Imagine it’s 2022. Tradeshows are back, baby! And you’re pumped to be there. Stoked to see folks in person again. Excited to talk about what you do better than anyone else.
You’re there, cheerily giving someone one of your branded merchandise items, and then, 2 seconds later, you see it in the nearest trash can. OUCH!
But before you take it personally -- which is natural, of course -- I have to ask how much thought you put into what that person really wanted. Did you get to know them as a person a little? Ask them what they’re into before just handing them whatever you have behind the table? Ask about their hobbies? The colors they like? Are they whimsical or super practical? Your swag gift is still a *gift* and the same holiday or birthday gift-giving logic applies when you are giving away promotional products.
Not every person is going to appreciate your swag if you're just picking out items all willy-nilly. The process of choosing the best swag starts as soon as you start setting your goals. We have a total of seven tips to help your promotional products make a lasting impression while also staying on budget.
Set a campaign goal first
Like every marketing plan, you need to sit down with your team and come up with clear and concise goals. Setting goals point you in the right direction and helps your promotional products achieve their objectives. Remember that your goals need to be specific, measurable, achievable, and relevant. In branding, a few examples could be:
More referrals
Increase brand recognition
Improve your customer experience
Set smart goals that are consistent with your swag.
Stick to your Budget
Great swag is definitely not free. However, you should view promotional products as an investment. It doesn’t hurt to say that whatever budget you settle with it should not mess up your ROI.
Of course, there isn't one true budget that fits all. It depends on what's best for your business goals. This will help you choose the best-priced swag so you're not blowing all of your money away.
Know your Audience
Everyone has different tastes. There is so much variety in what people like so you need to get to know your audience before choosing swag.
Typically, you can categorize your audience in terms of:
Age
Gender
Hobbies
Career
Say your workers are environmentally conscious. A great product can be a notebook made from apple pulp and vegetable material. Your audience will love such attention to detail.
At first, you are not going to be sure of what your audience is into. That is solved by simply asking them what swag they would love to get.
Make it visual
Nowadays everyone is sharing their experiences on social media. You need to make sure that they’d want to share the experience you created too. The more eye-catching your proportional products are, the more your audience is going to enjoy them.
Select products with fun patterns and designs that will make them go “I want that!”.
Go for more useful, long-term products
Going back to what we mentioned earlier, you don’t want to see your branded products in a trash can. Disposable items like stickers, cheap lighters, and sticky notes aren’t the best swag to give away. Since these are single-use products, they won’t mark the long-lasting impression you’re going for.
Good swag should last a couple of years. Promotional products should be something that they use on an everyday basis. Some good examples are:
Drinkware
Bluetooth speakers
Bags/backpacks
T-shirts
So make sure you get your audience items that are useful and help make their everyday lives more practical and convenient.
Pick products that reflect your brand
Your promotional products should be consistent with your brand. They should be able to represent what your company stands for.
For example, an education company can give away a wipeable notebook and a food company can give away wooden crates or kitchen tables.
The swag you give away says a lot about the personality and values of your brand. High-quality, well-thought-out products can only help your business. So when picking items, you should think about the overlap between what your crowd wants and what you want them to perceive of you.
Choose something out of the box
Does your audience really need any more pens? Sometimes it’s good to come up with something that’s just a little bit out of the left field. They are going to remember quirky products more than standard mundane ones.
Don’t go too overboard with your quirkiness though. Remember that you still want them to use your swag every day. Try these items out:
Bluetooth Tracker
Media Hub
Charging dock
Self-watering planter
You’re gonna get the best bank for your buck if you get cheap, forgettable swag. Establishing a connection with your audience is great for your ROI. With these seven tips, you increase your chances tenfold in creating a great experience for your crowd. Rocket Science Branding will make all of your events and giveaways unforgettable while also conveying the message you want for your brand.
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