Are swag and custom branded product good prize options?

Yes! Branded product and “swag” items can be great prize options, depending on your goals and the overall structure of your prize pool. Product and prizes featuring your brand’s logo or image are especially effective when your primary objectives are boosting brand awareness and recognition.

Selecting branded items that resonate with your target audience is key – when done right, each winner becomes a brand advocate and a walking billboard for your brand.

Because branded products/swag items are often lower in cost, they allow you to procure and fulfill a higher volume of prizes within this prize category, creating more winners across your consumer base.

Branded swag/custom prizing is often included as prizing in:

• Instant win games: Perfect as a lower-to-mid tier prize in an instant win game
• Sweepstakes with daily/weekly winner drawings: Include smaller daily or weekly drawings of swag prizes to maximize the chance to win for engaged consumers
• In-person/trade show giveaways: Stay top of mind after your initial engagement with consumers, having them walk away with a piece of your brand in-hand

To read more about the benefits of custom branded swag items in your promotion, click here.

What are popular custom branded/swag items to include?

While your final prize pool should be planned with your target audience and demographic mix in mind, certain types of custom branded swag prizes consistently top the list for “most awarded” promotional prizes:

1. T-shirts and Sweatshirts – Classic promotional prizes, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and clothing items can be customized to include your brand name/image quickly and easily. Go a step further and source inventory across sizes and add a personal touch by allowing winners to select from available sizes.
2. Reusable Water Bottles – One of the more excitedly received prizes, reusable water bottles are a great way to award a high-use product to winners.Affix your logo to the exterior for all to see!
3. Reusable Bags and Totes – Over the last several years, reusable bags have risen in popularity as prizes. Whether you choosestandard canvas tote bags or semi-structured reusable grocery bags, this type of prize is highly practical and frequently used by winners..
4. Koozies – A permanent fixture on the popular swag prizing list, Koozies are a great way to distribute a high quantity of branded prizes to winners. With their low cost and wide variety of color options, they make a great choice for a branded prize.
5. Bluetooth Speakers & Phone Accessories – With several options at a variety of price points and design options, Bluetooth speakers, phone cases, and “pop sockets” are increasing in popularity as a type of branded swag prize.

The capability for custom prizing does not stop there.

• Does your target demographic like to spend summers in the sun or at the beach? Give away sunglasses, flip flops, and embroidered beach towels.
• Does your core audience have an interest in gaming? Give away custom branded gaming PCs, mice, desk pads, headsets, and controllers.

Schedule a call with Realtime Media’s strategy and solutions team today to learn more about our prize sourcing and procurement services and talk to our team of experts. Or, take a look at our full set of prize procurement and fulfillment services.