Finding Your Perfect Partner: How to Choose the Best Corporate Swag Vendors

It’s no surprise that it’s an extremely competitive corporate world. Your company has to work hard and be strategic about how to win over business and stay ahead of the competitors. Corporate swag is more than just some branded merchandise. It’s a strategic asset, or tool, to help your brand win over the hearts and minds of your potential clients, team members, and collaborators. Custom promotional products can be your ticket to client loyalty and strong professional relationships.

According to research conducted by the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), which is the leading technology, marketing, and information provider in the promo industry, the promo industry reached new heights of $26.1 billion in sales in 2023. That is no surprise given how vital high quality swag is for any business today.

But the making of swag is not always easy and a lot of companies are involved along the way. Key players behind the creation of your eco-friendly promotional products are corporate swag vendors. However, not all vendors are created equal, and your team has the burden of deciphering the good from the bad. The vendors creating your products should be familiar with your brand mission and align with your values. They are more like partners who bring your vision to life in order to create your best corporate swag.

This article will walk you through “why” investing in eco-friendly promotional products is so important. Then, we will assess the psychological persuasive powers of well designed swag and how it can help your business growth. Finally, this article will outline important things to do when  selecting vendors to produce your swag.

The Power of Promotional Products: Maximizing Your ROI with Strategic Event Swag

Before we get into the details of how to select an outstanding vendor to partner with, let’s take a closer look at swag and why it’s so important today. Cashing in on high-quality swag items for events can boost client engagement, loyalty, and more.

1. Having A Corporate Swag Store Increases The Presence Of Your Tangible Merchandise

   
   

   Our world is full of digital media, but those are all fleeting and short lived. Tangible items like a water bottle, sweatshirt, or notebook, can stick around for many years. The longer the item with corporate branding lasts, the more powerful the messaging and advertising ROI.

   
   

   When your company invests in a corporate swag store, the impact of having a lot of custom promotional products is extreme. When you have an entire store full of your best corporate swag, it’s easier to buy and spread around the world. That means more brand exposure and larger impact.

   
   

   More research found that 85% of consumers are more likely to have a positive preference for a brand after receiving free promotional items. That means that the vast majority of your recipients of swag gifts will be repeat customers and even seek out your business. That is a very high ROI that sustains for many years.

2. Promotional Products From Your Swag Company Are Ultimately Cost Effective Per Impression Over Time

   
   

   Advertising can cost a bundle and only lasts for as long as the media is played. It is short term at a high expense. Swag on the other hand can last for years and have thousands of impressions over the lifetime of the product. Items like bags and water bottles that are used daily and even taken on trips can ultimately cost less than a fraction of a cent per impression or sighting of your branded product. That makes swag one of the cheapest advertising tools your company can invest in.

3. Your Best Corporate Swag Is Versatile In Use And Gifting Occasion

   
   

   Of course you want to design your best trade show swag for events, but your swag usage doesn’t stop there. Your company should have corporate gift ideas ready to go and even gift wrapped for when they are needed.

   
   

   Jump at the opportunity to gift items from your swag company during these occasions: ●       New Hire Welcome

   ●       Work Anniversaries Or Milestones

   ●       Loyal Client Rewards

   ●       Newsletter Subscriber Promotions

   ●       Employee Appreciation Days

   ●       Conference Attendee Gifts

   ●       Team Retreats

   ●       Holiday Gifts

   ●       Charitable Gifts

   ●       And More!

You can boost company culture, marketing, employee retention, public relations, and tell your brand story all in one go!

4. Enhanced Employee And Client Engagement With Eco Friendly Promotional Products

   
   

   Reap the benefits of increased well-being and motivation internally with your team, and externally with your clients with swag. People love gifts and are more likely to engage with brands that are generous and offer something valuable.

   
   

   A study by PPAI found that people are 2.5 times more likely to have a positive impression of a company that gave them a free gifted promotional item, compared to another company that just showed an ad. That means that if you are not leveraging the power of swag for your strategic advantage, you are missing out.

The Psychology of Swag: Why Branded Merchandise Resonates with People

Your corporate swag store can represent so many things. It is a visual and tangible representation of your thriving company. People can go there to shop, and your company can generously give free gifts and discounts to win over hearts. There is a real impact on the psyche of people who interact with your store or swag items for events. Let’s get into it.

1. People Will Naturally Follow The Law Of Reciprocity With Corporate Swag

   
   

   When your company is kind to others, they will be kind to you. It’s as simple as that. This is called the law of reciprocity and is a psychological principle. We are hardwired to return favors and treat others as we are treated. This is great news for us and relatively easy to do. When we give to employees, clients, and collaborators, they feel a need to give back. That sense of indebtedness can lead to brand loyalty, word of mouth promotion, and even future business collaborators.

2. Your Corporate Branding Recipients Become Brand Ambassadors And Identify With Your Company

   
   

   When people use something that was given as a promotional gift, they welcome it into their identity. They even go as far as promoting it and become a brand ambassador when using it in public. People define themselves by their spaces, what they own, and what they do. That means that when people use your swag, they are incorporating your brand into their identity and will naturally advocate for your company.

3. Custom Promotional Products Bring People Together And Provide A Sense Of Belonging

   
   

   People who wear matching swag and use the same equipment or tools feel more like a cohesive team. There is a sense of connectedness when people receive the same gift and have the same things. Your brand loyalty can be strengthened by the sense of being valued and included in the fun.

4. Building Fond Memories Will Boost Your Corporate Branding And Storytelling

   
   

   Giving a high-quality promotional product with a fond memory can be a powerful thing. People can be quite sentimental with things that they appreciate or a gift that was given during a special moment. This memory factor is powerful and not the same with digital advertisements. Charge up the emotional energy by giving swag during fun events and building fond memories.

   
   

   After this deep dive into why swag is so powerful, let’s take a look at the steps needed to find the perfect partner to build your product.

Create The Best Corporate Swag With Exceptional Swag Vendors

We know that swag is a vital component of every marketing plan. Now we are going to get into how to bring your product to life with first-rate and reputable vendors.

It’s always a good idea to trust the experts like Social Imprints when flushing out your ideal corporate gift ideas. Doing so will help you relax and take a lot of stress out of the equation. They have the experience of working with many vendors and have done the research about their quality. Let them put the time into choosing the right vendor for your needs.

But if you want to know how to pick out reputable vendors all on your own, read on.

1. Know Your Needs And Understand Your Goals With Corporate Swag Vendors

   
   

   Even before your first conversations with potential collaborators, you need to put your team's heads together to be clear about your needs.

   
   

   Ask yourself these questions right from the beginning to save yourself time and be more direct in negotiations:

   ●       Is your company aiming to increase brand awareness?

   ●       Is the swag for client retention or employee engagement?

   ●       Do you want sustainable, eco-friendly and high-quality goods, or conventional products for less?

   ●       Do you need swag for a specific event, tradeshow, or program?

   ●       Are you making swag for your employees, clients, or business partners?

   ●       What is your budget?

   ●       Are you looking for long term and continuous production, or just a small amount of product to start off?

   ●       Are you needing to set up a corporate swag store to scale up?

   Know the answers to these questions to guide your first conversations and make sure you get what you need.

2. Opt For Quality Over Quantity With Corporate Gift Ideas

   
   

   Not all branded promotional swag products are created equal. When it comes to your brand reputation, cheap, low-quality swag can damage your reputation and do more harm than good. The last thing you want is to make your brand look careless, stingy, low-quality, or out of touch.

   
   

   Always test the product before you make a big purchase to test the product. Follow these guidelines.

   a)     Request samples of products

   b)     Check reviews from other clients

   c)     Ask about materials used, especially for items like apparel, drinkware, and tech gadgets.

   d)     Look for durability and design quality, even the branding imprint matters

   e)     See if they can offer sustainable options

3. Make Sure Your Vendor Has Good Customer Service And Responsiveness

   
   

   When you are shopping for vendors, they should really feel more like partners and business collaborators. They need to communicate well and frequently. If you have trouble with communication right from the beginning, move onto the next candidate. Do they respond quickly to inquiries? Are they proactive with ideas and solutions? Can they walk you through the process with transparency? Trust your gut instinct with this. If you feel like it’s a struggle, it’s not likely to get better.

4. Find Out Their Customization Capabilities Early On

   
   

   Research shows that custom promotional products are more effective than cookie cutter generic ones. Your business needs to stand out. To help distinguish your brand, and bring your vision to life, look for these capabilities in a vendor:

   ●       Custom Packaging And Boxes

   ●       Custom Gift Wrapping

   ●       Branding Kit Color Matching

   ●       Custom Sizes And Fits For Apparel

   ●       Personalization Options

   ●       Flexibility With Printing Techniques

   ●       Personalized Note Cards

   ●       Putting Names And Inscriptions On Items

   
   

   The more customization, the better. Know what they can do from you after the first conversations.

5. Always Go With Ethical Business Partners With Sustainable Sourcing

   
   

   Eco is in. people really care and will notice if your products are sustainable. Beware that there are vendors who greenwash, or pretend to be more sustainable than they are. This can be very tricky. Make sure that they are transparent in their communications and publications. Know for sure that they are doing what they say they are.

   
   

   Look for these signs with vendors for confidence in sustainability:

   ●       Ethical labor practices

   ●       Eco-friendly materials

   ●       Recyclable packaging

   ●       Partnerships with B Corps or local artisans

   ●       Certifications

   ●       Carbon footprint road maps

   ●       Second life packaging

   ●       Donations to charities

   ●       Partnerships with Nonprofits

   
   

   Doing good things for the environment will make your brand stand out!

6. They Should Have Strong Logistics And Fulfillment

   
   

   This is one of the most important features of your vendor. They need to have rock solid business processes and a proven track record. If there are issues with fulfillment, your brand will suffer. The last thing you want is angry customers with messed up orders.

   
   

   Ask these questions to your vendor when vetting for a strong fulfillment service:

   ●       Do you offer warehousing and drop-shipping?

   ●       How does your warehouse work?

   ●       Can you fulfill orders to multiple addresses?

   ●       Do you handle international shipping?

   ●       What is your process for shipping?

   ●       What’s your average turnaround time?

   ●       What is your process for returns? Even the best products will have a tainted image if issues occur with shipping and fulfillment.

7. Make Sure They Are Keeping Up With The Times With Ai And Technology Integration

   
   

   We are experiencing a whole new world of technology when it comes to swag fulfillment. Ask them to explain in detail what they are doing and how it’s going. It’s incredible what can be done today, but issues do happen. Know what their process will be if things go wrong.

   
   

   Find out about these technologies before signing the contract:

   ●       Api Integrations For Automation

   ●       AI-Powered Route Optimization

   ●       Voice-Directed Warehousing

   ●       Software Integrations

   ●       Inventory Management Dashboards

   ●       AI Tracking For Orders And Shipping

   ●       Inventory Forecasting AI

   ●       Robotic Process Automation (Rpa)

   ●       Warehouse Robotics

   ●       Real-Time Tracking And IoT Sensors

   ●       Machine Learning For Personalization

   ●       Chatbots & Virtual Assistants

8. Budget And Financial Transparency For Contracts With Vendors

   
   

   You want to avoid financial troubles with new partnerships right from the beginning. Make sure you are crystal clear about financials and contracts. There are a lot of things that could go wrong and you want to be prepared. Find a vendor you can trust when stocking up on the best trade show swag. Trust your instincts and test them before signing any contracts.

You Can Find An Ethical Vendor To Produce The Best Eco Friendly Promotional Products! 

In conclusion, there are a lot of steps to take before finding the best corporate swag vendors. You need to vet them and be creative in testing their abilities. Your efforts will be worth all the trouble because your swag is like the magic sauce in your marketing tactics. Choosing a swag company that will design and produce optimal products can be extremely impactful for your company's growth. You need a vendor who will bring your vision to life without skimping on quality, ethical integrity, or creativity. For assistance with finding the best swag company, reach out to bizdev@socialimprints.com and one of our product specialists will be in touch!