The 6 Top Tips for Using Branded Bookmarks in your Marketing

Bookmarks have the power to do more than just mark a reader’s place in a book - they are also an incredible marketing tool when printed with your branding.

These plastic bookmarks are just one variety - there are also laminated card, magnetic and logo bug bookmarks

Branded bookmarks come in a variety of colours and materials, and are one of the cheapest ways to market your business. If you would like to take advantage of bookmarks' fantastic potential but aren't sure how, here are 6 ideas and techniques for making sure your branded bookmarks are a success!

1. Use Bookmarks as Business Cards

Giving away a branded bookmark instead of a business card is a particularly good idea for those of you involved with or linked to the book industry, for example, authors, publishers, educational businesses and charities. Recipients of your bookmarks are then able to enjoy reading more easily, and will also have something to remember you with, each time they dip into a novel.

If you choose to use this method of marketing, don’t be tempted to fit too much information on the length of the bookmark. Your logo, name, email and telephone number will be enough. Choosing a sturdy material such as plastic will also ensure that the bookmark lasts for a long time and doesn’t become damaged.

2. Donate Bookmarks to Libraries

Libraries are excellent places to distribute your branded bookmarks

You can leave your branded bookmarks in library entrances for visitors to pick up on their way in and out, or ask library staff if they wouldn’t mind giving away a bookmark with each book they lend. This is a great way to expose your brand to a wide variety of potential customers in your local area, and to convey your generous, community-focused brand image.

This method of marketing can work for any business, book related or not, as libraries attract a wide variety of people who can benefit from the services you provide. Those receiving your promotional bookmarks in this way will likely never have heard of your business before, so make it clear exactly what your business does and how it can benefit them, either through clever artwork or even brief bullet points.

3. Print on Both Sides of your Bookmarks

Promotional bookmarks offer an excellent canvas for your branding with their flat surface area and the possibility to print everywhere. Make the most of this by printing on both sides of the bookmark. You could print your logo and slogan on one side, with extra information on the other, for instance.

This will make the most of your investment as you will be able to convey more about yourself and your brand, and will make the bookmark more interesting and informative for the recipient too!

4. Give Away Bookmarks Alongside Other Purchases

If you run a shop or sell online, you can reward purchases with a little something extra, like a branded bookmark. Bookmarks are particularly well suited to online sellers as many of them have a flat profile and will fit easily inside a package, adding almost no extra weight!

This marketing method is ideal for business who have some connection to the book industry - bookshops and toy shops being good examples. Make customers more likely to remember you by giving them something with novelty or fun branding, such as a logo bug bookmark with a colourful fuzzy bug at the top of it. Kids will love animal ones such as the elephant on the left.

5. Make Your Bookmarks Double as a Coupon

You can make promotional bookmarks even more appealing and exciting for recipients by making them double as coupons. Simply do this by printing information for how to redeem the coupon on the bookmark. You can give them out when customers spend over a certain amount, or as a reward for loyalty.

Encourage customers to keep the bookmark on them at all times by offering them money off on certain products whenever they present their coupon in future. For example, if you are run a book cafe you could offer 20% off hot drinks for those with a bookmark/coupon. This will help customers feel valued and demonstrate your business’s caring qualities.

6. Order Bookmarks in Bulk

Buying promotional bookmarks in bulk will save you money

Branded bookmarks are very inexpensive gifts and you can make them even more affordable by ordering in bulk. Raising the order quantity to a few thousand will drastically reduce unit cost and your message will be spread wider as you give the items away to more people! This way, your valuable investment will pay off well and you won't need to worry about them finishing too soon.

If you are planning to use your promotional bookmarks over a long period, however, make sure that your branding and artwork does not contain any information that is liable to change - just your brand name and web address will be fine, so that people can find out more about your business online.

Browse Bookmarks ⇒

If you would like more advice on how to use branded bookmarks, please contact one of our promotional gifts specialists on 01204 577 995 who will be happy to help. Or, if you would like to use promotional bookmarks in any of the ways listed above, please have a look at our bookmark range and choose one of our brilliant options. We look forward to hearing from you!