Marketing Strategies: Integrating Waterless Hand Sanitizers into Your Next Promotion

Today's America tends to do everything at warp speed-including hand washing! According to the MayoClinic's on-line article, "Hand washing: A simple way to prevent infection", proper hand washing consists of rubbing your hands vigorously together for at least 15 seconds, rinsing well, drying your hands with a clean or disposable towel, and using a towel to turn off the faucet. When using waterless hand sanitizers, the process is expedited. The MayoClinic recommends applying about 1/2 tsp of the product to the palm of your hand and rubbing your hands together, covering all surfaces of your hands, until they're dry. The MayoClinic even goes on to suggest that using a hand sanitizer can be "more effective than soap and water in killing bacteria and viruses that cause disease". The utility of hand sanitizing gels and the variety of packaging options makes them a great product to promote your organization. Whether you're at a trade show, concert, or in the office, people always appreciate these soap-and-water replacements.

Distribute logoed hand sanitizer gels or sprays in the parking lot or at the gates during concerts and sporting events. A friend once told me about her parking lot adventure prior to an outdoor Jimmy Buffet show. After using the portable toilet, which lacked any sort of hand sanitizing option, she pulled out her purse-sized bottle of hand sanitizing gel and quickly cleansed her hands. This act did not go unnoticed by the nearby females who also used the port-a-johns. Soon, my friend was the most popular girl in the parking lot as women approached her for a bit of her hand-sanitizing goodness! In this case, hand sanitizers would not just be a giveaway but a coveted gift. For women, try one with moisture beads or in alluring scents.

During tailgating parties, barbeques or picnics, choose a hand-sanitizing wipe. Everyone loves grilling out, but raw or uncooked meat and poultry scream food poisoning. And most don't think to pack the proper cleansing necessities. Disinfecting wipes are perfect because they can clean up a mess and sanitize. Is your event targeting children and their parents? Then, these hand-sanitizing wipes are ideal for you too. They are great for moms to keep in their purses or diaper bags to clean up those messes that kids get all over their faces!

Hand sanitizers are even ideal for the workplace. Believe it or not, bacteria have a field day in the office. In fact, the Touch Free Solutions website showed that the top five at-risk office areas for germs include the fax machine, mouse, keyboard, desk and telephone at No. 1 with a whopping 25,127 microbes per square inch. This is quite a few, considering the average toilet seat only has 49! So, instead of a mouse pad or pencil cup, make a larger sized hand-sanitizer your new promotional desk item.

Consider using hand sanitizers as your giveaway at your next trade show or festival. While you're passing out promotional products and literature, germs are being spread every second. You're shaking hands, eating food and touching promotional products that have been touched by everyone else. For a trade show or festival, smaller sanitizers with clips are perfect for attaching to a bag or purse. Once they are attached, your logo is likely to be toted for many weeks to come. Maximize your exposure by slipping a mini bottle into an imprinted "leash," which is essentially a sleeve with a clip attached. The recipient can always refill the leash with another bottle of sanitizer when yours is gone.

Germs and bacteria are not going away any time soon. The variety of sanitizers on the market make them a great promotional product for diverse applications. Promote good health and promote your organization by making these handy items a part of your next marketing campaign. Work with your promtional products consultant to see which hand sanitizing product is right for you.