Don’t forget the swag…in any business. When it comes to marketing, there is always an extensive list of priorities. Your marketing budget has to stretch to cover a lot of ground, and one area that often gets overlooked is swag/promotional materials. Whether it’s merchandise for an upcoming event or product launch, new starter packs for that all-important employee onboarding or competitions and incentives, factoring in your swag in advance is key to making sure you get the most bang for your buck!
Here are our ten top-notch ways to maximise your budget!
#1. Divide and Conquer
As they say, failing to plan is planning to fail, so set your budget in advance and divide it up. Maybe that’s a monthly or quarterly plan; this way, you won’t spend it all at once!
#2. Get Onboard
Consider how many new starters you’re likely to need over the course of a year, or quarter, as this will help you estimate how many new starter packs you’ll need. Often, new starter packs contain many items you’d also include in client gifts (such as mugs, pens, bags, and lanyards), so ensure you incorporate your new starters into your order!
#3. Bulk Order
Speaking of orders, one of the best ways to make your money stretch further is to bulk order. Take advantage of deals or bulk order prices to determine how many more units you would need to get a discount. Don’t be afraid to ask the questions! In fact, a good swag company will be ready and raring to let you know.
#4. Keep it Simple
The more complex your designs, the more costly your swag can be. Try to keep some items timeless and avoid adding additional information such as dates or locations; you can use them again and again.
#5. Rainy Day
Have a buffer for those unexpected events or occasions that you just can’t account for. By planning in advance, you can squirrel away some of your budget for awards or key milestones, or perhaps for a new hire that might not have been part of your game plan a few months ago.
#6. Stock Up
Keep a small stock of t-shirts, pens, mugs, and bags that are also timeless – so you always have something to hand for new clients or last-minute meetings and even events.
#7. Don’t Overdo It
Whilst stocking up is a good way to always have what you need to hand, make sure you don’t overdo it. Remember, you might have to store all these items and storage costs can soon mount up!
#8. Stay Sustainable
It may cost a little more initially, but by opting for sustainable products, you’ll find they go a lot further (in all aspects). If you’re looking at ways your business can be greener and more sustainable, then look at eco-friendly options that may also match up nicely with your wider marketing plans. Remember, opting for cheap isn’t always cheerful!
#9. Partner Up
Why not work with other brands or businesses when it comes to swag and partner up? That way, you can bulk order more and save costs on both sides!
#10. Left on the Shelf
Got leftover swag from a previous event? Plenty of items still in stock? Why not look at how you can reuse and repurpose them over the year. This could also help you free up storage space for more up-to-date swag! It’s also MUCH better for the environment.
By keeping your swag within your marketing budgets and priorities early on, you’ll find you’ve got more time to get the best costs, you won’t overspend or panic buy, and you’ll probably even get better deals. Why not chat with us today to discuss your budget and Swagpack™ needs?
