Editor’s Note: This blog post was originally published in April 2019 and has since been modified to incorporate updated research and popular promotional products.
Have you ever noticed how pens are one of the most popular promotional products when it comes to drawing in a crowd? Or have you received a sales call because your brand is on a customer’s favorite mug? If so, you’ve witnessed the power of promotional products.
Just how effective are promo items? People are 2.5 times more likely to view promotional products in a positive light than online advertising. Those under age 55 would rather receive advertising on a promo item over newspapers, radio, magazines, television, internet and mobile advertisements. What’s more, 85% of people (PDF) who receive a promo product recall the brand that gave it to them. If you’re looking for the most popular promotional products that are sure to get picked up, used and kept, our team has put together a list of incredible items your customers and employees will love.
Top three reasons people keep promo items
According to a study by Promotional Products Association International, the three biggest reasons people keep promotional products are that the promo items are:
- Functional
- Fun
- Trendy
We’ve compiled a list of popular products in each category.
Functional promo products
There’s a reason writing instruments, drinkware and T-shirts are three of the top five promotional products (PDF): The best promotional items can be used by everyone every day.
Our team selected these popular promotional products because each of these items is sure to be a classic your customers and employees can put to good use.
Pens that’ll click with clients
“Got a pen?” This statement is heard just about every day, so it’s no wonder writing instruments are a top promotional product. The Fabric Pen has a distinctive fabric-covered barrel that makes your pen (and your brand) stand out. The Luma Soft Touch Light-Up Logo Pen has an LED that literally makes your brand shine.
Drinkware that goes everywhere
Drinkware gets you seen and remembered. Offering drinkware and water bottles with a twist makes you all the more memorable. The 2-in-1 Vacuum Bottle is a beautiful stainless steel bottle that converts to a tumbler with a flip-top lid. The Lydia Vacuum Bottle keeps beverages at the desired temperature and has a neo-chrome finish for added style that will make your brand pop.
T-shirts that fit your brand
T-shirts take your logo to the grocery store, the park, lunch with friends and more. Expose your brand to countless eyes with the high-quality Gildan® Softstyle CVC T-shirt that’s so comfortable, people who get it will never stop loving it. The Carhartt® Henleys are comfortable, good-looking shirts to wear anywhere, whether someone’s chilling on the beach or camping in the mountains.
Fun promo items
Sometimes the best way to grab attention at a trade show or community event is to make attendees smile. These fun, effective promotional items will certainly do the trick.
Stuffed animals that tap into nostalgia
Plush animals can take adults back in time to cherished childhood memories. They’re also very popular with young children and even teens. Stuffed animals are perfect for zoos, circuses, museums or a special school or library exhibit. They are also a unique way to promote your brand, especially if your logo features an animal.
These mini animal keychains feature a cuddly critter—like an elephant, tiger, frog, monkey and panda—wearing a colored shirt that showcases your brand. You can match your company colors to the shirt. These fuzzy creations will steal their hearts, keeping your brand top of mind.
A Buddy Tech bear or elephant fits the bill if you want to provide a fun tech tool. It cleans screens, holds eyeglasses and phones, and sports your logo on more than a dozen possible shirt colors.
Playful office supplies
Give your customer or employee’s office a bit of color and spark with fun office supplies. This uniquely-shaped Fun Highlighter offers five fluorescent colors in one: Yellow, green, pink, blue and orange. Or for a good laugh, send people a funky Happy Highlighter with crazy feather hair.
Trendy promotional products
Trending promotional products are an ideal way to get attention. They tap into what is current, showing how up-to-the-minute your company strives to be. A few ways to use trendy giveaways include:
- Share at a trade show to become the must-visit exhibit.
- Offer to clients for a long-lasting impression.
- Hand out to employees to give them a fun reason to talk about their workplace.
- Offer as a prize to anyone who signs up for your e-newsletter or engages with you on social media.
Looking for trending company swag ideas? The Wi-Fi Smart Bulb Socket is a popular choice. It can be used via a smartphone app, allowing customers and employees to adjust the lighting in their homes from the comfort of their couch.
Bluetooth® speakers continue to gain popularity and show no sign of slowing down. In fact, sales are expected to soar by the close of 2022. The Diamond Light-Up Bluetooth® Speaker will add a little flash to your brand. The Bamboo Wireless Light-Up Speaker doubles as a chic, trendy wireless charger for a speaker that offers something extra. It’s the perfect giveaway for your customer or employee who loves style and technology.
Popular promotional products get your brand noticed
When it comes to the most popular promotional products, think fun, functional, trendy, or all three at once! Our team is excited about the trending items we’ve listed here—products that are sure to leave a lasting impression on your employees or clients.