A few months ago, I went to a promotional products trade show. As I usually do at these shows, I felt like a kid in a candy store. I wanted a sample of everything that caught my attention for my clients, and then the boxes started arriving a few weeks later.
I used it to impress my teens. "Oh wow, look at this sample that was sent to me." It did not seem to work until I had on a pair of Glossier sample sunglasses on, and then my daughter noticed. "Mom, where did you get those? And do you even know what Glossier is?" Yes, teenage daughter... I do (now).
The next time I was in a rush and could not find my regular sunglasses, I went back to my sample sunglass stockpile. I grabbed the bright yellow ones with Reese's branding. I felt a little silly wearing them, but they were comfortable and it was hard to lose bright yellow sunglasses; so they soon became my go to pair. I can put aside fashion for comfort & ease, or so I thought that is what I was doing until I started receiving compliments.
The first compliment on my sunglasses was from an 7-year-old, and I sensed she was vying for me to give them to her. I received a few more from friends, a couple from strangers, and one from a teenager who was not my own. These sunglasses were polling higher than anything I had worn in a long time. I was still not sure if it was less awkward for people to say something, rather than ignore sunglasses that looked like they belonged to a 6-year-old.
When my friend's husband complimented them at their pool a couple of weeks ago, I had to ask, "so you like these? They are bright yellow and say Reese's on the side?" "Yes. I love them, and the shape is great on your face," he said, and my friend nodded in agreement. It was a win because first of all, I can't remember the last time someone even noticed that my face had a shape; and second, my teenagers overheard.
My swag choice of the week is sunglasses. I think they are an overlooked promo item. Who does not always need back-up sunglasses? Especially on those desperate mornings when you are late and can't find the ones you had on yesterday. It's a relief to remember those free sunglasses in your car's glove compartment.
For under $5, you can get a nice quality and stylish pair of sunglasses. Think how grateful your customers will be to you when they find that back-up pair when needed, and even more so, when their back-up becomes their go-to.
