SWAG (Stuff We All Get)

Many craft shows offer swag bags as a way to attract shoppers & create excitement. If you are not familiar with swag, it stands for Stuff We All Get and is primarily used by business owners to promote their business. At Funky Finds events, we giveaway swag bags in conjunction with the charitable raffle. The bags are always good quality & include promo items from event participants, as well as other business owners.

As a business owner, you may have wondered what promo items receive the best response from shoppers. In my experience, a piece of paper or business card alone does not garner a strong response. Yes, the recipient may keep it or look at it when they get home. But most times, that piece of paper ends up in the garbage can.

We believe that your swag should relate back to you, your products, and your specialty. For example, if you create pottery or ceramics, your swag could be a simple little clay ornament or hand-made button. Something the recipient can use in their own crafting endeavors.

Recipients also seem to appreciate goodies they can actually use, such as a keychain or change pouch. Of course, you should certainly include your business card with any type of swag so the recipient can visit your website or contact you in the future. The whole point of swag is to promote your business!

While researching craft show swag online, we came across a variety of ideas. One crafter said they had attached their business card to a seed packet. One jewelry designer had the idea to contribute jewelry cleaning cloths. Another said she had given out candy ring pops with her business card attached to the ring band. This got a good response, but really only made sense because she in facts sells jewelry.

Even if you only have a business card, try to include something else with it. The item doesn't have to be overly elaborate, just something little, like a button or felt shape that could be used in crafting.

We strongly encourage all businesses to include swag / promo items when given the chance at events. It shows you are serious about promoting your business & that you jump on the opportunity to do so when it's available. Just be sure to put some thought into what you're contributing & don't be afraid to get creative!

(Photos: Top - Funky Finds Swag Bag Spring 2012; Funky Finds Swag 2010; Stitch Swag 2007)

Sweet Delight Divalicious Sample Boxes

Today marks the debut of Sweet Delight Divalicious Sample Boxes, a new site that works to promote indie businesses. Created by the founding Divas of SweetDelight.ca and editors of the popular Delightful Divas In Business, the sample boxes offer a unique avenue of advertising for independent business owners in Canada and the USA, and promises to be one of the most fun and effective bi-monthly promotional campaigns on the web today. Best of all, it is free for e-tailers to participate. All you have to do is send in your samples and let the Divas take care of the rest. These boxes are filled with approximately 10-15 (sometimes more) sample-sized products and will be mailed directly to the front door of hundreds of consumers who otherwise would never have known about your business. The Sweet Delight Divas know the importance of good promotion and advertising and that is why they are committed to helping other entrepreneurs build their businesses, reach their goals, and get the recognition that they deserve. Sweet Delight Divalicious Sample Boxes cater to a targeted audience, which puts your products into the right hands and helps to drive more traffic and potential sales to your site.

Now listen up shoppers! Are you a trendy gal who loves to “try before you buy”? If so, then this box is definitely for you. You'll be able to sample unique handcrafted items from a variety of contributing online businesses before committing to the full sizes. You'll receive sample-sized bath and body products, candles, jewelry, fashion accessories, and more. If it's glam, girly, and gorgeous it will be be found in the Sweet Delight Divalicious Sample Box. Take one peek inside and you'll know why they call it Divalicious. There are many of companies already lined up to participate in the first-ever Sweet Delight Divalicious Sample Box...and yes, boxes will be going fast! Promote independent businesses and be a part of the ever-growing Diva-Movement by purchasing a box or by being a contributor. Don't forget that when you buy a box, your name will be entered into a draw to win a sample box from the next campaign.