Stress balls – Your Main Squeeze? ߷

Words by Kathleene Capararo 

Should you spend money on promotional stress balls, fidget devices, or indeed any kind of promotional item? The answer to this question is tied to your Promotional Goals and Target Audience. 

Your Promotional Goals 

If you’re asking yourself ‘but what are my promotional goals?’, consider narrowing them down before you read on.

It goes without saying that the promotional product you choose should be in line with this goal or goals. So, if your focus is to increase sales, is a fidget spinner with your website on it actually going to get you clicks that convert to sales? However, if your goal is to reward customer loyalty, that same fidget spinner could really achieve that goal. This isn’t to say that free merchandise can’t create sales. It just has to be the correct kind of merchandise for your target audience.

Target Audience

This isn’t necessarily just pencil-pushing, desk jockeys like yours truly. It could also be kids, young families, older people, pet owners, rideshare app drivers, really anyone. Chances are you already know your current or desired audience, but it doesn’t hurt to remind yourself every once in a while. Honing in on audience can mean the difference between potential customers using your product every day or deciding to chuck it in the bin.

Stress and fidget devices, for the right person, can definitely become one of those every day staples. That said, consider the point of these items in the first place; to distract and get rid of unwanted energy. If your audience is typically physically active, it’s more likely they’re not going to need your branded stress ball- they’ve already reduced their stress through exercise.

Targeting a stressed-out, sedentary demographic, while it sounds cynical on paper, is actually a great opportunity to create not only health benefits, but also a positive association with your brand. Having a product on hand that reduces tension and its long-term effects can be especially invaluable in workplaces with a more traditional culture, free from ping pong tables and beer fridges. So that simple foam ball with your logo on it can satisfy a need for play and pointless distraction that can lead to more creative problem solving and ultimately better user workplace performance.

Choosing the Right Product

This choice depends on your desired effect. Want to soothe? Choose a smooth, squishy or flexible product like a stress ball or shape. Explore your options here.

 Or perhaps you want to create mental stimulation and focus? Opt instead for devices that are spinnable, clickable or spiky. Explore those options here.