The best swag starts with a desired outcome, not a catalog.
Everyone has access to the same products.
Different swag companies may send you the same catalogs. The same drinkware. The same shirts. The same bags. The same tech items.
Everyone has access to the same products.
Different swag companies may send you the same catalogs. The same drinkware. The same shirts. The same bags. The same tech items.
But we're not all the same.
Promotional products are a lot like mining.
Two prospectors can work the same river. One walks away rich. The other leaves hungry.
Why?
Because it is not the river. It's how they work it.
Swag is the same way.
The products themselves are not the differentiator. And even though everyone theoretically has access to the same factories, the same suppliers, and the same catalogs - it may not do you any good.
The difference is the idea behind what you are trying to do.
Most people start the process by asking, “What should we give away?”
That is the wrong starting point.
The real question is, “What outcome do we want?”
Are you trying to attract people to your booth?
Are you trying to thank a client?
Are you trying to make new employees feel excited on their first day?
Are you trying to create something your team actually wears?
Those are all different outcomes. They should not have the same product.
A water bottle handed out randomly at a trade show is just another water bottle.
The same bottle placed in a thoughtful onboarding kit that every new employee receives on their first day becomes something they keep on their desk for years.
Same product. Different idea.
That is where the value comes from.
The best swag programs start with a simple thought exercise.
What do we want someone to feel when they receive this?
What do we want them to do with it?
Not every item is meant to 'get on the desk'.
Promotional products are a lot like mining.
Two prospectors can work the same river. One walks away rich. The other leaves hungry.
Why?
Because it is not the river. It's how they work it.
Swag is the same way.
The products themselves are not the differentiator. And even though everyone theoretically has access to the same factories, the same suppliers, and the same catalogs - it may not do you any good.
The difference is the idea behind what you are trying to do.
Most people start the process by asking, “What should we give away?”
That is the wrong starting point.
The real question is, “What outcome do we want?”
Are you trying to attract people to your booth?
Are you trying to thank a client?
Are you trying to make new employees feel excited on their first day?
Are you trying to create something your team actually wears?
Those are all different outcomes. They should not have the same product.
A water bottle handed out randomly at a trade show is just another water bottle.
The same bottle placed in a thoughtful onboarding kit that every new employee receives on their first day becomes something they keep on their desk for years.
Same product. Different idea.
That is where the value comes from.
The best swag programs start with a simple thought exercise.
What do we want someone to feel when they receive this?
What do we want them to do with it?
Not every item is meant to 'get on the desk'.
Sometimes it's walking advertising/awareness.
Sometimes it's lead gen/engagement.
Another advantage of starting with the idea is time.
When companies start early, they have more options. Better products. Better decoration methods. More creativity.
When companies start late, they default to whatever is easiest.
And easy usually ends up in the closet.
At Ink'd Stores, we try to start every conversation the same way.
Not with a catalog.
With a question.
What are you actually trying to accomplish?
Another advantage of starting with the idea is time.
When companies start early, they have more options. Better products. Better decoration methods. More creativity.
When companies start late, they default to whatever is easiest.
And easy usually ends up in the closet.
At Ink'd Stores, we try to start every conversation the same way.
Not with a catalog.
With a question.
What are you actually trying to accomplish?
