giveaways

Top 10 Unforgettable Branded Swag Giveaways

Top 10 Unforgettable Branded Swag Giveaways

Everyone loves free stuff. No matter if it’s a free pen at a tradeshow or a gift with a purchase, we all love getting something a little extra. And when that item is useful and stylish, it becomes unforgettable. Whether you’re an established corporation or a startup, giving away branded swag is a fantastic way to get your company’s name out there and build brand loyalty.

So let’s dive into the world of branded swag giveaways and share the top 10 swag items that will leave a lasting mark. We’ve curated some incredible branded swag ideas that you can use to promote your business and create a brand connection with your audience.

Top 10 Unforgettable Branded Swag Giveaways

These carefully curated items offer versatile options to promote your business and connect with your audience meaningfully. From fashionable hats to tech gadgets and wellness products, we’ve got you covered. So, without further ado, let’s unveil the unforgettable swag items that can turn heads and keep your brand in the spotlight long after your event has ended.

#1 Hats

Promotional hats are a timeless and popular choice for branded swag. They offer both style and functionality. Whether a classic baseball cap or a trendy snapback, hats protect from the sun and become a fashion statement that promotes your company wherever they go.

#2 Fans

Our Pinnacle Pick: Plastic Hand Promotional Fan

Custom fans might seem like a vintage choice, but they’re making a comeback, especially in warmer climates. Company-branded swag fans can be a lifesaver during outdoor events, music festivals, or simply on a hot summer day. By adding your logo and brand colors, you can keep your audience cool while keeping your brand “cool” in their minds.

#3 Bags and Totes

Our Pinnacle Pick: 100% Cotton Tote Bag

Custom-branded bags and totes are a must-have swag giveaway. They come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, offering versatility for different occasions. From stylish canvas totes for shopping to cinch bags for everyday use, these swag items provide a practical solution for carrying essentials while promoting your brand. 

Whether it’s a trip to the gym, a day at the beach, or a quick outing, these lightweight, branded swag items are ideal for carrying small essentials. They are stylish and functional, making them a top choice for swag giveaways.

#4 Water Bottles

In today’s world, sustainability and eco-friendliness are of paramount importance. Branded water bottles make for great swag giveaway items. Not only are they practical, but they also help reduce single-use plastic waste. These bottles can be used at the gym, office, or on the go, showcasing your commitment to the environment and your brand.

#5 Luggage Tags

Our Pinnacle Pick: Voyage Luggage Tag

Luggage tags are often overlooked but can be an essential accessory for frequent travelers. These small yet practical branded swag items give your brand visibility in airports and hotels around the world. Branded luggage tags ensure that your audience never loses sight of your company name, even when they’re far from home.

#6 Sunglasses

Sunglasses are a fun and stylish swag item that never goes out of fashion! They offer protection from the sun’s rays and make a great canvas for displaying your brand. By providing high-quality, UV-protected sunglasses with your logo, you’re giving your audience a reason to remember your company on sunny days.

#7 Coffee Mugs

In the world of branded swag, coffee mugs are a classic choice. They’re a symbol of warmth and comfort, making them an ideal gift for clients and employees. No matter if it’s at the office, at home, or on the road, a beautifully designed coffee mug can become a cherished daily companion for many, helping your brand stay top-of-mind during morning coffee rituals.

#8 Tumblers

For those who prefer cold beverages or need something more versatile, branded tumblers are a fantastic choice. Insulated tumblers keep drinks hot or cold, and their stylish designs make them a popular choice for on-the-go individuals. 

#9 Branded Tech

Our Pinnacle Pick: Stark 2.0 Bluetooth Speaker

In our digital age, branded tech items have become increasingly popular. From custom phone chargers and power banks to Bluetooth speakers and phone cases, there are countless options for incorporating technology into your swag giveaways. These items are practical and demonstrate your company’s commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest trends.

# 10 Wellness Products

Wellness has become a significant focus for many people, and giving away branded wellness products can align your brand with a healthy lifestyle. From yoga mats and pedometers to stress balls and aromatherapy candles, there are many wellness items you can customize to promote your company while supporting your audience’s well-being.

Why Giveaway Free Branded Swag?

Did you know there is a psychological reason why we love free stuff? 

Now that we’ve explored the top 10 branded swag giveaway ideas, you might wonder why you should invest in these promotional items. And it comes down to reciprocity.

Reciprocity is a principle in human psychology that plays a big role in our social interactions. It refers to the human tendency to respond positively when someone does something nice for us or provides us with something of value. In essence, when we receive a favor, gift, or act of kindness, we feel a sense of obligation to reciprocate.

When applied to marketing and promotional strategies, reciprocity becomes a powerful tool for building customer relationships and loyalty. Here’s how it works:

Building Trust 

When a company offers swag giveaways, it is essentially giving something of value to its customers without an immediate expectation of a purchase. This act of generosity helps build trust with the customer. They perceive the company as not solely interested in taking their money but in providing value to create a positive relationship.

Positive Emotions 

Receiving a gift, even a small one like company-branded swag, triggers positive emotions. It makes customers feel appreciated and valued by the brand, which can create a positive association with the company.

Reciprocal Action 

When customers receive a gift, they often feel the need to reciprocate the kindness. This can manifest in several ways:

Loyalty: Customers are more likely to remain loyal to a brand that has provided them with branded swag giveaways. They feel a sense of indebtedness and are more inclined to continue doing business with that company.

Word-of-Mouth Promotion: Recipients of branded swag want to share their positive experiences with others, further promoting your brand through word-of-mouth marketing. They want to spread the goodwill they’ve received.

Increased Engagement: Customers may engage more with your brand, whether through social media, online reviews, or other forms of interaction. They reciprocate by actively participating in brand-related activities.

Future Purchases: When customers feel a sense of reciprocity, they are more likely to make future purchases from the company. They see it as a way to give back and support a brand that has treated them well.

Building Lasting Relationships 

The power of reciprocity extends beyond individual transactions. It contributes to building lasting and meaningful relationships between a brand and its customers. When customers perceive a brand as genuinely cares about their satisfaction and well-being, they are more likely to become long-term advocates.

Emotional Connection 

Giving away branded swag items that are well-designed and high-quality can create a stronger emotional connection between the customer and the brand. The swag serves as a tangible reminder of that connection.

By offering something of value, a company not only builds trust and positive emotions but also triggers the human tendency to reciprocate. This reciprocal action can increase customer loyalty, word-of-mouth promotion, engagement, and future purchases. Over time, it helps create enduring, emotionally charged relationships between the brand and its customers, making swag giveaways an investment in long-term success. 

So, the next time you plan a swag giveaway, remember the powerful impact of reciprocity and the lasting impressions it can leave on your audience!

Get the Best Branded Swag with Pinnacle Promotions

Branded swag giveaways are a smart investment in your brand’s future. By giving away something of value, you not only build trust and positive emotions but also leverage reciprocity to foster customer loyalty, word-of-mouth promotion, engagement, and future purchases. Over time, this approach helps create enduring, emotionally charged relationships between your brand and your customers.

Are you ready to embark on your own memorable swag giveaway journey? If so, we’d like to partner with you! At Pinnacle Promotions, we will help you create unforgettable branded swag giveaways that will turn heads and keep your audience engaged long after your trade show, 5k sponsorship, or conference ends. 

Contact us today at 877.300.2007 to kickstart your next swag giveaway project and watch your brand shine!

Posted by Chrissy Petrone, 0 comments
What is Promotional Marketing? Getting Your Swag On for Your Startup

What is Promotional Marketing? Getting Your Swag On for Your Startup

Let’s explore promotional marketing and how to get your swag on for your newest business endeavor.  

Knowing how to market your small business or startup appropriately can take a lot of work. Should you focus all your attention on digital marketing? Or is offline marketing still worth it in 2022? The short answer is that it requires a thoughtful promotional marketing strategy that utilizes digital and offline marketing efforts. But you may be asking yourself, “what is promotional marketing? How do I even get started? Where does marketing swag fit into all of this?” 

That’s why here at Pinnacle Promotions, we are an extension of your marketing efforts and are here to help you as you begin to build your enterprise.

Let’s tackle the most significant part of your marketing strategy — promotional marketing. 

What is promotional marketing?

If you are just starting out, you are most likely feeling the urgency of getting your organization off the ground. Sales may be your most critical focus, but without a thoughtful promotional marketing strategy, you will ultimately run into bumps in the road.

So what is promotional marketing? Indeed.com states in its article, Examples of Seven Types of Promotions, “Promotional strategies are an excellent way for companies and organizations to communicate with a variety of audiences.” Each promotional element must be thought out and discussed as you develop the overall strategy for your business. 

Here’s a short list of the types of promotional marketing strategies:

  • Personal selling – products or services are sold through person-to-person conversations.
  • Sales promotions – short-term sales initiatives such as discounts, coupons or giveaways. 
  • Direct Marketing – directly reaching potential customers through direct mail, emails or even telemarketing to advertise products, services and related deals.  
  • Digital marketing – utilizes content, search engine optimization, social media, email and affiliate marketing to boost your brand, helping you reach a global audience.
  • General advertising – reach a mass audience through areas such as newspaper ads, magazines, TV commercials and billboards. 
  • Public Relations – campaigns centered around social media, press releases, publicity stunts and influencer endorsements to help boost public brand awareness.
  • Sponsorships – paying to help fund a specific event or individual to support a cause and boost your brand reach.

Taking a balanced approach to your marketing strategy will involve all types of promotional marketing. It is up to you how you develop and implement your plan. Just be sure you understand that each plays a vital role! 

Getting started with marketing swag 

“When selecting a giveaway item, it’s important to not only consider the budget, but if the item will be useful to your target customer.”  – Ryan Salay

After creating your promotional marketing strategy, you will need to take a proactive approach to the areas of marketing you deem the most important. Marketing swag should be on that list! Marketing swag will help drive customers cost-effectively and get your brand out into the world. 

So, where does marketing swag fit into all of this? Well, you can think of company swag as an extension of your direct marketing efforts. You are effectively marketing your organization through branded items you can give or sell to your customers. 

Ryan Salay, the Digital Merchandising Manager at Pinnacle Promotions, explains, “Depending on the item, recipients are likely to bring them back home, to their office, or use them in their daily lives, with your logo right there to remind them where it came from.” 

Let’s say, for example — you just finished working with a new client. They ask for your card to pass along to a neighbor, but you’ve just run out of business cards! However, you do have notepads and pens on hand, so you give your client a few extra pens and notepads to hand to the neighbors. 

Best swag for startup businesses

You will want to choose marketing swag that will make the right impression but won’t bust your marketing budget all in one go. Ryan shares some smart promotional tactics to help you get started, “When selecting a giveaway item, it’s important to not only consider the budget, but if the item will be useful to your target customer.” 

He goes on, “Avoid gimmicky products that are likely to be thrown away and instead focus on something you envision your audience using in their day to day lives, whether that be a tech accessory, a pen, a calendar, or something unique! You can even add contact information like a website or phone number as a part of your imprint to make it easy for your recipient to reach back out to you.”

That’s why it’s important to look at cost-effective and functional products customers and employees will want to use daily. Here are our favorite starter swag items for your small businesses and startups. 

Marketing swag ideas for startups and small businesses employees

Your employees are the frontline of your business! Marketing swag helps establish unity across your brand and build rapport and grow relationships with your team. 

Apparel 

When you get your business up and running, you will want to outfit yourself and your team in promotional apparel, such as branded t-shirts and hoodies. (Be sure to find the best custom hoodies). Not only will this provide a uniform look to your team, but it will also help with exposure! 

Office and desk products 

Promotional office and desk products are an effective way to showcase your brand around the office and provide usefulness! Promotional items such as mousepads, wireless chargers, and other desk organizers can help your employees stay on task and promote brand unity.

Notebooks

Even in the digital age, people love using branded notebooks to take notes! Your employees need a practical, handy way to jot down innovative ideas or to record meeting highlights.  

Lunch coolers/food containers

Lunch coolers and food containers make useful employee gifts! And these promotional items are just great for toting lunch to the office -– they are great for game day coolers, glamping and travel – which means your brand gets more exposure! 

Computer backpacks

Nothing is more convenient than carrying all your professional essentials with you on the go. That’s why custom computer backpacks are essential for your employees — with a wide variety of stylish choices to ensure your team has room for all their necessities.  

Marketing swag ideas for prospective customers and giveaways 

Promotional giveaways are great because they are budget-friendly, and you can pass these items along to your customers or future partners. 

Tote bags

Custom printed branded tote bags are cost-effective and beneficial items that help get your brand out into local communities and provide a sustainable way to promote! 

Tech giveaways

Custom tech giveaways are a unique promotional option — which customers love! Branded tech also provides customers with a valuable item that all households and offices need.

Pens

You never know when you will need a pen! Having custom pens on hand to give away is a great way to get started with your marketing swag. 

Custom keychains

Custom keychains can be fun ways to get your logo into your community! If you are looking for a more functional keychain, choose the carabiner, LED light or bottle opener types. 

Grow kits

You should plan to set your brand apart, and customizable grow kits are an excellent way to do so! They make lovely gifts and help raise brand awareness. Your customers will remember you every time they look at their plants! 

How to take your promotional swag to the next level

Now that you have a better understanding of promotional marketing and getting your marketing swag started, it’s time to take this knowledge out into the world. We have a few suggestions for utilizing your swag and getting your brand name out there! Here are our favorites:

  • Trade shows – an excellent opportunity to see new industry developments, meet and network with others, see what your competitors are doing and pass out free giveaways for customers or potential partners to take home.
  • Chamber meetings – help you stay in touch with your area businesses and help you make necessary connections. 
  • Local music festivals – offer a fun, engaging environment and allow you to give away your more unique promotional items. 
  • Local businesses – we cannot stress enough how important it is to meet your neighbors! Spending an afternoon going out and networking with local businesses can hugely impact your startup — especially if you leave them a few branded goodies! Do this periodically to help maintain your reputation and build potential partnerships.
  • After completion of service – give your customers something to walk away with. Functional items such as pens, notepads or keychains are great giveaways to help show your customers that you appreciate their business.

Ryan agrees — stating how these events can have a big impact, “Small giveaway items benefit businesses by keeping their brand top of mind without breaking the bank. At trade shows and other events, even the smallest giveaways can attract attention in a crowd, which brings more potential customers face to face with your company and engages conversation.”

When can you start growing your brand?

Once you’ve established your business and are ready to grow your brand, you can begin to think about niche marketing swag items that apply to your industry. These high-end promotional products may be more costly, but you aim to establish a relationship with your partners and employees to create a lasting story with them. 

Here’s a short example: Kathy is an up-and-coming real estate agent. She just closed on a beautiful new home for her clients. Instead of gifting these clients branded pens or notepads, she gives the young couple a custom charcuterie board with her logo. This makes for a great housewarming gift, and her brand will grab attention at dinner parties. Plus, it leaves her clients with a warm, fuzzy feeling that she genuinely values their business. It’s a win-win.

Partnering with Pinnacle Promotions

It’s important to remember to take your promotional marketing strategies a little at a time, as with most things in life. If you begin to feel overwhelmed about budgeting or how you can attend local events, just try to focus on one area at a time before moving on to the next. It’s all about building the foundation of your business!


The best part is that you are not alone – Pinnacle Promotions is here to help! We help you find the best promotional products for your budget as you promote your small business or startup. We can send Idea Kits™ right to your inbox with creative ways to showcase your brand and grow your business. For more information on kits or if you are interested in a specific product to get your promotional marketing started, call us at 877.300.2007 today!

Posted by Chrissy Petrone in Brand Identity and Corporate Logos, Marketing Ideas, 0 comments

Atlantic Station’s Easter Celebration, T-Day Spring Game, and Yanni at the Fox.

Hello, local readers. Here’s this week’s edition of our weekend guide, and we hope that it’s helpful in finding you plenty of things to do in and around Atlanta. Don’t forget to view our tips at each venue when you check in on Foursquare, and as always, be sure to add anything we missed in the comments section. Let us know where you end up!


Keep reading for the scoop on the Earth Day Celebration at the Georgia Aquarium, the Fernbank Museum’s Dinosaur Egg Hunt, and free drinks at Starbucks…

Posted by Admin in What to Do in Atlanta Weekend Guide, 0 comments

Promotional Giveaways on Black Friday

Retail giants and local mom & pop establishments alike are slowly but surely gearing up for the great American tradition that is Black Friday. “Leaked” versions of store circulars advertising all of the best deals have been popping up on Black Friday sites since early November, and many savvy shoppers have already started working on detailed schedules that will get them the best combination of early bird specials, promotional giveaways, and more at the crack of dawn (or earlier!) next Friday morning.

Keep reading…

Posted by Admin in Seasonal Marketing Ideas, 0 comments