Superior Promos been in the promotional products industry for 20 years, and I see a lot of small businesses burning cash on Facebook ads trying to get existing customers to come back.

We wanted to share a quick case study of a client of ours, a mechanic shop in Iowa (Tolle Automotive), because they did something simple that actually worked.

The Problem: For service businesses (mechanics, HVAC, plumbers), the challenge isn't just getting a new customer—it's getting them to remember you 6 months later when they need service again. Emails get deleted and magnet business cards often get tossed.

The Solution: They went with a Vinyl Stick-Up Grid Calendar . It sounds boring/dated, but here is why it worked better than a digital ad:

Utility: People actually need calendars in their garage or workshop. It’s not "spam," it’s a tool.

Prime Real Estate: These stick to toolboxes, fridges, or filing cabinets. That means the brand logo is in the customer's peripheral vision 365 days a year.

The Cost: It costs pennies per view. A Google click costs $2-$15 once. This calendar costs <$1.00 and lasts 12 months.

The Result: They distributed these to every customer who came in for service. By the end of the year, they saw a noticeable consistency in return appointments because their phone number was literally staring the customer in the face every time they checked the date.

The Takeaway for Business Owners: You don't always need the "coolest" tech swag. If you run a service business, find an item that your customer will use in the exact room where they make decisions about your service (e.g., a jar opener for a kitchen remodel, a calendar for a mechanic).