Even before social media took the world by storm, contests and giveaways were a popular strategy for businesses looking to engage their audience, increase brand visibility, and drive customer loyalty.
However, not all contests and giveaways are created equal.
Rather than giveaways that do nothing to increase awareness of your brand in The Wild, we always recommend incorporating branded swag to increase your contest campaign’s effectiveness. In our experience, promotional merchandise can be a game-changer for contests and giveaways—if executed correctly.
In this blog, we’ll explore how easy it is to leverage swag to elevate your contests and giveaways, create memorable and impactful experiences for your audience, and get your brand in front of the right eyes.
Enhancing Brand Recognition
People love free stuff, especially when it’s something they find useful or desirable. When you combine that love with the excitement of winning, your brand leaves a lasting impression and increases the likelihood of future engagement.
Branded swag—items such as t-shirts, hats, tote bags, and tech accessories featuring your company logo and colors—serves as a powerful tool for brand recognition. When participants receive swag with your branding, they become walking advertisements for your company. Each time they wear or use these items, they reinforce your brand in their own networks, increasing your reach organically.
Encouraging Social Sharing and Participation
Branded swag can be a catalyst for social media buzz. Encourage contest winners to share photos of themselves with their swag on social media, tagging your brand and using a specific hashtag. This user-generated content not only boosts your online presence but also serves as authentic testimonials that can attract more participants to future contests. The more attractive and unique the swag, the more likely people are to share their excitement online.
Offering appealing swag as prizes can also significantly boost participation rates. People are more inclined to enter contests when they see a tangible reward. Additionally, exclusive or limited-edition swag can create a sense of urgency and scarcity, prompting more people to participate quickly.
Fostering Community
Contests and giveaways that feature branded swag can help nurture a sense of community with your audience, especially when it aligns with the values of the community you’ve built.
If your brand promotes sustainability, consider eco-friendly items made from recycled materials. If you’re a tech company, opt for high-tech gadgets or accessories. Consistency between your brand and the swag you offer reinforces your brand identity and resonates more deeply with your audience.
Tracking ROI and Gathering Feedback
On a different note, using swag in giveaways offers a tangible way to measure the success of your contests and giveaways. By tracking the distribution and usage of your branded items, you can gather valuable data on participant engagement and brand visibility.
Additionally, tracking distribution gives you the opportunity to solicit feedback from participants about the swag they received. This feedback can provide insights into what your audience values and how you can improve future campaigns.
Creative Ways to Use Swag
You didn’t think we’d give you all the reasons why you should use swag for your giveaways but not share some creative ideas, did you?!
In our view, the more creative and attractive the swag, the more likely it is to be used. What good is a swag giveaway if your participants never use your items? Here are our recommendations:
- Exclusive or Limited-Edition Items: Promote exclusivity or urgency with items that make participants feel special and increase the perceived value of your giveaway.
Example: A limited-edition hoodie designed in collaboration with a popular local artist, or in conjunction with a popular local event.
- Themed Swag Bundles: Bundle multiple items into a themed swag package that aligns with your brand or the theme of your contest.
Example: For a summer-themed contest, create a bundle that includes a branded beach towel, sunglasses, a water bottle, and a tote bag.
- Base it on User Preferences: Show you understand and value your participants by personalizing your swag to match their interests and preferences.
Example: Allow contest winners to choose between different types of swag, such as selecting their favorite color for branded apparel, or choosing between a branded backpack and a tech accessory.
- Smaller Items for Participation: Swag doesn’t only have to be for winners; you can also use swag as an incentive to encourage participation in your contest.
Example: Give away less-expensive items like branded stickers, keychains, or wristbands for every entry submitted and save the larger items for actual contest winners.
- Reward User-Generated Content: Encourage participants to create and share user-generated content by offering swag as a reward.
Example: Run a photo contest where participants must submit pictures of themselves using your product or engaging with your brand. Offer branded apparel or accessories as prizes for the best photos.
- Tiered Prizes: Implement a tiered prize system where participants win different levels of swag based on their performance in your contest.
Example: For a referral contest, offer small swag items like branded pens or notebooks for the first level, mid-tier items like t-shirts or hats for the second level, and high-value items like jackets or tech gadgets for the most active participants.
- Collaborative Swag: Partner with other brands to create co-branded swag that appeals to a broader audience.
Example: If your brand aligned with a popular local gym, offer a co-branded bundle of a gym bag stuffed with goodies. Real Estate agents could consider collaborating with a home improvement company to create a branded home care bundle. The possibilities are endless!
Conclusion
Leveraging branded swag in your contests and giveaways is a powerful strategy to enhance engagement, increase brand visibility, and foster customer loyalty. By offering high-quality, desirable items that align with your brand, you create memorable experiences that resonate with your audience. Remember to encourage social sharing, track your ROI, and gather feedback to continually improve your campaigns. With the right approach, branded swag can transform your contests and giveaways into impactful marketing tools that drive lasting results.
Need creative ideas for your next contest or giveaways? We’re full of them! Contact us for a showroom tour or to start a new project today!