A promotional product is an item, like a shirt, hat, or coffee mug, that's branded with a logo, name, or slogan. Companies either sell these items as merch, or hand them out as free giveaways at in-person events.
Promotional products have many other names. You'll also hear them referred to as:SwagMerchCompany swagBusiness swagAdvertising giveawaysBranded giveawaysCorporate swagBranded merchPromotional itemsBranded merchandisePromotional merchandisePromotional swag
There is a whole industry for promotional productsThe promotional products industry is a network of over 35,000 suppliers and distributors. The transactions are done almost entirely online, though you can also order over the phone.When you order promotional items, you can expect to do so wholesale. This means yo're getting the items in bulk. The quantity will be as small as 25 to as high as 20,000+. It just depends on what you want to order!
What to Print on Your SwagPromotional products do the talking for you! The whole reason you order them is to communicate some kind of message to potential and existing customers.For the best results, use a combination of image and text. Here's what you can print on promotional products!
Once you decide what to print on promotional products, the next step is to figure out how to use them. Brainstorm a strategy and put it to good use!You can set up a pop-up shop and sell merch. Raffle the swag off in a social media contest. Hand it out for free at a trade show. It's all about your budget and what will make the biggest impact.
Can I Sell Promotional Products?Yes, you can definitely sell promotional products! Just be careful what you print on front. You can't legally offer merchandise printed with another brand's logo unless you have a license to do so.The safest bet is to print your own branding on promotional items and sell them to your fans. Even if you're small, people will buy your merch if it's cool enough!Just look at Peace, Love, & Little Donuts in Traverse City, Michigan. Known for their unique flavors, the bakery sells promotional coffee mugs and tie-dye shirts from a merch wall. Fans love these branded items almost as much as they love the donuts!
The best promotional items check these boxesThe promotional products industry is huge, and there are thousands of products you can order. How do you know which items are best?Good promotional products are timeless. They should also check these boxes!
Affordable - You don't want to throw your money away! Luckily, there are a ton of awesome, yet cheap promotional products you can order.
Unique - People have a ton of coffee mugs in their cabinet, so you don't want yours to get donated to Goodwill. Be unique! No matter what the item, you need to make sure it's something they'll never want to get rid of in the future.
Memorable - A pen is just a pen, but it's up to you to make it stand out. Decorate the barrel with a funny quote, or hand it out as part of an entertaining game. The promotional product can't do it all on its own!
Useful - Some of the most popular promotional products are items people use every day. Your swag should satisfy a need and actually serve a purpose.
Notable - Everyone should love your promotional products! You want people to tell their friends and family. You want them to post pictures on Instagram. The more buzz around your items, the more successful they will be.
Promotional products are a fun way to advertiseCompanies, no matter how big or small, have been found success with promotional products. These branded items work because they increase awareness, generate buzz, and sometimes even boost sales.It's up to you to order items that are trendy enough to be talked about. You also need to distribute or display them in a way that gets attention. Don't just order a hundred promotional keychains and expect results. A good design and a good campaign go a long way!
Nearly 25% of consumers have purchased a promotional item in the last year.The promotional products industry is worth an estimated $20.8 billion.85% of people have done business with a company after getting one of their promotional products.
The Bottom LineYou probably have a lot of brands or properties you love, and you want to represent them. The best way is with promotional products. No other advertising strategy has as much swag (in both definitions of the word)!
Alyssa Mertesamertes@qualitylogoproducts.com866-312-5646 x 277Alyssa is the Lead Copywriter at Quality Logo Products. As a promo expert, she's uncovered the world's first custom tote bag, interviewed the guy behind rock band AC/DC's logo, and had a piece published by the Advertising Specialty Institute, a leader in the promotional products industry.