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A day on product knowledge learning…

So, all in a day of learning. Yes, I spent my Sunday at Printwear and Promotion doing the touchy-feely bit and getting the product into my hands to help us specify great solutions for our customers.

A different show from previous years, less might be one word, but what was there was certainly worth the time.

Probably to our biggest wholesale channel first, considering we’ve not actually met our account rep in person, it was great to know that voice alone gets you recognised. Gildan has a new Softstyle Midweight Fleece Adult Hoodie, which yes made the mark, with 15 colours in the range, it’s not quite to the level of the other big Hoodie manufacturer, but we can say, there will be stock of this, as this wholesaler and brand a renowned for keeping good stock levels. So, a sure winner there!  If you’re sporty, the advent of a well-known name of Craft coming into the portfolio of this supplier is a real winner too. And, yes I will be product testing certain items myself (that says a lot!) However this isn’t in the catalogue yet – give it a few weeks and we’ll be chomping at the bit for it. 

A Craft Fleece Top with nice branding patch on left-hand side.


For our workwear clients, here’s the winner through this wholesale channel – Jobman workwear, yes the Craftsman Trousers, are certainly a product to take a look at. We also liked the Softshell Jacket as well – again specification at the price point is a great option – more than the Regatta Ablaze, but in a different league. If you are a brand snob and workwear has to be absolutely top-notch, the option around Helly Hansen is there, and the Manchester T-Shirt again really packs a punch.

Helly Hansen Workwear T-Shirts

As big fans of Hoodies, we had to stop by AWDis – purely the range is awesome, with more colours than you can shake a magic wand at. Whilst we have some in our Halifax Showroom, we don’t have the full range, Great for apparel which needs to bring brand colours really to home. We also took a serious look at AWDis Just Cool and knowing some of our personal trainer clients and fitness industry clients, there is some interesting development in products which will allow your branding into more places, including crop tops and excellent leggings. The other Hoodie which we are fans of is Anthem – this has become our staple top-of-range go too. Yes, we came away with a sample of the mid-range Anthem Hoodie and did spend a bit of time looking at the zipped hoodies as well.

Anthem heavyweight Hoodies

Other highlights saw us exploring options around merchandise to bolt on to apparel – watch this space. We also had substantial conversations with a significant outdoor clothing brand about potential packages we might be able to offer. Plus exploring further product offerings which might help us to enhance our offering.

So our advice – if you’re looking for apparel and workwear, ask, we’ve seen a lot, and gotten to know a lot of products. We have sample stock available for you to see for yourselves in our Halifax showroom. 

Maximising your opportunity at Exhibitions and Conferences

So, you’re either planning on exhibiting or have booked to exhibit at a conference, expo, showcase or another great event to get you and your business in front of some great prospects.

However, you want to maximise it, make it work, and create a great memory about you and your business with a potential customer base. The challenges are…

  • The sea of Pull Up Banners all competing to be seen, and nothing breaks the monotony of everyone having the same banners. 
  • How are you making this work with your current marketing? 
  • What are you doing to provoke and create engagement with the audience?

Be different…

  • Use different visual “tools” to be seen
  • Think 3-dimensional
  • Have an activity to engage people
  • Make giveaways relevant
  • Use the space you have and remove barriers to engaging with you.

Add to the journey…

  • Where do you want people to go next within your marketing tools, request a white paper. Become a prospect within your CRM?
  • If needs be map out a pipeline before the event, during the event and post the event with likely actions to support developing prospects into clients.
  • How do you create value by connecting with you? 

Yes, the Pull Up banner might be the staple go-to small exhibition visual tool. However, the commonality of Pull Up Banners means if you want to be seen, thinking differently will help. Breaking up the monotony will make you think about how you dress your stand to add extra points of interest. Easy wins for dressing a stand include branded tablecloths, runners, Tabletop cut-outs or feature graphics. Or even do something fun and engaging!

If you are looking to be different then a Stretch Printed Cloth display system provides a great refreshing change from the Pull-up banner or the Pop-up System. They have more shapes available and equally, add a different dimension to an exhibition space. It is essential to confirm what space you have beforehand and have a plan of how to use the space. Especially as these do occupy a very different space from just banners.

If you are in a small “booth” style pitch at an exhibition, if you have the height – use it! Feather flags might be associated with the outdoors, if you know you’re in a hall with a high ceiling – make the most of it. Just remember the basics of health and safety, and ensure it is safe.

Connecting your marketing: Ideally exhibiting is part of your marketing plan, which links everything together. Ensure you have a great message to connect with the audience you want to connect with. To make attendance at an Exhibition or Conference successful you do need to put in the leg work beforehand. Have you lined up social media content to back up your presence? Have you invited local customers to informally have a chat? Does exhibiting also present the opportunity to provide introductory offers or other onboarding techniques – how do you plan to communicate this, and provide references to accelerate the journey to conversion?

“People like people like themselves.” Understanding the audience at the event is essential. So much communication is done by non-verbal communication, body language signs and the mirroring of behaviours. Before you even start, you can be putting yourself at a disadvantage, be you, people like people. Therefore, if you don’t attire in a three-piece suit – don’t, if your attire is more casual, ensure it matches your personal brand and the brand of your business. Face it, I am well known for distinctive Hoodies, and bright matching trainers, it’s my signature, create your signature which echoes your business’s brand values. It’s a deliberate approach for us to break down barriers by being easy to approach. Branded apparel and workwear can aid in being seen and being remembered – how often in a networking room is it a sea of grey, blues and blacks? (I’ll assure you I am remembered when networking just for my attire)

Once your vibrant personality has caught someone, or equally, you need an opening line to get to talk to someone, an on-stand activity is a great ice-breaker. From simple lucky dips, wheel of fortune, “Play your cards right”, guess the number of sweets in a jar, having a bit of fun is so important, as it provides the opportunity to get to know people.

Which leads to giveaways, or merchandise. Yes, great idea for providing a brand presence for a while after the event with your prospect. However, thinking about this care is essential; Is it useful? Does it have a lifespan which is responsible? – yes, the green-eco agenda is important. Equally if giving away sweets, or other food items, need to think about allergens. Ensuring that your prospect goes away with something different is the key. If you’re just going to use a standard leaflet, remember when it hits the bag, will it stand out? Using unusual shapes, different folds and finishes will add to the look twice aspect. Of course, ensure your print has a measurable Call To Action on it.

Ultimately, what you put into an event will be what you get out of it. Getting the mix, of publicity, presence, and engagement right will help you maximise your return. Delivering your branded message will reinforce your message – just ensure it has a unique memorable hook and you’ll make some inroads to connecting and building great new business opportunities.

Blue Monday, can it be a better Monday?

Blue Monday (16th January 2023) might be a grotty Monday in January but thinking about it beforehand might just get you feeling more zingy and ready to go. Stuart outlines his thinking on ways to beat blue Monday.

1.         Physical activity. 

Might be the hardest time of year to get out and do something, but I have a goal in April, which needs some attention to make it one to be proud of. It might only be the Blackpool 10k – but training now makes the result even more worth it in the end.

2.         Set a realistic resolution. 

I’ve had some goals for a while, personal to me. Some are business related and some are personal, yes, the above might be one of them. However, looking at the steps on the journey, and looking at the measures towards them is so important. You might not hit where you want to be, however, what progress have you made, how is quantifiable the small wins are also important.

3.         Get creative.

Different people have different forms of creativity, do something which takes you away, zone out, and concentrate on something different, whether for business or pleasure. And share it with someone! The art of making someone else smile from something you’ve done is very rewarding.

4.         Eat well. 

You are what you eat. Yes, we’ve just had a season of self-indulgence. However, eating well doesn’t have to be a sacrifice. If you need top tips on this speak to Lisa Kempster – she always makes me smile, Lisa’s nuggets of wisdom when it comes to food are a real eye-opener.

5.         Make the most of natural light.

For me, it’s time out walking the dog. Probably the best thing that I and my partner did, he brightens us up every day. Even the wet drizzly ones, yes, we all hate going out in the rain – even Finn our Cockerpoo – clearly doesn’t like getting wet!

6.         Change your environment.

Small changes can make a big difference. The view from your desk or workplace. Our print studio looks out over the Hebble valley, and this made a big difference to us, looking at trees rather than Kirklees College where we were in Huddersfield. Watching the seasons is very magical.

7.         Consider a SAD lamp.

As a trained photographer, I am well aware of natural light, it’s something many people take for granted. Light affects us in many different ways, moods, as we all feed differently off the light. I know I am more vibrant in the spring. So if you do suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder – consider a light source which has the right colour tones in it for you.

8.         Spend time with others.

I know I am so lucky to have a small inner circle who really does make a difference for me. I hope I do for them.



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