Employee Swag

Employee swag, also known as company swag or branded merchandise, refers to promotional items or merchandise that employers provide to their employees.

These items are typically branded with the company logo or messaging and are given to employees as a form of appreciation, team building, or as part of a company's marketing efforts.

Employee swag can include items such as apparel, accessories, office supplies, and more.

What is employee swag?

Employee swag refers to any branded merchandise or promotional items that a company provides to its employees for free. This can include a wide range of items, such as clothing (t-shirts, hoodies, hats), drinkware (mugs, tumblers), bags, stationery, tech accessories, and even food and beverages.

What are the benefits of offering employee swag?

The benefits of offering employee swag are:

Increased employee engagement and morale: Swag shows employees that they are valued and appreciated, leading to increased satisfaction and motivation.
‍Enhanced brand awareness: Swag serves as a walking advertisement for your company, promoting brand recognition both inside and outside the workplace.
‍Improved team building and culture: Shared experiences and pride associated with wearing or using company swag fosters a sense of belonging and community.
‍Attracting and retaining top talent: High-quality swag can make your company stand out as a desirable employer, attracting and retaining talented individuals.
‍Cost-effective marketing tool: Compared to traditional marketing methods, swag can be a more cost-effective way to promote your brand and reach a wider audience.

What are some factors to consider when choosing employee swag?

Factors to consider when choosing employee swag include:

Quality: Invest in high-quality, durable items that employees will be proud to wear and use.
‍Relevance: Choose items that are relevant to your company culture and brand message.
‍Functionality: Select items that are practical and useful for everyday life.
‍Variety: Offer a range of options to cater to different tastes and preferences.
‍Sustainability: Consider eco-friendly and ethically sourced materials for a positive environmental impact.
‍Budget: Allocate a realistic budget for your swag program, taking into account quality, quantity, and customization.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when offering employee swag?

Common mistakes to avoid when offering employee swag include:

Generic or low-quality items: Opt for unique and well-made swag that employees will appreciate.
‍Inconsistent branding: Ensure consistent brand representation across all your swag items.
‍Limited variety: Offer a diverse range of items to cater to different preferences.
‍Ignoring employee feedback: Gather employee input to ensure the swag is relevant and desired.
‍Overspending: Allocate a budget and stick to it to avoid financial strain.
‍Missing the opportunity to connect: Utilize swag creatively to build relationships and foster a positive culture.

How can companies distribute employee swag effectively?

Companies distribute employee swag through:

Welcome packages: Provide new employees with a swag bag as part of their onboarding experience.
‍Company events: Use swag as giveaways or rewards at company events, team outings, and appreciation programs.
‍Milestone achievements: Recognize employee accomplishments with targeted swag gifts.
‍Holiday gifts: Offer seasonal swag as a festive gesture of appreciation.
‍Internal store or online platform: Create a dedicated platform where employees can purchase swag at discounted prices.
‍Contests and giveaways: Encourage participation and engagement through swag-related contests and giveaways.

What are the best practices for choosing employee swag?

Here are some best practices to keep in mind when choosing employee swag:

Understand your audience: Choose swag that aligns with your employees’ preferences, work styles, and demographics. A quick internal survey can help identify what they’ll actually use and appreciate.
Prioritize practicality and usability: Select items that employees can use regularly—whether at work, home, or on the go. Functional items tend to offer higher perceived value.
Ensure quality and durability: Opt for well-made products that reflect your company’s standards. Poor-quality swag can negatively impact brand perception.
Reflect your brand identity: Include branded elements like your logo or company colors, but keep designs subtle and tasteful to encourage regular use.
Offer personalization: If possible, add a personal touch—like names or custom messages—to make employees feel recognized and valued.
Consider sustainability: Choose eco-friendly swag when possible. Reusable water bottles, bamboo stationery, and organic fabrics resonate well with environmentally conscious teams.‍
Align with the occasion: Match swag with specific events such as onboarding, anniversaries, or company milestones to add meaning and context.

Employee pulse surveys:

These are short surveys that can be sent frequently to check what your employees think about an issue quickly. The survey comprises fewer questions (not more than 10) to get the information quickly. These can be administered at regular intervals (monthly/weekly/quarterly).

One-on-one meetings:

Having periodic, hour-long meetings for an informal chat with every team member is an excellent way to get a true sense of what’s happening with them. Since it is a safe and private conversation, it helps you get better details about an issue.

eNPS:

eNPS (employee Net Promoter score) is one of the simplest yet effective ways to assess your employee's opinion of your company. It includes one intriguing question that gauges loyalty. An example of eNPS questions include: How likely are you to recommend our company to others? Employees respond to the eNPS survey on a scale of 1-10, where 10 denotes they are ‘highly likely’ to recommend the company and 1 signifies they are ‘highly unlikely’ to recommend it.

Based on the responses, employees can be placed in three different categories:

Promoters
Employees who have responded positively or agreed.
Detractors
Employees who have reacted negatively or disagreed.
Passives
Employees who have stayed neutral with their responses.

What are the most appreciated types of employee swag ideas?

Here are the most appreciated types of employee swag ideas:

Tech accessories: Wireless chargers, earbuds, laptop sleeves, and portable power banks are popular for both remote and on-site teams.
Apparel: Branded hoodies, t-shirts, caps, and socks are often worn proudly, especially when stylish and comfortable.
Office essentials: Notebooks, pens, desk organizers, and coffee mugs help create a functional and branded workspace.
Wellness items: Swag like water bottles, yoga mats, stress balls, or wellness kits show you care about employees’ well-being.
Food and drink items: Gourmet snacks, coffee blends, tea sets, or branded tumblers are universally appreciated.
Eco-friendly swag: Reusable tote bags, sustainable lunch boxes, and recycled-material items are valued for their practicality and low environmental impact.
Custom gift boxes: Curated kits tailored to specific occasions—like onboarding, holidays, or remote team care—leave a memorable impression.

How to measure the success of your employee swag

Measuring the success of your employee swag goes beyond just distribution.

It involves evaluating impact, engagement, and alignment with your brand and culture.

Here are some effective ways to measure its success:

‍Employee feedback and surveys: Conduct quick surveys or pulse polls to gather direct feedback on swag quality, usefulness, and appeal. Ask employees if they liked the items, use them regularly, or have suggestions for future swag.‍
Usage and visibility: Observe whether employees use or wear the swag, such as branded apparel, water bottles, or tech accessories, during virtual meetings, at the office, or on social media. High visibility often reflects strong engagement.‍
Social media engagement: Encourage employees to share their swag experiences online using a hashtag or tagging your company. Monitor likes, shares, and comments to gauge enthusiasm and employer brand reach.‍
Employee engagement metrics: Track changes in engagement scores, morale, or satisfaction surveys before and after swag campaigns. While swag is not the only factor, it can contribute to positive trends‍
Retention and onboarding feedback: For onboarding swag, ask new hires if it improved their welcome experience. A well-received swag kit can boost early engagement and help shape positive first impressions.‍
Internal culture indicators: Pay attention to how swag contributes to company culture, such as a sense of belonging, pride, or team spirit, especially during events, remote work, or celebrations‍
Return on investment (ROI): Compare swag costs with the benefits it brings, like improved employee satisfaction, brand exposure, or recruiting appeal. While some benefits are intangible, a positive perception is a valuable return.