Beyond the Logo: Swag Bags for Events & Conferences
Are you looking for a way to boost your brand awareness at large events of conferences? Here are some tips and tricks we can offer you for when you order swag bags for events. Learn everything there is to know about swag bags including what they are and what you should put in there. Take your promotional marketing to the next level with these products.
Are you in charge of organizing a business conference, a trade show or maybe a fundraiser? One thing you should definitely consider is handing out free custom swag bags to all your attendees.
In many cases, a swag bag can be the best part of the event. For that reason, you want to make sure you make it as great as possible. It does not need to be complicated to make a lasting impression. Sometimes a simple formula is all you need. That means, when creating a swag bag, you should consider a good and sturdy bag branded with your cool logo or design on the front or the back. Then fill that bag with a wide selection of additional promotional giveaways.
What is a Swag Bag?
A “swag bag” or sometimes called a “swag box,” is a bag filled with promotional items at various events. They work for all types of events including trade shows, fundraisers, 5K runs, business conferences and other volunteering events. These bags are free for all attendees as a fun takeaway at the end of the evening. These bags can also be used to welcome attendees at the beginning of the event too.
When it comes to the actual bag, that is up to you. It doesn’t really matter which type of material or bag design you choose. Find what works best for your brand or company. Many people choose the classic tote bag as that is often made from cotton and it is long-lasting. Depending on the event, you might even want to hand out a swag backpack.
Assembling Your Swag Bag
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the products to put inside your swag bag. You will need to keep in mind that the bag should not be too heavy. That means you shouldn’t fill the bag with a bunch of heavy items. In many cases, you also need to keep the budget in mind when it comes to what goes into a swag bag. It might not be possible to hand out brand new smartphones, laptops or tablets in each bag.
That’s why we have come up with a quick checklist of things for you to think about when it comes to adding products to your bag.
Budgeting
Before you even start to choose your items or design your bag, you will need to come up with your budget. There are different ways of looking at and tackling your budget. You can calculate your budget based on the number of people who will be attending the events. There is also the option to look at it from the full perspective and see how much budget you have overall for the whole event.
Choosing the Right Bag
Now that you have your price range in mind for your items, you need to choose your bag. While it is unlikely you choose the wrong bag, there are some factors you should consider. Choose a promotional bag from a variety of sizes, materials and prices to give you the perfect bag for your event or conference.
Branding Your Bag
Once you have chosen your blank swag bag, now is the time to brand it with your custom company logo or artwork. Consider your budget when choosing the printing method and the number of colors for your design. If you want to stand out from the crowd, consider bulk ordering some colorful bags or choose a neutral color bag and print your logo in a bright color to really make it pop.
Don’t Stuff It
As much as you would like to give your guests everything they could possibly want, you will not be able to do that. When packing the bag, you will want to keep it about 1 pound each or even less. The heavier the bag, the more difficult it will be to carry the swag bag around all day. You don’t want to give your recipients a heavy bag.
Once you follow those steps, you are ready to go! When your products arrive and you are trying to assemble your bags, consider recruiting some of your coworkers to help you pack the bags. Not only will the time go quicker, but you might just have a blast while doing it.
Products to Put in a Swag Bag
Since your target audience is going to be walking around at this event or conference, you will want to make sure your small gifts and freebies will be lightweight. You also want to make sure your products will be trendy and relevant to the attendees as well.
When choosing products to go into your swag bag, don’t feel like you need to fill the bag to the brim. Consider choosing a handful of items instead of overcrowding and stuffing. Here are some of the most popular promotional giveaways you can add to your swag bag.
Not all products need to be in the bag though. You can hand out ID badges or even lanyards when everyone registers at the welcome table.
In general, these freebies are perfect for swag bags for events or conferences. They would also work for any other events like conventions, fundraisers or other large events. Many of these items are budget-friendly, under $1 even, so you don’t need to worry when buying in bulk.
Reasons to Hand Out Swag Bags
One obvious reason is, everyone loves to get free gifts! This is a great way to create more brand awareness around your company, product or service. With a small token of appreciation, your recipients will be happy to have something to remember the event by in the future. In this day and age, swag bags are a must for any in-person event you might attend.
On the company’s side, it makes sense to brand these products with your logo or artwork to make such a splash. Combine the joy of getting free things with the positive impression people will get once they get one of these custom swag bags from you.
Final Thoughts on Swag Bags
We have given you some tools and suggestions that you can use to make a lasting impression with your swag bags at events and conferences. The nice thing about swag bags is that they can be mixed and matched, depending on your event.
Depending on the size of your event, you can order different products. If you have a large number of attendees, it might make sense to steer more towards a cheaper price per unit option. Whereas if you have a few people attend, you can consider these low minimum order products for a higher end feel to the event.
In the end, whatever you choose, your guests and attendees will be happy to receive such a thoughtful gift. Plus, when it is free, no one can complain! People will leave your conference booth feeling happy and joyful about receiving a custom swag bag. You might even give people fond memories to look back on from this day.
