To be honest, most people have drawers overflowing with branded stress balls. You open a junk drawer and—bam! there’s a rainbow of keychains, magnets, and those twisty rubber wristbands that haven’t been popular since your high school days. So, why are companies still handing these out? Does anyone actually care? Here’s what’s actually going on from a veteran of freebie tables.
Promotional products are like little billboards you can hold. https://www.positivemediapromotions.co.uk/blog/418-spotlight-on-promotional-products-lighters-as-creative-marketing You can’t just throw a logo on a cheap pen and hope for the best, though. People actually use things that are useful, fun, or smart. For example, I once got a small toolset in a tin at a meeting. At first, I barely noticed it and tossed it in my car. Six months later, when my sunglasses arm started flapping, that kit proved its worth. Cheap fix, lasting impression. Promotional natural selection at work.
Function matters. A notepad with a fridge magnet? Gold. A weird gadget that plugs into your charging port? Not so much—unless it’s 100° outside. Reusable bottles and mugs? Eternal keepers. Nobody tosses a decent water bottle or coffee mug.
Eco-friendly is the hottest trend. Companies giving away seed cards or collapsible straws get instant bonus respect. I know someone who still raves about a branded tote because it’s indestructible. Forget the cheap plastic junk.
Fun still counts. Squeezable swag is still around, but quirky beats boring. fun desk gadgets or conversation-starting props will always spark more chatter. I once saw a bike shop give away reflective slap bands. Childish? Sure. But also memorable and useful.
Timing helps. Cooling towels in summer = instant hit. Seasonal freebies stick longer. That’s how your logo lingers, like background music in a café.
People also love a story. “Scan this QR code for a bonus prize!” Suddenly, your freebie jumps from a drawer to Instagram.
Presentation? Underrated. A mug wrapped nicely feels like a gift, not an afterthought. At a movie-themed event, one company gave out popcorn bags. End result? People remembered both the event and the logo.
In short, useful, cool, or weird promo items actually get remembered. No one remembers a company behind a junky fridge magnet, but a water bottle you use every day? That’s brand loyalty in action.