In the world of marketing, every dollar counts. The goal is to ensure every strategy yields the highest possible return on investment. Because one thing’s for sure—marketing dollars aren’t exactly falling from the sky.

That’s where promotional products, or branded swag, really shine.

More than mere freebies, promo products are proven agents for amplifying brand recognition and nurturing loyalty. But you don’t have to take our word for it: An entire body of research on promo products shows why they’re a standby for businesses large and small looking to raise awareness and attract new customers.

Let’s see what the research says, including these stats from marketing organizations like Vistaprint, ASI and PPAI, highlighting the power of promo products.

1. Consumer love for branded swag: A recent study showed that 53% of consumers enjoy receiving branded gifts.
    
2. Improved brand perception: The same study found that 76% of consumers had a positive shift in their perception of a brand after receiving a promotional product.
    
3. Boost in online reviews: Research also indicated that 40% of consumers were more likely to write a positive online review after receiving a promotional product.
    
4. Employee value: An impressive 83% of participants in the study had used or worn a promotional item from their employer.
    
5. Importance of sustainability: Over a third of consumers consider sustainability a key factor in promotional products.
    
6. Usefulness and uniqueness: These were identified as the two most vital characteristics of promotional products, according to Vistaprint.
    
7. Consumer popularity: PPAI found that 94% of respondents genuinely appreciate receiving promotional items.
    
8. Introduction to new businesses: 9 out of 10 respondents in the PPAI study agreed that promotional products were an effective way to discover new businesses.
    
9. Tangible gifts over emails: 85% of respondents in the PPAI study preferred receiving a promotional product over a promotional email.
    
10. Quality reflects reputation: 72% of respondents in the PPAI study believed that the quality of a promotional item reflects on a brand’s reputation.
     
11. Longevity of promo products: ASI research found that 40% of promo product owners have kept some items for over 10 years.
     
12. Eco-friendliness enhances brand image: 46% of consumers in the ASI study had a more favorable opinion of a brand if the promotional product they received was environmentally friendly.
     
13. Lasting impressions: Promotional writing instruments generate 3,000 impressions over their lifetime and are typically kept for nine months, according to ASI research.
     
14. High regard for promotional products: ASI's study found that promotional products are the most highly regarded form of advertising.
     
15. Reasons for keeping promo items: Quality, usefulness and attractiveness were the top reasons for keeping promotional items, as revealed in the ASI research.
     
16. Size of the promo products industry: Swagdrop reports that promotional items constitute a more than $26 billion industry.

These studies clearly illustrate that promotional products are more than just "stuff we all get.” From a marketing perspective, they’re nothing short of a secret weapon—a powerhouse of potential return on investment with the potential to make your brand more noticeable and memorable.

Whether you're a startup on a tight budget or a well-established corporation, investing in a promo product strategy could be the best thing you do for your marketing all year long.