Promotional products are all about creating a memorable connection with your audience. We spend a lot of time chasing the newest, coolest items to make sure our clients stand out. But here’s the truth: even the best trending promo can flop if the circumstances aren’t right.
Take this summer’s golf tournament for example.
We were all set up on Hole 5 with one of the hottest giveaways of the season: golf ball stencil markers. These little gadgets let golfers draw straight lines on their ball, helping them line up putts and improve their game. Perfect audience, perfect setting, perfect product; what could go wrong?
Well… as it turns out, Hole 3 had the exact same giveaway.
By the time golfers made their way to us, they already had one in their pocket. Our “can’t-miss” idea suddenly became the thing nobody wanted. Captive audience, great product, zero demand. Ouch.
Luckily, we came prepared. Alongside the stencils, we brought a variety of other options:
- Never-Lost Keychains (practical and unique)
- Teddy Bears for the kids at home (always a hit)
- Drink Koozies (because golf + beverages = a perfect match)
Those backups saved the day and kept us from being “the table nobody stops at.”
The Lesson: Don’t Put All Your Swag in One Basket
The moral of the story? Even if you’ve found the hottest trending item, always have a backup plan. Duplicate giveaways happen. Trends can oversaturate. And sometimes, the coolest item just doesn’t resonate with your audience the way you expect.
By diversifying your promo strategy mixing trending items with tried and true classics you make sure your brand still stands out, no matter what surprises come your way.
So next time you’re planning a big giveaway, ask yourself:
- What if someone else has the same item?
- Do I have a secondary option that will still excite people?
- Does this giveaway truly fit the audience?
Because the only thing worse than being remembered for the wrong swag… is not being remembered at all.