Analysis exhibits that firm swag generally is a extremely efficient software for reinforcing engagement. The truth is, in a single latest research, 61% of survey respondents agreed that promotional merchandise assist construct model consciousness, and 58% reported that they beloved getting swag.
That being mentioned, via my expertise as the pinnacle of selling at two completely different tech corporations, I’ve discovered that not all swag is equally well-received. What does it take to just be sure you spend money on creating swag that folks will really like?
On this article, I’ll begin by explaining what firm swag is and find out how 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 form of present 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 software. For instance, giving presents to purchasers could be a good way to verify present clients really feel valued — and to maintain your model top-of-mind. Equally, many corporations 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 software. One other essential software 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 staff, or a congratulations present 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 together 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 could be vastly invaluable — nevertheless it’s additionally simple to get it incorrect. Particularly, on the subject of ordering swag, it’s important to verify to think about the funds you may afford to speculate, the amount of swag objects you’ll want, the most effective distributors to work with, and the lead time it’ll take.
Price range
The primary essential consideration to remember is funds. Whilst you could also be tempted to launch straight into designing and ordering your swag, I’ve discovered firsthand that it’s crucial to begin by ensuring you know the way a lot you may spend on the mission.
In some organizations, there’s already a longtime funds for swag, whether or not on a month-to-month or annual foundation. That mentioned, even when the funds is ready, it’s nonetheless important to keep away from making assumptions: I like to recommend getting specific 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 might not be a predefined funds. 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.
For those who don’t have a funds, you may benchmark towards different main line objects in your staff’s funds, do some on-line analysis, and ask for enter from colleagues to get a way of what could be affordable.
Then, you may share that estimate with the related decision-makers — and once more, remember to get specific 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 depend upon how you plan 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 up to now, it’s typically 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, if you happen to’re shopping for branded water bottles for brand spanking new staff, it in all probability doesn’t make sense to only purchase sufficient on 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 may 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 completely different value factors and high quality ranges.
For those who’re unsure the place to begin, a fast Google search can get you some preliminary choices. As well as, I all the time advocate asking associates 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 essential if you happen to’ve obtained a tough deadline, like a convention or vacation get together the place you intend to provide 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 ensure 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 funds, 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 largest 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 kinds of attire, hats are all the time a well-liked swag choice. For those who’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 superb choice if you happen to’re trying to get a bit extra artistic 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
For those who’ve obtained a bit extra funds, 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 supply a great deal of customization choices. Past simply including your brand or different designs, you may as well take into consideration completely different kinds. Would your staff recognize fuzzy socks? Additional-long socks? The probabilities 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 stored sporting their company-branded jackets years after leaving the job! Particularly for individuals in colder-weather areas, jackets or coats are sometimes very a lot appreciated.
Sun shades
In distinction, if you happen to’re primarily based someplace with loads of solar, take into account wanting into {custom} sun shades. You may get glasses in your model colours, and you may as well have your brand or slogan printed on the perimeters.
Sun shades could also be particularly well-liked in case your staff spend time exterior whereas on the job, or in case your staff enjoys out of doors actions of their break day.
Productiveness
The following class of swag concepts is said to productiveness. These are objects 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 be sure to select ones which are sufficiently big that they’ll really be helpful.
Pens
You may by no means have sufficient pens! Pens are an ideal choice to preserve 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 one in all my favourite swag concepts. They’ll are available nearly any measurement, form, or shade, supplying you with numerous customization choices, they usually’re each inexpensive and universally helpful.
Mouse Pads
Whereas numerous productiveness objects are pretty small, mouse pads provide you with a good 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 objects. In spite of everything, whether or not I’m simply taking the prepare into the workplace or embarking on a world flight, I all the time want journey objects to assist with the journey.
Tote Bag
Tote baggage generally is a versatile choice for coming to work, heading to the gymnasium, or occurring an extended journey. Plus, they’re sufficiently big to incorporate some bigger paintings, past only a firm brand or slogan.
Journey Mug
Are your staff large espresso or tea drinkers? In that case, a journey mug is certain to be successful. 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
Give your individuals the present of hydration! Whether or not they preserve 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 won’t have used a lunch field since grade faculty, it is a distinctive swag choice that may make a big effect. 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 seaside day.
Seaside Towel
For those who’re in search of a swag choice with most actual property on your artistic designs and imagery, look no additional — not solely is a seaside towel enjoyable and helpful, nevertheless 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 individuals 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 individuals 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 substitute it with a custom-designed package deal? It is a helpful present that’s sufficiently small to journey simply, however slightly extra substantial and strange than a lip balm.
Fidget Spinners
In recent times, fidget spinners have turn out to be massively well-liked. That mentioned, they’re nonetheless a comparatively unusual swag present, so providing a branded fidget spinner could be a good way to face out from the group.
Stress Balls
A basic swag present, stress balls are a low-cost but extremely versatile choice. 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 out to be an more and more appreciated present. Encourage your individuals to remain wholesome whereas additionally protecting one another secure with a {custom} bottle of hand sanitizer.
Tech
Lastly, in case your group enjoys tech and devices, it might be price wanting into tech swag choices. A few of these can get slightly dear, however there are additionally loads of low-cost choices to think about.
Energy Financial institution
We’ve all been there: You pull out your cellphone to examine a message or make an essential name whereas on the go, solely to find that the battery’s lifeless. A conveyable energy financial institution generally is a actual lifesaver, and there are many low-cost ones in the marketplace if funds is a priority.
Mini Speaker
For those who’re open to spending a bit more cash, a custom-branded mini speaker is one other nice, techy swag present. This may 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 personalisation, however you may embody 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 value factors and high quality ranges to select from. They’re additionally helpful in a variety of settings, from taking part in music that can assist 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 custom-made 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 essential recordsdata, they’ll seemingly be it day by day!
Align Your Firm Swag with Your Firm Tradition
On the finish of the day, crucial issue to think about when ordering firm swag is your organization’s tradition. The perfect swag aligns not simply together with your model colours and magnificence 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 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 most effective sorts of swag on your distinctive staff.
Editor’s notice: This publish was initially printed in November 2013 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.
