Analysis exhibits that firm swag generally is a extremely efficient instrument for reinforcing engagement. The truth is, in a single current research, 61% of survey respondents agreed that promotional merchandise assist construct model consciousness, and 58% reported that they cherished getting swag.
That being mentioned, by means of my expertise as the pinnacle of promoting at two totally different tech corporations, I’ve discovered that not all swag is equally well-received. What does it take to just remember to spend money on creating swag that folks will truly like?
On this article, I’ll begin by explaining what firm swag is and 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 type of reward or product that corporations give away free of charge with a view to drive engagement and model consciousness.
In lots of circumstances, swag is used as a gross sales instrument. For instance, giving items to shoppers might be an effective way to verify present clients really feel valued — and to maintain your model top-of-mind. Equally, many corporations give out small, branded gadgets such, as pens or pencils, to potential clients at conferences or different occasions.
Nonetheless, swag isn’t only a gross sales instrument. One other vital utility of firm swag is as a instrument for retention and worker engagement.
Whether or not as a welcome reward for brand spanking new staff, a vacation reward for a whole group, or a congratulations reward 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 together with your firm’s brand — it permits them to function ambassadors of the corporate wherever they go.
Order Swag
Clearly, firm swag might be massively priceless — nevertheless it’s additionally straightforward to get it unsuitable. Particularly, on the subject of ordering swag, it’s important to verify to contemplate the finances you possibly can afford to take a position, the amount of swag gadgets you’ll want, the most effective distributors to work with, and the lead time it’ll take.
Price range
The primary vital consideration to remember is finances. When you could also be tempted to launch straight into designing and ordering your swag, I’ve realized firsthand that it’s essential to begin by ensuring you know the way a lot you possibly can spend on the venture.
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 specific approval for the precise quantity you propose to spend to keep away from working into issues or misaligned expectations down the road.
In different circumstances, there is probably not 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 ought to be spending on it.
If you happen to don’t have a finances, you possibly can benchmark in opposition to different main line gadgets in your group’s finances, do some on-line analysis, and ask for enter from colleagues to get a way of what can be affordable.
Then, you possibly can share that estimate with the related decision-makers — and once more, be sure you get specific approval earlier than clicking “purchase.”
Amount
The subsequent 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 plan 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. After I’ve ordered swag prior to now, 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, in the event you’re shopping for branded water bottles for brand spanking new staff, it in all probability doesn’t make sense to only purchase sufficient to your present cohort of recent hires. As a substitute, it might be price estimating what number of new hires you anticipate to have over the following six months and even the following 12 months, and getting sufficient swag to final you thru a number of cohorts.
Distributors
When you’ve decided how a lot you possibly can spend and the tough quantity of swag you’ll want, it’s time to begin 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.
If you happen to’re undecided the place to begin, a fast Google search can get you some preliminary choices. As well as, I at all times suggest asking mates 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 can assist enhance 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 neglect about lead time, or the time it is going to take for a vendor to make and ship your swag to you. That is particularly vital in the event you’ve bought a tough deadline, like a convention or vacation occasion the place you propose to offer 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 do you have to order? Beneath, 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 varieties of attire, hats are at all times a well-liked swag possibility. If you happen to’re in a hotter local weather, attempt baseball caps, and in the event you’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 superb possibility in the event you’re trying to get a bit extra inventive together with your design, since there’s loads of room to incorporate not simply your brand, however a {custom} slogan or different design components.
Hoodies
If you happen to’ve bought 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 can too take into consideration totally different types. Would your staff recognize fuzzy socks? Further-long socks? The chances are countless.
Jackets
A high-quality jacket is one other swag merchandise I’ve discovered is commonly a giant hit. The truth is, I do know individuals who have saved carrying their company-branded jackets years after leaving the job! Particularly for folks in colder-weather areas, jackets or coats are sometimes very a lot appreciated.
Sun shades
In distinction, in the event you’re primarily based someplace with loads of solar, take into account trying into {custom} sun shades. You will get glasses in your model colours, and you can too have your brand or slogan printed on the perimeters.
Sun shades could also be particularly standard in case your staff spend time outdoors whereas on the job, or in case your group enjoys outside actions of their break day.
Productiveness
The subsequent class of swag concepts is said to productiveness. These are gadgets that staff may 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 ensure you select ones which are large enough that they are going to truly be helpful.
Pens
You may by no means have sufficient pens! Pens are an amazing choice to maintain 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 possibility which are at all times appreciated.
Erasers
Whereas rather less frequent than pens and pencils, erasers are one in all my favourite swag concepts. They’ll are available virtually any measurement, form, or shade, supplying you with numerous customization choices, they usually’re each reasonably priced and universally helpful.
Mouse Pads
Whereas quite a lot of productiveness gadgets are pretty small, mouse pads provide you with an honest quantity of actual property to work with, supplying you with much more flexibility and house to incorporate {custom} designs.
Journey
One other one in all my favourite classes of swag is journey gadgets. In spite of everything, whether or not I’m simply taking the prepare into the workplace or embarking on a world flight, I at all times want journey gadgets to assist with the journey.
Tote Bag
Tote baggage generally is a versatile possibility for coming to work, heading to the gymnasium, or occurring an extended journey. Plus, they’re large enough to incorporate some bigger paintings, past only a firm brand or slogan.
Journey Mug
Are your staff huge espresso or tea drinkers? In that case, a journey mug is bound to be a success. Ensure 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 reward of hydration! Whether or not they maintain it on their desk, take it to the gymnasium, or carry it of their bag, everybody wants a water bottle to assist them keep hydrated all through the day.
Lunch Field
When you won’t have used a lunch field since grade college, this can be a distinctive swag possibility that may make a huge impact. A lunch field can be extra versatile than you may suppose. Some staff may simply use it to hold their lunch to work, however others may take it to the park for a picnic, and even use it as a mini cooler for a seashore day.
Seashore Towel
If you happen to’re searching for a swag possibility with most actual property to your inventive designs and imagery, look no additional — not solely is a seashore towel enjoyable and helpful, nevertheless it offers you all of the house you would need for a big, {custom} design.
Wellness
Swag isn’t nearly free stuff. It’s about exhibiting folks they matter. And the way higher to ship that message than with swag that’s centered 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 may add a {custom} brand or slogan on the aspect 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 reward that’s sufficiently small to journey simply, however a bit of extra substantial and weird than a lip balm.
Fidget Spinners
Lately, fidget spinners have turn into massively standard. That mentioned, they’re nonetheless a comparatively unusual swag reward, so providing a branded fidget spinner might be an effective way to face out from the group.
Stress Balls
A basic swag reward, stress balls are a low-cost but extremely versatile possibility. They’ll are available just about any shade, measurement, or form, and a few corporations 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 turn into an more and more appreciated reward. Encourage your folks to remain wholesome whereas additionally retaining one another secure with a {custom} bottle of hand sanitizer.
Tech
Lastly, in case your group enjoys tech and devices, it might be price trying into tech swag choices. A few of these can get a bit of dear, 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 verify a message or make an vital name whereas on the go, solely to find that the battery’s useless. A conveyable energy financial institution generally is a actual lifesaver, and there are many low-cost ones available on the market if finances is a priority.
Mini Speaker
If you happen to’re open to spending a bit more cash, a custom-branded mini speaker is one other nice, techy swag reward. This may be an particularly becoming reward for a corporation within the audio business, or for an worker who’s a giant music buff.
Charging Cable
A lower-cost possibility, cellphone charging cables are at all times helpful. They don’t supply an excessive amount of room for personalisation, however you possibly can embrace a brand or small picture, in addition to exploring choices for colours aligned together 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 taking part in 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 together 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 vital recordsdata, they’ll doubtless be taking a look at it daily!
Align Your Firm Swag with Your Firm Tradition
On the finish of the day, crucial issue to contemplate when ordering firm swag is your organization’s tradition. The very best swag aligns not simply together with your model colours and elegance information, however with the tradition of your group.
For instance, in the event you’re a wellness-focused group, wellness-related swag items could also be acceptable. 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 most effective sorts of swag to your distinctive group.
Editor’s be aware: This put up was initially revealed in November 2013 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.
