Promotional products are a tried-and-true marketing strategy for small businesses. In a 2020 study, researchers found that half of the participating consumers report keeping their promotional items for more than five years.
It's easy to see why companies love using swag. Promotional items offer you enough versatility to choose products that suit your industry, clientele, and budget. Large and small businesses alike can use promotional products to get their brand name in front of new customers while also boosting customer engagement.
This article will discuss the benefits of promotional gifts for small businesses, explore exciting new trends, and give you some promotional product ideas you can implement today.
Benefits of Promotional Products for Small Businesses
Your small business can use promotional items in giveaways, at events, and even internally for your employees. The benefits of using promo items are threefold:
- Increased customer engagement: Swag increases customer engagement by providing value for the receiver and giving them something they can use. By making sure every touchpoint — promo products included — offers value, you further cement your small business as one that's there to improve your customers' lives.
- More exposure: As your recipients use your items in their daily lives, more potential customers see your brand name. This exposure builds your business's brand awareness. You can also use swag at events to promote your brand.
- Low cost: As a small business, you might have a limited budget. Promotional products are an incredibly cost-effective advertising strategy, with a lower cost per impression than most other mediums. Make the most of your marketing dollars by investing in promotional products that create several ripple effects for your company's brand equity.
5 Trends for Your Small Business to Take Advantage Of
No matter which industry you're in, your small business can capitalize on the benefits of promotional products. As you generate ideas for your swag, keep these five trends in mind to create popular promotional items and help boost your return on investment:
1. Remote Work Supplies
Remote and hybrid work has become increasingly popular over the last few years, and it will likely become an enduring change. A company specializing in flexible work options found that 97% of the surveyed workers desire fully remote or hybrid work options.
Show your customers you understand their remote work needs by offering swag they can use to improve their home offices — especially if you serve the business and financial industries where telecommuting might be more prevalent. Some possible remote work promo products for small businesses include:
- Wrist rests: A comfortable and ergonomic desk setup is the key to productive remote work. Giving away wrist rests will help your customers — or employees — achieve the optimal desk setup while working from their computer all day.
- Memo boards: Your customers have a lot to juggle between work and home life. Give them a branded memo board to help them keep track of what they need to remember — and as a bonus, they'll be reminded of your small business every time they use it.
- Blue light blocking glasses: The rise of work from home has also prompted more discussion about blue light blocking glasses. Tap into that popularity by giving away a promotional pair of these glasses.
2. Game Time Accessories
Use your customer's excitement for popular local sports teams to your advantage by giving away swag they can use on game day. For several ideas, check out our list of promotional products for sports lovers, including:
- Baseball caps
- Stadium seats and blankets
- Windbreakers
- Joggers
- Rally towels
3. Green Products
Many customers place a high value on sustainability. Show them you share their principles by offering environmentally friendly promotional products, such as reusable shopping bags or items made from recycled materials like water bottles, notepads, and pens.
4. Reusable Drinkware
Speaking of green products, you can also give away reusable straws and stainless steel or aluminum water bottles to help your customers be more environmentally friendly and stay hydrated.
Drinkware is always a beloved product, and for a good reason — people in any industry can make use of it, and it encourages healthy habits. For example, office-based customers in the financial or business sectors might love a coffee mug or tumbler they can refill at work. Meanwhile, those who work in the field will appreciate a travel mug or water bottle they can easily carry around as they travel to different locations.
5. Evergreen Apparel
Like drinkware, apparel is an evergreen promotional product. With such a wide range of options — including hats, t-shirts, and sweatshirts — your business can choose the product that works best for your industry.
If you want to give away a piece of apparel that's especially popular right now, consider the fanny pack, which is seeing an incredible revival in recent years.
Small Business Swag Ideas
As you tap into each of those trends, also consider how your small business's promotional items can boost your bottom line in critical business areas, such as giveaways, employee engagement, and events. Improve your performance in these three spheres with the following swag ideas:
1. Giveaway Swag
Marketing giveaways for small businesses can be one of the most cost-effective ways to generate buzz and gain exposure. Use social media to give away swag that will catch your audience's eye and make them excited to win — and share.
For example, businesses in the medical or education industry might give away spa kits to help medical professionals and teachers relax after a long day at work. For any busy executives or work-from-home employees, you could offer high-tech phone accessories, such as a mouse pad with a wireless charger or a beneficial power bank.
2. Employee Gifts
Your small business is a tight-knit community. Foster that community by giving your new employees swag that boosts your company's professional image, gets them excited about working with you, and helps them do their jobs more efficiently. For example, you might provide them with desk caddies to stay organized or binders to keep important files together.
3. Event Swag
Conferences and trade shows can be some of the best chances for exposure your small business has. Make the most of these opportunities by stocking your booth with branded items, including table coverings and pens that feature your business name.
Turn to SourcePromo for Your Small Business Promotional Needs
SourcePromo has the perfect promotional products for your small business, no matter the industry. Shop our wide selection of items, and when you find one you like, you can request a free quote or sample.
From design to delivery, SourcePromo supports you every step of the way. Take advantage of our ample supply, nationwide service, and easy-to-use customer support when you work with us. If you're ready to use exciting company swag to improve your small business's brand awareness, contact us to make an order today.
