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Squeezing The Most From Your Promotional USB Flash Drive Budget

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

Advertising and marketing budgets have been hit hard over the last couple of years and whilst there are glimmers of the economy recovering its still early days and consequentially purse strings are still pulled relatively tight. That said businesses can’t afford to stand still and the need to advertise and promote your business and products is still of paramount importance but, where hard cash is being spent its critical that you squeeze as much as possible from your budget.

When it comes to buying promotional USB flash drives there are several factors that you should consider because they will help you to get the best possible “bang for buck”:

  • Don’t pay for unnecessary memory – USB flash drives are available in a wide range of sizes starting from 32MB all the way up to 64GB. Popular USB flash drive sizes are 1Gb – 2GB and these are normally ample for any corporate gifts or promotional give-aways. If you buy USB flash drives larger than this then the costs start to rise quite substantially. Similarly if you buy flash drives smaller than 1GB the price reduction is relatively small but more importantly the likelihood of the flash drive being used on an on-going basis is dramatically reduced. Without on-going use you don’t get the benefit of your brand being continually recalled or promoted.
  • Reduce the number of colours you want printed – Ink costs and each colour printed has a set-up cost associated
    Barclays USB Flash Drives

    Barclays USB Flash Drives

    with it. Whilst some suppliers might absorb some of these costs to secure your business its unlikely that they’ll swallow all of them. If you have a complex logo or a logo with 4 or more colours see if you can simplify it. Its not unusual for there to be various “complex” and “simple” versions of a company logo available because good designers understand that a logo will be used in a variety of way and so they plan ahead accordingly.

  • Plan ahead and order early – The vast majority of USB flash drives that are printed up with a company brand or logo are manufactured to order from factories in China. Despite the distances involved and the freight costs associated with shipping flash drives around the world it is still considerably cheaper to get flash drives this way. If you order flash drives at the last minute then you’ll pay a premium to get them printed locally and you’ll have far less choice in terms of memory size and style of memory stick.
  • Only buy gift boxes if you really need them – this speaks for itself but its worth checking that any price you are quoted does not include a charge for gift boxes (unless you want them). Most branded USB flash drives will come in individual “poly” bags or they’ll be in a free plain white box.
  • Pre-load any data during the manufacturing process – one of the best ways to offset the cost of buying branded USB flash drives is to pre-load them with your company sales brochures, media files, presentation files and so on – saving this data onto the flash drive means you won’t have to go to the expense of getting them printed. The trick though is to make sure you have the data ready early so that it can be loaded onto the flash drive at the point of manufacture (this is usually free). If you are late supplying your data then expect to pay a fee for it to be loaded post manufacture.
  • Get several quotes before ordering – we all have our own favourite or “preferred” supplier(s) but when you’re sourcing branded USB flash drives its definitely worth shopping around and getting several quotes. If you do choose a new supplier make sure you get a firm quote in writing, read any associated T & C’s and payment terms and make sure the price is a fully inclusive price. In particular watch out for print set up, print origination charges and high delivery charges!
  • Buying the cheapest USB flash drives can end up costly in the long run – before you just accept the cheapest price you are quoted its best to make sure you are comparing “apples with apples”. Some unscrupulous vendors will supply graded or re-cycled flash chips unless you specify “new”. Whilst most of these will work you can expect a much higher failure rate and much slower performance – not exactly what you want if you’re printing your brand on them! Choose your vendor carefully, check out their testimonials and if you’re at all concerned take references.
  • Avoid buying your USB flash drives during the peak demand periods – there are a couple of times of the year (every year) when the price of flash rockets and this has a knock on effect on the price of USB flash drives. The times to avoid if at all possible include the early run up to Christmas (late September and October) when many large manufacturers buy up flash chips for their Christmas manufacturing schedules and the time around Chinese New Year when there is a general scarcity in the market.
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Squeezing The Most From Your Promotional USB Flash Drive Budget

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You Can Have Barrels of Fun With These Branded USB Flash Drives

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

If you’re bored with standard rectangular USB flash drives and you’re looking for something a little different, something that will grab peoples attention and something that is robust and will take the knocks of everyday use then why not consider a USB Barrel.

Branded USB Barrels are not only great fun but also they look fantastic and they are incredibly tough. They are of course “miniature” versions of barrels but like regular barrels they are manufactured from wood and metal that gives them their inherent strength. The lid of the barrel has the USB connector and memory built into it and is held securely in place because its “screws” into the barrel when not in use. The metal base of the USB barrel is magnetised (we’re not really sure why) but I guess it could be handy if you need to pick up lots of paper clips or play with iron filings.

USB Barrels

USB Barrels

The real beauty of these barrels is that they look great and because of their strength they work really well on a keyrings. Some standard models of USB flash drives simply aren’t up to the daily punishment of being attached to a set of keys but the barrels will easily withstand the punishment.

Most people think drink companies and drink related brands when they think, about barrels or kegs but they are suitable for any brand and of course over the centuries barrels have been used to store and transport a wide range of products including tea, coffee and other commodities.

Branded USB Barrels, just like standard USB memory sticks come in a wide range of memory sizes starting at 128MB

USB Barrel

USB Barrel

and going all the way up to 16GB. There are two choices of wood colour/finish available and they can be engraved or printed. It’s also possible to pre-load the barrels with data before they are distributed. The data loading can be done during the manufacturing process to save you the time and heartache of doing it yourself.

If you’d like to see what you companies logo might look like printed on one of our USB barrels just email us over your logo and our designers will work up some concepts for you free of charge and with no obligation.

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You Can Have Barrels of Fun With These Branded USB Flash Drives

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Not Sure Whether To Buy A USB Pen or USB Flash Drive – Simple Buy Both!

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Many of our customers have very clear ideas about what they want from a branded USB memory stick and its not unusual for them to have very precise ideas on what model, colour and memory size will work best for them and their brand. Sometimes this is simply because they have purchased branded memory sticks before and simply want a repeat order or because they’ve seen other companies USB memory sticks and want something similar for themselves.

But, if you’re looking to order USB memory sticks with your logo printed or engraved on for the first time it can be daunting. Not only are there literally hundreds of different models and styles available including credit card versions, USB pens, leather memory sticks, USB keys and the usual range of “more standard” designs but every model comes in a range of different colours and in some cases a range of different finishes, i.e. glossy, rubberised, and metal.

Once you’ve settled on a short list its then a case of working out exactly what you want printed on the memory sticks, whether you should print on both sides, whether you should have the same design printed on both sides or perhaps have your logo on one side and your web URL and phone number on the other side. Decisions, decisions!

Of course for customers that are not quite sure what they want it helps that our in-house design team are on-hand to work up concepts and ideas. At USB2U we’ve always offered this service without charge and without any obligation because we want to make sure that you get not just an “ok” memory stick but a branded USB memory stick that looks fantastic and will do a great job at promoting your company. It’s a cliché but we want our customers to be “delighted” with the choice they’ve made and if that means going the extra mile to help them make the right decision then we’re happy to do it.

Branded Memory Sticks and Pens

Branded Memory Sticks and Pens

For some customers narrowing down the choice to one particularly USB memory stick is not always easy. One option is to go with multiple types or the same model but in a variety of colours. A great example of this is BASI (British Association of Snowsport Instructors) who eventually chose a Classic USB flash drive and a USB Pen with the pen being supplied in a really nice metal tin. Both of them look great and its easy to see why making a decision between the two would be tough. BASI were delighted with the results and were kind enough to say the following:

“Just a line to let you know that I have received the USB’s today and that I am delighted with the products. Thank you for your assistance with the order, and it has been a pleasure to deal with you.”

If you’re considering buying branded USB memory sticks and you’re not sure which model to choose then just give us a call. Our friendly sales team will talk you through the options and arrange a free no obligation mock-up(s) for you.

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Not Sure Whether To Buy A USB Pen or USB Flash Drive – Simple Buy Both!

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Branded Flash Drive – Record A-Level and GCSE Results

Friday, August 13th, 2010

With the Scottish Higher results having already been announced and with A-Level / GCSE imminent the exam results season is well and truly upon us.

Many industry pundits are predicting another year of record-breaking results. Whilst some still claim the dumbing down of exams, school and colleges should be given the praise they deserve in preparing students for these important exams.

One of the tools that schools have been adopting to help achieve this is the use of  Branded Flash Drives.

USB Flash Drives for Schools

So why are these so valuable for schools?

  • It allows students to transport information between home and school without the need to carry heavy and expensive text books.
  • Documents can be stored on the Branded Memory Stick saving on printing.
  • It allows schools to keep their own networks and storage space to a minimum. Some schools only have dumb workstations, with no local memory, so Branded Memory Sticks would allow the information to be stored.
  • Staff can take information home to mark, check and auto correct.
  • Branded Memory sticks are a great incentive / reward for pupils for achieving certain milestones.
  • PTAs could consider selling the memory sticks to parents as a fund raising activity.
  • It helps students embrace technology, which will be an important part of their future careers.
  • Each Branded Memory stick can have pupil’s name or a unique serial number printed on, so if they do get misplaced they can be easily returned.
  • If the information to be stored on Branded Memory Sticks is sensitive a password or encryption can be added.

As this list illustrates there are many advantages for schools and colleges embracing Branded Memory sticks that will help to continue to improve those dreaded yearly results.

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Branded Flash Drive – Record A-Level and GCSE Results

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Branded Flash Drives – Prices Fall As Sterling Exchange Rate Recovers

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

There has never been a better time to purchase branded memory sticks. Several factors have come together to make the perfect storm allowing the sharp fall in Branded Memory stick prices. The two primary drivers are a six month high for the UK Pound against the US Dollar and an over capacity of flash memory in the Far East.

The exchange rate has continued to improve given that it hit a 14 month low in May. Since that time, Sterling has risen by more than 11 percent, due especially to the stronger than expected news about the UK economy and the austerity plan put in place by the new government. Investors who bet against the UK Pound have been forced to unwind their deals, which helped to push the UK currency higher.

This has also been helped by the fears that the US economy may not be doing as well as investors had hoped.

Why is this important for the price of branded memory sticks? In short, almost all Flash chips used for Branded Memory sticks are manufactured in the Far East and the US Dollar is the preferred method of payment. Branded Flash Drives are more susceptible to short term currency movements because orders are placed on factories and paid for as customers confirm their requirements. Whilst some forward buying of stock does take place the wide range of styles, colours and memory sizes coupled with the fact that many customers take advantage of pantone colour matching the body of Memory Sticks it is impossible to forward buy too much.

With the improvement in global transportation and the ability to manufacturer and ship within a few days rather than weeks more Branded Flash drives are manufactured to order, hence why currency variation has such as dramatic bearing on price.

There is also a lull in the manufacturer of electronic items, which has reduced the price of flash chip, the core cost for any Branded Memory Stick.

So will this last? Whilst all the underlying factors are improving the currency rates have been so volatile over that past months that it is difficult to predict whether this will continue on an upward trend or in fact fall back again.

What is certain is that the demand for flash will increase over the coming weeks in preparation for the Christmas trading period and this will drive the price of flash up. Especially for 1Gb and 2Gb memory sticks.

So if you are thinking of purchasing Branded Flash Drives, anytime over the coming months, then it may be prudent to secure today’s price as there is no telling how long the perfect storm will last.

Branded Memory Stick

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Summers Here So Promotional USB Fans Anyone

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

After expectations were raised last year of a glorious BBQ summer only to be dashed with some pretty torrid and wet weather, this year, the majority of forecasters seem to agree that we’re in for a cracker!

Given the flak they took last year the Met Office are being cagey and suggesting the have “no idea what summer holds”

USB Fan

USB Fan

but this might be more to do with an embarrassed Met Office dropping long-term seasonal forecasts for fear of further criticism. Other forecasters that are prepared to put their necks on the block are talking the summer up and promising long balmy days with a strong likelihood that records will fall in August.

Whilst this is great news for the UK tourist industry and for anyone planning a summer holiday in the UK its not such great news if you’re going to be stuck in a baking hot office with little ventilation and no air-conditioning. Many small businesses in the UK don’t have the luxury of air-conditioning and lots of larger companies are based in old office and warehouse stock where installing air-conditioning is either impossible or prohibitively expensive. Consequently, if the forecasters are right, expect a massive surge in the purchase of desktop fans and portable air-conditioning units this summer.

Given the proliferation of PC’s in most offices another option is to use a USB Fan. These simple and effective fans plug into any spare USB port on the PC and give a refreshing blast of air to the user. They are small, directional, they don’t need any additional power and from a promotional perspective they can be branded and therefore make an idea giveaway.

So, if you’re looking for something a little different this year (well this summer) then you might want to consider a promotional USB fan. They’re sure to be popular, well received and they’re relatively cheap. If you are interested in buying USB fans then given we’re already in June you’ll need to get your orders in quickly.

Of course if you’d prefer branded memory sticks them we have these in abundance!

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Summers Here So Promotional USB Fans Anyone

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No One Ever Got Fired For Buying Branded Memory Sticks

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

In the IT industry in the 1980’s a phrase that was commonly heard was “no one ever got fired for buying IBM” and in the 1990’s this was changed to “no one ever got fired to buying Microsoft”. Today, in our opinion, this phrase can be applied equally to branded memory sticks in the promotional sector.

Branded Memory Sticks

Branded Memory Sticks

IBM and Microsoft are companies that have dominated their respective sectors, their products were considered “safe bets” and whilst there might have been alternative options, many with better technological solutions, they were rarely every recommended or purchased. The reason for recommending them and buying them was as much about job security as it was about buying the best of breed product. Why take the risk of recommending alternative vendors and products when every one else was siding with “Big Blue” or Microsoft. There might have been better options in the market but when these companies were at their zenith you’d be hard pushed to find them and even harder pushed to find companies that had bet their business on them.

After a slow but steady start branded USB memory sticks are reaching a similar position in the promotional and corporate gift sector. The primary difference here is that it’s a product and not a company or specific brand that is beginning to dominate. Of course the promotional market spans a broad range of needs and budgets and at the  “cheap and cheerful” end where budgets are pennies per giveaway the more traditional items like pens, bags, and mugs badges are still top dogs. But, where companies are looking to spend a little more and want to give away something that is going to be retained, used on a regular basis, generates significant brand association and importantly allows them to supply all of their sales material at the same time, then a branded memory stick is the best option.

The price of branded memory sticks, despite the recent hiccup in flash prices and exchange rate fluctuations, continues to fall. Today a typical 1Gb branded memory stick that’s printed, boxed and loaded with data costs as little as £3. This cost will vary depending on memory size and the number ordered (and the supplier you choose) but when you consider that by loading sales, presentation material etc. onto the disk you can offset significant printing and transportation costs the memory sticks can pay for themselves.

Part of growing use of the branded memory stick by the Promotions Industry is that they are incredibly popular with anyone they are given to because they provide real value and benefit. After all we’re all generating more digital data (photos videos, work files, homework etc.) and a branded memory stick is a really convenient way storing and transporting this data.

In an ironic twist both IBM and Microsoft are regular users of promotional memory sticks to underpin the launch of new products and services and to drive customer and re-seller loyalty.

If you are looking for a good value, popular and “safe” promotional option then branded memory sticks should be at the top of your shortlist.

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No One Ever Got Fired For Buying Branded Memory Sticks

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Tip 5 -The Hazards Of Buying Promotional USB Memory Sticks

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

In the fifth of the series of top tips to consider when purchasing customised USB memory sticks, we explain the top ten pitfalls when buying promotional USB memory sticks.

Buying branded USB memory sticks should be an effortless process and for the most part it is. However, there are many examples of where things have and could go wrong – some real horror stories! However, by asking the right questions and selecting a reputable supplier you can avoid most of these issues.

This guide provides the top ten hazards of buying promotional USB memory sticks and how to avoid them.

Find a reputable supplier

There are many UK companies providing branded USB memory sticks. As with any industry the quality of these companies varies widely. Whilst standard due diligence is always required, here are a few tips to help you with the process:

  • Reputation speaks volumes. Don’t be afraid to ask for references and testimonials from their existing customer base and make contact. If they have provided excellent service levels, they will delighted to share their branded memory stick successes.
  • Make sure there are full contact details on the web site including address and contact telephone numbers – and phone them!
  • It is always good practice to run a credit check to make sure your memory stick supplier is in good financial health. This is more important if you are being asked to pay upfront for the branded USB memory sticks.
  • Ensure they are working from a business premises. There is a growing trend for individuals pertaining to be companies working from home without the infrastructure to support you if things go wrong or they fall ill or go on holiday – it happens. A simple way to check this is by using Google Earth, or ask the question

Hidden costs

When stating your requirements to a USB memory stick supplier be specific about your needs and ensure that they are all met by studying your quotation carefully. Ask for terms and conditions and be aware of payment terms and delivery date promises. For example some companies will charge extra for print and origination, so ensure that these are covered in the quotation. There as also hidden ‘rush fees’ if deadline are not met, so again ensure these are full disclosed.

Quality of Chipset / Housing

If you quote sounds to good to be true – then it probably is! The core cost of any branded USB memory stick is made up of the USB body shell and USB flash chip components. There are several techniques to shave the costs on these, for example using inferior quality housing and reconditioned USB Memory chips.   Both carry reputational risk for you or your client if things go wrong. So ensure you ask for a sample to check the housing quality and your supplier provides new branded A Grade chipsets such as Samsung, Hynix, Micron or Intel.

It is also worth asking what the manufacturer’s Quality Assurance testing procedure is for branded memory sticks.

Proofs/screenshots

Most suppliers will mock up a visual of what the promotional USB memory stick will look like before production. This does not always match the finished product. So ensure that the proof carries the colour pantone references and size of the logo. The leading suppliers will provide a photo of your printed pre-production brand stick so you know exactly what you are going to get and there are no surprises!

Dataloads

Many clients are faced with the dilemma of whether they should add an autorun facility to their promotional USB promotional memory sticks.

An autorun facility allows users to insert a USB branded memory stick and for the computer to automatically run a programme e.g. a movie file or link directly to a web page.

The obvious advantages of this facility is that it ensures the user is presented with the information the client wants them to see, without having to find the information themselves. This makes is a very intuitive process and ensures the information on the USB memory stick is delivered. However there are some hidden drawbacks:

  • Nuisance factor. If one of the objectives is to ensure that the USB promotional memory stick is a keepsake that the end user will access on a regular basis then its worth bearing in mind that every time the user wants to access or save a document they will have to run through the dataload programme. Fine for the first few times, but thereafter they may find this an irritation and relegate the memory stick deep into a draw!
  • Autoruns will not work on Win 98SE or 2000 operating systems – beware there are still many users out there with these systems. You will also need to ensure that the appropriate code is written into any autorun for it to work on Mac operating systems.
  • Some corporate firewalls restrict autoruns, so the danger is that the end user will never see the data.

There is am alternative method, why not consider loading the data onto the USB branded memory stick with an icon labelled ‘Click Here To Start’ and allow the user to access the data when they want.  This data can be protected so it would not be deleted, but overcomes may of the issues detailed above.

Shipping / Customs

Almost all branded USB memory sticks are manufactured in the Far East and as such need to pass through both Chinese and Taiwanese and UK Customs. For the vast majority of orders this is pretty seamless process. However, any consignment can be pulled for inspection and customs may request additional information. If a global brand is printed on the promotional USB memory sticks they may ask for written authentication from the end clients that the goods are not counterfeit.  Either way a custom check will delay your order from a few days to up to 3 weeks!

Returning goods / Warranties

Unfortunately things go wrong! The mark of a good supplier is how they manage these issues. All customised USB memory sticks should carry at least a 12 month warranty. Ensure your supplier stipulates this as part of their Terms and Conditions.  However, if the items need replacing it make take several weeks for the branded USBs to be returned to the manufacturer and repaired or replaced.

Poor Packaging

Poor quality packaging can spoil a great looking USB memory stick. In particular the insert that holds the USB memory stick within a box needs to be of the same shape and size of the USB branded memory drive. Again the only solution is to have a sample of a box before you order.

Delivery Timeframe

Do not leave the ordering of branded USB memory sticks to the last minute unless you want to pay a premium for rush fees and limit your choice of what is available in the UK. Allow at least 2, ideally 3 weeks, from providing your supplier with the artwork, which kicks off the production process.

Quality Of Print

The printing of logos onto your branded memory stick is a real art form that at best makes a perfect reproduction of your logo at worst makes it look like real mess and something you would not want to associate your brand to. The typical printing process is spot or screen-printing. This is great for simple logos with up to 4 colours. However it cannot print tints, tones, complex logos or a logo with many colours. A new full colour printing process is now evolving allowing greater printing capabilities. Again if time permits ask for a pre-production printed sample and remove this potential dangers.

Look out for our next top tip, which will focus on the benefits of different USB models and designs.

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Tip 5 -The Hazards Of Buying Promotional USB Memory Sticks

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Looking For Inspiration – Consider Promotional USB Flash Drives

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Lets face it; if you’ve been tasked with coming up with a promotional giveaway for a forthcoming event, campaign or conference it’s never easy. After all trying to come up with something a little bit different that is relevant to the audience and more importantly is within budget can be a chore.

If the items in question have also got to be transported to the event then size and weight might also be an issue or at least something you need to consider. This is particularly true if the event is overseas where shipping costs might well exceed the actual cost of the items and then of course there is VAT and Duty to consider at the point of entry into the country – no one said it would be easy!

Promotional USB

If you’ve already exhausted the old favourites like printed pens, T-shirts, key rings, cups and mugs etc. then you’re task will be all the harder. Whilst these great favourites are good options you might consider printed USB flash drives.

Printed USB flash drives (also sometimes referred to as memory sticks or USB Pens) not only look fantastic when printed up with a company logo but they are incredibly popular with the recipients because they really are very useful and handy things to have.

Flash drives are available in a wide range of styles and memory sizes so you’re bound to find something to suit your taste and budget. If you want to go the extra mile you could even commission a fully bespoke flash drive that is manufactured in 3-D shape to reflect your company’s products. Just remember if you do go down the custom route to allow yourself a little longer when placing the order.

Promotional USB

One of the beauties of a printed USB flash drive is their compact size. Typically they will come “bulk supplied” so there is no excessive packaging to worry about. They are also incredibly light so if you do have to take them to an event venue you’re not looking at a huge logistics operation.

To really get the best value from a promotional USB flash drive you can pre-load them with your sales data sheets, price lists, web links and media files. If you’re really organised these files can be loaded for you by the factory during the manufacturing process. The cost of doing this is tiny and in some cases free but it does rely on you having the information and files ready when you place the order.

There are lots of companies now supplying promotional memory sticks so shop around to get the best deal but do buy from a reputable supplier with a proven track record because its all too easy to buy cheap/cheerful versions that are not quite what they seem and will have a high failure rate.

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Looking For Inspiration – Consider Promotional USB Flash Drives

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