As we watch the financial industry upheaval, my thoughts turn to ways a business can springboard off current events to reassure their customers. A thoughtful company can use a marketing plan that recognizes their clients’ stress, and give them the imprinted tools to help them relax.

This is an example of what I call a Stress Relief Marketing Plan using 3 promotional items: imprinted stress monitor cards packaged with a custom stress toy or an imprinted container of chocolates.

An imprinted stress monitor card is the size of a credit card. It has a button that measures thumb temperature and interprets it as blue-calm, green-normal, red-tension and black-tense. These are the instructions: “Hold the monitor firmly between your thumb and forefinger for 15 seconds. Then read the color of the tension monitor above. To reduce tension, take a deep breath. Exhale slowly. Repeat 5 times. You’ll find your tension flowing away almost like magic.” The imprint area is below these instructions and measures 3" x ¾."

But this marketing plan is not about telling clients that they are stressed—it’s about helping them relax, and that is why a stress toy and chocolates come next.

Imprinted Custom Stress Toy

Stress toys can be a cliché, but not when part of a stress reducing package. Their immense variety of shape and color and type make them fit any company’s image and budget. From stress toys in the shape of pills to pennies, pumpkins to ears, or teeth to pickles, the variety is endless, and their shape can be stock or custom. Because they are meant to be squeezed under stress, they’re a promotion that matches perfectly with helping a client relax.

For a company that doesn’t want a classic stress toy, Jumpin’ Bouncin’ Putty puts a new twist on a squeezable substance. I like the novelty appeal of the putty, and how it will make people smile to receive it, but I wonder about it lasting as long as a class stress toy.

Chocolates

Chocolates are the ubiquitous answer to stress-their delicious taste soothes and their natural chemical make-up relaxes. They are universally welcomed and commonly believed to help relieve stress. And there is a huge variety to fit all budgets and companies:

For the lower end of the budget, or to make a smaller sized package, look atimprinted packets of instant hot chocolate.

A Custom Ghirardelli Chocolate Bar, 0.9-4.9 oz, is a step up on the budget, and delicious as well.

Since we’re entering holiday season, a bag of Halloween or Christmas chocolate balls might round out the promotion.

If novelty is more appealing to your company, take a look at chocolate cds or golf balls.

And for more traditional chocolate tastes, imprint their container: a wooden box, a truck or a velvet bag.

As stress levels rise in these modern times, use a Stress Relief Marketing Plan to help your client relax, and they’ll remember your company the next time they buy.