It's no secret the past year has been challenging, and promo businesses are still navigating through reduced staff and budgets. Many teams are overtasked, but the money simply isn't there to hire more full-time team members. Summer interns are your perfect solution for the interim. Interns can jump in wherever needed to help out with tasks ranging from marketing, manufacturing, shipping and more. Don't let your services suffer because of limited staff. Instead, hire an intern to fill in the cracks.

Learn how Mal-Ad Promotions' intern helped their graphics team complete tasks they wouldn't have had time to do otherwise.

While hands-on assistance is great, don't underestimate the way interns can help out remotely too. Plenty of tasks can be completed virtually, including processing product orders, creating product virtual samples or connecting with future customers on social. Younger generations are used to remote work and learning, as they grew up with the internet. They'll feel comfortable logging on and helping out from home, and you can save costs on office space.

It's time to think differently. Too many companies become stagnant and stick to what they know instead of expanding into new areas of opportunity. Interns are an excellent resource to get your finger on the pulse of what younger generations think, feel and desire from promo products. Plus, you'll be introducing the promo industry to a new generation of creative thinkers, setting your business up for continued success for decades to come.

While many students and recent grads have engaged with promotional products, most are unaware that these logoed giveaways make up an entire industry, or that they deliver some of the best advertising ROI around. By hiring summer interns now and educating them on the potential and profitability of promo, they'll recall the experience for the remainder of their careers. Consider this example: If your intern winds up a marketer for a hospital later on, they'll already be sold on promo and likely to place orders. Summer intern now, future business later. It's a win-win!

If there's one thing Gen Z knows, it's social media. However, the same can't be said for the promo industry. Many companies aren't sure how to properly engage with their audience online, or even worse – they're not on social media at all. Instead of taking shots in the dark, task your summer intern with developing your social media presence and teaching your staff about how these platforms are used. Remember: Interns aren't only here to learn – they can teach your company a thing or two too.

Hear for yourself how Liquid Screen Design’s intern got them up and running with their first social media accounts.

Ready for your company to start benefiting by hiring a summer intern? ASI is here to help. When you hire your summer intern, ASI will provide services to get them up and running right away, including:

• FREE ESP^® access for the entire summer (expires 10/1/2021)
• FREE webinars that provide training and an industry overview
• FREE ASI gift pack of promotional items
• Invitation for your intern to attend ASI Show^® Chicago
  (Travel expenses not included)

Your intern will also receive a certificate of completion, and one summer intern will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship based on their internship essay.