If you own a catering company and are looking for ways to advertise, distributing promotional items is a great idea. However, you need to make sure you're distributing the right promotional items. Most people have so may promotional pens and magnets that they'll look right past these items. Here are four promotional items that are sure to get your business the attention it deserves.

Salt and Pepper Shakers

People think about food-related quandaries, like who to hire as a caterer, when they are eating and preparing food. Thus, having your name on their salt and pepper shakers is a good way to ensure they think of your business when they're considering catering options for upcoming events. Keep it classy by having your business's name painted on some simple glass or metal shakers; this way they coordinate with most people's kitchen designs.

Beer Cozies

When your customers are enjoying a cold beer, they're probably in a relaxed mood. This is when you want them to notice your business; they'll associate it with positive, relaxing feelings. Plus, people generally enjoy beer in groups, so if one person has your beer cozy, his or her friends will see it, too. When ordering cozies, make sure the design is simple so your name is easy to read. Choose a solid-colored cozy over a patterned one for this purpose.

Keychain Bottle Openers

This is another promotional item that will be seen not only by the person who owns it, but also by that person's friends. Try to look for a unique design -- there are bottle openers that flip open or rotate -- as this will call more attention to itself than an ordinary opener. As with the items above, make sure your business's name it printed boldly on the item so nobody can miss it.

Personalized Olive Oil Bottles

This promotional item may be a bit more costly than the others on this list, but it's a wonderful idea if you plan to hand out promotional items at a more upscale event. Find an oil vendor who is willing to print custom labels that say "A gift from..." with your business's name filled in. Give each person a bottle of the oil; they'll enjoy it, and each time they cook with it, they'll be reminded of your company.

If you start distributing some of the personalized items above, word will get out about your business. Customers will not just recognize your name, but they'll associate you with the nice gift item they received, and they'll assume that your service is top-notch, too. Contact a promotional company, like Keeton's Office Supply, for more ideas.