We’re going to be honest. Custom swag gets bad press. You won’t find many employees who would trade an end-of-year bonus for a laptop sleeve with the company logo slapped on the front.
Because these custom items aren’t received with much enthusiasm, they typically only spend a few days (if that) being used before being chucked into the trash and going to the landfill.
Recipients aren’t happy with their ‘reward’, the company faces a loss on its ROI and the planet is even closer to catastrophe with landfills overflowing with all this cheap swag nobody really wants.
If swag has a future, it needs to address ways it must have a genuine purpose for each of these three categories: the recipient, the business, and the planet. Let’s look at ten ways swag can have a positive impact and make a difference in these areas!
Swag can go in two directions. Which way will you choose?
Promotional Swag For Recipients
Swag can go beyond a cheap end-of-year gift for employees. It has the potential to boost morale, improve team culture and make your company the go-to place for all the top talent. Let’s find out how.
Read this blog and you’ll never give another pointless custom keyring again.
Raise Morale
Instead of giving every employee a water bottle, notebook, and pen, focus on just one high-quality meaningful custom corporate gift. A unique desk accessory such as a Modern Sprout Terracotta for their birthday will help make your employees feel valued. This in turn boosts morale and helps you attract the most talented employees to your organization.
If we want our employees to care, we have to do the same.
Team Building Activities
Numerous studies have shown that swag can boost company culture. One of the best ways to do this is through company retreats and fun team-building events. Ideas such as a team cycle ride or even a company retreat are all boosted with custom merch. After all what campfire isn’t kindled with a Solo Stove Mesa and who can say no to a custom beach towel at the end of a game of volleyball? These activities unite everyone, inspire conversations and foster a more profound sense of belonging within the team.
A simple picnic can have a huge impact on how your employees feel.
Build A Better Workplace
Innovative swag can reflect the ideology of your company. Support and nurture your team’s mental health through mindful products such as the Hydropod will help employees destress and feel a more genuine connection to their workplace. What’s more these daily reminders highlight your brand’s commitment to personal growth and mental health.
The W&P Hydropod is a remarkable custom product that can make a world of difference for your employees.
Promotional Swag For Your Company
The main reason why customized products are chosen instead of a Starbucks gift card or a box of chocolates is the supposed ROI these items have. A backpack with a company logo embroidered can increase brand awareness for years. While this is a great reason to invest in swag, there are also altruistic reasons why swag may be the answer.
Chocolate. Great for a sweet treat, terrible for ROI.
Meet ESR & CSG Goals
Plastic-free products are often more exciting for the end recipient. A cork notebook, a kraft paper tote, and a bamboo power bank will frequently get far more use than the traditional alternative. Sustainable swag has further benefits. By choosing eco-friendly supplies from ethical distributors, your company can boost its social programs and align with its ESR (Environmental Social Responsibility) and CSG (Corporate Social Governance). Protect the planet, provide meaningful swag, and reflect your brand in the best way possible. Everybody wins.
A Champion For Diversity
Buying swag is one of the easiest ways to inspire and support those who have been historically marginalized. Collaborating with BIPOC and women-owned businesses for your swag needs helps local communities to thrive and that every dream can be realized. Customized swag items sourced from these businesses not only elevate your brand’s value but also play a part in promoting equal opportunity and vibrant diversity.
Everyone should have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Your swag order can help this be realized.
Celebrating Your Values
Swag possesses the potential to magnify your commitment to uplifting society. Whether it’s a food-drive event kit featuring reusable containers or a cycling challenge with custom-made recycled metal medals, these items stand as a testament to your unwavering dedication. Similarly, the marathon T-shirt represents individual tenacity, community spirit, and collective achievement. Never underestimate the transformative power of swag in making a positive impact on the world.
Be the pride of your community by supporting incredible causes.
A+ Custom Merch
Swag isn’t just for large corporations. Educational swag is one of the most impactful ways of inspiring curiosity and learning. From banners and signage to promote educational fairs, to crafts and tools for the classroom can inspire curiosity and learning. For instance, distribute science kits with a model solar car project or create interactive historical timelines on biodegradable scrolls. This swag goes beyond promoting educational institutions, it stirs imagination and learning among students.
Colourful designs and playful items can allow students to be creative and flourish.
Promotional Swag For the planet
Doing good for our employees is awesome. Implementing a swag strategy that boosts our business is fantastic. But these mean nothing if we’re doing more harm than good for our planet. By consciously choosing the right merch from the right companies, we’re able to protect the earth for future generations.
Boost communities + Protect the planet = The power of swag
Support Powerful Missions
Swag can be more than just a promotional item – it can be an ambassador for meaningful change. It has the power to uplift disadvantaged young adults in local communities.
Purpose Before Profit
If we’re to build a better world, one that puts the workers, communities, and the planet before profits and dividends, we need to redefine the purpose of business. One way this is accomplished is through the B Corp movement. By supporting B Corp swag suppliers, you’re actively supporting those who are pioneering responsible business practices and helping to build a better planet.
Putting the planet first is why B Corps continue to grow all over the world
Planet Saving Projects
Beyond the reasons we mentioned earlier, sustainable swag’s most notable quality is its impact on the environment. By eradicating the cheap, plastic swag of the past we can eliminate the environmental cost of swag. What’s more, many promotional products support environmental projects such as 1% For the Planet and Carbon Natural so you can shop without guilt.
From fairtrade to 1% For the Planet, buying the right swag helps us protect what we love the most
The Power Of Swag
We hope that by reading this article, your perspective on swag has changed. By being aware that by consciously being careful of the swag you buy, a snowball effect of good can occur. From doing good for your employees and company to providing disadvantaged demographics with jobs and training, nurturing communities, and protecting the environment, the power of swag has gone from garbage to gold.
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Check out Marketing.com.au’s directory of Promotional Merchandise Agencies if you’d like further help with organising some promotional merchandise for your business.
