In marketing, swag isn’t just a party favor you give to guests at the
end of the night. It’s your brand ambassador when you’re no longer
there. The role of swag shouldn’t be underestimated. When utilized
correctly, it provides brands with a physical and emotional connection
to their customers before, during, and after an event.
In other words, swag is a gift that keeps on giving — and that’s why it has become a $21 billion industry. One study found that 87 percent of attendees keep the promotional items they receive for more than a year, and 79 percent of them say they’d be likely to do business with that company again.
The power of swag can open doors for your brand anywhere. In order to unlock its potential, remember that not all swag is created equal.
The Wide World of Swag
Call it swag, promos, giveaways, freebies, tchotchkes… Swag can be as small as a pen or as big as a VIP trip to a concert. It can be a tangible item that sits on a desk or an experience that lives inside the mind. One thing remains consistent, though: The better your swag strategy is, the more important, valued, and excited your consumers will feel about your brand.
Match Your Swag to Your Message.
Offer swag that reflects your brand’s message and values. If your company’s identity revolves around practicality and productivity, don’t hand out time-wasting junk like yo-yos and rubber balls. Instead, give your audience something they need, like a branded roll of duct tape or a Swiss army knife. Remember, this is something your customer plans to have in his or her home for years to come. Make sure it reflects the right brand image.
Solve a Problem.
Even if your brand isn’t all about practicality and productivity, giving your customers something they can actually use is a smart way to gain their respect and gratitude. For example, if you’re marketing at an outdoor event, consider offering branded umbrellas, bottles of water, sunblock, or towels. Customers are much more likely to remember brands that help them out.
Don’t Fall Into a Rut.
Customers will eventually forget a brand that relies on the same key chain for years on end. It’s wise to vary your swag offerings both over time and depending on the scenario. Pins, badges, and stickers might be perfect for one event, while personalized putters could be perfect for another. Change it up to keep the attention of your audience.
Don’t Be Logo-Happy.
Logos are an easy way to get your brand name into somebody’s home, but they’re also an easy way to get your swag into somebody’s trash can. If your swag is actually impressive or useful in its own right, a small, discreet logo will do the trick. Customers will naturally remember who gave it to them.
Avoid Playing Favorites.
Creating multiple tiers of swag can be a dangerous strategy because it suggests that your company values certain customers over others. If one demographic is handed cheap-looking pens but knows that another market got bottles of champagne, they’re going to leave your event feeling jealous and underappreciated. Your best option is to make sure the swag you offer is of a consistent value, but if you must create multiple levels of reward, keep it under wraps.
Whether it’s a pad of paper that attendees end up writing their grocery lists on or an air freshener that dangles from their rearview mirrors, swag is a great way to provide a useful (and free!) souvenir to consumers that keeps your name at the top of their minds.
See the whole thing!
In other words, swag is a gift that keeps on giving — and that’s why it has become a $21 billion industry. One study found that 87 percent of attendees keep the promotional items they receive for more than a year, and 79 percent of them say they’d be likely to do business with that company again.
The power of swag can open doors for your brand anywhere. In order to unlock its potential, remember that not all swag is created equal.
Smart phone stand
The Wide World of Swag
Call it swag, promos, giveaways, freebies, tchotchkes… Swag can be as small as a pen or as big as a VIP trip to a concert. It can be a tangible item that sits on a desk or an experience that lives inside the mind. One thing remains consistent, though: The better your swag strategy is, the more important, valued, and excited your consumers will feel about your brand.
High-quality pens
Match Your Swag to Your Message.
Offer swag that reflects your brand’s message and values. If your company’s identity revolves around practicality and productivity, don’t hand out time-wasting junk like yo-yos and rubber balls. Instead, give your audience something they need, like a branded roll of duct tape or a Swiss army knife. Remember, this is something your customer plans to have in his or her home for years to come. Make sure it reflects the right brand image.
USB drives
Solve a Problem.
Even if your brand isn’t all about practicality and productivity, giving your customers something they can actually use is a smart way to gain their respect and gratitude. For example, if you’re marketing at an outdoor event, consider offering branded umbrellas, bottles of water, sunblock, or towels. Customers are much more likely to remember brands that help them out.
Multipurpose blanket
Don’t Fall Into a Rut.
Customers will eventually forget a brand that relies on the same key chain for years on end. It’s wise to vary your swag offerings both over time and depending on the scenario. Pins, badges, and stickers might be perfect for one event, while personalized putters could be perfect for another. Change it up to keep the attention of your audience.
Planting kits
Don’t Be Logo-Happy.
Logos are an easy way to get your brand name into somebody’s home, but they’re also an easy way to get your swag into somebody’s trash can. If your swag is actually impressive or useful in its own right, a small, discreet logo will do the trick. Customers will naturally remember who gave it to them.
Wall calendar
Avoid Playing Favorites.
Creating multiple tiers of swag can be a dangerous strategy because it suggests that your company values certain customers over others. If one demographic is handed cheap-looking pens but knows that another market got bottles of champagne, they’re going to leave your event feeling jealous and underappreciated. Your best option is to make sure the swag you offer is of a consistent value, but if you must create multiple levels of reward, keep it under wraps.
Leather portfolios
Whether it’s a pad of paper that attendees end up writing their grocery lists on or an air freshener that dangles from their rearview mirrors, swag is a great way to provide a useful (and free!) souvenir to consumers that keeps your name at the top of their minds.
See the whole thing!
Peter "The Printer" Lineal
Founder/CEO
Plum Grove
2160 Stonington Avenue
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Ph: 847.882.4020 Ext: 133
www.PlumGrovePrinters.com
PeterL@PlumGrovePrinters.com
Printing, Marketing & Promotional Products with Powerful Execution.
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