A new decade is just around the corner, which means it is the perfect time for companies to refresh their stock of branded company swag materials to hand out to employees and at conferences or trade shows. Giving away free items is a great way to give a boost to your company’s brand awareness and increase marketing efforts in 2020.
Giving away free swag can be a bit of a double-edged sword - people love getting free stuff, however, trade show swag can be looked down upon as being impractical junk given away by companies at conferences. A person can only do so much with a seemingly endless supply of branded pens or fidget spinners they collect at conference booths over the years.
Benefits of Branded Swag
If giving away free company-branded swag items runs the risk of ending up in the trash of conference attendees after an event, you might be asking yourself what the point of handing them out is. But as it turns out, there are a few reasons handing out company swag is a great idea to include in your 2020 marketing plan:
- Branded swag has been ranked the most effective form of advertising over all other types across Millennial, Gen X, Baby Boomer and Silent generations (like we said, people love getting free stuff).
- Useful swag items can be reused by conference attendees long after the event has ended, making branded swag evergreen marketing material that will provide continuous free advertising.
- Branded swag, like wholesale tote bags, can be purchased in bulk for extremely affordable wholesale prices. Making it a more affordable option than traditional forms of marketing such as digital, print, and broadcasting advertisements.
To make sure your company’s branded swag ideas are a hit and don’t end up in the trash, here are a few tips to consider when shopping around.
Think of The Audience: As mentioned earlier, branded swag is the most effective form of advertising for all generations you would encounter at an event, but it is important to make sure you are giving out swag that is relevant. Knowing the demographics of event attendees and hand out swag items that will be appealing to them is an important factor in figuring out the best company swag for 2020. Tech gifts are great for Millennial and Gen X audiences, while Baby Boomers might find nice notebooks and travel supplies more useful.
Consider the Environment: With people caring more about environmental awareness than ever, be sure to invest in products that will help show audiences your company cares about the environment. Find swag items that are well made and can be reused multiple times, and easily recycled when they are no longer useful. Things like eco-friendly totes are great when it comes to considering the environment.
Think Outside the Box: Swag items don’t have to be something that event attendees will only be able to use at the office. In fact, it might be a better idea to provide items that will commonly be used in public, as it will help expose your brand to as many people as possible. Depending on your audience, you can go for custom bottle openers or branded beach towels, for brand awareness outside of the office.
Don’t Over Brand: Having your brand front and center on swag items is great for increasing visibility and awareness for your company but be careful not to overdo it. Nobody wants to feel like a walking billboard and recipients might be more likely to toss a swag item that is heavily branded. Consider getting swag items in company colors with a simple, tasteful logo printed on it.
Company Swag Ideas for 2020
Reusable bags: People might think of customized reusable bags as overdone swag items, but in reality, they are one of (if not THE) the best options, as they meet a majority of needs when it comes to swag items. They’re reusable, eco-friendly, durable, can be used for any event, and are great marketing materials after the event has ended. They’re also used outside of the office, meaning extra brand awareness! Don’t think you’re stuck with a traditional tote bag, though. There are a variety of other custom tote bag options that are sure to be a hit for recipients: laptop and tablet bags, custom backpacks, and even custom coolers can be customized before handing out and are sure to get people excited.
Charging Cables: These days, people have many different tech items, and all of them need to be charged. It can be a pain to try and make sure you always have the right charger on you! A cable charging set will definitely be a useful swag item that people will be happy to receive. Simple, travel-friendly and compatible with any device, these will definitely be a great way to promote your brand to the public. Pair it with a portable power bank to make sure conference attendees are always powered up and ready to go.
Webcam Covers: Help increase security with a webcam cover that can easily cover and uncover webcams, without ruining devices. It also helps to provide protection for fragile camera lenses. These covers are simple yet effective swag items that are compatible with most computers, laptops, smart T.V.’s or tablets.
Cable Organizers: Nothing is worse than having a mess of cables and cords cluttering desks and workspaces. Help people keep their areas neat and organized by providing cable organizers that can easily stick to any surface, without damaging it.
Selfie Sticks: A popular cellphone accessory that everyone should have, mini selfie sticks are a great swag item that anyone can easily use. Compatible with most smartphones with an activation button on the grip to take easy, flawless selfies; no Bluetooth or remote needed. Give attendees a customized hashtag to use when they post their selfies to increase participation at events and help build hype and awareness around your brand.
Start the new decade right by finding new and exciting company swag ideas for your next conference or work event. Thinking outside the traditional swag item box and giving items that event attendees actually want, like custom lanyards to hold their ID badge and keys, and will use is a great way to build brand awareness and recall for consumers. In addition, high-quality swag items also make great gifts to hand out to employees to show your appreciation for all of their hard work.
Shop Bagmasters today to start revamping your company’s swag supply for upcoming conferences and events today.
