For years, it has felt like a long-running battle to educate and inform the public about the importance of hydration. We all live such busy lives, and we often feel like we are running on empty. So, it makes sense that someone might buy a cup of coffee instead of a glass of water. They might want the warmth of the cup or the caffeine within the drink. Yet, as we know, caffeinated beverages harm us in terms of our hydration.
Luckily, thanks to extensive information campaigns and the marketing of water bottles, people today feel more aware than ever about the importance of staying hydrated.
So, how can you use this hydration-informed world to your advantage? You could start shipping out some branded printed water bottles. Having water bottles that carry your name makes an easy way to offer your clients and partners something they can use that is tied into the positive health and wellness movement.
With your branding on the bottle, you get the double-hit benefit of having your company name more visible and having a thankful recipient who now uses this bottle regularly!
Of course, the challenge you might face is finding quality water bottles that are worth investing in. For those looking to use water bottles as corporate gifts, read on.
We will explain everything you need to know about the types of promotional water bottles available and how to use them effectively for marketing.
Where do you start? With so many choices on the market, knowing where to begin is not easy. Generally, we recommend you look into the following:
First and foremost, the general wisdom within the promotional gift-giving industry is to avoid cheap stuff. That is generally true, but you can find some very budget-friendly yet high-quality water bottles that you could sell. In the right places, you can find quality, low-cost plastic bottles that are made without the use of BPA-ridden plastics. You can find long-lasting, durable bottles for as little as £1!
Plastic bottles are probably the most budget-friendly, but they do come with a certain drawback. Unlike some of the other bottles we will list, plastic water bottles do not regulate the temperature. If the sun is beating down on that water bottle, the liquid inside will heat up with the bottle itself. By buying BPA-free water bottles, though, you can offer a useful corporate gift that does not cost your business much. Just be sure to find something that has a design that feels allied to your branding.
If you invest in recycled plastic bottles, you can also show your business's eco-friendly personality. People today want to work with businesses that take care of not only their clients but also the world. So long as your plastic water bottles are certified by an environmental protection agency, you can feel confident in giving them out as corporate gifts that make a tangible difference.
The most popular choice for those looking to spend a little more is the insulated water bottle. These tend to be more suitable for those who want to really impress the recipient while giving them something they can use on the go. Unlike plastic water bottles, insulated water bottles keep the product hot or cold. You could even offer insulated water bottles designed as flasks for people who are going camping, hiking, etc. and fancy a hot drink along the way.
Many models can keep the water inside hot/cold for as long as 48 hours, though obviously that is more useful for cold water. The vacuumed nature of an insulated water bottle is highly effective for those looking to keep the contents cool. However, like plastic water bottles, insulated water bottles come in many shapes, sizes, styles, colour schemes, etc. – finding one that is brand-adjacent should not be difficult. They are usually made from stainless steel, too, adding to longevity and value.
Your next option should be to have a straw built into the design. Many water cups come with a straw as an expendable add-on, but some water bottles have a straw as a permanent part of the design. Given that many of us do not want to gulp down large amounts of water with each drink, a straw helps us regulate intake, meaning we can take quick sips when busy.
Think about the benefits of a straw for a moment, especially to someone using their water bottle when exercising or occupied. A strawed bottle, or one with a flip lid, will be well received by anyone intending to use this water bottle when otherwise busy. With easy access to the interior, strawed bottles remain easy to keep clean. They come in both plastic and stainless steel varieties, too!
Another choice to consider hanging out is flexible water bottles, otherwise known as collapsible water bottles. Many people do not have the bag space to carry around a water bottle, or they fear that it might leak if they do. So, they prefer to avoid bringing water bottles with them so they can keep their hands free and avoid leaking. Collapsible water bottles, though, change that issue.
These are some of the most flexible water bottles on the market today. They are designed to fold upward or collapse downward. When empty, someone can fold the bottle down. When they find a source of water they trust, they can extend the bottle to the size they want, fill it up, and enjoy a nice little drink on the go. They are space-conscious and durable products.
They can also be easily cleaned out and thus make long-term corporate gifts. So long as you get a design that feels adjacent to your company, this can be a great way to show off your inventiveness and offer your recipients corporate gifts they will be keen to show off and advertise to friends and family.
Today, you might have noticed many people using Stanley cups or cups similar to the Stanley brand. These are large, stainless steel, insulated cups that can hold a litre or more of water. They make a great choice for people who want a product that feels easy to carry around, as most of these water cups have lids that can be placed over the top so the water does not spill out.
Water cups are a wise investment if you want something a bit more high-quality and also capable of holding larger quantities of water. Most people who receive branded water cups like this use them at their workplace or home, so they become items that become visible to the public as well as guests in their home. Thus, they can make a great choice for working as a walking advert for your company.
Given the popularity of these Stanley-style water cups, people might ask the recipient where they got the cup. While these cost more than typical water bottles, they make great options for premium gifts.
As you can see, then, you have more than one type of promotional water bottle to think about using in your marketing. However, there are some other factors to consider before you go ahead and order some branded water bottles from your supplier. They include:
If you are handing out water bottles to people who are going to be active, you need them to be easy to carry. For example, you might want to find water bottles that have a carabiner clip so the individual can attach the bottle to their bag. This is especially useful for people who are hiking or will be using their water bottle intermittently as they go about their daily duties. The easier a bottle is to carry, the more likely someone is to use it repeatedly.
Weight plays a role in the quality of a water bottle and also in its usability. If someone is already loaded down with accessories in their bag and their hands, they will not want to carry around a heavy water bottle—especially when it is filled with water. So, start looking for water bottles made from more lightweight materials.
Plastic and aluminium water bottles remain among the most lightweight. Insulated stainless steel bottles tend to weigh more but come with the temperature regulation that plastic/aluminium cannot. Think about the recipient and whether they would prefer something lighter weight or something that can help manage temperature. It might even be better to ask them first.
Lastly, make sure that you think closely about the size of your water bottles. You want to hand over something that can be easily carried around without feeling like a weighted add-on. At the same time, you want a water bottle that can hold a minimum of, say, 500ml of water within it. If you give someone a small water bottle, they might find that they need to refill it too many times for it to be useful. Give them a water bottle that is too large, though, and it may feel ungainly or too heavy to use regularly.
It might be best to have a selection of water bottles to choose from so you can give a promotional product suited to the individual. If someone mentions they do a lot of hiking or want to carry around more liquids in their water bottle, you can give them a larger bottle. If someone wants a smaller bottle that they can sip from and use intermittently throughout the day, something smaller may be more suitable. There is no right or wrong answer here, but think carefully about this decision beforehand.
With the above insight, you should now be much more prepared to use promotional water bottles in your marketing. Consider the above before you invest, and you can get maximum uptake from your water bottles.
