Tech Support

Similarly, said Hirsch, "Digital photo frames and MP3 players are also very popular." The reasoning? People like them. People use them. And though they might cost a bit more, end-buyers can rest assured that these products' usage will stretch far, far into the future, taking company marketing messages with them.

2. … but in a new way.

There are ways to make even the most-wanted items a little more coveted. According to Hirsch, customization is key to success. "Custom-shaped drives are extremely popular at the moment," he explained. Hirsch Gift, for example, offers USB drives in such shapes as lightbulbs, guitars and even flip-flops. The company's art team can create a flash drive based on a distributor's specifications for singular impact. Amping up a standard with an enhanced design, "can be a great invitation to launch a new product or service," noted Hirsch.

3. Stay on top of new innovations …

One only had to pay even a little bit of attention to the news and the blogosphere to be aware of the advent of the product that will save us all—the iPad. As such, suppliers are gearing up for iPad-centric promotions. "We try to keep up with the latest technology trends," said David Frank, national manager of promotional sales and marketing for New York-based Built. As such, the company is now offering neoprene sleeves and envelopes in a variety of colors, created specifically for the iPad.

And Built's not the only company enhancing its product line to accommodate the latest and greatest from Apple. Hirsch predicted iPad skins will be a strong seller this year at Hirsch Gift. "Having the ability to personalize these is a huge plus," he added.

4. … but keep usability top of mind.