Imagine this: You’re at a trade expo, moving among the crowds with three pens, a stress ball, and a chip clip that you don’t know what to do with. Suddenly, a booth worker waves you over, grinning from ear to ear, and dangles a branded USB drive like it’s the last cookie in the jar. You don’t really need another one, but it’s free, so why not? Promotional giveaways, you take it.
For a long time, free gifts have been a great method to get people to come. Some people think it’s the rule of reciprocity: give someone a gadget, and they might remember your brand next week. But what is the unseen glue that draws people to tables for a cheap water bottle? Is it the smell of free stuff, the excitement of getting something unexpected, or just the small delight of getting something you might lose by Monday?
Let’s be honest. Some gifts are great, but others disappear faster than socks in a dryer. To be successful, you need to hit the right note with the appropriate people. For example, a fidget spinner with a logo on it might get a group of college students excited, but if you give one to a group of accountants, you’ll hear crickets.
Tote bags, coffee cups, and pens have all made a name for themselves. People who say they are minimalists always like these classic gifts. For years, they’ve been moving from desk to desk, like migrating birds. But these days, standing out? That requires guts, and occasionally a little bit of weirdness. Do you remember the cactus pen that danced and played music? It caused a lot of arguments, yet no one threw it away.
Time is important. People may become walking billboards all day if you give them a branded present at an event. They could carry your branding from booth to booth. If you give it at the incorrect time or location, it will end up in a drawer that you never open. A fancy power battery can’t fix a bad delivery.
The budget is another mystery. Spending a lot of money on Bluetooth speakers may sound like fun, but if people don’t like the deal, that money might end up in the gadget graveyard. A simple sticker with a funny saying can often get more attention than more expensive goods.
Talk to the audience! What do people really want? Don’t just guess. Polls on social media, brief surveys at the register, or even just talking to people can all lead to new ideas. One business found out that their clients were crazy for socks. What do you think was a hit at their next expo?
What about the packaging? Not enough thought. Have you ever opened a box and felt like you were unwrapping a present? A little style goes a long way. Putting vibrant colors on even a simple item or writing a note by hand might make someone feel something.
What makes us adore this material so much? For some, it’s a feeling of nostalgia. For some, it’s useful—a free pen comes in handy just often enough. But maybe everyone craves a little surprise joy in their day, deep down.
Don’t think too much about it. Don’t use the old desk calendars. Pay attention, give meaning, and keep things new. That’s how you keep your screen-cleaning rags and rubber keychains from getting lost. You’re doing it correctly if your next Barnum & Bailey show makes someone smile sensitivity or tells a tale.