By Caryn Smith © 2009, All Rights Reserved

Trade shows are fantastic venues for both vendors and buyers to experience a great deal of variety in one location. While the traffic at a trade show offers a lot of exposure for presenters and the possibility of winning over new customers, you only have a small window of opportunity to attract and engage people. Make sure you are maximizing your chances with a professional presentation. Here are some tips to increase your chances of making a lasting impression.

1. Create an Interesting and Eye-Catching Display

In nature, there’s a biological reason why some animals are vibrant colors and others are camouflage — the brighter species often need to attract attention or mates. Think about your presentation in a similar way.

Avoid blending into the background with a black and white display. The eye is drawn to dynamic colors with strong contrast in lettering. Consider color when you have your signs or banners professionally printed. Though printing in color can be expensive, companies often offer reasonable options for using just two or three colors, or using black ink on colored paper. You want to show your brand, your personality and stand out from the rest. If possible, include attractive photographs to engage the eye.

2. Keep Your Table Neat

Does your display look clean and organized? It may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people neglect items off this checklist. Prepare your presentation materials to appear crisp and sharp. You will not impress potential customers with wrinkled, rumpled, or bland banners. Using a tablecloth? Double check that it is spotless and pressed. Organize takeaway materials in a neat manner on the table. You want to avoid looking like you just threw a booth together. A sophisticated display will encourage trust in your product.

3. Give Visitors Something to Remember You By

Sure, you might draw people to your booth with a large bowl of sinfully sweet snacks. That’s one way to lure them in. After they’ve popped a peppermint, however, what information about your business do they take away?

Lapel pins provide a distinctive way to make a great first impression. Custom-made in various sizes, lapel pins offer high perceived value. They are also affordable for all marketing budgets and far outshine ordinary letter openers and koozies.

For added punch, work with lapel pin designers to develop clever pins with greater mass appeal. What’s more, while candy wrappers will be thrown in the trash and ink pens will dry up, talented design teams are experts at making lapel pins people want to keep and wear. That means more exposure for your business long after the show has ended.

With these tips, you will be sure to make a strong and professional presentation, creating positive buzz for your company. Good luck.

Caryn Smith is Manager of Lapel Pins R Us. When you need an affordable way to promote at trade shows, lapel pins are an excellent option. Visit http://www.lapelpinsrus.com today for custom lapel pins in just 10 days, guaranteed!

by Sean Myers/Caryn Smith © 2009
http://www.lapelpinsrus.com
Trading Pins are a tradition that is part of many teams and organizations throughout the USA. One organization in particular has become one of the most successful Little League Organizations in the southeast.

Winning the Little League World Series in 2007 Warner Robins American Little League (WRALL) has continued its winning tradition in 2009 unbeaten in 13 all-star-season games, and after the 9-0 victory against Alabama Warner Robins moved into single-elimination match up against Tennessee.

Warner Robins has outscored its opponents 159-18 in 13 games dating back to district-tournament play, which started in early July.

August 12 Warner Robins faced Tennessee and pulled out a 3-2 win in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the sixth which sent them to a national ESPN-televised regional championship showdown against Virginia.

Beating Virginia 6-3, WRALL moved to the Little League World Series and moved all the way through to the US Semifinals and faced Chula Vista representing the West. In heart-breaking fashion Warner Robins lost 11-10 to Chula Vista who later went on to win the Little League World Series.

Throughout the years of success Warner Robins has chosen one source for its championship and tournament pins: Lapel Pins R Us. For more than a decade Lapel Pins R Us has been providing custom trading pins to some of the most successful teams in baseball.

The pins below represent the immeasurable teamwork and achievement of Warner Robins and the dedication of the team of Lapel Pins R Us to create a one-of-a-kind high quality trading pins to cherish the memories of WRALL success.

With an experienced team of artists and experts, each championship pin is made with winning in mind. Using custom molded dyes and top-quality materials the trading pins are made to last just as long as the memories of success.

Please contact us today to make your custom pins and let the winning tradition of our trading pins be a part of your team’s success.

Caryn Smith is Manager of Lapel Pins R Us. Visit http://www.lapelpinsrus.com today for custom lapel pins in just 10 days.

Visit http://www.lapelpinsrus.com today for custom lapel pins in just 10 days, guaranteed!

By Caryn Smith © 2009, All Rights Reserved

Pick a sport. Any sport…football, baseball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball. More and more children play some sort of team sport each year. Some kids start as early as four years old and play all the way through college.

There are many hours of practice and dozens of games that go into each season. If you’re lucky, your team might make it to the playoffs. Whatever the course of the season holds, one thing is certain: end-of-season parties are a must. The dilemma comes in finding fun ideas the kids will get excited about.

Laser Tag

With this indoor party (which means there are no worries about the weather) your team can split up into two or more groups and compete with each other. If the coaches and/or parents are brave enough, you could even stage a players-versus-adults competition. The kids will love the chance to possibly put the adults to shame.

Arcade/Restaurant

Most arcades offer games for players of every age. Give each team member a card with a certain dollar amount and let them entertain themselves. Most of these establishments also include a restaurant, which solves the food quandary.

A Country Outing

If your end-of-year party will be during fall, think about having it at a farm. There are many places that offer hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin patches and more. You might even be able to host a bonfire with hot chocolate and s’mores. After a season of hard work, this is a great way to relax and have a good time.

Player Rewards

While parties are great, the end of the season also marks a time for showing appreciation in a more permanent way. T-shirts and jackets are nice, but they’re worn out or outgrown much too soon.
There’s a way to have something memorable and make it fun at the same time. One of the most popular rewards is lapel trading pins.

Lapel pins can be made into any shape imaginable including baseballs, bats, footballs, helmets… you name it. Personalize each pin with your team name and colors.

Trading lapel pins is a huge pastime in most areas of the country. If you want pins your team will be proud to trade, try adding a few extras. One option is blinkies. Believe it or not, your lapel pins can have blinking lights. Spinners can turn your ordinary pin into something eye-catching. Sliders are another favorite, with moving parts that go back and forth. There are also bobble heads, glitter and danglers to think about. Any of these options will make your pin one that’s interesting and very trade-worthy.

Wondering how this will fit into your end-of-season budget? Lapel pins, even with all the extras, are quite affordable. So much so, you’ll want to order extras. After all, each player needs pins to give to family members as well as some to trade with other teams.

When ordering lapel pins, look for companies that offer the best overall value. Some charge for color proofs, artwork, molding, shipping and colors. The better companies offer these items free of charge.
With a little imagination you’ll be able to create a memorable party and a hot new lapel pin for players to remember this season with.

Caryn Smith is Manager of Lapel Pins R Us. When you need an affordable way to wrap up your sports season, lapel pins are an excellent option. Visit http://www.lapelpinsrus.com today for custom lapel pins in just 10 days, guaranteed!

By Caryn Smith © 2009, All Rights Reserved

How often have you seen someone experience burnout because he, or she, has been in the same job for too long? He may have good qualities and work habits, but needs to develop other skills in order to be promoted. However, the employee has no idea how to go about acquiring the needed skills to move forward in his career. This leads to higher turnover rates and a decreased ability to promote from within.

With a little planning and some motivation, your work staff can become a never-ending source of supervisory and management candidates individually groomed just for your company.

Creating Program Criteria

The best way to develop a team of strong employees is to keep them educated. Create a program in your company that encourages employees to take classes or attend seminars that will enhance their performance. As each level is achieved, reward that person with a lapel pin. The pins should be specific to the various levels. When the employee completes the curriculum, give him an extra day of vacation or some other gift to thank him for his efforts. The process continues until all tracks needed to earn a promotion have been finished.

For those in administration, you might start with seminars or workshops on grammar and proofreading. The next curriculum could include basic and/or advanced Microsoft Word and Excel training. Employees would also benefit from seminars on managing priorities or dealing with deadlines.

Customer service representatives could begin with phone etiquette in addition to seminars about listening and determining customer needs. Another level might focus on how to say no without negative results.

The employees dealing with finance should be required to attend seminars on accounting principles followed by budget preparation and analyzing reports. They can then move to classes on buying versus leasing or expense reduction. Remember to award a new lapel pin with each accomplishment.

Management Candidates Thrive

If you have people that are good candidates for management, have them focus on a track that prepares them for that role. Classes in teambuilding and communication would make a good start. Other courses could deal with motivating staff members and the art of delegation. It gives an employee a sense of pride knowing he has been chosen to take on new roles.

Lapel Pins Are the Perfect Reward

Lapel pins are extremely versatile because they are custom-made to your specifications. As a reward for accomplishment, you might consider using logo lapel pins in a variety of colors: one color for each level of achievement. Extremely professional looking, employees will take pride in wearing these lapel pins.

When you offer employees a clearly defined path to success, they are more likely to take it. The longer they remain with your business, the more advantageous it is to you. Start planning your own continuing education programs today and you’ll quickly see an increased level of motivation within your staff.

Caryn Smith is Manager of Lapel Pins R Us. Visit http://www.lapelpinsrus.com today for custom lapel pins in just 10 days, guaranteed!

I cannot begin to tell you how pleased we were with the Green Monster trading pins that your company made for our team. Moreover though, I am thoroughly impressed with your company’s professionalism and “Can Do” attitude and the fact that you were able to deliver our order within one week of the tournament date.

Here is our story:

In April, I ordered trading pins from Wilson Trophy Company in California, a company I have done business with the past 3 years. In May and June, I was assured by representatives of that company my order was in progress and would be completed on time. Then in July, approximately 12 days from the date I requested delivery of the pins, I was informed by somebody in the company that my pins had not even been ordered yet. And, that same person gave me the run around for two more days, never calling back and never telling me until it was too late that they would not be able to complete the order in time for our baseball tournament.

After days of frustration and worry that my 12 year old ball players would not have trading pins for their Cooperstown Tournament, I called Lapel Pins R Us. At that point we were less than 7 business days from the tournament. I called your company and Sean answered the phone. Well let me tell you, that guy was fantastic. He immediately went to work having someone create the design again. We could not go bobble head, but we just needed to get a 2″ pin. Sure enough, by the end of that day, the design was created, approved, and the order taken. We had it delivered to Cooperstown New York thinking it would not get there possibly until the day after the team arrived. Sure enough, another great surprise. The pins made it there the Thursday before we were to arrive in Cooperstown.

The staff at your company did a tremendous job meeting such a short suspense for the Green Monsters. I could not have been happier with the quality and craftsmanship of the pins. I am not one to rave about a company, but I felt it necessary to do so in this email because you guys in my book are top notch.

We got a very good value, a very nice looking quality pin, in a very timely manner. I appreciate your diligence to excellence and your commitment to customers. I will definitely be doing business again with you in the future.

Thank you very much for everything.

Peter and Jennifer
Uxbridge Green Monsters

by Caryn Smith © 2009
http://www.lapelpinsrus.com
It’s not a secret that lapel pins are a unique and effective way to get the word out about your event or organization. One reason lapel pins are so effective is that they can be created in every shape, color and size imaginable, making them a perfect fit for every circumstance.

While ordering lapel pins may seem like a daunting task, it’s actually easier than you might think once you get some basic information together. Using the checklist below will help you prepare to place your lapel pin order and ensure the process goes smoothly.

THE PURPOSE

Each type of pin has unique attributes and can be used in several different ways. While your lapel pin expert will have advice about the type of pins you should create, it will help you to know the most popular uses for lapel pins.

Cloisonné – The top of the line. These are commonly used for corporate lapel pins because of their high perceived value, the appearance of fine jewelry and the excellent first impression they make.

Offset Printed – Drop shadows, gradients and other subtle color changes require a process that is flexible. Offset printed lapel pins are your best choice for designs that must be replicate precisely and have delicate color shifts.

Die Struck – Classic and traditional in appearance, die struck lapel pins are excellent for awards and recognition, years of service and military use. With no additional colors, the handsome, sandblasted look of these lapel pins reflects the beauty of the copper, iron or nickel they are made from.

Photo Etched – Photo etched pins work well with complex designs and intricate detail, making them a great choice for logos. With colors and text that are clear and easy to read, your logo (or other design) is sure to stand out.

Soft Enamel – These lapel pins are great for use as baseball lapel pins, other sports pins, school pins, giveaways and more. Because they are affordable and durable enough to stand up to constant use, they’ll look good and wear well.

What will your lapel pins be used for? ________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

THE SIZE

Remember that smaller pins work better for corporate use, as most professionals would prefer something subtle as opposed to showy. Fundraiser and promotional pins often perform better in larger sizes because they capture attention more easily. When it comes to baseball trading pins; the bigger the pin the better.

Lapel pins come in every size imaginable including (but not limited to) 3/4″, 1″, 1.25″, 1.50”, 1.75″ and 2″ sizes.

What size lapel pins do you need? ______________________________

THE DESIGN

Design options are countless when working with custom-made lapel pins. You can use a logo, a picture, a phrase, a shape… whatever it takes to get the message across. If you can imagine it, it can be included in your lapel pin design. Be sure to ask about design fees when getting a quote on lapel pins. They can greatly increase the cost of your order.

Are you replicating an exiting logo? Yes No

Are you using your artwork or do you require custom design services?

Own Custom

What design elements appeal to you? ________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

How many colors will you need? ___________________________________________

THE ADD-ONS

Spinners, bobble heads, danglers and sliders are all add-ons that can make your pin look exciting. These are a must with baseball trading and other sports pins and also work well with pins designed for teen and preteen audiences.

Which (if any) add-ons will you want? _____________________________________

OTHER INFORMATION

The more pins you order, the less the cost per pin.

How many lapel pins will you need? _______________

Keep your eye on the additional fees you may be charged as they can really add up. Ask to see rates for design fees, colors, mold fees, shipping and color proofs. Look for companies that offer these and other services free of charge and your budget will go farther.

What is your budget? $______________

Depending on the company, lapel pin orders can take anywhere between 10 days and 2 months. Ask what the turnaround time for your order will be before placing your order.

With a little prep work, you’ll be able to quickly and accurately communicate your wants, needs and preferences to the lapel pin company you choose.

Caryn Smith is Manager of Lapel Pins R Us. Visit http://www.lapelpinsrus.com today for custom lapel pins in just 10 days, guaranteed!

Visit http://www.lapelpinsrus.com today for custom lapel pins in just 10 days, guaranteed!

by Ryan Dailey and Caryn Smith – 07-30-2009

The creation of your custom challenge coins may seem like a daunting task. However, it is easier than you think. In fact, the creation of your challenge coins is broken up into three easy steps.

step1

Step 1 – Creation of the challenge coin design.
This process starts with your input of ideas or themes for your design. You may have a unit, organization logo, or logos that identify your group. This logo would be the first element to incorporate when developing your challenge coin concept or idea. Other items that you may want to include are the names of your organization, year of establishment, mottos or specific colors that your unit or organization uses. We will use all this information and any additional information your may suggest when creating your free color digital proof of your challenge coin design.

step2

Step 2 – Reviewing your free color digital proof.
Upon receipt of your initial ideas our graphics team develops your free color digital proof. After you receive and review your proof, think of any elements that you would like to add, change or move. Keep in mind that you can also add certain options such as a premium cut edge, epoxy, sequential engraved numbering, antique plating and more! This information is incorporated into any revisions to your proof and quote if necessary.

Challenge Coin Process Step 3 from Lapel Pins R Us

Step 3 – Placing your order and production of your challenge coins.
After you approve your proof and place your order, your coin design is sent to our factory and is on its way to becoming your challenge coins that your organization or unit can be proud of for years to come. Our coins ship direct to you in 10-14 days from the day you place your order with us. If we are shipping to your APO/FPO address we will receive the coins in our shipping office in Central Florida. Upon delivery of your coins to our shipping office we will prepare and ship them to your APO/FPO address via USPS Priority Mail. The shipping time to APO/FPO addresses may vary depending on your location.

Please contact us today by phone at 800-480-6822 or email at info@lapelpinsrus.com so we can get started on your challenge coin project!
We look forward to working with you.

By Caryn Smith © 2009, All Rights Reserved

Money is tight. Unemployment is the worst it’s been in decades. There’s no wonder the number of people that need help is on the rise. While donations certainly play a large part in bringing aid to the less fortunate, helping hands and strong backs are also a must. If your organization is looking to increase its community service volunteers, put lapel pins to work for you.

Food Banks

Food is a need not a want. Unfortunately, more and more families are finding themselves with an impossible choice: food or medicine? Food or electricity? Feeding America brings relief by giving food to over 25 million people each year.

Feeding America recently conducted a survey with 160 food banks across the country and published the following startling results on their website:

> > 100% reported increases in demand for emergency assistance. Those increases ranged from 28% to 37% over last year’s figures.

> > 99.4% of the food banks surveyed reported seeing people who were seeking help for the first time.

It takes lots of people to stock and distribute food to those who are hungry. So how do you bring in more volunteers to meet the growing needs of your organization without spending a fortune on advertising? That’s where lapel pins come into play.

Lapel pins can be created in any color or shape. If your group has a logo, it can be made into a pin. If you’re not sure how to design your pins, choose a lapel pin company that has experts on staff who will design your pins at no additional cost.

Lapel pins are also affordable. For a small price your group can have pins for every volunteer. Each person that wears their pin will be advertising for your organization when they visit the grocery store, schools, banks, doctor’s offices and more. The more people who know about your organization, the better the chance of bringing in additional workers.

Blood Drives

One of the most effective ways to bring in blood donations is to hold blood drives at local businesses. The problem with that plan is that many businesses are closing or laying off a large part of their workforce. With fewer businesses and employees to participate, blood banks have to raise awareness by appealing directly to the public for donations.

When volunteers wear lapel pins they remind others of the need to donate. By increasing awareness through the wearing of lapel pins, your organization stands a better chance of bringing in others to donate.

Many community service organizations would cease to exist without the help of volunteers. Lapel pins can also be used to show appreciation and say thank you to those that keep the organization running. Volunteers will wear their pins with pride, bringing opportunities to give testimonials to others about why they support your cause. A positive endorsement can do a lot to encourage others to join your team.

There are numerous other groups that provide important community services. All these groups require volunteers to keep them running smoothly. Whether your organization builds houses, cleans up after natural disasters, provides mentoring to teens, helps adults learn to read or any number of other worthy activities, lapel pins do an amazing job of bringing in volunteers by spreading the word.

Caryn Smith is Manager of Lapel Pins R Us. Visit http://www.lapelpinsrus.com today for custom lapel pins in just 10 days, guaranteed!

WEBSITE:

Caryn Smith is Manager of Lapel Pins R Us. Visit http://www.lapelpinsrus.com today for custom lapel pins in just 10 days, guaranteed!

By Caryn Smith © 2009, All Rights Reserved

It’s heart wrenching to watch a loved one battle disease, especially if that person is a little one. Childhood should be filled with laughter and playtime instead of surgeries, painful treatments or the stigma of not fitting in. Unfortunately, children’s cancer, autism and juvenile diabetes continue to make it difficult for many children to have an innocent and fun-filled youth.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention provides the following statistics:

> > Juvenile diabetes affects roughly one in every 400 to 500 children.
> > Childhood cancers are diagnosed in approximately 1.5 children out of every 10,000.
> > The low range for ASD (autism spectrum disorders) diagnosis is one in every 500 children.

Those may not sound like very high odds unless one of the affected children is in your family.

Research has brought us closer to understanding how these illnesses work as well as what can be done to treat and/or prevent them. There’s still a long way to go, however, before they no longer threaten our children. If yours is one of the many selfless groups that are raising funds for these, or one of the many other diseases that affect children, lapel pins can help. Medical research requires money and awareness. Lapel pins can increase both.

Raise Awareness & Money with Lapel Pins

Want to do something to help? Making others aware of the need is a big step in the right direction. That’s where lapel pins come in. Everyone recognizes awareness ribbon pins. Create lapel pins in the shape of awareness ribbons to bring attention to the childhood disease you’re working to support. Gold is the color of childhood cancer, grey ribbons represent diabetes and the puzzle ribbon reminds us of autism.

You can add a small amount of text or a logo to customize ribbon lapel pins for a group or event. Having a cookout or bake sale? Use awareness ribbon lapel pins to generate interest. Participating in a run to raise money? Lapel pins with the race logo can be worn to increase donations. Raffles, silent auctions, motivational speeches… they can all benefit from the attention lapel pins bring to the event.

You don’t need a degree in graphic design to make this work. Choose a company that allows you to work with expert, staff designers who will come up with just the right pin design free of charge.

While lapel pins look expensive they’re really quite affordable, making them a great gift for donors and volunteers. Give lapel pins to anyone making a contribution of a certain dollar amount and watch them smile.

When the donor wears his or her pin, they’re advertising for a very worthy cause. Each person they come in contact with will become aware of the illness your group is trying to overcome. The more people that know, the greater chance donations will increase. The word-of-mouth advertising that comes with lapel pins is priceless.

Everyone has a soft spot for kids. Lapel pins, like our children, are small in size but make a huge impact. With their help, it’s easier to spread the word about your cause and raise funds that will hasten desperately needed research. Whatever the illness you’re campaigning for, add lapel pins to your program and watch them produce more for you.

Caryn Smith is Manager of Lapel Pins R Us. Visit http://www.lapelpinsrus.com today for custom lapel pins in just 10 days, guaranteed!

WEBSITE:

Caryn Smith is Manager of Lapel Pins R Us. Visit http://www.lapelpinsrus.com today for custom lapel pins in just 10 days, guaranteed!

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