What do you find next to the battery that may or may not work when you open up any junk drawer at home? Promotional plastic pens with brand names, logos, and sometimes strange slogans on them. But even when we complain about losing caps or ink that dries up right when we need it, no one seems to be able to let go of these plastic wonders.
Events for business? There is always that one table full of pencils. You know the one. People are drawn to it like moths to a porch light. “Of course, I’ll take a pen.” But on the inside, you’re saying, “Yes!” One for work, one for the bedside, and one for the car. There’s no secret about psychology: we humans love free stuff, especially useful stuff.
Let’s chat about price. Even experienced marketers may cringe at the thought of ordering hundreds or thousands of metal pens. Plastic pens, on the other hand, are far cheaper and just as good. Everyone who comes receives one. Sometimes two. Your brand is still out there, even if half of them get lost on the first day. It’s getting to areas you never planned.
Don’t forget how strong tactile memory is. Take a squishy plastic barrel and hold it between your fingers. It’s not merely a tool for writing. You may spin, chew, or lend this ad campaign to a coworker who forgets things. In a busy office, it might sometimes be a clue: “Whose pen is this?” “Oh, that’s from the last time someone went to that smoothie shop down the street!”
You would think that every pen would look and feel the same, right? Nope. There are a lot of things to choose from: neon pandemonium, wild clip forms, illuminating ink windows, and anti-bacterial chemicals. Some look like rockets, while others are so small they almost disappear in your hand. Change things up every once in a while. People love new things, even if it’s just for a minute.
Have you ever noticed that the color of ink can also start a fight? “Who needs green ink?” someone would shout. But there’s always that one person who loves to write grocery lists in colors other than blue or black. It’s not surprising that pens become small markers of personality with so many different styles.
You might not like the word “plastic” when it comes to the environment. But don’t worry, more and more plastic pens are made using recycled materials. Companies are slowly figuring out how to make pens that don’t cost a lot and don’t end up in landfills. Even the most doubtful people might be swayed by those eco-initiatives.
The real kicker is that people remember where useful things originate from. A pen that has been used up can bring back memories of a business you forgot about months later. Sometimes, you forget why you picked up a good pen in the first place.
Don’t roll your eyes the next time someone gives you a free pen. Think of it as a little ambassador that goes from coffee table to meeting room to glove compartment, telling the narrative of a brand one doodle at a time.