The first promotional product can be dated back to George Washington, during the election of 1789, when his supporters were given commemorative buttons to show they were voting for him. The originator of the swag industry though, was one Jasper Meek who convinced a shoe store to print print their logo on bags for local area school kids to carry their books in. In the 1900s, the competition for promotional items was born, and it has been a roaring industry since.
Swag (or Promotional Items as it was called in the uncool days) is an important key to promoting your business. They aren’t just toss away trinkets with your logo. These days, companies are putting your logo on notebooks, USB drives, apparel, pens, and drink receptacles. One of the hottest swag items for businesses right now are resusable shopping bags (some things never change). With more and more stores giving incentives to their shoppers (or just not offering plastic bags, like the state of Hawaii!), how great is a bag with your logo not only reaching your customer, but walking around your competition’s store? Jasper Meek sure thought it was a great idea!
But don’t just take our word for it. Here are some shocking statistics that will convince you to order some swag for your business today!
- L.J. Market Research did a study that found 52% of participants given a promotional item, ultimately did business with that company. The remaining 48% of participants said they would be more likely to do business with that company in the future because of their gesture.
- Advertising Specialty Institute said that 62% of those who receive a promotional product will give that item away before throwing it out.
- British Promotional Merchandise Association found that Promotional Merchandise is almost six times more likely than traditional advertising mediums such as Print, Web, Direct Mail and TV to make your customer feel appreciated.
- Baylor University did a study that concluded companies whose sales people utilized promotional products did 22% more business than those salespeople who didn’t.
- 86% of people who own promotional products remember the advertiser (ASI).
People love something that they can touch and feel and call their own. In the data age we are living in, it is easy to reward our customers with run of the mill discount codes or email links. Often times a personal touch is greatly lacking. By customizing functional objects that can enhance your customer’s day-to-day lives, you send a message that not only do you care about your customer, but you’re willing to go the extra mile. Find that right mix of useful and thoughtfulness and you’ve made a place for your brand and your logo in the everyday life of your customer.
Want more help designing your company’s promotional products? Contact aJuxt today and turn your swag on!
Written by Carrie Hellbusch || Digital Warrens Master & #SwagHag