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Silicone Wristbands: Fad, Fashion, or Mainstay? - Fundraising Wristbands
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Awareness Bracelet Craze
Ever since Lance Armstrong started the silicone wristband craze
with the release of his yellow "LIVESTRONG" wristbands, millions
of people worldwide have discovered a new and effective method
of supporting their favorite causes. Today, there is almost
every color imaginable to be found on these ubiquitous silicone
bracelets; each one performing their part in raising awareness
for a multitude of diseases and causes. What does the future
hold for this latest fad to take our society (and a plethora of
others worldwide) by storm?
Fashionable Fad
Although silicone wristbands have become incredibly popular, it
is exceptionally difficult to argue that they are the height of
fashion. Even with the cachet factor, it is essential to
remember that they are made of rubber. Very few consumers are
choosing to wear their awareness bracelets to the ball or senior
prom. However, this does not translate into these wristbands as
being "unfashionable" either. Indeed, silicone wristbands have
become a "fashionable fad." A fad, by definition, is a
"short-lived fashion...something that is embraced very
enthusiastically for a short time, especially by many people."
Undoubtedly, many people have enthusiastically embraced silicone
bracelets. But, just how short-lived is this awareness bracelet
craze?
From Fad to Mainstay
Simple market analysis reveals to us a dichotomy in the
silicone wristband industry. Retail sales are beginning to lag,
yet manufacturers are producing silicone bracelets in record
quantities, with no end in sight. How is this possible? Simple.
The fad is fading but a new, effective, and inexpensive mainstay
has taken its place - the custom silicone wristband.
Silicone bracelets have already proven themselves effective for
fundraising. Now, their fully customized cousins are proving
even more effective at targeting a variety of smaller causes,
and they are making a dramatic push into corporate promotions
and trade shows. Custom silicone wristbands are being adopted by
small non-profit organization, large corporations, and
everything in between as a powerful tool for spreading their
message, promoting their brand, and announcing new products or
even entirely new businesses. Is the key chain a fad? Is the
coffee mug, pen, calendar, mouse pad, or T-shirt a fad? No,
these items are here to stay. Custom silicone wristbands are
here to stay as well. Customized bracelets are more than just a
simple promotional or fundraising item. They are walking
billboards. Human nature dictates that we share anything that we
have received free with practically everyone we meet. If we have
purchased a custom silicone wristband to support our local
sports team, church youth group, or favorite small charity,
human nature often dictates that we share this good deed as
well.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that custom silicone wristbands can and will
be used by all types of organizations large and small. They are
an inexpensive and incredibly effective marketing tool that puts
an exciting twist on word-of-mouth advertising and viral
marketing. Organizations are beginning to realize that an
investment of mere pennies per wristband has the potential to
reach dozens of prospective customers with each fully customized
bracelet introduced into their target market. In addition, local
schools, churches, and small non-profit organizations recognize
the benefits of bolstering school spirit or spreading their
message while raising funds at the same time. So, if you are
looking for the silicone bracelet fad to fade any time soon,
look again. Custom silicone wristbands are not only here to
stay, you can expect to see even more of them as everyone from
small local churches to huge corporate conglomerates jump on
board. With the possible combinations of colors, messages,
designs, and even sizes being infinite, creative minds
everywhere will be looking to harness the power of the custom
silicone wristband.
About the author:
Clark A. Swihart is CEO and founder of The Awristocrat -
www.theawristocrat.com,
an on-line store specializing in the manufacture and
distribution of Custom
Silicone Wristbands at phenomenally low prices. He can be
reached at clark@theawristocrat.com
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