I came home from work the other day to find my wife with her laptop and a dozen or more flash drives piled in the middle of our kitchen table. She was searching for photos from a trip we’d taken to upstate New York a few years ago. She eventually found the photos. They were on the hard drive of her old PC which was lying dormant in the garage.

Have We Become Dependent on Flash Drives?

Yes, I believe we have, at least I know I am. I use them for business, writing, and music. And my wife uses them to organize presentations, photos, and notes. If you’ve ever been without a drive when you needed or wanted one you understand just how much we’ve come to rely on flash drives. Which is one reason why drives make great promotional products.

Who Uses Flash Drives?

According to a study conducted by ASI (Advertising Specialty Institute) Global Advertising Specialty Impressions, USB’s are used by almost every demographic.

50% of men surveyed, while 30 % of women owned at least one flash drive. In our household my wife far outdistances me in USB ownership. Ownership by age breaks down as follows.

  • 18 – 24 60%
  • 25 – 34 51 %
  • 35 – 44 48 %
  • 45 – 54 39 %
  • 55 + 37 %

Why do People Keep Drives?

I know my wife and I keep USB’s to organize data. We use the cloud for storage as well but there’s something about having a flash drive in your hand.

So, is the appearance of a drive key to its likeability? According to the ASI survey the answer is no. Only 7 % of those surveyed responded that the attractiveness of a USB had any bearing on whether they kept it. While 92 % said they keep them because they’re useful.

Who Doesn’t like Flash Drives?

Universal Serial Bus’s (flash drives) are found to be “universally” useful, 46 % of urban dwellers, 44 % of suburbanites, and 44 % of rural residents own flash drives. Drives are an almost universally appreciated product. The next time you consider promotional products for your customers and clients don’t forget about flash drives.

There are hundreds to choose from, here are a few flash drives. I want the one shaped like an electric guitar.

Photo Credit: Unsplash Photos Photo by Brina Blum