The three most effective promotional products to give away

Many small business owners have found themselves struggling to maintain an effective marketing strategy while going up against big corporations that dominate the airwaves and other media with bottomless resources. But in the fight to get ahead, more small businesses are experiencing the benefits of traditional marketing methods like promotional products, which can be used to complement modern approaches like social media and SEO.

Plain and simple, custom promotional products still very much matter despite misconceptions that the form of advertising has gone by the wayside. "The opposite is, in fact, true, as promotional products are still an incredibly powerful marketing tool," wrote Elle-Rose Williams in a Huffington Post blog.

The main strength of promotional products is their ability to enforce the product or company brand in a creative medium that leaves a lasting effect on those who receive them. Brand recognition is one of the most important functions of marketing, so to help develop the best promotional products strategy, here are three of the most effective promotional products:

Coffee mug. Coffee has become a staple of the American worker's morning, and what better way than to keep your company or product brand at the front of the customer's mind than giving away a product that will be one of the first things they see each morning? Oftentimes, people also bring the favorite mug to the workplace, which can expand your brand's reach.

USB drive. They may be a tad more expensive than other products, but the payoff in furthering the brand is big. USB drives are now one of the most commonly used products in the business world. A promotional USB drive is extremely useful and is a perfect promotion for technology or software-minded businesses that can reinforce their technological credentials.

Frisbees. Giving away a frisbee or mini-football is one of the more creative approaches in promotional product marketing. They get people active, and they also give personality to the company that customers will appreciate. And again, frisbees and similar sports objects will more often than not be used with friends, families and co-workers - another prime opportunity to increase the brand's influence.