I just attended a conference (outside the promotional products industry) where I had the chance to speak to business leaders from information technology, sales and marketing. In several roundtables, and of course over cocktails, people would ask what my company does.
With some I said, “We sell promotional products, items with logos, such as the lanyard around your neck.”
And with others I said, “We sell swag.”
When I said, “We sell promotional products,” people would smile and nod politely.
But when I said, “We sell swag,” people really smiled. More than smiling, they began to tell me about their favorite swag they use or ever received. They asked me about my favorite swag. They engaged with me.
I’m a proud member of the promotional products industry and the Promotional Products Association International, but I love the power of swag.
Dale, A great idea for a blog post. I’ve been waiting for years for the word “swag” to become ubiquitous. Like you I’ve spent 20 years of my career saying I’m a promo products distributors to which I get the “uh huh”. But when I answer “logo swag like you get at conferences”…well the light bulb comes on. Now all we need is a hashtag and really start owning this term for our industry. LOL. #weloveswag
Swag is so much easier to explain to my generation than promotional products. I can’t wait for others in the industry to embrace the term rather then shudder when they hear it!
OK, OK…I love it !
I belong to a business networking group (BNI) and have been using the same “hook” statement at the end of my 60 second weekly presentation for years…” I can put your logo on anything ”
Well now I’m going to coin a new “hook”…” I’m your Swag Man ”
It’s me, Avery the Swag Man….thank you all for giving me this fresh up-to-date, to the point idea to use to describe the Promotional Product industry.
Thanks to my friends in the industry who have kicked this idea around….and to Sammy Davis Jr !
copyright 2016,
Avery Marder,
The Swag Man
” I’m your Swag Man ”
Trade Mark Graphics, Inc.