Every business owner knows what a challenge it is to advertise his or her business. Competition is fierce, no matter what business you're in. Advertising dollars are usually limited, especially when it comes to small and medium-sized operations. That's the number one reason that business owners turn to customized giveaways like promotional keychains. Items such as these give customers and potential clients a tangible reminder of his or her interaction with a particular business or representative. Plus, promotional keychains, pens, mugs and similar items are relatively inexpensive. When compared to other forms of advertising, promotional gifts offer the best bang for your business buck.

Promotional keychains land on the top-three list when it comes to business giveaways. Business owners prefer promotional keychains for advertising purposes for several reasons. First, they are among the most economical. They can usually be purchased for just a few cents per unit. Promotional keychains are also small and compact. This makes them highly portable. Little cargo space is required to carry a box of promotional keychains to a trade show or fair. It's simple to place a handful into a pocket or purse so that they are always at the ready should you happen upon an opportunity to distribute one or more. Finally, they are practical and universal. Most every adult uses a keychain of some sort. It's a sure bet that few people wouldn't have use for one.

Because they are so popular however, some business people argue that promotional keychains don't make a big enough impact on the receivers. Their sheer numbers simply mean that the market is flooded with them and one's own promotional keychain may just get lost in the crowd and forgotten. The advantages to distributing promotional keychains are so compelling though, that business owners shouldn't give up on the idea of using them as advertising tools. Instead, business owners should take a step back and take a critical look at what makes a promotional keychain get used by its receiver.

The promotional keychains that get used most often tend to be the ones that serve dual purposes. A simple keychain attached to a piece of plastic bearing the name and location of a business may not make a big impression. However, a keychain that doubles as something else (a flashlight, for example) will probably be put to immediate use. Promotional keychains which function as pocket knives or tools, picture frames, whistles, pens, stress balls, bottle openers, measuring tapes and have double the potential to get used by the receiver. Double the opportunity for usage means more potential for your company to be remembered and patronized.

Consider these other tips for choosing promotional keychains which stand out and get noticed:

* Look for unusual shapes. Forget round and square. Choose geometric and three-dimensional shapes for greater impact.

* Choose unusual colors. Bright colors tend to stand out.

* Try different textures. Soft fabric keychains will probably make a more memorable impression than the typical plastic, acrylic or metal. Other great choices include fur, wood and leather.

If this is your first foray into the world of promotional keychains, try keeping a variety of different types unhand. Experimenting will help you determine the impact that different types of promotional keychains have on your potential customers. It will also help you reach a wider audience without having to spend more money or take up more of your precious office or warehouse space.