Question
How do promotional products compare to digital advertising on cost?
Answer
Promotional products almost always beat digital ads on cost-per-impression, and unlike paid media they keep working long after the campaign budget is spent.
- Cost per impression: a branded item can land around $0.001 per impression, while digital display ads typically run $3 to $10 per thousand impressions (CPM).
- No recurring spend: once an item is in someone's hands, every glance is a free impression. Digital stops the moment the budget runs out.
- Long lifespan: people hold on to useful items like magnets, pens, and bags for months or years, so one unit racks up impressions over time.
- Goodwill, not interruption: a physical item is a keepsake people choose to keep, so it earns attention instead of being skipped or blocked.
| Channel | Typical cost per impression | Keeps working after spend stops |
|---|---|---|
| Branded promo item | ~$0.001 each | Yes, for months or years |
| Digital display ad | ~$3 to $10 per 1,000 | No |
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