I’m writing this on the first day of spring, of course here in Florida that doesn’t seem all that different than the first day of winter. Sorry, not sorry. I am so lucky to live where I do but I realize many of you are still reeling from a very snowy and wet winter. Soon that will be over and the warm weather will be back to delight us all.
Now is the perfect time to start thinking about some spring- and summer-inspired giveaways. Just as you’re in the mood for warmer weather, you can bet your customers and potential customers are too. So here are a few that you might not have thought of:
Awesome Spring Swag Your Customers Will Love
When you think of spring, you think of the beginning of warmer weather that just begs people to come outside and enjoy nature. That’s why camping swag ideas are a fantastic idea. Remember, good swag should be utilitarian or cool. Bonus points if it’s both. And just because we call it camping swag doesn’t mean you have to be the outdoorsy type. These items work just as well as at your next picnic or potluck.
Camping Swag Ideas
- flashlights
- branded BBQ sets
- coolers
- branded camping chairs
- branded blankets
- first-aid kit
- filtration bottle
- metal water bottle that keeps beverages warm or cold for hours
- multi-function tool kit
- emergency rain poncho
- backpacks
- sun visor
- baseball hat
- work gloves
- can holders/coolers
- fishing/bucket hat
- sunglasses
- personal fan or mister
- sunscreen
- lipgloss or sunscreen for the lips
- campfire safe coffee mug
- outdoor necessities kit
Camping isn’t the only outdoor activity. How about a day at the beach? You can use that as an inspiration for your swag items as well.
Beachin’ Swag Items
And yes, some of the items on the list above work in this category too.
- towels
- beach ball (we have these in all sorts of designs, sizes, colors, etc.)
- badminton
- bean bag toss game
- flying disk
- outdoor speakers
- fishing lures
- poolside fun kit (includes rubber sunglasses and a waterproof phone case)
- wearable valuables protector
- beach mat
- floaties
- yoga mat (yes, the beach is the ideal place to get your yoga on)
- lip balm
- beach bag
- beach lounger
- beach raft
- inflatable beach chair
- powerbank
- sand drink holder (we don’t want our drinks to spill, now do we? Your customers won’t either.)
- sun protection apparel
- hand fans
- tote bags
Score Big with Golf Promotional Items
Golf is also one of those great ways to get outside and enjoy the weather. Even if they’re not golf fans or people who play the game, they likely know someone who is. Some of these items can also be used in other ways that would be enjoyed even without the game.
- golf tees
- umbrellas
- golf towels
- golf club covers
- flask
- golf ball caddy
- tee caddy
- divot tool
- golf necessities kit (includes a lot of our most popular golf items)
- golf shirt
- golf ball cleaner
- branded golf gloves
- awards (yes, you can give your customers awards at a trade show just for stopping by. If you make them funny, they’ll likely display them on their desks)
- jackets
- duffle bags
- golf bag tags
- golf pencils
- notebooks (whether they’re keeping golf scores or other notes, they can come in handy)
Now that you have some good ideas of how to use spring fever to select amazing giveaways, let’s talk about how you could use it in your marketing.
6 Tips to Boost Your Business Using Spring Marketing
If you’re ready to take advantage of everyone’s growing good mood and desire to get out more, consider the following ideas.
Free Item
It may be too late for this for 2019 but add it to your marketing strategy for next year or use it for the first day of summer. Take a hint from Dairy Queen as they’re giving out free cones on the first day of spring. Everyone’s looking to the balmy breezes and ice cream gets them in the mood no matter what the temp.
You can also offer a free something from your business when the thermometer hits 80 for the first time (or some other designated number). Just make sure you designate the thermometer that you will follow. You could add one to the front of your building and tell everyone on social media when it reaches the prize temp.
Use Holidays
Use spring holidays to draw more interest. Start with the traditional ones that everyone knows about like:
- Easter
- Mother’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Arbor Day
- Flag Day
- Earth Day
- Tax Day
- April Fool’s Day
- Cinco de Mayo
And then add a few fun days in that people aren’t always aware of but can tie nicely into your individual business such as:
March 21: French Bread Day
March 22: National Puppy Day
March is also National Noodle Month and National Umbrella Month
April 5: National Deep Dish Pizza Day
April 20: National Lookalike Day
April is also National Month of the Military Child and National Garden Month
May 4: May the Fourth Be With You aka National Star Wars Day
May 11: National Miniature Golf Day
May is also National Motorcycle Awareness Month and National Photography Month
And there are tons more. You can find a day, month, or week that aligns perfectly with your business or can be used in cute ways on social media. Find a complete list here.
Talk About The Weather
Okay, we use the subject of weather as small talk but it can also be extremely effective when it comes to marketing, both visually and in words. After months of being cooped up inside people love to see pictures of spring beauty, melting snow, blooming flowers, buds, kids and pets in their Easter best. These things provide endless content for social media and for your blog and website.
Host a photo contest on social media around spring beauty. Ideas include:
- an Easter bonnet photo contest
- pet parade
- Easter egg hunt (for adults or children. You could hide plastic eggs around your business with special discounts in them to bring people in your doors.)
- most beautiful spring blooms
- last of the snow
- best spring recipe
- most delicious spring drink
- plants popping up out of the ground
- wild animals
- gardens
If all of these sound good than create a photo contest where people submit photos of what spring means to them or what they consider the first sign of spring each year.
Talk About Your Dedication to the Environment
April 23 is Earth Day and it’s the perfect time to talk about your business’ commitment to our planet. However, please don’t do this as only a marketing ploy. People will see right through that. If you’re going to talk about your green efforts and you’re just beginning, be transparent about that. Don’t pretend to use 100% recycled materials if you don’t. Speak only to what you’re currently doing or talk over your plans for the future.
If you haven’t started doing anything, you could ask people for suggestions on how you could become a greener business or you could crowdsource some of the things you are considering. Just make sure if you ask for opinions that you’re willing to put some of them into actions. You could actually talk about those in a post after you’ve implemented them.
Take the Show on the Road
As we said earlier, spring is a time to get out there and if you’re out there exploring your world, you should take your business with you. Use any opportunity you can to collect content for your business. From images to video, stories for blog posts to new discoveries and connections you’re made, incorporating some real world outside of your office or business will give your social media content a breath of fresh air. (Bad puns are free. You’re welcome.)
Talk About Your Influences
Spring is a time of rebirth. How is your business evolving? How are you growing? Who is helping you become more of what you want to be?
These are deeply personal questions that will help your audience get to know you well. Here are a few ways to use them in your marketing:
Write posts about:
- an amazing employee. Talk about the changes or skill set they’re brought to your business.
- how your mother or another woman influenced you (this is a good one for Mother’s Day).
- your vision for the future of your business and what seeds you’re planting today to reap the benefit from tomorrow.
- changes you’ve undergone personally or professionally over the winter or the year.
- professional development goals you’re working on.
- personal goals you want to achieve (one business owner created a social media group because he was going on a wellness journey and invited his customers and contacts to help him and join with him if they’d like.
Spring Cleaning for Marketing
Okay, it had to be said. In addition to all of the amazing amplification opportunities out there with spring, it’s also an ideal time to reevaluate what you’re doing in your marketing and promotional product strategy.
If you’re not sure what change you’d like to make, you’re just ready for something new, contact the professionals at Think Quik. With nearly 100 years of collective in-house experience, we can help you find the right swag item for you and your business. Contact us today and we’ll take care of it from beginning to end so you can concentrate on other things like summer marketing strategies.
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