That’s why the below highlights 11 examples of original startup schwag – creative items that have helped startups stand out from the pack – to serve as inspiration for you to do the same.
1) Chapstick
Startup: Suitey Story: “Everyone in our office loves chapstick and we were sitting around trying to decide what Suitey giveaway we wanted to make when my co-founder Phil realized that 2 of the 4 people he was talking to were putting on chapstick as they were brainstorming. The lightbulb went off! Our team loves it and everyone that comes by our office is happy to grab one.”
2) Koozies
Startup: Tikly Story: “We sell tickets to live events of all sizes & koozies come in handy at most of these (festivals, rock shows, art fests) – plus, everyone loves a koozie!”
3) Coupon Code $100 Bills
Startup: Staff.com Story: “Whenever we go to a conference we walk around with a wad of 100 dollar bills in our lapel pockets. I don’t even ask, people just grab. It’s a great conversation starter.”
4) Flasks
Startup: Enplug
5) Shoelaces
Startup: SweatGuru Story: “We figure there are only a few things every fitness enthusiast needs – one being bright shoelaces to inspire them to run farther, push harder, go faster, and do more!”
6) Bow-tie Keychain
Startup: WeDeliver
7) Hybrid iPhone Case / Credit Card Holder
Startup: Speek Story: “Who doesn’t want an iPhone case that can also carry a credit card??”
8) Ping Pong Balls
Startup: Jebbit
9) Coffee Mugs
Startup: The Gabriel Institute, home of Teamability Story: “To fund product enhancements, we launched a crowdfunding campaign. The campaign featured entrepreneur-friendly schwag including original designs for “I Crowdfund” mug set. (Note to ‘treps: The campaign was a success, raising $40k in 40 days)”
10) Stuffed Felt Toy Logo
Startup: MightyYeti Story: “People have loved our logo character since its debut, and to have a stuffed felt toy version of it as a giveaway is something both kids and adults love. Its hand made in eastern Europe by a woman we met through an online marketplace. It has a great handmade made feel and brings a smiles to people’s faces.”
11) Condoms
Startup: FringeSport Story: “At FringeSport, we make strength and conditioning equipment for the CrossFit movement. One of the common bits of slang in CrossFit is “AMRAP” – As Many Repetitions As Possible. We thought it would be funny to put that on a condom wrapper and hand out at the CrossFit Games. They were a big hit- the only problem was that they were so colorful that a lot of kids at the event were just as interested as their parents. And it was also funny- we have a some pretty girl employees that were handing them out and a few guys told them ‘No thanks, I don’t use condoms!’” What are some other creative giveaways you’ve seen? Let us know in the comments.
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