Comments on: Swag Is A Dirty 4 Letter Word http://www.michaelgcohen.com/2008/12/swag-is-a-dirty-4-letter-word/ Digital Business & Marketing Strategy Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:31:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: @CES - From Swag To Twitter | Michael G Cohen's Thoughts & Ramblings http://www.michaelgcohen.com/2008/12/swag-is-a-dirty-4-letter-word/comment-page-1/#comment-32 @CES - From Swag To Twitter | Michael G Cohen's Thoughts & Ramblings Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:36:13 +0000 http://www.michaelgcohen.com/?p=137#comment-32 [...] interested in covering is the amount of money being spent by companies on booth give-aways (I take Swag to task here) and other show gimmicks (I will even exclude companies trying to out do one another with 150 inch [...] [...] interested in covering is the amount of money being spent by companies on booth give-aways (I take Swag to task here) and other show gimmicks (I will even exclude companies trying to out do one another with 150 inch [...]

]]> By: johnny http://www.michaelgcohen.com/2008/12/swag-is-a-dirty-4-letter-word/comment-page-1/#comment-27 johnny Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:05:24 +0000 http://www.michaelgcohen.com/?p=137#comment-27 Thanks for good post Thanks for good post

]]> By: April http://www.michaelgcohen.com/2008/12/swag-is-a-dirty-4-letter-word/comment-page-1/#comment-26 April Sun, 28 Dec 2008 21:31:27 +0000 http://www.michaelgcohen.com/?p=137#comment-26 Hey Michael, Great post. Environmental impact aside, traditional swag is completely useless from a marketing perspective (in my opinion). Your pen/tshirt/squishy ball does not stand out in the least from anyone else's trinket. These things are usually done in the name of "branding" which really means "we're doing it because everyone else does" which in turn is exactly why it is completely ineffective. I think the charity idea is a great one, not only because it's a better use of the money, but because it stands out and associates your company with something other than toys or tshirts. Imagine the great stuff companies would come up with if they spent more than 10 seconds thinking about what their prospects might actually want? April Hey Michael,
Great post. Environmental impact aside, traditional swag is completely useless from a marketing perspective (in my opinion). Your pen/tshirt/squishy ball does not stand out in the least from anyone else’s trinket. These things are usually done in the name of “branding” which really means “we’re doing it because everyone else does” which in turn is exactly why it is completely ineffective.
I think the charity idea is a great one, not only because it’s a better use of the money, but because it stands out and associates your company with something other than toys or tshirts. Imagine the great stuff companies would come up with if they spent more than 10 seconds thinking about what their prospects might actually want?
April

]]> By: Michael http://www.michaelgcohen.com/2008/12/swag-is-a-dirty-4-letter-word/comment-page-1/#comment-25 Michael Sun, 28 Dec 2008 13:56:59 +0000 http://www.michaelgcohen.com/?p=137#comment-25 Thanks for your comments AJ - I know we all love freebies but you are right we do need to think about the environment and in today's economy I just think that the dollars do not make sense any more (if ever). When I was applying for legal positions out of school every law firm had a budget of say $3-5 per person who they interviewed. I came home with so much junk and at the end of the day I had interviewed with enough firms that had they each donated a few dollars to charity (or given me the cash) it would have actually been significant. That would have been a lot more worthwhile than giving me a slinky with your company's name on it. Thanks for your comments AJ – I know we all love freebies but you are right we do need to think about the environment and in today’s economy I just think that the dollars do not make sense any more (if ever). When I was applying for legal positions out of school every law firm had a budget of say $3-5 per person who they interviewed. I came home with so much junk and at the end of the day I had interviewed with enough firms that had they each donated a few dollars to charity (or given me the cash) it would have actually been significant. That would have been a lot more worthwhile than giving me a slinky with your company’s name on it.

]]> By: AJ http://www.michaelgcohen.com/2008/12/swag-is-a-dirty-4-letter-word/comment-page-1/#comment-18 AJ Wed, 24 Dec 2008 21:49:45 +0000 http://www.michaelgcohen.com/?p=137#comment-18 Okay, you're right. As an attendee, I love-love-love swag but as a citizen of the world becoming aware of how much land we are using up to use as garbage-dumps, swag is a really irresponsible use of resources. And, especially in these challenging times, the charities are really suffering. I would be much happier seeing the money go to support people/animals in need. I think it would also be interesting to create a fund to support a worthwhile start-up or band. But I'm silly that way. Still, can we have some pens and pencils, too? I really love free pens and pencils. Okay, you’re right. As an attendee, I love-love-love swag but as a citizen of the world becoming aware of how much land we are using up to use as garbage-dumps, swag is a really irresponsible use of resources. And, especially in these challenging times, the charities are really suffering. I would be much happier seeing the money go to support people/animals in need.

I think it would also be interesting to create a fund to support a worthwhile start-up or band. But I’m silly that way.

Still, can we have some pens and pencils, too? I really love free pens and pencils.

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