Analysis reveals that firm swag is usually a extremely efficient software for reinforcing engagement. Actually, in a single current examine, 61% of survey respondents agreed that promotional merchandise assist construct model consciousness, and 58% reported that they liked getting swag.
That being mentioned, by means of my expertise as the top of promoting at two totally different tech firms, I’ve discovered that not all swag is equally well-received. What does it take to just be sure you put money into creating swag that individuals will truly like?
On this article, I’ll begin by explaining what firm swag is and how you can order it, after which I’ll dive into a few of my favourite concepts for firm swag.
What’s Firm Swag?
Broadly talking, “swag” refers to any form of present or product that firms give away without cost so as to drive engagement and model consciousness.
In lots of instances, swag is used as a gross sales software. For instance, giving presents to purchasers may be an effective way to verify current prospects really feel valued — and to maintain your model top-of-mind. Equally, many firms give out small, branded objects such, as pens or pencils, to potential prospects at conferences or different occasions.
Nonetheless, swag isn’t only a gross sales software. One other necessary utility of firm swag is as a software for retention and worker engagement.
Whether or not as a welcome present for brand spanking new staff, a vacation present for a complete group, or a congratulations present for group members who’ve reached an anniversary milestone, giving staff swag helps them really feel appreciated.
Plus, if the swag is one thing they’ll use or put on of their day-to-day lives — like a water bottle or hoodie along with your firm’s brand — it permits them to function ambassadors of the corporate wherever they go.
How you can Order Swag
Clearly, firm swag may be massively useful — however it’s additionally straightforward to get it incorrect. Particularly, with regards to ordering swag, it’s important to verify to contemplate the finances you’ll be able to afford to speculate, the amount of swag objects you’ll want, the perfect distributors to work with, and the lead time it’ll take.
Finances
The primary necessary consideration to remember is finances. Whilst you could also be tempted to launch straight into designing and ordering your swag, I’ve realized firsthand that it’s essential to start out by ensuring you know the way a lot you’ll be able to spend on the mission.
In some organizations, there’s already a longtime finances for swag, whether or not on a month-to-month or annual foundation. That mentioned, even when the finances is about, it’s nonetheless important to keep away from making assumptions: I like to recommend getting express approval for the precise quantity you intend to spend to keep away from working into issues or misaligned expectations down the road.
In different instances, there will not be a predefined finances. For instance, I labored with a startup that had by no means ordered swag earlier than, so my boss wasn’t certain how a lot we must be spending on it.
Should you don’t have a finances, you’ll be able to benchmark towards different main line objects in your group’s finances, do some on-line analysis, and ask for enter from colleagues to get a way of what can be cheap.
Then, you’ll be able to share that estimate with the related decision-makers — and once more, you should definitely get express approval earlier than clicking “purchase.”
Amount
The following query you’ll want to consider is amount. What number of shirts, hats, or pens do you want? Answering this query will rely on how you propose to make use of the swag.
If you wish to get one thing for each worker in your group or in your division, begin by counting the variety of anticipated recipients. Bear in mind to account for potential new additions to the group, in addition to some extras, in case you’ve forgotten anybody.
Alongside the variety of recipients, there’s additionally the query of timing. Once I’ve ordered swag previously, it’s typically for a single, one-off occasion, however extra typically, I’ve deliberate to make use of a single order of swag for a number of occasions.
For instance, if you happen to’re shopping for branded water bottles for brand spanking new staff, it most likely doesn’t make sense to simply purchase sufficient on your present cohort of recent hires. As a substitute, it could be price estimating what number of new hires you anticipate to have over the following six months and even the following yr, and getting sufficient swag to final you thru a number of cohorts.
Distributors
When you’ve decided how a lot you’ll be able to spend and the tough quantity of swag you’ll want, it’s time to start out fascinated with distributors. There are numerous choices for swag distributors, all of whom supply various kinds of merchandise at totally different worth factors and high quality ranges.
Should you’re unsure the place to start out, a fast Google search can get you some preliminary choices. As well as, I all the time suggest asking buddies or coworkers for his or her recommendation. They can let you know a couple of vendor that you just wouldn’t have discovered by yourself, and enter from somebody you belief may also help increase your confidence that the seller will ship as promised.
Plus, some distributors supply referral offers and reductions, doubtlessly saving each you and your colleague some money.
Lead Time
Lastly, don’t overlook about lead time, or the time it’s going to take for a vendor to make and ship your swag to you. That is particularly necessary if you happen to’ve received a tough deadline, like a convention or vacation celebration the place you intend to present out the swag.
In my expertise, you’re unlikely to discover a vendor who can supply a lead time of lower than 5-10 enterprise days — so be sure that to plan forward, and construct some further buffer time into your schedule in case of delays.
Finest Firm Swag Concepts
All proper, so that you’ve set a finances, selected amount, chosen a vendor, and accounted for lead time. However what precisely must you order? Under, I’ve shared a few of my favourite firm swag concepts, from attire to wellness and past.
Attire
One of many greatest advantages of attire is that if staff just like the swag, they’ll put on it for years, spreading consciousness of your model all over the place they go. Listed here are a few of my favourite choices for attire swag.
Hats
Who doesn’t want a hat? One of many lower-cost sorts of attire, hats are all the time a well-liked swag choice. Should you’re in a hotter local weather, strive baseball caps, and if you happen to’re someplace with colder climate, beanies could also be extra appreciated.
T-Shirts
Branded T-shirts are one other nice giveaway. They’re additionally a very good choice if you happen to’re trying to get a bit extra artistic along with your design, since there’s loads of room to incorporate not simply your brand, however a {custom} slogan or different design parts.
Hoodies
Should you’ve received a bit extra finances, everybody loves a pleasant, cozy hoodie. These are an particularly good concept in case your group is predicated someplace with colder climate, or in case your workplace tends to have the air con cranked up.
Socks
Socks are a enjoyable swag concept that additionally supply a great deal of customization choices. Past simply including your brand or different designs, you may also take into consideration totally different types. Would your staff admire fuzzy socks? Additional-long socks? The chances are limitless.
Jackets
A high-quality jacket is one other swag merchandise I’ve discovered is commonly a giant hit. Actually, I do know individuals who have saved sporting their company-branded jackets years after leaving the job! Particularly for folks in colder-weather places, jackets or coats are sometimes very a lot appreciated.
Sun shades
In distinction, if you happen to’re based mostly someplace with loads of solar, think about wanting into {custom} sun shades. You will get glasses in your model colours, and you may also have your brand or slogan printed on the perimeters.
Sun shades could also be particularly widespread in case your staff spend time outdoors whereas on the job, or in case your group enjoys outside actions of their day without work.
Productiveness
The following class of swag concepts is expounded to productiveness. These are objects that staff would possibly select to take dwelling, however they’ll additionally use them whereas within the workplace.
Sticky Notes
A basic swag merchandise, sticky notes are one thing all of us want — simply be sure to select ones which are large enough that they are going to truly be helpful.
Pens
You possibly can by no means have sufficient pens! Pens are a fantastic choice to hold your organization top-of-mind each time an worker writes one thing down.
Pencils
For workers preferring one thing erasable, branded pencils are one other low-cost swag choice which are all the time appreciated.
Erasers
Whereas rather less frequent than pens and pencils, erasers are certainly one of my favourite swag concepts. They will are available virtually any dimension, form, or coloration, providing you with numerous customization choices, they usually’re each reasonably priced and universally helpful.
Mouse Pads
Whereas plenty of productiveness objects are pretty small, mouse pads provide you with a good quantity of actual property to work with, providing you with much more flexibility and house to incorporate {custom} designs.
Journey
One other certainly one of my favourite classes of swag is journey objects. In spite of everything, whether or not I’m simply taking the practice into the workplace or embarking on a global flight, I all the time want journey objects to assist with the journey.
Tote Bag
Tote luggage is usually a versatile choice for coming to work, heading to the health club, or happening an extended journey. Plus, they’re large enough to incorporate some bigger art work, past only a firm brand or slogan.
Journey Mug
Are your staff massive espresso or tea drinkers? In that case, a journey mug is bound to be a success. Be sure you get one with good opinions, although, since the very last thing you need is folks associating your organization with spilling scorching espresso throughout themselves on the drive to work.
Water Bottle
Give your folks the present of hydration! Whether or not they hold it on their desk, take it to the health club, or carry it of their bag, everybody wants a water bottle to assist them keep hydrated all through the day.
Lunch Field
Whilst you won’t have used a lunch field since grade faculty, this can be a distinctive swag choice that may make a big effect. A lunch field can also be extra versatile than you would possibly assume. Some staff would possibly simply use it to hold their lunch to work, however others would possibly take it to the park for a picnic, and even use it as a mini cooler for a seashore day.
Seaside Towel
Should you’re on the lookout for a swag choice with most actual property on your artistic designs and imagery, look no additional — not solely is a seashore towel enjoyable and helpful, however it provides you all of the house you would need for a big, {custom} design.
Wellness
Swag isn’t nearly free stuff. It’s about displaying folks they matter. And the way higher to ship that message than with swag that’s targeted on supporting their well being and wellness? Listed here are a few of my favourite wellness-related swag concepts.
Lip Balm
Assist your staff stave off chapped lips with a branded lip balm. You possibly can add a {custom} brand or slogan on the facet of the tube, reminding folks of your model each time they take it out.
Tissue Packs
Many individuals carry round a pack of tissues of their bag or purse. So why not change it with a custom-designed package deal? It is a helpful present that’s sufficiently small to journey simply, however somewhat extra substantial and weird than a lip balm.
Fidget Spinners
In recent times, fidget spinners have change into massively widespread. That mentioned, they’re nonetheless a comparatively unusual swag present, so providing a branded fidget spinner may be an effective way to face out from the group.
Stress Balls
A basic swag present, stress balls are a low-cost but extremely versatile choice. They will are available nearly any coloration, dimension, or form, and a few firms even develop {custom} stress balls in a singular form that’s related to their enterprise.
Hand Sanitizer
Particularly within the post-Covid period, hand sanitizer has change into an more and more appreciated present. Encourage your folks to remain wholesome whereas additionally holding one another secure with a {custom} bottle of hand sanitizer.
Tech
Lastly, in case your group enjoys tech and devices, it could be price wanting into tech swag choices. A few of these can get somewhat expensive, however there are additionally loads of low-cost choices to contemplate.
Energy Financial institution
We’ve all been there: You pull out your cellphone to test a message or make an necessary name whereas on the go, solely to find that the battery’s lifeless. A conveyable energy financial institution is usually a actual lifesaver, and there are many low-cost ones in the marketplace if finances is a priority.
Mini Speaker
Should you’re open to spending a bit extra money, a custom-branded mini speaker is one other nice, techy swag present. This is likely to be an particularly becoming present for an organization within the audio trade, or for an worker who’s a giant music buff.
Charging Cable
A lower-cost choice, cellphone charging cables are all the time helpful. They don’t supply an excessive amount of room for personalization, however you’ll be able to embody a brand or small picture, in addition to exploring choices for colours aligned along with your branding.
Headphones
From low-cost, wired headphones to superior, noise-canceling headphones or earbuds, headphones supply a variety of worth factors and high quality ranges to select from. They’re additionally helpful in a variety of settings, from enjoying music that will help you focus at work to listening to an audiobook in your commute dwelling.
USB Drive
Lastly, USB drives are one other low-cost swag concept that may simply be personalized along with your brand and model colours. USB drives are additionally helpful in a variety of contexts, and if an worker makes use of it to retailer necessary recordsdata, they’ll doubtless be it day by day!
Align Your Firm Swag with Your Firm Tradition
On the finish of the day, an important issue to contemplate when ordering firm swag is your organization’s tradition. One of the best swag aligns not simply along with your model colours and elegance information, however with the tradition of your group.
For instance, if you happen to’re a wellness-focused group, wellness-related swag presents could also be applicable. In distinction, in case your group is very technical, techy swag could also be extra appreciated. It’s all about understanding the tradition of your group, after which figuring out the perfect sorts of swag on your distinctive group.
Editor’s notice: This put up was initially printed in November 2013 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.
