It’s officially summertime (Well, not officially, but we only got about a day of spring!). Warm weather means outdoor parties, cold drinks at the lake, grilling, catching rays on the beach . . . Essentially, it means a plethora of opportunities for promotional products companies to capitalize on the heat. If you haven’t yet hopped on the bandwagon of outdoor promos, follow these tips to make sure you do so in the best way possible.

Find the easy get: outdoor products that always do well. Think about the products you would use or enjoy during the summer. Things like can koozies, pop-up tents, garden flags and foldable chairs. Some products sell well every year because they’re consistently used throughout the warmer months. They often get added visibility for your customers as well, when their users take them to events such as picnics or parades.

Learn the difference between indoor and outdoor products. Think about it: you wouldn’t sit your sofa outside for the duration of the summer because it would get ruined, right? Outdoor products are at the mercy of the weather and the bright sun, which means they need to be made from special material and have extra features to help fight the elements. Research these aspects of the products before you begin to sell them, then you’ll be able to advise your customers on the best way to decorate them. And remember that typical decoration techniques probably won’t work in the great outdoors. You want to go for processes that won’t fade, crack or wash away.

Don’t forget about the decoration — it needs to be visible. Since most outdoor products are used at big events, the average end-user will have to see through a cacophony of color and noise to focus on your products. Consult with your clients to make sure they will get the biggest bang for their buck with what Karen Obradovitz from Picnic Time says should be a wow factor. “The most important thing with our product line, and I would say anybody’s, is that you want it to be attractive,” she told Promo Marketing Magazine. “You want it to attract attention because you’re outside and there are so many distractions going on.”

Vary your product offerings to account for everyone’s preferences. Remember, some people don’t like warmer weather. You’ll want to suggest products for both outdoor enthusiasts and for people who just don’t get along with the sun. Think handheld fans to beat the heat, fun hats to block the sun and make a statement at the same time, and even multipurpose products that can be used for anything but often fall into the outdoor category — pocket knives, for example.

Remember: It’s not just your customers who need outdoor promos. If you really want to capitalize on the weather, drum up some more business for yourself while you sell to your clients. Promote your own brand on the same products. And think big — marathons and other like events are a huge opportunity. Sign up for a vendor booth. Thousands of people participate, so you never know who might walk up to your branded, tented table for some logoed bottles of water and shade. It could be a buyer who needs products for their clients.

Not exactly sure how to translate your customer’s logo into summer-friendly form? Let Idea Custom Solutions help with our vector artwork and embroidery digitizing.