How to Make Company Swag Work: Tips from Snappy’s Head of Swag

Missed our recent Swag Strategy Session? Don’t worry, we’ve got the highlights. Eric Hamlin, Snappy's very own Head of Swag, shared actionable tips on how to make company swag, branded merchandise, and corporate gifting strategies more impactful. Whether you’re looking to improve employee recognition, customer engagement, or event ROI, here’s how to make your swag work harder. 

Catch Eric in action as he shares strategies for making company swag, branded merchandise, and corporate gifting programs more intentional and impactful. Watch now. 

Swag Without Strategy Is Just Stuff

At Snappy, we define swag as thoughtfully branded items that spark connection, whether it’s a custom hoodie, premium water bottle, or a celebratory gift box.

According to Eric, too many companies treat swag as an afterthought: a last-minute bulk order, a logo slapped on a tote, a hope that someone somewhere finds it useful. The real power of corporate gifting and branded merchandise lies in intentionality. 

Here are the questions you need to ask to make your swag successful: 

• What do I want this gift to accomplish? 
• Who am I trying to connect with?
• When is the right time to send it? 

When you answer those questions first, you stop thinking in terms of “swag items” and start thinking about branded moments. As Eric said, “Swag isn’t just stuff. It’s a strategic tool that drives connection, reinforces culture, and delivers lasting ROI.”

What to Send, When to Send It, and Why It Matters

A big part of a successful swag strategy is timing. Swag that lands too late (a Q4 celebration hoodie arriving in January) loses its impact. But when it’s tied to a moment like an onboarding milestone, a customer anniversary, or a surprise thank you, it becomes something people remember. 

Eric’s advice? Match the moment. A well-timed piece of branded merchandise can reinforce recognition, improve retention, and create real emotional resonance. 

Some smart moments for corporate swag:

• Welcome: New hires, customers, partners
• Celebrate: Birthdays, anniversaries, team wins
• Incentivize: Bookings, surveys, referrals
• Engage: Events, thank yous, brand awareness 
• Connect: Align with campaigns, company values 

What Makes Great Company Swag? 

According to Eric, it’s a mix of three things. 

1. Usefulness: If it’s not functional, it’s likely going in the trash. Think water bottles, chargers, and high-quality apparel. These are things people actually use. 
2. Quality: Perception is everything. A scratchy t-shirt with your logo on it sends the wrong message. A soft hoodie or well-designed tote says, “We care about details.”
3. Design: Branded doesn’t have to mean boring. The best branded merchandise is stylish enough to wear or use outside the office.

Swag That Performs (Yes, Swag = ROI)

Branded merchandise like apparel, desk items, or accessories can carry your brand long after the moment of delivery.

Let’s talk numbers. Corporate gifting isn’t just a warm fuzzy. It drives real results. 

Snappy’s 2025 Workforce Study shows that the right swag delivers more than smiles: 

• 85% of employees say swag makes them feel proud of their company
• 76% feel more connected to their colleagues 
• 80% regularly wear company-branded gear

A well-executed swag campaign can: 

• Increase response rates
• Accelerate pipeline
• Improve employee satisfaction
• Reduce turnover

Branded items that are liked and used regularly create long-lasting impressions. If you can tie gifting to key lifecycle moments and track engagement (clicks, redemptions, meetings booked), you’re ahead of the curve!

Operationalizing Swag

Company swag programs become more scalable when supported by corporate gifting platforms that automate timing, customization, and delivery.

Great swag doesn’t have to be a logistical nightmare. Eric emphasized the importance of automation and tooling. With Snappy’s swag management tools, you can streamline your entire employee gifting program—no inventory, no spreadsheets, just smart automation.

You can also: 

• Trigger gifts automatically (on birthdays, anniversaries, etc.)
• Let recipients choose their preferred item, color, or size
• Ship globally 
• Track ROI in real-time

At Snappy, we see swag as part of a broad gifting strategy that plugs into your CRM or HRIS, so it’s not just thoughtful, it’s also scalable and data-backed. 

Swag Isn’t Just for Employees

One of Eric’s biggest points? Don’t limit your swag strategy to internal teams. 

Here are a few audience ideas beyond employees: 

• Prospects: Boost cold call response rates. 
• Customers: A branded item sent around renewal time can reinforce loyalty and appreciation. 
• Partners: Strengthen your ecosystem relationship with gifts that show alignment and commitment. 
• Event Attendees: Instead of filling bags with random items, think about one, well-designed piece that they’ll actually use.  

These audiences are just as important to consider in your branded merchandise strategy, especially when retention, loyalty, and brand visibility are key.

Final Takeaways: The Swag Playbook

If you’re responsible for swag at your company, here are the key elements from Eric’s playbook. 

• Start with the moment: What are you celebrating or trying to influence? 
• Be selective: Choose quality over quantity. 
• Keep it on-brand: Colors, tone, and design should all reflect your company’s identity
• Think long-term: Great swag builds long-term affinity, not just a one-off smile
• Track what works: Measure redemption, sentiment, and downstream impact. 

You bring the moment, and Snappy will bring the tools to make it look great, feel personal, and drive business impact. 

Looking to take your company swag to the next level? Snappy’s all-in-one corporate gifting platform makes it easy to send curated branded merchandise that delivers results. Whether you’re gifting employees, customers, or prospects, Snappy helps you send swag that sparks connection, supports business goals, and delivers ROI.

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