Long before cellular mobile phones became "smart", letting you surf the internet, watch movies, or record every moment of yourself climbing Mount Everest or Machu Picchu, it was a big deal when the cell phone became something you could slip in your pocket.

Portability of virtually everything is desirable in 2017. Often, professionals are so busy and so on-the-go that whatever is light and portable is best and most used.

We have a few ideas for promotional products that ideal for small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) looking for cost-effective marketing.

Notebooks and Stationary

We have reported in the past about the use of technology-related items and their popularity with SMBs, as well as larger corporations and educational institutions. Items like earbuds, phone chargers and even the latest gadgets are no-brainer giveaways at trade shows and music fests. They can also double as great brand-building giveaways to new employees.

Yet a great add-on to your SMBs’ marketing efforts — whether for a new employee welcome kits, trade shows or branded giveaways at public events — comes in the form of an old-fashioned favorite.

The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) says that notebooks and journals are essential tools even in 2017's digital business climate. Digiday, a website that covers the creative and advertising agency space, wrote in February about the ideal employee welcome kit for ad agencies and creative firms. An essential part of the mix is the branded notebook for new recruits. Even better is the fact that notebooks are ideal for attendees of conferences or seminars.

Today, the journal notebook is a convenient pocket-sized promo that comes in a variety of colors, as well as different finishes that can include leather covers, snaps and useful pockets galore. Some also come with phone charging slots and other features.

Don't forget that notebooks and journals couple well with another beloved bellwether promotional product category: writing utensils.

USB Drives

Ever since the portable USB replaced the Iomega Zip Drive (or being chained to a desktop computer), it has been hailed as a necessary tool, as well as "boring tech" and a literal life-saver. Five years ago, Fast Company even went so far as to suggest that the USB memory stick was on its way to extinction (it seems they were wrong).

Regardless of what you think of them — dull, fashionable, or otherwise— USB drives are not only here to stay, they are used by everyone. ASI reports that 60% of consumers from age 18-24 own and regularly use at least one branded USB drive. Plus, nearly half of survey respondents age 35-44 also own and use one, which demonstrates that USBs are not just a nicknack for younger generations.

For SMBs interested in adding these useful items to their list of branded giveaways, there are quite a few options. So far in 2017, USB drives in bright colors and designs that appeal to fans of Star Wars, Legos, Minecraft and Game of Thrones have emerged, among others. On the more conservative side of the spectrum, SMBs can order options like swivel flash drives, credit card-shaped USBs and USB drives that double as pens.

Fidget Spinners and Toys

By now you've heard about fidget spinners, said to be both a revolution in simple play as well as a passing fad. But if you think they are just for kids, think again. ASI says that fidget spinners have soared in popularity.

One excited promo products distributor named Scott Pearson put it this way: “The fidget craze is happening everywhere. Although the original design has been around for years, these spinners are now flying off the shelves at 7-11s and will saturate the promotional market over the next six months.”

This month ASI also profiled a gubernatorial candidate who has jumped on the fidget spinner trend. Tennessee Republican Randy Boyd is using "Randy Boyd for Governor" fidget spinners as a part of his campaign swag as a bid to raise some campaign cash and spread the word of his candidacy.

In the sports world, the initial run of Major League Baseball fidget spinners has reportedly sold out already, while both baseball and the National Football League have started preparing for the fall with another set of the popular pocket-sized toy.

No matter what fits best into pockets of your customers' target audiences, make sure to tap into the vector artwork expertise of an experienced graphics partner. Idea Custom Solutions can help!