Trade shows and conferences are crucial spaces to represent your brand and business and network with others in your field. If you are fortunate enough to obtain a booth at your upcoming trade show, congratulations! But there is a fair share of work that goes into a successful and memorable presence amongst a sea of other businesses fighting for attention, and one of them is brand recognition through the form of SWAG.
Distributing swag can be a fantastic marketing method that shows off your company’s aesthetic and values. But it isn’t as simple as throwing engraved plastic key chains into a crowd of people. You want to channel what it is your audience might like and then produce functional and intentional swag items that will leave a lasting impression of your brand and the consumer’s experience with you.
Fidget or desk toys
Fidget toys like Spinners and Pop Bubbles took the world by storm a few years back, and it makes total sense why you might find these on colleagues’ desks around the office. These little toys can help ease nerves or feelings of restlessness and are readily accessible at the user’s desk, or in their backpack. Stress balls serve the same purpose and many find relief in the use of these items. Gareth Parkin of GoPromotional says that promotional toys are particularly popular for giveaways at tradeshows for several reasons. Parents want to bring back a souvenir for kids. And when attendees are playing with the gadgets they’ve picked up, it grabs attention, and other attendees will seek out those items too.
Functional Outdoor Items
Setting up a booth held at an outdoor event? Fans are always a popular item amongst a crowd looking to cool off and they offer great visibility of your logo and business name while in use. Koozies are another fun and casual item that serve to keep beverages cold while promoting your brand.
T-shirts and Hats
Apparel is a classic swag item that just about anyone can use. Marketing via t-shirts is one of the best ways to build brand recognition and representation for any campaign. Shirts and hats can also be a great way to express your brand’s personality through color, slogan, and style. T Shirts are pricier as a giveaway, so can be used as prizes or worn by staff and high profile clients.
Water Bottles or Tumblers
Just like t-shirts and hats, everyone can use a water bottle or tumbler. And a quality reusable container prevents waste and is a great way to promote your business with a wide variety of styles and colors to catch the eyes of others.
Phone Accessories
For some of us, our phones are an extension of our arms, they never leave our side. Tech accessories like PopSockets and rubber wallet sleeves serve a function and if branded with fun colors or designs to represent your brand, personalize as well.
Electronics
Branded flash drives or wireless chargers come in handy and come of value to the receiving customer. Every time one of these items is used, your brand comes to mind, establishing a connection to your service or product.
Hand Sanitizer and Face Masks
In a post-Covid world, items like branded bottles of hand sanitizer and face masks come in handy and are easy to carry around in bags or pockets for future use. Any swag that serves a purpose or can be reused is popular amongst consumers.
Umbrellas
Another item of value, everyone has a use for an umbrella! And it’s the same idea as the t-shirt and hat, anyone walking the streets with your umbrella on a rainy day is serving as a mobile advertisement.
Stationary
There is always someone who loves quality stationery. When considering branding notebooks or pens, you want to make sure you’re not giving out pens that will be thrown to the bottom of a bag, never to be seen again. Having quality pens and notebooks not only looks nice but may be in daily use by those who still find purpose in good old-fashioned stationery. Maybe instead of a simple lined notebook, something a little more personalized like a goal journal or a weekly planner.
Another tip when selecting swag to bring to your next trade show appearance is to analyze your target audience. What are some items they will enjoy and actually get use from? If you’re a mobile app centered around health and fitness, reusable water bottles, t-shirts, and branded canvas bags will be of use amongst your crowd. Providing quality swag that serves a purpose will ensure that users keep the items and hopefully establish a lasting impression.
