Not every promotional product makes for great swag. So what can you do to make your corporate gift a welcome surprise?
Swag not only increases brand awareness but also boosts employee engagement. Company swag ideas include branded water bottles, keychains, mousepads, and of course, T-shirts.
Unfortunately, many senders don’t put enough effort into the gifting experience. Chasing a rock-bottom unit cost results in a swag bag focused on the company’s interests and not the recipient’s.
This guide will save you thousands by helping you send great swag items at the right time, so it never goes to waste.
Branded Swag Basics
For starters, branded swag is any promotional product that features the company logo or name. Swag is produced in limited quantities since it’s intended for a narrow audience. Unlike typical corporate gifts, these branded items increase brand awareness, employee appreciation, and corporate event engagement.
Custom swag has the advantage of associating premium promotional items with your company name. For instance, would a dirt-cheap T-shirt or an officially licensed Nike golf shirt better represent your brand?
Branded swag works best on people with a higher affinity for your brand. That means new customers, employees, and partners. Most want to sport the best company swag on Zoom calls, tradeshows, and LinkedIn.
Investing in high-quality swag builds awareness and respect for your outreach. People are tired of cheap pens and have more than enough hand sanitizer to last a year or two.
Ways to distribute branded swag:
- Corporate events: Build excitement for an upcoming business conference or tradeshow. These branded products amplify the attendee experience for those attending in-person and remotely.
- On-demand: Send branded swag on-demand to anyone following a milestone or before a team-building event. When customers leave a glowing review, send some branded goodies.
- Company swag store: Provide an e-commerce-like experience where new hires, partners, and VIPs can choose branded swag items. A virtual swag store is an easy way to offer high-quality promotional products at your next business conference or tradeshow – without the bulk!
With no further ado, here are more than two dozen ideas for what you should use for company-branded swag. Continue reading for the best opportunities to send branded swag.
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Top Branded Swag Examples
Company swag is an investment, not just an expense. Below, we’ll outline top-notch swag ideas you can use as branded promotional products bearing your company name, colors, and logo.
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Best Occasions For Branded Swag
Timing is everything! Taking your branded swag to the next level means never missing a significant opportunity. Below are a few times that branded swag kits are a must.
1) Post-Event Follow-up & Giveaways
Branded swag kits are a must for virtual and in-person events. Follow up after your event to stay top of mind among attendees and prospects. It’s also a prime spot to thank sponsors and speakers.
Gather immediate feedback and giveaway a mystery gift to those who complete their survey.
2) Customer Onboarding
Build the relationship from the moment your prospect converts into a customer. This “honeymoon” period is the perfect time to show customer appreciation. Include a sincere note alongside high-quality products, and tie them into your company’s themed products and services.
A decent onboarding custom swag gift set makes it easier for your fans to rave about your brand to their friends and colleagues.
3) Brand Awareness & Influencers
The great thing about social media influencers is that their brand endorsement and online marketing plan can hugely influence brand awareness. Influencers get dozens of gifts from people with products to sell, so you want them to sit up and take notice of yours.
When you send gifts to an influencer, be sure to:
- Keep it personal. Establish a personal connection that stands out beyond the free products. Drawing from shared interest and #5to9 helps you soar above dozens of other pitches.
- Front-load exclusive intel. Arm them with key stats and facts the influencer can convey to their attentive audience. These exclusive insights connect the dots from your brand to their audience.
- Build a relationship. Smaller engagements can expand into more prolific brand awareness campaigns later. Patience and goodwill go a long way here.
Make your outreach count with an exciting with a themed swag box containing goodies they genuinely would appreciate.
4) Upcoming Corporate Events
Branded swag is a powerful way to extend the impact of your company’s events. With many B2B companies hosting Sales Kickoffs (SKOs), it’s ideal to make it easy to motivate your sales team around internal (and external) growth campaigns. Branded swag can help enroll others into it so it endures well beyond a slide deck.
Event swag bags are a wise investment to hand out to participants and organizers. Here are a few audiences that would enjoy your great swag:
- Attendees: For in-person and virtual attendees, say thanks with exclusive promotional items that get them excited before and after your big corporate event.
- Sponsors: Sponsors will remember the event’s impact and the VIP treatment for years to come. You can even monetize gift boxes that you send attendees with branded promos.
- Partners: Say thanks by sending a rare gift set containing goodies along with a thoughtful note to make it clear you know they made a big difference.
There remains an ample opportunity to share corporate gifts each person will deeply enjoy. The strategy here is to use it to strengthen the connection to the brand – not cheapen it. Branded swag might be a great gift idea, depending on how invested each recipient is with your company.
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5) Employee Appreciation
It’s imperative to offer team members the power of choice regarding branded gifts. Why?
The reality is that not all employees want promotional products with your company logo. Instead, there’s a greater desire for eco-friendly gifts, including those that donate to charities.
Nevertheless, there’s undoubtedly a swell of demand for custom swag that your most engaged employees can wear and use daily.
Remote employees, in particular, are a segment of workers that would more than likely enjoy a tangible gadget bearing the company logo. Whether it’s a wireless charger, mousepad, or a branded hoodie, you’re sure to help them feel even more connected.
Equip field marketers and salespeople with select company-branded T-shirts, beanies, and commuter bags for client visits. These build more credibility and authority in each interaction.
Another great gift opportunity is when the company hits or exceeds its goals. Commemorate these milestones with a signature succulent, team-building keychain, and a reusable water bottle. Then, encourage team members to share their newfound swag on social media for more brand awareness benefits.
The Future of Marketing Swag
Behind the top branded swag items is the intent and value to the recipient.
Corporate gifting has become an essential growth tactic in 2022 and continues in 2023. However, gifts alone aren’t as effective as how they are used and for whom.
Branded swag is rarely an appropriate holiday gift. Instead, deploy it thoughtfully in a relevant way for those most closely connected to the brand.
Solving the myriad of swag logistics (like sourcing, licensing, shipping, accounting, and tracking) doesn’t have to be guesswork. Chat with a gifting expert to see how we can take your branded swag to the next level.
Plus, we integrate with popular CRM, marketing automation, and sales engagement tools, so there is no duplication or wasted resources.
Branded Swag FAQs
Company swag doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few answers to commonly asked questions.
What should I look for in a branded swag partner? ExpandWhen evaluating a branded swag vendor, you want to know exactly where they source and ship branded promotional products. This is important, so gift recipients don’t face unexpected customs or duty fees upon receipt.
You should also learn how a swag vendor respects customer privacy and intellectual property. A trusted swag vendor like Alyce provides comprehensive privacy and security practices to protect customers, businesses, and gift recipients.
How long does it take to create company-branded swag? ExpandAfter you decide on the swag items and have chosen your branding, you can expect your promotional products to be ready to ship in about 4-6 weeks. Depending on the level of customization, your branded gift sets may take longer.
Consult with your Alyce gifting expert to select the best company swag featuring your company logo, brand colors, and messaging that can be shipped and delivered promptly.
What are the top swag vendors? ExpandSwag vendors depend on budget and purpose, but overall the best business swag vendors provide guidance, transparent pricing, and support comprehensive sales and marketing gifting programs.
Top 5 Branded Swag Vendors:
- Alyce
- Overture Promotions
- Staples Promotional Products
- Teepublic
- Zazzle
Corporate swag vendors specialize in designing and manufacturing your company’s swag. They offer a wide variety of items to choose from and custom items.
How do I send business gifts internationally? ExpandEvery country has laws, regulations, expectations, taxes, and cultural norms. Some corporate gifts may be confiscated or arrive with postage, and customs fees due upon receipt.
A corporate gifting platform like Alyce helps brands send appropriate gifts to recipients worldwide, so they are personal, relevant, and thoughtful. Business gifts may be virtual or physical – but what’s important is that they are appropriate.
For more details, read these international gifting tips, so your gifts are welcomed and move your business relationships forward.