Company swag refers to branded merchandise or promotional items that businesses give to their employees, clients, or partners to promote their brand and build connections. This can range from practical office items to fun or stylish merchandise, such as branded apparel, tote bags, and accessories. The term “swag” was first popularized by American advertising executive David Ogilvy in 1946, and it has since become a staple in corporate culture. By offering company swag, businesses can showcase their brand and values in a tangible way, creating lasting impressions and fostering a sense of belonging among recipients.
Branded swag offers several benefits for businesses, making it a powerful tool for enhancing brand presence and engagement. Firstly, it increases brand awareness and recognition, as recipients use and display the items in their daily lives. This visibility can lead to improved employee morale and engagement, as employees feel valued and connected to the company. Additionally, branded swag can enhance customer loyalty and retention by providing memorable and useful gifts. It also offers opportunities for social media promotion and user-generated content, as recipients often share their swag on social platforms. Lastly, branded swag provides a unique way to differentiate your brand from competitors, making a lasting impression in a crowded market.
Swag is more than just branded merchandise—it’s a key tool for reinforcing company culture, boosting employee engagement, and making a lasting impression. The best company swag ideas create impactful promotional strategies for both employees and clients, ensuring the items are personalized and unique to reflect brand values. Unique swag ideas, such as a travel charger and soundbars, offer innovative and appealing promotional products that enhance brand visibility and user experience.
Here are 32 creative swag ideas that will elevate your employer branding and employee engagement.
Bring consistency and brand recognition to your work swag with these creative design ideas.
Purpose: Celebrate major life milestones with branded baby apparel for employees who are new parents.
Why It Matters: Thoughtful gifts for new parents create a lasting emotional connection with your company and enhance loyalty.
Purpose: Offer exclusive swag for employees going on parental leave.
Why It Matters: Recognizes and supports employees as they embark on new family journeys.
Purpose: Provide branded pink merchandise to support breast cancer awareness.
Why It Matters: Promotes company participation in important health initiatives.
Purpose: Provide a welcome kit for new hires to help them feel part of the team from day one.
Why It Matters: A well-branded first impression reinforces company culture and creates immediate engagement. Personalized branded items, such as dry-erase boards, baseball caps, and eco-friendly planters featuring the company logo, can significantly enhance this experience.
Purpose: Welcome contractors with a curated kit of branded items.
Why It Matters: Helps contractors feel included and prepared for their role.
Purpose: Recognize company milestones with custom-branded swag.
Why It Matters: Celebrating anniversaries fosters a sense of pride and appreciation for long-term employees.
Purpose: Enhance workplace aesthetics with high-quality, branded office supplies.
Why It Matters: Custom office swag, like notebooks and desk organizers, promotes a professional and unified company culture. Company swag items, such as practical and appealing gifts for employees, can include unique options like branded socks that add personality and celebrate occasions, fostering appreciation from the employer.
Purpose: Provide swag for workplace mentors or “buddies” to celebrate their role.
Why It Matters: Encourages collaboration and strengthens the mentorship culture in the workplace.
Purpose: Create a sense of belonging for interns with branded swag items.
Why It Matters: Helps attract top talent and makes interns feel valued during their time at the company. Selecting impactful business swag ideas, such as sound accessories, backpacks, and premium products, can enhance their experience and reflect the company's values.
Purpose: Reward employees who successfully refer new talent with fun branded gifts.
Why It Matters: Increases engagement in referral programs and encourages employees to advocate for the company.
Purpose: Offer branded swag as an incentive for employees to complete internal surveys.
Why It Matters: Increases survey participation, providing valuable insights for company improvements.
Purpose: Commemorate employee milestones with branded apparel, mugs, or other keepsakes.
Why It Matters: Encourages long-term commitment and appreciation for tenure.
Purpose: Celebrate employee promotions with branded merchandise like t-shirts or tech accessories.
Why It Matters: Recognizing career growth boosts morale and reinforces a strong company culture.
Purpose: Reward employees who go above and beyond with exclusive swag.
Why It Matters: Encourages high performance and recognition of hard work.
Purpose: Reward employees for outstanding customer service.
Why It Matters: Reinforces the importance of customer engagement and satisfaction.
Strengthen internal communication and engagement by using these swag-related messaging templates.
Purpose: Recognize hard work and dedication with curated swag items.
Why It Matters: Fosters employee engagement and increases morale. Employee swag not only fosters team spirit but also serves as a tangible way for companies to express appreciation for their employees' hard work.
Purpose: Provide custom t-shirts for employees participating in volunteer events.
Why It Matters: Encourages company-wide participation in corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Purpose: Equip employees with customized swag for company off-sites or retreats.
Why It Matters: Strengthens team bonding and enhances the overall event experience.
Purpose: Provide branded gifts to candidates to leave a positive impression.
Why It Matters: Elevates the candidate experience and strengthens employer branding.
Purpose: Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with vibrant, inclusive swag.
Why It Matters: Showcases company values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Purpose: Design special swag for employees who contribute to holiday giving initiatives.
Why It Matters: Reinforces the company's commitment to corporate social responsibility.
Purpose: Promote health and well-being with fitness-themed swag.
Why It Matters: Supports employee wellness initiatives and reinforces a healthy workplace culture.
Purpose: Attract top talent with eye-catching branded swag at recruiting events.
Why It Matters: Showcasing the best swag ideas, such as creative promotional items like customized playing cards, makes your company stand out and leaves a lasting impression on potential candidates.
Purpose: Celebrate employee birthdays with customized gifts.
Why It Matters: Makes employees feel valued and appreciated on their special day.
Purpose: Commemorate major project completions with custom swag.
Why It Matters: Encourages pride in team accomplishments and reinforces collaboration.
Purpose: Celebrate employees' weddings with special swag gifts.
Why It Matters: Strengthens personal connections and fosters a caring work environment.
As consumers become more environmentally conscious, businesses are increasingly seeking sustainable swag options that align with their values. Some eco-friendly ideas include reusable water bottles and coffee cups, which reduce single-use plastic waste. Eco-friendly tote bags and backpacks made from recycled materials are also popular choices. Branded apparel made from sustainable fabrics, such as organic cotton or recycled polyester, showcases a commitment to sustainability. Additionally, consider offering recycled or biodegradable promotional items, which minimize environmental impact. For a digital twist, e-books or online courses can serve as innovative and sustainable swag options, reducing physical waste while providing valuable content.
To measure the success of your swag efforts, consider tracking several key metrics. Employee engagement and satisfaction can be gauged through surveys and feedback, indicating how well the swag resonates with your team. Customer loyalty and retention rates can reflect the impact of swag on client relationships. Social media engagement and user-generated content provide insights into how often recipients share and promote your swag online. Brand awareness and recognition can be measured through increased visibility and mentions. Finally, evaluating return on investment (ROI) and cost per impression (CPI) helps determine the financial effectiveness of your swag strategy. By monitoring these metrics, you can make data-driven decisions to optimize your swag initiatives and maximize their impact.
These 32 swag ideas offer more than just promotional products—they create meaningful connections between employees and your company. By incorporating these ideas into your branding and employee engagement strategies, you can:
Looking to refresh your employer branding? Start with these creative swag ideas today!
