We’ve Got Swag-ger

In case you haven’t noticed, we don’t just like a good giveaway, we love ‘em. Whether it’s a conference table tchotchke, a mailable memento or even a whimsical wearable, we are all in on creating custom designs that people want to pick up and put on. But what’s the difference between swag with swag-ger and swag without? Great question. To answer that, we’ll have to show and tell you a few of our favorite tips to get people to wear your name on their sleeve, their head, their feet…you get the picture.

Tip 1: Get Clever

The best swag we’ve seen, and made, is clever. It’s not run-of-the-mill, slap a logo on it and call it a day. Instead, it has personality, it tells a story, it creates interest. Whether people pass it on the street or share it in their feeds, the reaction is the same – ample enthusiasm and the desire to know more.

Giftables and giveaways are meant to carry your brand forward, to reach beyond your own sphere and to leave an impression when you aren’t in the room. Therefore, it’s important to think outside that proverbial box. Take stock of your target market – what they like, what they are looking for, what they are saying. Then compare that to your own brand – are there sayings that both groups gravitate toward? Is there a shared love for certain products? What about an “inside” joke or a quirky community connection?

Still not sure what makes swag clever versus cringey? Check out two clients who let us put creative twists on their giveaways:

Explore Newnan Coweta Sticker Set and Swag Designs

Holcombe Financial Socks and Baby Bib

Tip 2: Be Subtle

Don’t get us wrong, we love our logo, but we also understand that not everyone wants to wear it on their sleeve. That said, we’ve found that subtle brand nods are not only impactful, but people are more inclined to rep wares that aren’t heavily branded, especially when those items are freebies. Whenever we design a swag item for ourselves or our clients, we ensure it has the brand colors as well as visible extensions of the brand, but nothing is in your face. Instead, you’ll find delightful Easter eggs like an “&” intentionally placed on the tuchus of our unicorn mascot or a URL tucked into the footer of a sticker sheet. In other words, we keep things very classy, very demure, very subtle.

Have a look at a few client examples where brands make a cameo in subtle, yet impactful, ways:

Treat Bag and Sticker Set for Round Rock, Texas’ Hometown Halloween

Tip 3: Own It

You and your team are your brand’s biggest champions, so if you aren’t willing to wear your brand on your sleeve, it’s going to be pretty hard to convince someone else (outside of your organization) to do the same. Therefore, when you are thinking about the kind of swag you are going to create, be sure that you are selecting items that you (and your team) are going to be proud to own. From keychains and luggage tags to t-shirts and ball caps, you will be expected to don every last piece. With that in mind, think about the type of swag you like – the quality, the messaging, the use cases – then determine what you want it to say and how you want it to show up.

We definitely practice what we preach, check out all the swag we’re not too proud to share and wear:

Whether you’re dreaming up your next giveaway or rethinking your merch game, remember: great swag isn’t just stuff, it’s a statement. So make it count, make it clever and, most importantly, make it something you’d proudly rock yourself.