How to Order Branded Gifts and Promotional Products Your Target Customers Can’t Resist

Methodology

We identified the most popular Google searches around branded gifts and promotional products. Based on these, we asked 1,045 survey respondents to imagine themselves in specific scenarios where they’re receiving or buying branded swag. We gave our respondents a list of products tailored to each scenario and asked them to choose the three they would be most interested in receiving or buying. We also asked them to choose at least one of four reasons for their selections: those three products look practical, cool, good quality, or the most expensive. They also had an “other” option to write their own answer.

Key Takeaways

• Drinkware came in the top three in every category, with insulated tumblers proving particularly popular.

• People want products that have a practical purpose in their everyday routines.

• Apparel is popular, especially t-shirts, both as giveaways and merch for sale.

• When something is framed as a gift, not a giveaway, people want it to be both useful and a little luxurious.

Small Business Giveaways

We asked our survey respondents which three of the following products they’d be most excited to receive from their favorite independently owned small business, and why.

Analysis

Nearly 84% of respondents identified practicality as at least one of their reasons for choosing their three products. Most people who wrote in their own answers cited a similar concept, usefulness, as a reason, e.g. “I would be more likely to use them,” “I would use them the most,” “Looks like something I would actually use.”

Given the popularity of the vacuum-insulated tumbler and coffee mug (in first and third place), it looks like most people consider a product that helps them get their caffeine fix as the most practical. The t-shirt, in second, is something people can use and are happy to have multiples of – unlike, say, a notebook or can holder.

Swag Gift Ideas for Employees

We asked our respondents to imagine being a happy, long-time employee of a company that’s ordering branded swag to give to its staff. With that in mind, we asked which three of the following products they’d be most interested in receiving, and why.

Analysis

In this category, people wanted products they could use that also had an element of luxury. This time, people who wrote in “other” answers spoke less about things they could use and more about things they liked or wanted. For example, “I like apparel and backpacks,” “I liked them the best,” I love these products already,” and “I love wine.”

That explains why the hoodie, headphones, and insulated tumbler were most popular: They combine everyday practicality with luxury. Compare the hoodie in first place with the polo in 9th place. Both are apparel, but a polo is usually part of a uniform, whereas a hoodie is made for comfort. It’s also thicker material, which people interpret as higher quality. Wireless headphones and the insulated tumbler are elevated everyday items – a level up from earbuds and a coffee mug. When shopping in this category, think about what people will use and choose the fanciest version.

Gifts for Potential Corporate Clients

We asked our respondents to imagine being a business owner, and to tell us which three of the following gifts from a potential supplier or service provider would make the best impression – and why.

Analysis

As with the previous category, people seem to expect products that are specifically presented as gifts (rather than promotional items or giveaways) to be both practical and a treat. One person (who chose the pen (Q38688), scented candle, and bluetooth speaker) wrote that they made their choices because, “They’re supposed to impress me.” If you’re trying to win someone’s business, you’ve got to give them something they’ll not just want to keep but be excited to use.

Putting aside the pop psychology, here’s something worth noting: This is the third time insulated drinkware has made the top three – and spoiler alert, it won’t be the last.

Trade Show and Convention Swag

We asked our respondents which three promotional products they’re most likely to bring home from an industry trade show or conference, and why.

Analysis

Once again, apparel and drinkware made the top three. And yes, practicality was the most popular reason – but this category also saw “They look cool” overtake “They look like good quality” for the first time. Over a quarter (28.61%) of people chose coolness, and only 11.58% chose quality.

This might be because people’s expectations of products from trade shows were low. Respondents who hadn’t previously chosen the “other” option checked it this time so they could let us know, “I didn’t really like any of them but you can always use a pen,” “I don’t enjoy any of these products,” and “The least ugliest.” Ouch.

We disagree, but it’s useful to know that some people go into trade shows and conferences expecting to receive low quality products, so you can be the brand that beats their expectations.

Best Branded Merchandise for Sale

We asked our respondents what type of merch they would be most likely to buy from a favorite brand, and why.

Why People Chose Their Favorite Products

Apparel and drinkware won again, and practicality was the most popular reason. In addition, the cool factor became more important than ever, with one third (33.4%) of respondents choosing it as a reason. This is the only category where we asked people to imagine spending their own money, which explains why they want to make sure they’re getting something to their taste (i.e. something cool.)

This scenario gives us some insight into the products people are willing to pay for, not just take for free. It turns out those products are t-shirts, sweatshirts, and tumblers – classic choices for brands that sell merch, and items people are happy to have in multiple. As one of our respondents noted, “Love a good mug and sweater.”

We thought cost might be a factor in people’s decisions for this question, so we added the “They look the least expensive” option. However, only 2.39% of respondents gave it as a reason. In fact, more people (3.16%) chose products because “They look the most expensive”! Don’t worry about the price: focus on merch that’s cool and practical.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the right product can be the difference between a potential customer taking your branded merch home or your competition’s. The type of product people would choose varied a little depending on the context in which it was given. For example, they want promotional products that are purely practical, but if something is a gift specifically for them, they expect it to be something useful and fun. The products that came up multiple times, across multiple categories, were insulated tumblers and t-shirts – and people are even willing to pay for these.