There are plenty of discussions to be had about how to improve branded swag and coming up with unique swag bag ideas. Those conversations could currently be underway in boardrooms, email chains, and Slack chats in workplaces far and wide.
Why? Because forward-thinking companies always look to hone their strategies and make the most substantial impact with their branding. And that’s precisely what excellent corporate swag bag ideas do.
To the above point, 85% of swag recipients remember the name of the organizations from whom they received the promotional product. According to the same source, consumers are 2.5-times likelier to view promotional products more favorably than internet ads.
So, swag bag ideas are worth a conversation or two. Businesses can’t ignore swag’s potential to bolster their brand in the eyes of customers, employees, prospects, and business partners.
What Is A Swag Bag?
Before we delve into swag bag ideas, let’s first define the parameters of a bag of swag.
In short, a swag bag is a smaller gift bag or collection of promotional items companies give attendees of a corporate conference or event (like a trade show). There’s usually some thematic relevance connecting the goodies with the outing. This approach makes the branded items inside more memorable.
A swag bag may function as a welcome gift or parting gift. It’s typically given in a branded tote bag – a swag item in itself, for ease of use during a trade show or conference.
Where Is It Most Appropriate To Hand Out A Swag Bag?
Here are the most appropriate occasions where handing out a swag bag tends to positively impact your marketing strategy the most:
- Meetings
- Seminars
- Panel discussions
- Expos
- Conventions
- Trade shows
- Conferences
The above list are the more traditional, reliable occasions for swag bags.
Really, though, you can hand out swag bags in almost any professional setting. You might want to make a lasting impression on a prospect after you made them a big sales pitch. Perhaps, you could turn up at your office on a random day with bags filled with swag for your whole team as a morale boost.
Or, if you have brick-and-mortar locations, you could hand them out to lucky customers at your store(s).
Lastly, you could provide swag bags for virtual events. But you’ll need to partner with a swag provider who’ll handle the delivery process seamlessly.
What Should You Put In A Swag Bag?
While swag bags function as high-level advertising and marketing, you don’t have the advantage of going “big” like with print or TV campaigns.
Thus, you must combine small with memorable. It seems like an oxymoron, but it’s not. Many small people or things stick in our memories, like Napolean and M&M’s!
You want three to four of these small, memorable items in your swag bag. Take this collection below as an example:
Item #1: Branded Apparel
The first rule of branded apparel, whether it be a hat, a shawl or socks – choose an item that is a one size fits all so anyone can wear it.
Don’t just place your company’s and the event’s names or logos smack dab in the middle of the apparel. Find creative ways to connect the clothing with the event and your company. Customize your marketing message to be stylish and clever–avoid being generic but not at the cost of aesthetic appeal.
Most importantly, work with a swag provider that understands these branded apparel-based nuances.
Item #2: Branded Drinkware
Branded drinkware like reusable water bottles always proves valuable as a swag-based marketing tool because they’re cost-efficient, and people use them.
Therefore, at a minimal upfront cost to your company, the recipients of your drinkware will continually interact with your marketing message every time they take a sip.
Often, reusable drinkware does well at eco-friendly events, where people are eager to cut down on wastefulness.
Item #3: Stylish Sunglasses
Are you handing out your swag bag in a warm, sunny climate?
If so, stylish shades will strike the right chord with your swag recipients. Customize them with your branding, but don’t disrupt their wearability. We emphasized the word stylish for a reason.
Item #4: USB Chargers/Adapters
No matter your business, target customer, or typical employee, you’d be hard-pressed to find a swag recipient that doesn’t want a USB charger or adapter. Provided you’re at a corporate event, attendees are likely frequently on the road. They would appreciate a gift that keeps their technology up and running.
What Happens If You Need To Combine Swag With Another Company?
Events involving multiple companies might require that you combine your swag items in the same bag.
How do you find ways to make your swag stand out in such a situation? Start by seeing if it’s possible to combine items with a company that has synergy with yours. For instance, mixing swag bag items with a dish-maker would make sense if you’re a food company.
Also, ensure your branding is on point, with top-notch designs and impeccable messaging. At Swagmagic, we’ll work intensively with you to ensure your swag stands out from the pack in any mixed swag bag. Find out more by requesting a demo.