Ditch the Forgettable Freebies: Data-Driven Insights for Unforgettable Swag Campaigns

Everybody loves swag.

But what swag stays and what swag gets abandoned post-event in the event hotel room?

For a long time, it was hard to tell.

Every marketer has wondered - “Do people even want swag with my company logo on it?” 

Our recent survey revealed that the answer is surprisingly…

YES!

64% of respondents strongly agreed/agreed that they enjoy receiving, using, and wearing swag items with branding for a company that they do not work for.

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3 Key Findings

1. Swag That Stays: 

According to the survey, 65% of respondents in North America and 55% of respondents in Europe are most likely to keep, use, and enjoy a swag item if the item is useful.

29% of Americans & 33% of Europeans are likely to keep, use, and enjoy a swag item if the item is a premium item. 

• Functional Favorites: The survey revealed that practical items such as the Simple Modern Roam Bottle, Bellroy Tech Kit, and Yeti Hopper M30 Backpack are highly favored. These items are not only useful but also embody quality and practicality, making them less likely to be discarded.
• Premium Items & Brands: High-end brands like Apple, Nike, and The North Face are preferred, with items like the Apple Airtag and Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses being top choices. These premium items convey a sense of luxury and thoughtfulness, which recipients appreciate.

2. Branding Preferences

The survey asked respondents what their preferences were for company branding on items. Did they prefer items that had a clever saying/a cool design, items with subtle branding, did they have no preference, or did they prefer no branding?

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The most popular choice for both North Americans and Europeans was clever or design-based swag - which 38% of Americans and 37% of Europeans prefer. The second most popular choice was items with subtle branding (small logo or monochromatic) with 33% of North Americans and 32% of Europeans choosing this as their preference. 

3. Sustainability Matters

67% of Americans and 70% of Europeans strongly agree/agree that sustainability is important for swag senders to consider. If you're sending cheap plastic trinkets, you may be causing more harm than good for your brand’s reputation since you're sending them what they consider 'waste'. 

• Eco-Friendly Options: There is a growing preference for sustainable swag. Items like the Known Supply Dad Hat and the Wave Recycled Insulated Outdoor Blanket are not only eco-friendly but also popular among recipients. This trend underscores the importance of sustainability in corporate gifting.

Swag with Sendoso

Sendoso’s platform addresses these insights by offering a range of services designed to help businesses create impactful and memorable swag campaigns:

• Branded Swag on Demand: With Sendoso, you can source specific items on the fly with no minimum order quantity (MOQ). This flexibility allows for last-minute or unique sends with a turnaround time of just 2-5 business days plus shipping.
• Size & Style Selection: Sendoso facilitates size and style selection on your behalf, allowing recipients to choose their preferred options. This feature eliminates awkward interactions and ensures a perfect fit every time.
• Detailed Customization: Offering options like custom stationery, colored mailers, and packing stickers enhances the unboxing experience, making the recipient feel valued and special.
• Custom Brand Shop: This fully integrated self-service platform enables you to stock up on core swag items, from apparel and accessories to drinkware and tech, all in one place.
• Campaign Curator Experts: Sendoso’s Campaign Curators partner with you from the ideation of your campaign to vendor management and fulfillment, ensuring a seamless and premium experience.

Forgettable Freebies vs Swag that Stays

The days of forgettable freebies are over.

With these new insights (and utilizing our B2B gifting platform), businesses can create swag campaigns that not only resonate with recipients but also leave a lasting impression.

Goodbye generic giveaways.

Hello to swag that's:

1. Functional
2. Premium
3. Cleverly branded
4. Sustainable

Ready to elevate your swag strategy? 

Of course you are!

(if not read our other recent study about the revenue impact of gifting)

Book some time with our team here or if you’re a Sendoso customer, book a chat with our Campaign services team here!

Survey Scope and Methodology

In May 2024, Sendoso polled 350 full-time employees across 18 industries and two continents to gather insights on swag preferences. The goal was to identify the types of swag that recipients love, why they keep them, and how brands can ensure their items leave a lasting impact.

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