Everyone knows the saying, "the early bird eats the worm". In Motivators case, the early bird gets the special calendar pricing. I know, we are only half way through the year and we still have a long way to go before we need 2013 promotional calendars, but why wait?? It is all about supply and demand. The closer we get to the new year, everyone starts to place their calendar orders, stock decreases, and prices go up! Why take the risk? Afterall, everyone uses calendars, whether it be in their home or office. Statistics show that people look at their calendars at least four or five times a day. That adds up to 1460 - 1825 views a year! And if you job is anything like mine, you will be looking at least once every half an hour. With the possibility for that much brand exposure, why would you NOT want to get a promotional calendar for your customers. And the sooner you act, the better pricing you are guaranteed to get.

     So, today is National Sea-Monkey Day, and it's kind of a big deal. Let's be honest here, it's probably the biggest holiday of the year, right after Boxing Day and Groundhogs Day. The day brings us back to a simpler time, our youthful past filled with a child-like innocence. Back to a time before the weight of the world crushed any hopes and dreams you may have had. This is one of those holidays that offices should be closed for.

     For those of you robbed of a childhood and do not know what a sea-monkey is, sea-monkeys are a species of “brine shrimp.” They are small crustaceans that live in salt lakes. These underwater creatures got their names from having long tails and demonstrate playful, monkey-like behavior. They also have the ability to live for years as an egg before hatching. Purchased sea-monkeys only begin to hatch and grow once you’ve added the proper nutrients to the water environment. Here is an interesting fact for you: Did you know that sea-monkeys have three eyes and breathe through their feet? Yea, I am like a walking Snapple cap, filled with pointless trivia.

     So take this day to recapture your childhood. Mark May 16 on your promotional calendars, and don't forget to celebrate this day. After all, how often do you get to relive part of your childhood?

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a happy and safe New Year. Right about now is the time to write your New Year's Resolutions for you, your company and your family.  One of the biggest resolutions is to get organized.  One of the best ways to started in your organization quest is with your Promotional Wall Calendars. You can write down all of your information to maintain organization.  So hurry up and buy calendars for you and everyone in your life.

Last week, Motivators' Manager of Merchandising and Vendor Relations, Sarah, hooked us all up with a variety of 2012 promotional calendars.  Because I started working at Motivators halfway through this year, I wasn't able to get my paws on a diary of my own for 2011.  But this year, I was the first one digging through all the beautiful designs!

Check out Beacon's awesome muscle car calendar that I'm proudly hanging in my cubicle: 

Don't be deceived; I know next to nothing about cars.  But I do know that the vehicles featured in this promotional cars and trucks wall calendar are really pretty!  It's the perfect way to brighten up my cubicle and dream about cruising around in a hot ride all day.  That's why this and other calendars make ideal employee holiday gifts!

The most effective promotional products are the ones that get seen and used the most. They say one of the best places to find the end user is at their desk, because well, they should be there at least 40 hours a week. So then the question is, what can you give out to be on your end user's desk that they will see and use everyday?

Promotional mousepads and promotional calendars.

These are two items that are guaranteed to be used, and used every day.  The trick is, how do you get your promotional product used versus someone elses?

Well, if you are giving out promotional calendars, it is mostly about timing. If you want the best chance at being hung up, you want to get in their first. It also helps to relate to the end user. Do you run a golf course or golf school? Then give out promotional golf wall calendars. We have a huge selection of promotional wall calendars, and many can even be done in a rush. Do it while it's still early though!

Promotional mousepads are a whole different game though. Whenever someone starts their new job, they have a desk and a computer, and a mousepad. So you need to offer something that is a clear upgrade over what they currently use. For example, who wouldn't love to upgrade to a promotional gel mousepad? Or something fancy like a promotional leather mousepad? We have a huge variety of promotional mousepads, whatever you choose, make it look good if you want it used.

Even though it is only August 1st, it's not too early to start thinking about next years promotional calendar. We have so many different types of calendars to choose from: wall calendars, desk calendars, magnetic calendars, or monthly planners that you can carry along with you wherever you go. I always like to have a wall calendar in my cubicle so I can keep track of my many plans throughout the year since I tend to forget almost everything if I don't write it down. My favorite are the animal wall calendars of puppies & kittens so I can see a new little cutie every month. 

Normally when I blog on here I typically talk about experiences in life with promotional products. Recently though, I came across a promotional product we offer that I think is a spectacular idea. That item is the customized calendar. Now, there is no denying at this time of year promotional calendars are one of the most popular products we offer. However, when most people think customized calendar they think about adding their logo at the bottom and thats it. This year, Motivators is allowing you to literally, and very easily, create your own calendar from scratch. Choose the grid, choose the pictures, choose what holidays are added, absolutely make the calendar YOURS. What makes it even better is the minimums start at 50 pieces. Promotional calendars are great because you get your logo in front of the faces of the people you want to see you for an entire year. With these fully customizable calendars not only is your logo in front of their face but you can express anything you want visually through the monthly pictures or deadlines/anniversarys/etc directly on the dates. Check out the calendars, it is advertising your message to the people you want to see it for pennies a day.