Grand slam swag
You have a big trade show coming up.
Your company is hitting its 20th year in the biz.
You want to give out promotional swag, but don’t know where to start.
We get it. Before you endure another extensive, overwhelming, endless web search for promo gift ideas or inexpensive conference giveaways, stop!
Take a deep breath, step back, and think about your audience and what you want your branded swag to convey to potential customers and your employees.
Globally, 85% of people who are given a promotional item will remember the advertiser that gave it to them. (ASI Central). That’s why your branded giveaways need to stand out for all the right reasons. Forget on-brand mini footballs if you’re in the manufacturing business. Don’t give out carabiner keychains if you’re a beauty company. Pencils if you’re a software company? Yeah, no. You get the idea. The right swag will make a positive impression on your leads, clients, and employees.
Triple-play giveaways
A memorable giveaway has three purposes and if it doesn’t touch all the bases, you’re wasting your time and your money. Even worse, you could leave potential clients with no other choice than to seek other options – companies who put more thought into their brand promotion. At a minimum, your swag should:
- Boost brand awareness
- Generate potential leads
- Generate excitement for your specific services or products
From there, you can be as creative, thrifty, or as OTT as you want to be.
Let’s look at the power of smart swag:
First up, how does your giveaway support your company’s mission? Are you focused on sustainability? Give away a reusable canvas tote with your logo and tagline. Are you a business that promotes inclusivity? Choose a mug with a powerful message like Corrine Gray’s “If you can be anything, be inclusive.” Make the tote bag colorful, or simple, or modern, or…
At least 40% of consumers have kept hold of a promo product for more than ten years – that’s a decade of brand impressions. (ASI Central). That means, bottom line, your promotional items should be relevant and align with the values and needs of your target market.
Quality matters
Did you know that 72% of consumers believe that the quality of a promotional product is directly related to the reputation of the company? (PPAI).
When you distribute meaningful giveaways at events, you generate buzz, attract attention, and spark engaging conversations. Giveaways give you the opportunity to speak with valuable leads, both verbally and non-verbally. Eye-catching swag will help you gain visibility by showcasing your message throughout the event.
Whether you’re giving away an all-inclusive trip to Cabo, or creating a fun and interactive booth experience, your swag is your MVP. Compelling swag draws visitors to your booth and opens doors to further engagement. For our tips on winning at trade shows, check out our blog on maximizing your presence at industry events.
Outsource Marketing: Swag slugger
When partnering with a company for your promotional swag needs, Outmark® stands in a league of its own. We’re team players with a lot of experience elevating a business’s brand image through products and messaging. We treat your swag as we do our own. We make it fun.
We are a full-service marketing firm that’s developed and managed brands-big and small- since 1997. We partner with you to craft giveaways that sync with your brand identity, values, and messaging. We handle every detail, from selecting the right colors and fonts to flawless fusion with your logo and messaging.
But we don’t stop at creating amazing swag. Outmark connects promo items with your broader marketing efforts, turning each piece into a powerful tool for engagement. By integrating:
- QR codes
- Web and landing pages
- Email campaigns
- Social media posts
- Raffles and contests
- Eye-catching booth designs
We seamlessly bridge the gap between offline and online experiences. Your swag becomes a gateway to further brand interactions, leading your audience toward discovery, connection, and conversion.
Employee swag: Building connections that hit all the bases
Be sure to remember your other MVPs—your internal team! Swag goes beyond events and clients; it’s a fantastic tool for building a strong connection within your internal team. Employee swag is a tangible symbol of appreciation and belonging, creating a sense of unity and pride. Here are a few examples of how employee swag can strengthen the bond among your team members:
Welcome kits
When onboarding new employees, a thoughtful welcome kit filled with branded goodies sets the stage for a positive employee experience. It makes them feel valued and creates a sense of excitement and anticipation for their journey with the company. Consider including items like branded notebooks, mugs, or company apparel.
Swag for milestones
Celebrate important milestones and achievements of your employees with customized swag. Whether it’s a work anniversary, a promotion, or reaching significant goals, recognizing these accomplishments with special swag items creates a sense of recognition and motivates the entire team. Think about personalized plaques, engraved pens, or exclusive company-branded items.
Team spirit gear
Foster a strong sense of team spirit and camaraderie with swag that showcases your company culture and values, or reinforces internal initiatives. Design team-specific t-shirts, hats, or hoodies representing each department or project team. Wearing these items can help strengthen the bond within your team.
Gifting branded items to employees creates a shared identity and boosts morale, leading to a more engaged and connected workforce.
Game-winning swag
Are you ready to create game-changing giveaways for your employees, clients, and leads? We’re here to help you build a brilliant swag strategy that creates a positive brand experience, builds customer loyalty, unifies employees, and leaves a lasting impression. We help you become swagtegic.
