5 Questions To Ask When Choosing Swag

Corporate gifts and swag are a popular way to show appreciation to employees and clients, and promote brand awareness. However, choosing the right swag items can be a challenge, especially in the Singapore and the APAC areas, where cultural differences and diverse demographics can impact the effectiveness of your swag.

To ensure that your customised merchandise are well-received and effective in achieving your goals, it's important to ask the right questions. In this blog post, we'll explore 5 questions to ask when choosing swag, with a focus on how these questions can help you navigate the unique cultural and demographic landscape of the APAC region. Whether you're looking to promote your brand, show appreciation to employees, or impress clients, these questions will help you to choose swag that resonates with your audience and achieves your desired outcomes. Let's get started, shall we?

 5 Questions To Ask When Choosing Swag

1. How do you want your employees and clients to feel when they receive the swag?

Your swag should reflect your company's values and culture, and make your recipients feel valued and appreciated. It should also align with your industry and the image you want to convey. For example, if you're in the tech industry, you might choose swag that reflects your company's innovative and cutting-edge ethos, such as WILFRED 3-in-1 Wireless Magsafe Charger Stand, COLIN 3-in-1 Retractable Charging Cable, and FINDER Smart Tag, etc. If you're in the banking industry, you might choose swag that reflects your company's premium image, such as RUDGARD Card Holder or SLEEK Pen.

Ultimately, the key is to choose swag that makes your recipients feel appreciated and valued. By asking yourself how you want your employees and clients to feel when they receive the swag, and whether it aligns with your company's values and image in order to make a lasting impression and help promote your brand.

2. Will people use it?

Sustainability is an important consideration when ordering customised merchandise. You want people to actually use the item, and not just toss it away. Think about the item's practicality and how it fits into people's lifestyles. For example, socks might be trendy and popular in North America, but it might not be as useful in hotter climates, such as Singapore and Hong Kong.

First step about sustainability is for people to actually use it. 

While some creative gifts can be useful and impressive, they can also be wasteful if they're not practical or sustainable. To ensure that your swag items are sustainable, it's important to choose gadgets that people will actually use. For example, a KANE Biodegradable Charger Stand or a KANE Wooden Bluetooth Speaker (with Selfie Taking Function) might be a useful and practical gift that people will use in their daily lives. On the other hand, a high-tech gadget that's too complicated to use or only serves a niche purpose might not be as well-received.

It's also important to consider people's lifestyles when choosing the right swag. If your employees and clients are frequent travelers, a compact and lightweight gadget like POCKET Collapsible Cup(450ml) or LOCUS Waterproof Outdoor Speaker might be more useful than a bulky and heavy item.  Alternatively, if your employees and clients are health-conscious, SPARKS Wellness Bands or SPARKS Duffle might be a more appropriate gift.

3. Who is the swag for?

It's also crucial to consider the demographics of your company when choosing swag items. Different age groups, interests, and backgrounds may have different preferences for gifts and customised merchandise. Younger employees and clients might appreciate trendy and instagrammable items, such as custom Custom Lego Powerbank or oversized SPARKS PREMIUM Sweatshirt. On the other hand, more mature employees and clients might prefer more practical and useful items, such as a SKINS A5 Premium Notebook or a AGNES Luggage Tag.

For companies with people of all ages and backgrounds, it's important to choose swag items that are versatile and appeal to a wide range of people. Items like  SAN JOSE Laptop Bag, NEXUS 3-in-1 Wireless Charger Station, and ROCKET V.2 Bottle (550ml) are practical and useful for everyone, regardless of age or background. Additionally, these items can be personalised or customised to reflect your company's brand and values too!

4. What is the occasion for the swag?

Different occasions or events may call for different types of corporate gifts. For example, for a new hire swag, it's important to choose standard items and help build up the image and skills of the new hires. Items like SPARKS PREMIUM Cotton T-shirt (190g),  MOON Bottle (500ml), and Fully Custom Laptop Die-Cut Stickers are practical and useful for new employees, and can help them feel like part of the team.

For an anniversary event, it's important to choose swag items that are more celebratory and exclusive. Items like Lund Bottle that has a unique design, or customised SPARKS PREMIUM Hoodie (350g) with an exclusive edition, can make employees feel valued and appreciated for their contributions to the company. Additionally, sending exclusive gifts to long-time employees can be a great way to recognize their loyalty and dedication to the company.

5. Will it be Instagrammable? Will people post it on social media?

When people like your swag item, they're more likely to share it on social media, which can increase your company's exposure and brand awareness.

To encourage people to post your swag items on social media, it's important to choose items that are attractive and shareable. For example, SNAP Mini Bluetooth Speaker (with Selfie Taking Function), RICARDO Coffee Kit, or WILTON Mini LED Projector with your company's logo that can be eye-catching and shareable.

Another way to encourage people to post your swag items on social media is by sending out a pack of items instead of an individual one. When all the swag items are packed with the same company theme color, it creates a strong visual impact that encourages people to share it on social media. Additionally, including a hashtag or social media handle on the swag items can make it easier for people to tag your company when they post it online to increase your company exposure.

 

In conclusion, choosing the right corporate gifts and swag requires careful consideration of your company's brand and values, as well as the practicality, demographics, occasion, and social media appeal of the swag. By asking these 5 questions, you can easily choose the perfect swag to promote your company and show appreciation to your employees and clients without a doubt!