If you are planning to build a business around promotional kitting programs, or sell a kit fulfillment program to a new customer, your sample kit should make a great first impression.   At SwagUp, it certainly does.   In my role as a consultant, I decided to test out the free online “SwagUp pack” process.    Their company’s business model revolves around kiting, so as you would expect, the experience was a seamless production of automated emails keeping me engaged and informed about the upcoming kit arrival.  The intermittent check-ins also included requests for details about the scope of my (supposed) project.   I expected to receive a kit in the mail but did not expect such quality merchandise – even down to the slick post card and gel pen.

Should every distributor rush to implement this process?  Probably not.  SwagUp’s expertise lies is kitting, so naturally, the kits they distribute to prospects should be amazing.

My questions for SwagUp would be:

  1. Conversion Rates: I can’t help but wonder about the conversation rate from the kits to tangible clients.  Surely there are parameters and strategies behind this process.
  2. The Unwanted: How does SwagUp ensure that unqualified leads (like me), bots, and other duplicates do not occur, resulting in an unnecessary use of resources?
  3. ROI: Does SwagUp recoup the expenses of the kits from the first sale?

When should promotional distributors ship kits? 

  1. Qualified leads:  Ship promo packages when your prospect has buying power!
  2. Buzz Generator: Ship kits when your intentions are to increase awareness, either at the prospective client’s office water cooler or through online social #marketing.  (SwagUp’s got this move down pat).
  3. Target Audience Sales: Ship when your goal is to drive sales, and it does not have to be limited to “kit sales.”   New product launch?  Favorite new find?  The possibilities are endless.

Bottom Line:  I was super impressed with the kit I received.  While I may not be a qualified lead, perhaps I’m an influencer, which could very well have been their intention.   @MichaelMartocci, your swag game is on point, my friend!