Batteries for power tools. (Expensive I know)
Barring that, a hodge podge of items from rack-a-tiers.
Specialty Electrical Tools | Rack-A-Tiers Since 1995

They make all kinds of nonsense both good and bad; cheap and expensive. The biggest thing is its different/unusual and attention getting.

I used to love getting free shirts, now not so much given the decline of quality. And please no more ball caps.

 

I taught an electrical apprenticeship program at a local college for ten years in the Houston Texas area.

The SWEE show, Southwestern Electrical Exposition, came to town every two years.

I required my students to attend the expo as a "field trip" on their class night.

I required them to either find me at the expo, to verify attendance, or bring an item from the expo to the next class.

A majority of them would show up to class and pull from their pocket the "I was there" item.

That item was a small screw driver with a pocket clip and a magnet on the end of the handle.

Some had a reversible slotted/Phillips shaft.

I carried one in my pocket for years and still have a few in the tool box.

Key chain LED flashlights were another favorite.

 

Card for writing notes? I mostly use a formica sample. Bottle opener?

 

Led nite lites

 

Small things that people will keep if they're not just cheap junk like from the dollar store:
Pica pencils
No dogs
Olfa knife
Folding utility knife
Wiha, Wera 3.0mm screwdriver

 

If it's in Reno Nevada, a ticket to one of the local cathouses would be good..........lol.

Pocket-size flashlights are good, with or without a keychain.

T-shirts are ok but only if they're good quality and long enough to stay tucked in.

While I realize everyone uses their fancy phones for writing notes these days, there are still some holdouts who like pen and paper. The ones that have code references in are the best. Like the ampacity tables and conduit fill tables.

 

If it's in Reno Nevada, a ticket to one of the local cathouses would be good..........lol.

Pocket-size flashlights are good, with or without a keychain.

T-shirts are ok but only if they're good quality and long enough to stay tucked in.

While I realize everyone uses their fancy phones for writing notes these days, there are still some holdouts who like pen and paper. The ones that have code references in are the best. Like the ampacity tables and conduit fill tables.

I've done work in Reno. I asked one of the local guys if there was anywhere out there to get lunch. He smirked and took me to this place that had a gate-house. They asked us to surrender our weapons. The place in question turned out to be the Mustang Ranch. Good burger at a good price, actually. 14 years ago or so. Not the ambience I'm used to, and I only went the one time. And I limited myself to just the burger.

 

In my experience, electricians will take anything that’s free. 🤣

I used to have a draw for a gift certificate at Victoria’s Secret. They loved it! Think outside of the box.

 

Bucket Truck,...

 

Things I've done that customers really enjoyed include Ove Gloves with company embroidery, pocket knives, wooden handle steak knives and bbq tools.

I've received fillet knives and small first aid kits that I found useful and thoughtful.

It has to be something people will use.

 

I personally don't take trinkets or expensive things. Just more junk to throw out. I do like a good grade #2 pencil that has a decent eraser.

 

These are my favorite.

 

Sharpie marker.

 

ohhh tell me more

 

If you're targeting trades people: non-contact voltage tester, receptacle tester, small flashlight, offset level.

If you're targeting engineers and estimators: I don't think many folks use them any more, but I've had some mouse pads that were durable and will be seen all day. I agree with Splatz, I try to avoid products made in the peoples republic, but a Yeti or clone coffee mug or water bottle is a durable product and will be cared for and used most every day. Stanley has long been synonymous with the construction industry but I think they are overseas too.

 

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you SO much for your feedback!

Condoit is software (mobile and web app) for the trade worker aka electricians in the field conducting site walks, site visits, feasability studies, maintenance, systems analysis, etc. Engineers and designers also benefit from it and use it but it's for faster, standardized data collection at its core.

We are very firmly pre-estimation software (you can draw digital single line diagrams from your phone or a tablet that's construction and engineering plan ready, arc flash analysis, build a Bill-of-Materials or BoM automatically from your SLDs). For a lot of our users, we replace AutoCAD and 1-2 other software programs they are stitching together for the same outcome. Or pen and paper.

Any tool bag recommendations? Would love to add a really nice tool bag or higher ticket tool for our more premium swag products for new customers we really want to land or existing customers to say thanks for the biz. Your repy was so helpful!!

 

Caps/hats. Good ones. When I was in sales, it was by far the most popular freebe. Small pocket screwdrivers came in 2nd. (Good Ones) The caps will give you free advertising as well. Also make sure anything you give away has your company info on it.

 

Supco 500's

 

.

 

I like the small drivers, lockout / safety locks and fuse pullers. I have seen tape measures, and branded safety things like tool slings / clips, headlamps and cooling towels.

I usually like to get samples, but kind of hard in the software realm.

Cheers
John

 

This is great! Thank you for the suggestions. Exactly what I was looking for

 

Most of that stuff is junk-tier and I wouldn't use it. I don't care for clothing, I'm not a walking billboard and it's usually low grade anyway.

I'd say marking instruments (<$1): pencils and sharpies and pens. Crayons for concrete/metal. Off-color markers (silver) for metal.
Minor tools ($1-10): No-dogs. #10 sockets (you'll be cleared out in 20min). Apex bits. 5/16" (whatever tapcons are) bits. Those tapcon bits that are a nut driver and masonry bit in one (or just the driver sleeve, for cheapness sake).
Small prizes ($10-30): magnetic tape measures (milwaukee is best imo). NCVTs. Outlet testers. 90deg drill bit (dewalt). Carbide hole saws.
Larger prizes: fancy versions of linesmans. Fluke whatever. Step drill bits. FLIR. Boroscope (amazon is fine). Fish tapes (fiberglass).

 

Amazing. THANK YOU. What about tool bags for a nicer giveaway/swag for current or highly promising large customers? Any brand recommendations outside of the more obvious (Milwaukee, Carhartt, etc.)?

 

Wiremold used to hand out a short screwdriver that seemed in high demand.

 

As a software vendor, wouldn't it make sense to give away related swag?
Thumb drives with the NEC E-version, tablets, coffee cups, go cups, fuzzy slippers, oatmeal packets and coffee k-cups. Ya know, things that officee people might need to make it through a grueling day. 😁

 

So Condoit's target end user is actually almost 100% electricians in the field.

Other electrical company folks like those in the office or execs/decision makers benefit from the platform because it's a cloud-conneced solution vs. traditional CAD and design programs you can't use while conducting the site visit or on site. (You can draft a construction plan Single Line Diagram from your phone or iPad and save it as a PDF in a site walk report with Condoit)

But, we focus on making the actual electrician and engineers on the site job and day-to-day for data collection, feasability studies, site walks, maintenance, etc. so the collection and analysis of it all is where we live.

We are pre-estimation so we serve the very opposite of the person in the office wearing fuzzy slippers with an office blanket lol which is kind of the reason I posted here because software companies can really just show their cards when they show up to a trade show with swag that no one wants or wouldn't actually find valuable.

So appreciate your reply!! I am learning so much right now ha thank you again!

 

Condoms, extra large.

 

My friend works in medical. Says they guard the markers, lay one down and it's gone. I get swag at a show,,, most of it I don't even bother taking or it ends up in junk drawer. No one throws the common lack marker away,,,none.

 

It's simple, don't need a bunch of various stock, goes everywhere and used by everyone. Easy to get labeled.

 

I work for an electrical software company and we're getting ready for the upcoming trade show season including the NECA show and various IEC events. I am really wanting to do conference swag that isn't throwaway junk that doesn't hold up.

What are premium swag items or big giveaway ideas that we should consider as a software vendor/exhibitor outside of the usual suspects (cheap drinkware, shirts, sunglasses, phone chargers that break after 2 uses, etc.) that electricians would actually think is cool and would be useful longer term?

I've worked big construction and industrial trade shows in the past for a company called EquipmentShare, and we did a lot of YETI coolers, Carhartt gear, Milawaukee, DeWalt tools, OGIO backpacks, golf balls, Richardson hats, etc. Is there anything more specifically that electricians would want/appreciate at these events?

Your ideas are welcome and much appreciated! 🙏

Well . . . .
I am familiar with ES.
We have a pool for when they go down or get bought out and I picked 2025.
(It doesn't cash flow - raising new cash every six months - great until the source runs dry - and they will run dry)
They tried to hire one of my sons from Ziegler Cat as he is a college-trained and CAT-trained experienced diesel tech who also has rental service experience from MH Equipment.
The absolute lack of professionalism I witnessed during this process gave me no reason to use them vs Ziegler CAT Rentals or United Rentals; let alone suggest anyone else ever consider working with them or for them.

The problem with giving "pricey" something like a Yeti, is that you can't justify giving one to everyone.
Plus a drawing for a Yeti might not be enough to get someone to give you all of their contact info.
Everyone gives out a Yeti.

Rather, think along the lines of get a free Yeti (or whatever) if you sign up for an onsite demo of our software during this show.

Figure out who you really need to talk to and how to get their attention.
Then "enrich" their lives - whatever that means to them, not you.
What are their pain points and what can your team do to help ease those pain points?
Once you have identified those people you should think along the lines of Joe Polish's "Magic Rapport Formula."
If you haven't identified those people you should think along the lines of Dan Kennedy's "Magnetic Marketing" and "The Robert Collier Letter Book".

You should not care if anyone else notices you.
The only people who get a vote are those who will write you a check.
If what I just said seems strange to you, you have no business in marketing and/or sales.
If this seems mean; trust me, this is my nice helpful side.

 

I tried to get you guys a free supco500 but you keep telling this guy about paper clips and the like.............

 

In the trades or not, everyone I know compliments my Klein bottle opener:

Think outside the box.

 

You just reminded me.