{"id":1879,"date":"2012-05-22T11:59:47","date_gmt":"2012-05-22T15:59:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.amsterdamprinting.com\/?page_id=1879"},"modified":"2023-04-05T15:50:35","modified_gmt":"2023-04-05T19:50:35","slug":"custom-usb-flash-drives-ultimate-buying-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.amsterdamprinting.com\/blog\/custom-usb-flash-drives-ultimate-buying-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Ultimate Buying Guide for Custom Flash Drives"},"content":{"rendered":"
Plus 14 Ways to Use Flash Drives to Promote & Empower Your Business<\/em><\/h5>\n

With cloud storage popping into business conversations isn’t the use of USB flash drives dead? There are certainly pros and cons to each. We’ll let the experts at Tech Times talk about best uses for cloud storage versus USB drives<\/a>.\u00a0In this article we will focus on the acronyms and abundance of information related to a buying decision for USB flash drives.<\/p>\n

You probably figured it would be a quick and easy search to find just what you needed. After all, how complicated could this tech gadget be with\u00a0lingo, like \u201cGB\u201d (gigabytes) and memory chip \u201ctiers”?<\/p>\n

This guide\u00a0<\/strong>provides a single resource to assist your buying decision.<\/p>\n

\"custom<\/a><\/p>\n

Next, the guide goes a step further to suggest ways to use your custom USB flash drives to promote your business. Ready to get started? Read on! Or if you\u2019re ready to order now, review our full selection of custom USB Drives<\/a>.<\/p>\n

USB Flash Drives Defined<\/h2>\n

\"USBA USB flash drive is a storage device (like a CD) that is\u00a0specifically designed to write and rewrite data multiple times via your USB computer port. Flash drives are easy to use, ultra portable, and connect seamlessly with all modern computers (PC or Mac).<\/p>\n

A custom USB flash drive is just that: one you can customize with your company\u00a0logo and\/or choose specific colors for the case.<\/p>\n

Choosing the Right Custom Flash Drive<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s important to understand the ins and \"Jazzy<\/a>outs of USB flash drives before placing your order. Here are questions and considerations to keep in mind as you shop around.<\/p>\n

What is the difference between USB 1.1 and USB 2.0?<\/strong><\/p>\n

USB 2.0 is the\u00a0current version or the standard and allows for much faster speeds of data download\/upload than its predecessor, USB 1.1.
\nToday, the majority of custom flash\u00a0drives on the market are USB 2.0, but it doesn\u2019t hurt to confirm when ordering yours.<\/p>\n

What is Tier 1 flash memory?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although custom flash drives are not branded by a manufacturer (common options are Kingston, PNY, or Samsung), make sure that the flash memory used by your supplier is top-rated quality, Tier 1. It will ensure faster speed of your custom drives and a longer lifespan, delivering more impressions with your company\u2019s logo.<\/p>\n

Memory Capacity: What size is a good fit for my needs?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Custom flash drives are available with a range of storage capacity, from as low as 512 Megabytes (MB) up to 128 Gigabytes (GB).\u00a0Consider the needs of the recipients when choosing memory\u00a0size for USB flash drives<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Are the recipients tech-savvy or likely to own a flash drive already?<\/strong><\/em><\/em>\"clip<\/a>
    \nIf they do, pick a flash drive\u00a0at least equal to the one they already own (or consider a trendy case like the Clip ‘n Carry USB drive). The most common memory sizes today are 4 GB (for tech-savvy audience) and 2 GB (for others).<\/li>\n
  2. What do recipients\u00a0do outside of work?<\/strong><\/em>
    \nStoring spreadsheets or presentations doesn\u2019t require too much space, but if the same person enjoys photography or music\u00a0they\u00a0will require more storage space.<\/li>\n
  3. Consider the incremental cost.<\/strong><\/em>
    \nThe price difference between 2 GB and 4 GB flash drives is about 10-20%. However, doubled storage capacity means that your customers will hold onto the flash drive much longer and actually use it!\u00a0Use this handy reference to determine\u00a0how much a USB flash drive can hold:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    USB Flash Drive Storage Capacity Table<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    <\/td>\n\n

    1 GB<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    2 GB<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    4 GB<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    8 GB<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    16 GB<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    Photos<\/td>\n\n

    500<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    1,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    2,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    4,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    8,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    Songs<\/td>\n\n

    200<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    400<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    800<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    1,600<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    3,200<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    Documents<\/td>\n\n

    10,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    20,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    40,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    80,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    160,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    *Based on an average 5 MB song, 2 MB photo, and 100 KB document.<\/em><\/p>\n

    What gift packaging is available for custom flash drives?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    \"boxes<\/p>\n

    Custom flash drives come with gift box options, from acrylic and wooden boxes. Most come with a basic\u00a0paper gift box free of charge (other options will cost extra).<\/p>\n

    How will my imprint look on custom flash drives?
    \n<\/strong>
    \nDepending on a selected style, your imprint will be either screen-printed (allows to imprint multiple colors) or laser-engraved (single color).
    \nWith most flash drives,\u00a0you can put your imprint on both sides. When the flash\u00a0drive is in a non-standard shape the imprint location is most likely limited to one side.<\/p>\n

    What is data\u00a0preloading service?\"preload
    \n<\/strong>
    \nData preloading refers to uploading your own files\u00a0to your custom flash drives. For example, you can upload a presentation about your company’s services, case studies, or photos of completed\u00a0work projects.\u00a0Most promotional products suppliers will provide preloading services free of charge. Interested in learning more about preloading services? Call our customer service at 1-800-203-9917 for more details.<\/p>\n

    What are the additional costs associated with\u00a0personalizing flash drives?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Most likely promotional companies will charge setup fee for adding your imprint.\u00a0Additional charges may apply if you (a) select to upload a logo and\/or (b) select two or more imprint colors. Standard shipping & processing rates will also apply.<\/p>\n

    14 Ways to Promote Your Business with Custom Flash Drives<\/h2>\n

    No doubt, you already have some ideas in mind for using custom flash drives to\u00a0promote your business. But here are even more ideas for every phase of your business,\u00a0from prospecting to re-engaging existing customers.<\/p>\n

    Note:<\/em> for all of the examples outlined below, we recommend using a custom flash
    \ndrive that\u2019s been branded with your company logo and colors.<\/p>\n

    Using Flash Drives with Prospective Clients:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    1. Bring USB drives to tradeshows and give them away.<\/strong> Pre-load the flash drives with all of your literature: data sheets, white papers, articles, and catalogs. Trade show attendees often throw away catalogs and booklets before flying back home, but there\u2019s a great chance they\u2019ll hold onto the custom flash drive (especially if it\u2019s on a key ring).\u00a0Bonus benefit:<\/em> This is a environmentally-friendly\u00a0solution.<\/p>\n

    2. Use flash drives\u00a0as a leave-behind during sales calls.<\/strong> For example, let\u2019s say you create a PowerPoint presentation that you use during your meeting with a prospect. Use your custom flash drive, plugging it into your laptop. When the meeting is over, unplug and hand it to your prospect. Let the person know that in addition to the presentation, you\u2019ve included some other files on the drive. Be sure one of the files includes a link that redirects to your website.<\/p>\n

    3. Warm up the cold call by creating a custom presentation for a prospect and sending it to them\u00a0on a flash drive.<\/strong> This works especially well with those important clients you\u2019re trying to get face time with. We\u2019re not talking simply filling up the drive with info about your company. Take the extra step for a prospect you\u2019re trying to woo and create a presentation around the prospect\u2019s company. Now when you follow up, instead of a true \u201ccold call,\u201d it may actually be a little warmer, thanks to your extra effort.<\/p>\n

    Ideas in action:<\/strong><\/em>
    \n\"use<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n