The Right Way to Do Goody Bags or Giveaways
31. Jan, 2012 
9 Comments
Bow and Arrows Painting Watercolor Art by: RiverLuna
The Right Way to Do Goody Bags or Giveaways
The Right Way to Do Goody Bags or Giveaways
If you are serious about getting your brand recognized, getting your items in the right hands or getting samples out of your items please, please, please make it worth your time and money. Goody bags, basically, if you’re gonna do ‘em, do ‘em right!
First, evaluate the event. Is the event a good fit for your product? If your item is something like handmade ‘skateboard knuckle rings’ maybe doing the AARP anniversary bash is not a good fit for you to give away your handmade items. Giving away handmade girls hair accessories at a talent show may be a good fit. You get the idea.
Don’t give over your head … or too little. You must decide what quantity of items to give away is good for you. If the venue is too small, it may not be worth it and if it too large and you don’t have the time to create so many items, it may not be worth it. Unless there are special circumstances, like the chamber of commerce meeting in your town having a benefit and the board members getting goody bags. This may be only a few bags, but the people who receive them may be worth it. The shop owners, as well as business individuals, can become great clients as a retail account or personally, as well possible publicity for you in your local paper for sponsoring the event.
Can you get your item commercially reproduced for less stress? Sometimes because you make handmade, doesn’t mean your promotional items need to be. If you are doing t-shirts, maybe you can screen print your original design instead of hand screening all of them yourself? Or of you are an artist, can you get miniatures of your art printed on mini canvas or tiles that can be a coaster? Get creative with how you can do a classy giveaway. Weigh out the costs …. and make sure to include your time. After all, this is a marketing investment one way or another.
Are you hesitant to make a large quantity? Enlist the help of your family and friends. If you simply cannot pass up an opportunity, but are scared you can’t meet the quantity they need, organize a night of your ‘support’ people coming to help out. Any part of the process of your creation that can be stream lined or set up assembly line style in which your friends can help you out with, without compromising your items, get them over and have them lend a hand. I am sure they will be excited for your opportunity.
Your items must be top, top (as my husband says). Don’t skimp on what you are giving! If it is for promotion to a select group for an event you trust in, make your items the best they can be as if they were purchased or a replica of your handmade goods. Don’t give poor quality or items that don’t represent what you have, sell or create.
Your item may be obvious to you, but to the recipient, they might not know what the heck it is. Identify your item with a name or purpose. I organized a giveaway including fellow handmade artists and since I personally am in the community I was sure to do my best to promote each and every item and individual who made it. I was disappointed in receiving coffee cozies that were not labeled coffee cozies. People thought they were wrist bands. When I told them they were coffee cozies they were like ‘OHHHH!!!!! How neat’ but when they thought they were chunky wrist bands, they were like ‘What am I supposed to do with this??’ Super important tip.
Pick the best time of year for your item. Depending on the event or item, sometimes any time of year is good, but, you may not want to give away wool scarves at a beach event in July, for example.
I also wanted to let you know about the big time goody bags. For example, award shows. Just so you are aware, not only do you have to give so many items for the bags, you must pay a fee of thousands of dollars for your items to be included, AFTER your items are approved that is. Also, the hospitality suites where celebrities walk through cost upward of $15,000 (last time I checked with an events company) to participate in. This would be great if you are going forward with really launching your items. You may have the opportunity to get your items photographed with celebrities. But don’t get starry eyes yet! We are not talking about Beyonce or George Clooney, most of the time it is B or C listers. If you are considering this, you are better taking an ad out in a national magazine as this really isn’t the place for a small company to be in.
And THE most important tip; if you are going to do a giveaway, goody bag or anything of the like, it is SO IMPORTANT for you to attach your contact information to the item. Hello! Do you know how many people don’t do this? If your item is included with many other items in a goody bag, how will a customer come back to you if your information is not on or attached to the item? Keep it brief and prominent. You can include extra cards with more information but your contact information i.e. website and name should be bold and if nothing else neat and clear.
There are many events you can sponsor or even organize goody bags for, if you see the opportunity! Just make sure your time and investment are worth it. If possible, go to the event so you can talk to the people about your items and yourself.
Evaluate the event and look at it from many angles to judge if it right for you and your product. These can be great opportunities for fresh eyes to see your items, touch, taste, etc. who would never have known you existed. Good luck and wishing you much success.
About The Author
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This is a great article with very good advice!
Joyflower
joysilk.blogspot.com
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Great information, I have been wondering how people get their products on celebrities!
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Really, you’re giving good and useful information about these kinds of products.
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I have been thinking of this for a while! Great points to ponder upon! Thank you!
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This is a great place to gift my note card packs. Thanks for the boost……..Judy
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Great article, Anna.
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Thank you for the comments everyone! i hope the information helps you
Much success to you all 
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Great article! I shared it with my Twitter followers @craftbliss. Lots of valuable tips and advice. Thanks! ~Dee
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Great advice. I like doing giveaways, but I think I’m going “too small” for fear of losing money, which is the wrong thing to do. Thank you!
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