Whether you’re handing out trinkets at trade shows or sending client appreciation baskets, most customer relations teams employ some form of branded gifts. However, there isn’t an experienced executive out there who hasn’t collected hundreds of cheap ballpoint pens and far too many branded baseball caps to ever know what to do with them all. Some brands, like clothing designers and Coca-Cola, are enough to make any item you paste them on worth something. However, for most companies, successful corporate swag requires a good design and utility to the receiver. Originality doesn’t hurt either. Ultimately, you can probably do better than producing thousands of keychains and t-shirts. We’ve provided here a few examples we’ve seen that we think are great ideas for corporate swag handouts, and why we think they’re awesome.
Koozies
Maybe it’s just because we come from Texas, where the summer heat will turn your beer warm in under 5 minutes, but we think custom koozies are perhaps the most useful branded handouts there are out there. They’re easy to design, easy to store, and have lots of space for you to post your brand and a short message. Unlike branded pens, notebooks, or stickers, your potential clients are likely to stash a koozie in their pocket or bag, regardless of how full their hands are. They’re also likely to use it outside of work hours, which means that your branded koozie gives you access to the potential client at times you wouldn’t otherwise reach them. And besides, who likes a warm Corona?
Socks
Men’s fashion in recent years has seen the rise of what can only be described as “funky” socks. Bright colors, eccentric patterns, and hilarious images have made their way into even the most serious corporate boardrooms on the ankles of suit-wearing executives. Some companies are seeing this as an opportunity to lighten up their marketing campaign and capture the attention of potential clients with a novel idea. Chances are, your potential clients won’t go so far as to wear your branded socks to important corporate events, but weekends and after-hours are fair game for your socks. The success of your socks is dependent on fashion trends, but for now, it’s one of the coolest corporate swag ideas out there.
Travel Mug
In a world where 54% of Americans over the age of 18 drink coffee every day, it’s hard to argue against the utility of a good travel mug. It’s an item that your potential clients likely use every single day. That being said, it’s imperative that your branded travel mugs are of an appropriate quality. You want the potential client to associate your corporate swag with a warm morning pick-me-up. You don’t want them to associate your brand with a lap full of scalding hot coffee on their morning commute. Ensure that your mugs are leak-free and have a lid that firmly secures onto the top of the mug.
Adhesive Card Sleeve
Perhaps the most useful piece of corporate swag ever, the adhesive card sleeve is an easy way to access your potential client all day, every day, with your brand. These handy little silicone sleeves stick firmly to the back of your phone or phone case, work with any brand of smartphone (so long as it’s big enough), and don’t add too much bulk. They’re also a perfect spot to post your brand or message. Your potential clients will love the convenience of being able to stick a credit card and/or business cards on the back of their phone, and you will benefit by placing corporate swag on one of the items they use most on a daily basis.
Touch Screen Stylus
We’re in an age of touch screens. From tablets to touch screen laptops to even larger smartphones, a decent stylus can make any professional’s life easier. This valuable piece of corporate swag is one of those items about which many professionals say “it’d be nice to have one”, but often can’t justify going out and buying. Combine it with a pen on the other end, and slap your logo on the side, and you’ve got a great example of an effective and useful branded handout. Your potential clients are sure to keep this valuable handout in their computer bag!
Have you given or received any particularly awesome swag lately? Share yours in the comments section below!
