POINT, Click & Accessorize

DURING THE DOT.COM era of the ’90s, computers themselves were all the rage. Thousands of Internet-based companies sprung up, providing a variety of work-from-home options for office-weary workmongers and investment opportunities for business trailblazers.

But while computers continue to remain relevant to all things personal and professional, it is now the accessories that go along with them that have captured the attention of end-users and consumers alike. From earbuds to flash drives and digital photo frames to USB pens, the category provides unlimited promotional appeal for tech-savvy distributors and their clients.

Why computer accessories?

According to Scott Meng, marketing coordinator at Houston-based KTI Promo, the items offer more diverse ways to promote a customer’s brand than other promotional products. “In addition to the logo, why not pre-load a flash drive with a catalog or PowerPoint presentation? Or install a link to a Web site where end-users can watch a video demonstration,” he suggested. “Upsell these features, and you can increase your profits while further promoting
your customer.”

Are they worth the sell?

Meng thinks so, and stated computer accessories are “high-margin, high-value” products. “They do cost more than the average promotional product,” he admitted, “but that means [distributors] don’t need to sell 10,000 pieces to make a healthy profit.”

Meng further informed that innovation can also be a measure of profitability. “The computer accessories category is always generating ... new products to expand the marketplace and potential for business,” he said.

What’s hot and what’s not?

To hear Robert Victor, marketing manager at Sussex, New Jersey-based CD Source Direct tell it, CD business cards are a perennial “it” item.

“It is always a strong trade show and conference item,” he said. “Not only is it unique, but it also offers a functional solution to distributing large amounts of information about products and services.”