SWAG

Swag is not just an asset used to help collect names at trade shows or to thank customers for their business. Swag Takes the company identity outside of the office walls. 

For a start up, getting our brand outside of the office is essential to our success; it helps us gain brand recognition and familiarity. I enjoy seeing people on the sidewalk in t-shirts I've designed, customers tweeting images of them using their new backpacks, and family members of employees lounging on the beach on their NuoDB towels.

It is important for swag to be something people actually use and wear, so I design them to be less intrusively branded, but still identifiable. I strive to create swag that comes off as fun graphic tee's your kids want to steal, not just corporate freebies. 

Sock Monkeys

When parents go away for business, their children are usually expecting a gift when they return. We have found that Sock Monkeys as our trade show give aways can be the perfect solution. 

Our Sock Monkeys create a buzz around the trade show floor, not only because the various generations of attendees grew up with, but also because they are small enough to sneak back in the suitcase for children back home. I create a new sock monkey graphic for every show, so they feel like a "collectors item."

Socks

Shipping is expensive. We've found that t-shirts are not only expensive to ship, but also difficult to sort through sizes while distributing at high traffic shows.

As a result, we decided to cut down our t-shirt numbers are start distributing socks at larger shows. As business travelers tend to use carry on luggage, we'd like to save them as much space as possible. T-shirts take up a lot of space in suitcases, socks do not. Socks will not go out of style, are less obtrusive branding, and are gender neutral. 

T-Shirts

T-shirts may not be the most economical swag item, but are essential nonetheless. At NuoDB, quality is of top priority when it comes to our giveaways. We want to order items that will be used by the customer, prospect, employee. Scratchy, cheap materials will not encourage this.

We wanted to ensure they would be soft, not see-through, and fit properly. We sampled many t-shirts before selecting our brand standard tees - Bella and Canvas for men and Next Level V-Neck for women.

As a female in the tech industry, I realize how important it is for women to be represented at trade shows. Few booths distribute women's cut swag; we strive to change that by having the option. 

Corporate Gifts

Outside of giveaways, I am also responsible for our corporate gifts. Just like the rest of marketing, it is important to know the audience for the gifts we give. I don't want to order things that will sit on the top shelf of the closet.

In the winter, I tend to order duffle bags or backpacks that can be used during holiday travel. In the summer, I like to get the families involved with the gifts, as we go on a beach outing with our employees and their families to celebrate the season.

I want to create gifts that will be used and show our appreciation for not only our employees, but also show appreciation for their family members.