With social isolation and lockdowns in place since almost the beginning of 2020, there has been a significant shift in consumer behavior. Concerns about financial well-being, coupled with health safety measures, have pushed people to prioritize brands. To cope with the shift, marketers are investing in stronger strategies, such as promotional products.
Given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, there has been an 8.7% decline in industry revenues in 2020 alone, according to data released by IBISWorld. However, businesses are slowly becoming optimistic about driving demand through corporate swag. Take a look at how to align these promotional products with your goals to create an exceptional impact on your business.
1. Pick Industry Specific Products
If you are from the education sector, choose calendars, pens or notebooks. For healthcare, pick up sanitizers and face masks. In case of stationery brands, stickers, keyrings and files can never go wrong. It is crucial to offer relevant, season-based and feel-good corporate swag that ensures that people remember your brand, according to an article by Inkwell Global Marketing.
2. Consider Going Online
If you are hosting online workshops or webinars, as part of your marketing strategy, send a swag-pack for all those who sign up to attend. This will encourage potential buyers to participate and look forward to future meets. You can also send out contest prizes, such as a customized chocolate box or appreciation gift bags, to keep them hooked.
3. Focus on Long Lasting Products
To take the business beyond transactions to a more friendly space, you need to strengthen the consumer relationship. Make sure to pick long-lasting products, such as coffee mugs, t-shirts, pen drives, etc., which are also very useful. Most people tend to keep them for an average of 8 months and then are likely to pass them to anyone who might use them. You do not need to spend big money to see returns, since these gifts will remind the customer of your company each time they see the item, according to an article on Forbes.
4. Keeping up With the Target Audience
While marketing to particular demographics, consider customizing the products to the target audience. Try to dig deep to gain valuable insights and design appropriate corporate swag. For millennials, tech products or travel gadgets would be a good idea. For a slightly older population, it could be health and wellness items. The primary goal here is to help the consumer recognize your business and create exposure, in order to drive sales.
Hold a brainstorm session with your team. Check out which products were most impactful the last time you used them. This low-cost yet effective marketing strategy can aid in brand awareness and engage customers for months.