Corporate gifting is a tried and tested way to build relationships with prospects, while keeping existing customers happy and motivating employees. There is no denying that the right corporate swag can promote newly launched offerings and your business as a whole. Don’t believe us? Check out the numbers for yourself.
A 2020 survey revealed that 68% of the people say that receiving a “memorable” corporate gift strengthens their relationship with the company that gave it, while 43% say that they are more likely to recommend such a company.
The key to success of such gifting initiatives, however, is being able to select the right items as corporate swag. Here’s a look at some things that could help you make an informed choice.
1. Determine Your Budget
This is a no-brainer. There are so many items that you could choose from that it can get mind-boggling with setting some parameters, and you don’t want to overspend. Don’t forget to add the cost of personalizing and branding the items, packaging, shipping or other means of distribution. The aim, after all, is to make a valuable impression on the recipient.
2. Choose Practical Items
Giving someone something that will be useful in their daily life can win you many brownie points. But, to know what will be useful, you need insight into your target customer. Are most of them working professionals who are likely to commute daily? They might find a travel coffee mug really useful. Knowing your target audience is the first step in ensuring the success of any promotional products campaign.
3. Don’t Overdo the Branding
Of course, one of the key reasons for giving away corporate swag is to build brand recognition. So, you would want to have your logo, company name or even tag line on the item. But how many elements you choose and what size will depend on the item. The gift shouldn’t look more like an advertisement than a show of appreciation. One way to showcase your brand is to choose items in the colors of your brand.
4. Align the Items to Your Company Values
A great way to establish your brand image is to choose gifts that reflect your mission and values. For instance, if you want to portray your brand as environmentally conscious, you could look at eco-friendly, recyclable gifts or items made via sustainable methods. If you want to showcase your company’s respect for family values, you could consider gifts for the home or children.
5. Check out Bulk Discounts
If you are giving away promotional products, might as well go all the way and distribute the items to as many people as you can. When you choose high volumes, whether in terms of the items themselves or the personalizing, you can negotiate for discounts or freebies.
6. Don’t Compromise on Quality
We saved the most important one for last. You are giving away corporate swag to strengthen relationships. Tacky, poor-quality items might help you save more but they won’t help you achieve your purpose. So, find the right balance between the budget, the items you prefer for gifting and their quality.
Personalized gifts can range from eco-friendly items to novelty products and even apparel. People love receiving gifts, which is why they work so well. This can well be seen in the fact that the personalized gift market was valued at $31.63 billion in 2020. If you need help choosing marketing swag contact us today!