The world is a picky place. “I love this. I hate that. Could you make it 4% smaller and 11% more awesome?” Choosing the perfect promotional product for your next event can feel like running through a gauntlet. Bam. Whap. Arrrrgggh.
Did you know there are over 750,000 promotional products available in the United States today? Throw in custom possibilities and that number becomes even more insane. While it’s great to have so many options, it can also be overwhelming. How do you whittle it down to THE perfect item that aligns with your brand message?
While we don't have a crystal ball that reveals All the Answers Great and Small, we do have a few suggestions for peeking behind the curtain into the lives of your customers, employees, and partners to see what makes them happy. (Because every piece of swag you give to your crowd should make them shout, “I love this!”).
When the Covid-19 pandemic first struck most of us thought that live events and gatherings would be on hold for a few weeks. A temporary hold on in-person events became a dead halt, forcing companies to figure out how to gather teams, drive revenue, and court customers without in-person gatherings.
Last fall, things seemed to be on the uptick. After over a year of virtual events, in-person events began to return. Then came the Omicron wave and bang, another round of shutdowns. What does all this mean for the future of corporate events?
The answer: Hybrid events, which include both an in-person and online component.
Getting to know you
Grab a piece of paper… go ahead, we’ll wait… and write down everything you know about your customer: age, gender, occupation, hobbies, etc. Describe their day. Their car. Their wardrobe. Their browser history. See the world through their eyes. What are their toughest questions? What’s the favorite part of their day or week? What are their dreams and goals? What do they care about? How would they fill in the blank “I just want________” ?
Let’s say your target audience is working mothers. Their frenetic mornings involve sweeping rogue Cheerios off the kitchen counter and putting on mascara at stop lights. When you dig deeper into their lives, you discover they “just want a moment of zen each day.”
How can you help with that? What one thing can you give her that would make her day better? We love the idea of a tumbler that never leaks and keeps coffee piping hot all day long. The flip lid is easy to use while driving. Imagine her delight when she takes a sip from her tumbler at 11:47 a.m. (we’ve all been there) and finds that her coffee is still hot.
Zen. Moment. Found.
Ask the experts
When you want a fabulous haircut, you go to a salon. When you want to build a house, you work with a contractor. When you can’t figure out the remote control, you ask an 8-year-old. Experts make life easier.
We’ve been around the block a few times and have seen swag trends come and go. (See ya, fanny packs. It’s been… fun.) We’ve helped hundreds of clients dive into their brand demographics and get to know their crowd. Our days are spent researching what’s new and fresh in the world of branded merchandise and we’ve gathered thousands of creative ideas. (Ready for a “we never thought of that” chat? Contact us!)
Have a conversation
The obvious answer to “How do I know what my crowd wants?” is … drumroll, please… ask them.
Business is about relationships and connection. Try having a conversation with your customer. “Hey, what do you like? What can we give you? What would make your life better?” Yeah, they’ll be surprised by your outright moxie. They’ll also be thrilled when, a month later, they receive an awesome piece of swag. “You totally get me” is always good for business.
Not sure you can come right out and ask your crowd what they want? Send them a survey instead. Studies find that most people will readily give info in a survey as long as they receive something in return. Ask questions, get valuable answers, and give them a gift. A discount. A free song on iTunes. A shoutout on social media. Small gestures like this go a long way in getting the answers you need.
What do people want?
We want stuff that is creative. We want stuff that is useful. And we want stuff that is memorable. When exploring ideas for your next event or giveaway, ask yourself these questions:
1. Does it pass the double-take test? (Look once. Back up. Look again. I love this. I need this. Thank you.) 2. Is it useful? 3 Will it make people feel something?
If you can answer “yes” to all three, you’ve struck merch gold. Focus on what makes your crowd happy and you’ll have devoted fans for life.
Need some creative muscle for your next project? Let’s chat!
