Some companies spend piles of cash on their marketing in Radio, on Television, and print ads. There are different options of promoting a company or product to look at. A more grass roots approach is available. Why not have people put the word out themselves. Person to person.
There is always the option of promotional merchandise. The variety of products that can be imprinted, embroidered, or engraved with a logo is daunting. There are things to wear, things to play with, and there are plenty of very useful items. You have to think of all aspects of a product before deciding which.
To narrow down the choices first think about the item you are considering. How can it be used? How long will it last? If it is not a handy item and can't be helpful to someone then they are less likely to keep it. The best things have a very specific reason for existence. For advertising purposes it needs to stick around, not get lost or tossed.
A coffee mug has usefulness. It will not get thrown away or lost in a the bottom of a purse. If not kept for personal coffee consumption, most likely it will be given to an appreciative hot tea drinker. In the breakroom people need personal dishes. What better way to have people see your logo than it being on someones special cup. When something lasts it works for marketing purposes.
Sure you could buy printed pencils and mini frisbee's for less than a coffee mug. But how long will those be kept? A coffee mug is worth the cost because of the long term use it will have. The longer an item is used the more people are likely to see it.
Coffee or instant soup in promotional mugs with your company log is long lasting marketing. That and other business gifts can be checked out at Promotional Pro.