken down into specifics subcategories, bags, pens and shirts were the top three, with a lot of other familiar promotional products rounding out the list of 20.

Over the course of this year on our company blog, we will surely cover every aspect of the great B2B market of the promotional products industry. But we thought there are two subcategories that really stood out last year, which present business owners with variety and innovation for 2017.

Technology and Accessories

It's been said that technology and new gadgets are always changing the way we live and work. With new inventions hitting the consumer market constantly, marketers end up having a range of fun options to consider. Many of the new electronic or tech gadgets average consumers start using every year double as great branded promotional products that trade show guests and customers will also love. Then again, there are always new takes on existing products being released too.

Take the USB drive for example. It has gotten a little bit of a bad rap by tech snobs and some marketing pundits over the past few years because they think the item has lost its edge.

However, ASI points out that USB drives are a hit with younger people. It also goes by a few different names and takes various forms. Known also as "flash drives", "memory sticks" and "swivel drives", these tools are essential as mobile data storage utilities for students and professionals. Plus, when they are reworked in new forms such as utility pens, USB car chargers or as keychain accessories, USB drives aren't just cookie cutter items anymore.

Other accessories, including the phone wallet, selfie stick, along with different takes on the phone charger and recreational "tech swag" were all popular with marketers or manufacturers serious about doing business with millennials and tech lovers.

So no matter what business your customers are in, adding tech-related promotional products to the marketing mix is a win.

Bags and Carry-Alls

Based on Sage World's internet search stats, the top category was bags. It's not surprising that these and other carry accessories are so popular as promotional products.

For one, tote bags make excellent giveaways at trade shows for the simple fact that they are a great way for attendees to carry the many products and print materials they accumulate from visiting booths and displays. Noting this, the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia has followed suit and created their own branded tote bag for shoppers visiting the many businesses within their facility.

According to popular culture site Boing Boing and New York magazine, totes have come back as a fashion item, as well as an essential accessory for busy people on the go. Moreover, students love the bags and their ability to be reused makes them a first choice for those with environmental concerns.

Also, don't forget that other carry accessories like fanny packs are back, favored by everyone from well-dressed professionals to millennials to the "tech geek" crowd, who seem to love the fanny pack's ironic un-fashion.

Idea Custom Solutions can be your partner in helping SMBs, corporations, educational institutions and non-profits searching for smart, simple, inexpensive ways reach their audiences and build their brands. Look to our industry insight and ability to provide your customers with the best quality graphic design.