You have no doubt heard the term “swag” before, and you know that this is a term used to describe free stuff. In fact, some people claim this acronym stands for “stuff we all get”. And it’s also very likely you’ve been the recipient of swag before. Because so many companies go cheap, you likely weren’t overly impressed by swag - and it may have left a bad taste in your mouth.

However, as we’ve said time and time again, company swag is more than just free stuff. It is an essential tool in helping you and your organization achieve your marketing goals. But, what does swag mean in marketing, exactly? And why is having company swag so important? From helping you spread brand awareness and make first impressions to building lasting relationships, you’re about to learn all about swag as it pertains to marketing. Let’s get started!

What Does Swag Mean In Marketing?

Basically, swag is a term for promotional products that companies use to promote their brand. Thus, you will often find swag to be branded by the company logo, name, slogan, or all of the above.

In marketing, company swag is used to promote the brand’s name. In the process, this increases brand awareness, recognition/familiarity, and repetition. Essentially, swag is grounded on the principle that “the more people see it, the more people will recognize it.”

So, giving out company swag helps people become more familiar with your brand, which, in turn, will help boost sales. We will talk more about the purpose of company swag later.

What Is A Marketing Swag Pack?

A marketing swag pack is simply a collection of promotional products. It can have a specific theme, but most of the time, companies give out swag packs that contain almost every promotional product they own. To learn more about swag packs and their uses, check out our article on what a swag pack is.

What Is The Purpose Of Marketing Swag?

We’ve given you a preview of what marketing swag is all about, but what are the benefits of giving out swag?

Brand Awareness and Recognition

When people don’t recognize your brand, they are less likely to buy from you. Marketing swag can change that.

Even though you start as a stranger, people will recognize your business better if they become familiar with your name and logo. Giving out company swag gives potential clients a physical reminder of your business, which, in turn, will help increase their familiarity with your brand.

Good First Impressions

Receiving free stuff from a brand will almost always result in a positive first impression. And when your potential customers see you in a good light right from the very start, they are more likely to actually do business with you in the future.

Strengthen Relationships

Whether you give out marketing swag to existing clients or customers, employees, or vendors, one thing is for sure. It will help you strengthen your relationship with whoever the recipient is. You can’t put a price tag on that!

How To Get A Return From Your Marketing Swag Efforts

Now that you know what marketing swag is all about, your next question is probably - how can I start incorporating it into my marketing efforts? Just like any marketing campaign, you need to carefully plan out how you’re going to use swag. Fortunately, we’ve got some tips to help you get started on the right foot. For more information, you can reach out to us directly and we’ll guide you through the process.

First Things First - What Is Your Goal?

The first step is to identify your marketing goal. Is it to increase general brand awareness? To promote a specific product or event? Whatever your goal may be, it will affect your swag budget. In turn, your budget will determine the types of products you can give out - along with the quantity you order.

After you set your marketing goals, the next step is to identify your target market. Are they parents? College students? Corporate employees? To be able to do this right, you will have to go back to your ideal customer profiles and identify the demographics from there.

What Goods Do You Want To Brand?

Now that you know what your marketing goals are and who you are targeting, it’s time to go over marketing swag ideas and see which ones will help you achieve your goals the best.

For many companies, this is the hardest step, mainly because there are so many ideas to choose from. Office supplies, drinkware, apparel, tech accessories–the possibilities seem to be endless.

A good tip is to make your choices based on your target market and, of course, your swag budget. Ask yourself: what products will this group appreciate the most? And can we afford them? In doing so, it will be much easier to select a roster of promotional products that are both effective and within the budget.

Let Swag Bar Help Bring It All To Life

If you’ve decided to go the swag box route, you might be overwhelmed by the process of putting one together. Luckily, you don’t have to do it all by yourself.

Get your marketing gift box at Swag Bar. All you have to do is pick out your products, tell us what you want in your design, and we will do the rest. If you have a strict budget, we can work with that, too.

But if you want the process to be a lot easier, you can also choose from one of our themed swag packs that all come with handpicked products. We have themes like Born in the USA, Sock Swag, and No Thought Required, all loved by clients and employees alike.

What Does Swag Mean In Marketing: Final Thoughts

In marketing, swag is just another term for promotional products. But more often than not, it goes way deeper than that. Swag is a marketing tool used for increasing brand awareness, making a good first impression, and creating healthy engagements with potential customers, employees, and vendors. In other words, swag helps you achieve your marketing goals in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

However, not all swag is made equal. Low-quality swag won’t sway your customers, so make sure you get the best swag for your budget.

Luckily for you, you’re already in the right place. Here at Swag Bar, we can help you create swag boxes for both your clients and employees–all at the right price! From premium products to superior customer service, we have all the qualities you should look for in a swag supplier.

Plus, we have the best swag box selection online. Whether you want marketing swag boxes or a new employee welcome box, we’ve got you covered. See the difference yourself!