Bag it Up: How to Fill Your Swag Bags with Promotional Products

If you have a corporate event, trade show, or employee appreciation initiative coming up and want to leave a lasting impression on your audience, swag bags are the perfect choice! Not only are they like an adult version of loot bags filled with fun, practical products that can be used after the event has concluded, but they can also boost brand recognition and engagement. But it’s not simply about stuffing products in a bag, as finding the right mix of promotional material requires a strategic approach that balances practicality, creativity, and brand alignment.

Choosing Your Bag

You will need to begin by choosing a lightweight bag that is comfortable to carry, yet durable and large enough for everything inside. We have a variety of drawstring bags, backpacks, and totes for you to choose from. Depending on your budget and the event you will be attending, you can opt for a bag made of polyester, cotton, or PVC plastic. Look for bags that have extra features like zippered pockets, an interesting pattern, or insulation for holding food and drinks. Whichever bag you choose, make sure that your logo is prominently displayed, as recipients will be lugging the bag around, allowing more people to become accustomed to your brand.

Include a Mix of High-Value & Budget-Friendly Items

The second step is to choose products that recipients will actually use in their daily lives. Practicality increases the likelihood that your brand will stay top-of-mind. More isn’t always better—too many low-value items can feel like clutter. Instead, focus on providing a mix of a few high-quality products along with some mass giveaway items. For example, if you are giving out a branded water bottle and t-shirt as your high-value items, you can combine these with low-cost pens and magnets to balance your promotion. The idea is to provide a few different products that can be used in separate instances to increase engagement with your brand.

The Value of Swag Bags

As a business owner or event planner, you should give out swag bags because everyone loves free gifts. You can make your events more exciting by generating buzz with highly sought after items like sunglasses, keychains, or magnets. You can include all of these promotional items without them being a burden to carry, especially at events like trade shows, concerts, and festivals. You can complete your promotion by adding an interactive element, like a scratch-off discount card, a QR code linking to exclusive content, or a social media page.

After you fill your bags with promotional gifts, there should still be ample space for people to put in more and still not feel as though their arms are going to fall off. The last thing you want is for someone to associate your event with pain and discomfort. Keep your bags light, stuffed with small items like cellphone accessories, lip balm, and hand sanitizers, as these items are portable and offer a mobile branding opportunity. By curating a well-balanced swag bag, you ensure that your promotional products not only delight recipients but also enhance brand recognition and loyalty.