36 Examples of the Sweetest Form of Marketing: Custom Chocolate
Pens, drinkware, bags, apparel… the whole point of handing out branded goods it to hand out items that will be seen over and over again to keep your brand relevant, right? If that’s the case, it seems counterproductive to gift branded chocolate, which with almost definitely be eaten immediately with the wrapper thrown out, right?
WRONG! Branded chocolate (and branded food gifts in general) are a different beast than pretty much any other promotional product, but they provide new and exciting opportunities. Rather than being seen physically, they are gifts that create memories, keeping your brand in the back of peoples minds.
You might think that there is no way your industry can implement branded chocolate, I mean, how is a real estate developer going to benefit from gifting chocolate to clients? You might be surprised to learn that any industry can find a way to successfully work custom chocolate into their marketing, retention, and/or referral strategy.
Here are just 36 examples of how our premier promotional partner, Chocolate Chocolate, has see companies do it before:
Accountants
1. A W-4 statement outlined on a wrapper with an engraved message like “Take a bite out of the IRS!”
2. An executive style 1-lb or 2-lb bar with the message “Don’t rethink your finances, rethink your provider” with your logo.
Appreciation
3. A custom “Thank You” chocolate bar or truffles to send to each client for a review, mention, or referral.
Automotive
4. A service department leaves 2 cookies in the vehicle for every service they complete creating a lasting legacy with customers that encourages them to come back again and again.
5. A dealership gives a 2lb bar to every new car owner featuring a photo of the entire staff, the building, their logo, or a featured car on the lid and chocolate.
Higher Education
6. Alumni events often heavily sponsored are easily complimented by custom chocolate pieces with the sponsors association or a sincere “Thank You” note.
7. For students who applied and were accepted or those who recently applied for classes, a custom 2″ x 5″ bar can be handed out with “Congrats” and your university logo and or contact information.
Conferences / Events
8. At event dinners, a bar can be placed on every place setting, creating an impossible-to-ignore impression for the party or sponsor.
9. With prizes on the line, a small batch of your custom bars can contain a golden ticket to indicate the recipient has won a prize amongst those in attendance (guests of an expo, company parties, etc.)
Construction / Manufacturing
10. During full turnaround / shutdowns, a refinery provided their own unique thank you bars to all involved – guests and contractors.
11. Display the different pieces of machinery as small outer pieces of a 45-pc assortment surrounding the company logo.
Corporate
12. News of a merger with new branding and messaging sent to all clients and partners as a chocolate gift.
13. Celebrate opening a new location with details and a picture of the new office in chocolate.
Employee Appreciation
14. A 2-lb executive bar given to the “Employee of the Month” for performance-based achievement.
Financial / Insurance
15. A mortgage company created a sincere 2-lb bar thanking their customers for referrals that resulted in a sharp 50% jump in referral business.
16. An insurance company provided a car shaped piece to sent to individuals following an accident with all the paperwork as a kind gesture to lift their spirits.
17. A bank provided a gold foiled chocolate bar with their logo on the wrapper to every person who opened a bank account that month.
Hospitality
18. Amenity chocolate with the hotel’s logo placed on the pillow of every room for a great welcome to start the guests stay.
19. Maintenance can leave behind a chocolate shaped wrench as a token of apology for the inconvenience to guests when working on maintenance issues.
Medical
20. A blood center provided a branded 2″ x 5″ bar to thank those who donated blood and to replenish blood sugar levels.
Real Estate / Architecture
21. A developer engraved the floor plan of an available condo unit in a new building on a 4″ x 6″ bar with a clear lid and sent it to potential buyers.
22. Chocolate business cards with a printed box for a realtor to have at all their open houses creates an initial impression that’s hard to forget.
Retail
23. In the beauty section of a retail store, every purchase of makeup products that exceeded $25 received a piece of chocolate with an engraved lipstick design (can be applied to any department or for general up charge encouragement, and the minimum can be adjusted to what your goals are!)
Education
24. Use branded chocolate to sell at events for fundraising programs and sports events.
25. Get your schools mascot engraved on chocolate bars for big games or other special events.
26. A few pieces of chocolate with “Winner!” engraved in them were hidden around a high school during Homecoming Week and a prize was given to all those that found them.
Technology
27. An outsourced IT company left behind a circuit chip shaped piece of chocolate for every person that experienced difficulty. This led to an overwhelming positive reaction.
28. A phone service provider created a trio bar that showcased all of the products and services they offer which was given out in city wide events.
Winery / Brewery
29. Promoting a new wine release, a winery created a beautiful dark chocolate bar with their logo to pair with the wine.
30. A winery created a trio wallet to showcase multiple bottles of wine you could receive as part of their Wine of the Month Club.
31. A brewery created a 2″ x 3″ bar with an engraved image of their custom bottle cap to hand out with every order of their chocolate flavored stout beer.
Product Launch
32. Create a delicious and memorable chocolate bar to giveaway at a product launch event with a QR code linked to buy the product.
33. Trying to showcase their new server abilities, a company had a clearly printed piece of chocolate with the benefits of their new system sent to customers prior to the launch which led to a high ROI.
Marketing
34. A radio station sent an assortment to prospective companies that would be interested in advertising with on air radio time – it was their most successful promotion yet!
35. A credit card company created an exact replica of their new card in chocolate which was distributed among events in the thousands to encourage sign ups.
36. A consulting company used a 1-pack cookie box with a questionnaire on the back which encouraged recipients to contact them if the questions instilled insecurities in their business practices.
Ready to make a sweet impression?
Contact our Print & Promotional Specialist at promos@perryop.com to start brainstorming or request a quote, and get started on designing the perfect custom chocolate for your brand!
Chocolate not your cup-of-tea? Browse PromosByPerry.com for thousands of other products to put your logo on!
