I feel "swag" items are nice at trade shows but should be something unique/useful so that the potential customer is interested in learning more about you. I have seen water bottles, bags, booklets, and flash drives. I think the more useful the items given the more likely to hear from the potential customer.
It depends on the trade show and who you are trying to reach. If you are trying to reach individuals (EG pharmacists, doctors, etc.), then some take home swag is a good idea. Especially something fun they can use/don't already have/can give to their kids. Be eccentric - it's more memorable. Would you rather be remembered as the company that gave out that weird ugly toy, or not be remembered at all.
If you trying to reach businesses, probably not as useful. Try something that will get people to give you their contact information... like a raffle for a nice Ipad or something. Then you have a good database of emails and addresses to reach out to after the show.
Swag attracts the attention of potential customers. Every company has something different that best suits their interest. We offer pens, stickers, cups, lanyards, shirts, etc. it just depends on the type of show we are attending.
Swag is useful for name recognition after the event but even more useful if you can create a memory and engage the prospect in the booth! The more useful the item the more the item will be used and your name will be recognized.
Yes I think so, and we have good success with things that last a while and are very visible. Our top items for trade shows is stickers, pens, and pads of paper, for give away it is shirts and mouse pads...
I'm not sure how many people actually use "swag" other than just collect it and eventually give it away. Whatever it is, it should be useful in everyday life. Pens are always useful. We have this little guy that you can put on your rear view mirror which has a hook for a head and is flexible so it can "hug" your phone. People seem to like that.
The "swag" items definitely draw people in. I think you need to look at your company what and what you do plus the trade show you are attending. Think in terms of what will someone use everyday that's different.
In my case the "swag" item have to be something my customer leaves on his desk or in his pocket for a while as our sales cycle is long
Business from Mchenry, IL
Answered on Oct 3rd, 2018
It has been our experience in our industry that free gifts of some of the lower priced items at trade shows are more appreciated than swag gifts. A free product is more useful than a magnet or pen or bag. Perhaps your industry is different though.
Justin, Give aways are important, but pens, run out of ink and then tossed away... pencils break and are tossed. So if you are going to spend the $$$ to give something to someone to remember you make it valuable, long lasting, and nice. We use Pro imprint, and they do a fantastic job with high quality products at reasonable prices. They have a catalogue with 1000's of items at prices from $.05 to Dollars. Check them out.
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Answers (1-10)
I feel "swag" items are nice at trade shows but should be something unique/useful so that the potential customer is interested in learning more about you. I have seen water bottles, bags, booklets, and flash drives. I think the more useful the items given the more likely to hear from the potential customer.
It depends on the trade show and who you are trying to reach. If you are trying to reach individuals (EG pharmacists, doctors, etc.), then some take home swag is a good idea. Especially something fun they can use/don't already have/can give to their kids. Be eccentric - it's more memorable. Would you rather be remembered as the company that gave out that weird ugly toy, or not be remembered at all.
If you trying to reach businesses, probably not as useful. Try something that will get people to give you their contact information... like a raffle for a nice Ipad or something. Then you have a good database of emails and addresses to reach out to after the show.
Swag attracts the attention of potential customers. Every company has something different that best suits their interest. We offer pens, stickers, cups, lanyards, shirts, etc. it just depends on the type of show we are attending.
Swag is useful for name recognition after the event but even more useful if you can create a memory and engage the prospect in the booth! The more useful the item the more the item will be used and your name will be recognized.
Yes I think so, and we have good success with things that last a while and are very visible. Our top items for trade shows is stickers, pens, and pads of paper, for give away it is shirts and mouse pads...
I'm not sure how many people actually use "swag" other than just collect it and eventually give it away. Whatever it is, it should be useful in everyday life. Pens are always useful. We have this little guy that you can put on your rear view mirror which has a hook for a head and is flexible so it can "hug" your phone. People seem to like that.
Hi Justin,
The "swag" items definitely draw people in. I think you need to look at your company what and what you do plus the trade show you are attending. Think in terms of what will someone use everyday that's different.
Thanks.
Tina
In my case the "swag" item have to be something my customer leaves on his desk or in his pocket for a while as our sales cycle is long
It has been our experience in our industry that free gifts of some of the lower priced items at trade shows are more appreciated than swag gifts. A free product is more useful than a magnet or pen or bag. Perhaps your industry is different though.
Justin, Give aways are important, but pens, run out of ink and then tossed away... pencils break and are tossed. So if you are going to spend the $$$ to give something to someone to remember you make it valuable, long lasting, and nice. We use Pro imprint, and they do a fantastic job with high quality products at reasonable prices. They have a catalogue with 1000's of items at prices from $.05 to Dollars. Check them out.