You should never underestimate the power of nostalgia. There's a reason why retro promotional items remain popular, why what's old becomes new again, and why mass media continually - and with varying degrees of success - constantly reboot classic films and tv shows in new forms. People tend to miss the good old days, even if they were neither good nor actually all that old, and you can tap into those rose tinted glasses for marketing. Companies do it all the time, playing on their long and proud histories, rebranding designs to match old fashioned ones, and promoting a happy view of the good old days.

• You should never underestimate the power of nostalgia when it comes to marketing.
• Using retro items as promotional products can be a smart marketing strategy.
• Retro items can evoke feelings of nostalgia, stand out in today's market.

Old School Custom Products

Of course, you can tap into that nostalgia too. Remember when mason jars made a comeback and trendy hipster restaurants starting serving drinks out of them? There was an old fashioned homey sort of appeal to them. I imagine for many, the last time they saw jars like that it would be used to store home-made foods and preserves when they were kids.  Or the toys from our childhood. Plastic slinkies, frisbees, tile puzzles, Rubiks Cubes and promotional yoyos! I remember for a while when I was kid, you couldn't watch morning or afternoon kids tv without seeing ads for yoyos! Let me tell you, I'm still waiting for Pogs, or rather Tazos, to make a comeback. I must have eaten my own weight in chips back in the day to collect those discs.

Ingenious marketing ploys directed at kids aside, the point is, people often remember the past fondly, and going for the nostalgia route can often attract a good, solid, and loyal audience. Classic products, old school logos, a retro sort of look and feel. Good times.

Why Retro Products?

Using retro items as promotional products can be a smart marketing strategy for several reasons. Here are a few:

• Nostalgia: Retro items can evoke feelings of nostalgia, which can make people feel more positive about a brand. When people see a familiar item from the past, it can bring back happy memories and create a sense of familiarity and comfort. This can make them more likely to remember the brand and the product or service it offers.

• Novelty: Retro items are not commonly seen in today's market, which makes them stand out and draw attention. This novelty factor can make people feel intrigued and curious, leading them to want to learn more about the brand and the product or service it offers.

• Unique branding opportunities: Retro items offer unique branding opportunities that can be difficult to achieve with more traditional promotional products. They can be customized to incorporate a brand's logo, colors, and message in a way that is both fun and effective.

• Targeted marketing: Retro items can be used to target specific age groups or demographics. For example, a brand that is targeting baby boomers may use retro items from the 1960s or 1970s to create a connection with this audience. This targeted marketing approach can help a brand reach its ideal audience more effectively.

Takeaway

Nostalgia is a powerful tool that can evoke positive emotions and create a sense of familiarity and comfort. Retro items are unique and can stand out in today's crowded marketing landscape. Retro items offer branding opportunities that can be both fun and effective. Targeted marketing with retro items can help brands reach specific age groups or demographics.

Topic originally seen on: https://www.marketingmag.com.au/hubs-c/past-masters-power-nostalgic-marketing/