With so much competition, it can be hard to think of or come up with the perfect promotional item. You want to make sure that your advertising or promotional message gets through to your clients, so you want to get a promotional item that will be worth the advertising dollars you intend to spend.

Calendars, pens, and notepads all have their uses, but they're quite ordinary, and while they will get some use as mundane items, they aren't going to convey your business message as effectively as you hope. While these regular everyday items are handy to have, and your client will appreciate (somewhat) the gesture, you aren't going to turn these promotional items into new business.

But one item can communicate your message while providing a necessary office function--a clock. A clock differs from other promotional items in that a clock is looked at by everyone in the office--several times a day!

Everyone needs to know what time it is, and when you advertise with clocks as your promotional item, not only are you reinforcing your brand with your existing clients, if the clock is placed strategically, such as in a customer service center, behind a retail counter, in a lobby, or another area where your clients' clients are doing business, you increase visibility of your business by indirectly advertising to these third parties.

And in addition, a clock will last much longer (a normal clock life is five years or more) than a calendar (only good for a year, right?). Plus, if your clock is attractive, you're more likely to have it placed prominently, more visible than a coffee mug, keychain, or ink blotter.

So when you're considering your next idea for this year's promotional items, consider ordering 100 clocks, because this will be time you can afford.