Proudly voted Promotional Merchandise Distributor of the Year, December 2024 (Sourcing City Awards).

6 Great Giveaway Ideas

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: people love free gifts. A lot of the time at events, companies will bring promotional merchandise with them to give away, but how do you know what will be worth the investment? We’ve put together a list of some of the most popular items for giving out at events and shows and why they are so successful. We’ll just jump straight into it….

1. Listen To Their Tummy

It’s easy to earn favour through people’s hunger as you hand out promotional chocolates or energy bars. Consider even finding a product that people don’t see every day, such as fun bags of chocolate coins with your company’s logo over it so people can remember who saved them when they were in need of a sugar rush.

2. Offer Useful Items

It is often the items that people find useful that will be remembered. For instance, a branded tote bag is always a great giveaway for events as people will be able to store all of the other items they have been given from other brands and with your brand name on the outside it results in more exposure. Furthermore, think of items that people might need but will have forgotten to bring, and you’ll be their hero. For instance, if the event is on a sunny day outdoors, consider handing out promotional sunscreen.

3. Move Away From The Standard Stuff

Sure, pens and notepads are useful but are they memorable? Steer away from the standard swag and consider investing in some iPhone covers or picnic blankets to give away.

4. Consider Something Different

The real question is: does the giveaway item have to be tangible? The answer is no! You could offer a free downloadable e-book, podcast or music. That way you can be sure that people won’t lose it.

5. The Best-seller

One of our best sellers at Total Merchandise are our t-shirts. The reason for this is because t-shirts get worn! They are a safe, unisex option that appeals to people of all ages. Whether it is used as a pyjama top or worn around town it will in some way generate a little publicity for your brand.

6. Think About Your Audience

If you’re targeting a business event you will want to be considering branded notepads, pens and iPhone cases. However, with younger crowds such as University students you can have a lot more fun with it; consider promoting your brand through wacky items such as branded condoms. You are likely to be remembered at a point that is important to them!

Which giveaway items have you had the most success with?

Written by

Total Merchandise | Editoral Team

Our editorial team is drawn from a pool of experienced promotional merchandise product team members, account managers, marketers and other contributors. With such a wide range of skills and experience, they write about many aspects of promotional merchandise, wider marketing and business matters, as well as company news updates.

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