Analysis reveals that firm swag is usually a extremely efficient instrument for reinforcing engagement. Actually, in a single current research, 61% of survey respondents agreed that promotional merchandise assist construct model consciousness, and 58% reported that they beloved getting swag.
That being stated, by means of my expertise as the top of selling at two completely 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 really like?
On this article, I’ll begin by explaining what firm swag is and methods to 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 sort of reward or product that firms give away without cost in an effort to drive engagement and model consciousness.
In lots of circumstances, swag is used as a gross sales instrument. For instance, giving presents to purchasers might be a good way to ensure present clients 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 clients at conferences or different occasions.
Nonetheless, swag isn’t only a gross sales instrument. One other necessary software of firm swag is as a instrument for retention and worker engagement.
Whether or not as a welcome reward for brand new staff, a vacation reward for a complete staff, or a congratulations reward for staff 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.
Tips on how to Order Swag
Clearly, firm swag might be vastly beneficial — but it surely’s additionally straightforward to get it fallacious. Particularly, with regards to ordering swag, it’s important to ensure to think about the price range you possibly can afford to take a position, the amount of swag objects you’ll want, the very best distributors to work with, and the lead time it’ll take.
Funds
The primary necessary consideration to bear in mind is price range. Whilst you could also be tempted to launch straight into designing and ordering your swag, I’ve realized firsthand that it’s crucial to start out by ensuring you know the way a lot you possibly can spend on the venture.
In some organizations, there may be already a longtime price range for swag, whether or not on a month-to-month or annual foundation. That stated, even when the price range is ready, 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 operating into issues or misaligned expectations down the road.
In different circumstances, there is probably not a predefined price range. For instance, I labored with a startup that had by no means ordered swag earlier than, so my boss wasn’t positive how a lot we must be spending on it.
In the event you don’t have a price range, you possibly can benchmark in opposition to different main line objects in your staff’s price range, do some on-line analysis, and ask for enter from colleagues to get a way of what could be affordable.
Then, you possibly can share that estimate with the related decision-makers — and once more, make sure to 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 staff or in your division, begin by counting the variety of anticipated recipients. Bear in mind to account for potential new additions to the staff, 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 generally for a single, one-off occasion, however extra usually, I’ve deliberate to make use of a single order of swag for a number of occasions.
For instance, for those who’re shopping for branded water bottles for brand new staff, it in all probability doesn’t make sense to only purchase sufficient to your present cohort of latest hires. As an alternative, it might be value estimating what number of new hires you anticipate to have over the subsequent six months and even the subsequent 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 start out eager about distributors. There are numerous choices for swag distributors, all of whom provide various kinds of merchandise at completely different value factors and high quality ranges.
In the event you’re undecided the place to start out, a fast Google search can get you some preliminary choices. As well as, I at all times suggest asking associates or coworkers for his or her recommendation. They can inform you a few vendor that you simply wouldn’t have discovered by yourself, and enter from somebody you belief might help increase your confidence that the seller will ship as promised.
Plus, some distributors provide 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’ll take for a vendor to make and ship your swag to you. That is particularly necessary for those who’ve bought a tough deadline, like a convention or vacation occasion the place you intend to provide out the swag.
In my expertise, you’re unlikely to discover a vendor who can provide a lead time of lower than 5-10 enterprise days — so be certain to plan forward, and construct some additional buffer time into your schedule in case of delays.
Greatest Firm Swag Concepts
All proper, so that you’ve set a price range, selected amount, chosen a vendor, and accounted for lead time. However what precisely must you order? Beneath, I’ve shared a few of my favourite firm swag concepts, from attire to wellness and past.
Attire
One of many largest advantages of attire is that if staff just like the swag, they’ll put on it for years, spreading consciousness of your model in every single place they go. Listed below are a few of my favourite choices for attire swag.
Hats
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Who doesn’t want a hat? One of many lower-cost varieties of attire, hats are at all times a well-liked swag choice. In the event you’re in a hotter local weather, strive baseball caps, and for those who’re someplace with colder climate, beanies could also be extra appreciated.
T-Shirts
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Branded T-shirts are one other nice giveaway. They’re additionally a great choice for those who’re trying to get a bit extra inventive 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
In the event you’ve bought a bit extra price range, everybody loves a pleasant, cozy hoodie. These are an particularly good concept in case your staff relies 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 provide a great deal of customization choices. Past simply including your brand or different designs, you too can take into consideration completely 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 usually a giant hit. Actually, I do know individuals who have stored carrying their company-branded jackets years after leaving the job! Particularly for individuals in colder-weather places, jackets or coats are sometimes very a lot appreciated.
Sun shades
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In distinction, for those who’re based mostly someplace with loads of solar, think about trying into {custom} sun shades. You will get glasses in your model colours, and you too can have your brand or slogan printed on the perimeters.
Sun shades could also be particularly fashionable in case your staff spend time exterior whereas on the job, or in case your staff enjoys out of doors actions of their day off.
Productiveness
The following class of swag concepts is said to productiveness. These are objects that staff may select to take residence, however they’ll additionally use them whereas within the workplace.
Sticky Notes
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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’ll really be helpful.
Pens
You’ll be able to by no means have sufficient pens! Pens are an amazing choice to hold your organization top-of-mind each time an worker writes one thing down.
Pencils
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For workers preferring one thing erasable, branded pencils are one other low-cost swag choice which are at all times appreciated.
Erasers
Whereas rather less widespread than pens and pencils, erasers are one in all my favourite swag concepts. They’ll are available in nearly any measurement, form, or colour, providing you with numerous customization choices, and so they’re each inexpensive and universally helpful.
Mouse Pads
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Whereas numerous productiveness objects are pretty small, mouse pads offer you an honest quantity of actual property to work with, providing you with much more flexibility and area to incorporate {custom} designs.
Journey
One other one in all my favourite classes of swag is journey objects. In any case, whether or not I’m simply taking the practice into the workplace or embarking on a world flight, I at all times want journey objects to assist with the journey.
Tote Bag
Tote luggage is usually a versatile choice for coming to work, heading to the gymnasium, or occurring an extended journey. Plus, they’re large enough to incorporate some bigger art work, past only a firm brand or slogan.
Journey Mug
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Are your staff huge espresso or tea drinkers? If that’s the case, a journey mug is certain to be a success. Be sure you get one with good critiques, although, since the very last thing you need is individuals associating your organization with spilling sizzling espresso throughout themselves on the drive to work.
Water Bottle
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Give your individuals the reward of hydration! Whether or not they hold 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
Whilst you may not have used a lunch field since grade college, it is a distinctive swag choice that may make a big effect. A lunch field can be extra versatile than you may assume. 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.
Seaside Towel
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In the event you’re on the lookout for a swag choice with most actual property to your inventive designs and imagery, look no additional — not solely is a seashore towel enjoyable and helpful, but it surely offers you all of the area you could possibly need for a big, {custom} design.
Wellness
Swag isn’t nearly free stuff. It’s about displaying individuals they matter. And the way higher to ship that message than with swag that’s targeted on supporting their well being and wellness? Listed below 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’ll be able to add a {custom} brand or slogan on the aspect of the tube, reminding individuals of your model each time they take it out.
Tissue Packs
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Many individuals carry round a pack of tissues of their bag or purse. So why not substitute it with a custom-designed package deal? This can be a helpful reward that’s sufficiently small to journey simply, however a little bit extra substantial and weird than a lip balm.
Fidget Spinners
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In recent times, fidget spinners have change into massively fashionable. That stated, they’re nonetheless a comparatively unusual swag reward, so providing a branded fidget spinner might be a good way to face out from the gang.
Stress Balls
A basic swag reward, stress balls are a low-cost but extremely versatile choice. They’ll are available in just about any colour, measurement, or form, and a few firms even develop {custom} stress balls in a singular form that’s related to their enterprise.
Hand Sanitizer
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Particularly within the post-Covid period, hand sanitizer has change into an more and more appreciated reward. Encourage your individuals to remain wholesome whereas additionally retaining one another protected with a {custom} bottle of hand sanitizer.
Tech
Lastly, in case your group enjoys tech and devices, it might be value trying into tech swag choices. A few of these can get a little bit expensive, however there are additionally loads of low-cost choices to think about.
Energy Financial institution
We’ve all been there: You pull out your telephone to test a message or make an necessary name whereas on the go, solely to find that the battery’s useless. A conveyable energy financial institution is usually a actual lifesaver, and there are many low-cost ones in the marketplace if price range is a priority.
Mini Speaker
In the event you’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 trade, or for an worker who’s a giant music buff.
Charging Cable
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A lower-cost choice, telephone charging cables are at all times helpful. They don’t provide an excessive amount of room for personalization, however you possibly can embrace 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 provide a variety of value 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 residence.
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 probably be taking a look at it day-after-day!
Align Your Firm Swag with Your Firm Tradition
On the finish of the day, a very powerful issue to think about when ordering firm swag is your organization’s tradition. The most effective swag aligns not simply along with your model colours and elegance information, however with the tradition of your group.
For instance, for those who’re a wellness-focused group, wellness-related swag presents could also be acceptable. In distinction, in case your staff is extremely technical, techy swag could also be extra appreciated. It’s all about understanding the tradition of your group, after which figuring out the very best sorts of swag to your distinctive staff.
Editor’s word: This submit was initially revealed in November 2013 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.
