Everyone loves swag. We love giving it. We love getting it. And really, who doesn't love just saying the word "swag?" Swag, swag, swag. That was so fun!
But you know what's a real drag? Not all swag is created equal.
In fact, if you think a black T-shirt with your logo on it is doing a great job, well, you should shake up your game. And I say this from personal experience, because I'm also a freelance reviewer, previewer and etc., in the video-games world, and all those companies love to just send out those XL black shirts with a game's logo on it. It makes me feel good to donate those, but that's not exactly effective marketing.
Well, Inc.com has a list of 11 tips on great and least obvious swag to give away, curated by 11 entrepreneurs quizzed by the Young Entrepreneur Council. One of their tips is to use T-shirts, which, well, is both kinda obvious and overdone, hence the previous paragraph. But that's your call.
Bookmarks, cereal, eBooks and iPhone/iPad cases all made this list here, with the caveat that, as Ben Lang of EpicLaunch says, you shouldn't "overpromote your brand on the case, otherwise, people won't use it."
Maybe you'll be able to use some of these other tips. And if you want to do T-shirts, go ahead, just don't expect me to remember who you are just because you sent me one.
Read the full list here.
David Wolinsky is a freelance writer and a lifelong Chicagoan. In addition to currently serving as an interviewer-writer for Adult Swim, he's also a columnist for EGM. He was the Chicago city editor for The Onion A.V. Club where he provided in-depth daily coverage of this city's bustling arts/entertainment scene for half a decade. When not playing video games for work he's thinking of dashing out to Chicago Diner, Pizano's, or Yummy Yummy. His first career aspirations were to be a game-show host.
