Search Schwag

More Twitter schwag! These tattoo tights are made out of super sheer material so it looks like the “follow me” is printed right on your leg. Twitter has officially made it into the sock drawer. Pretty soon we’ll have “follow me” temporary tattoos and underwear too!

These trading cards were put out by Software company Fresh Books. They gave the cards away at trade shows, rewarding great employees and creating invaluable buzz at the same time. Each card lists the employee’s website, social networking site and job detail.

They were a huge hit at every trade show and event, providing a creative alternative to plain business cards. Plus, visitor’s could get involved with the “Internet All Stars” checklist, listing each card and challenging recipients to ‘collect them all!’

It was such a good promotion, I’m thinking of getting myself some! I could put a photo of my art on the front and share my contact info on the back. Definitely more eye catching than a flyer, business card or banner.

This may not be search ‘swag‘ necessarily, but it’s search related and well worth the view. Bing recently came out as the new Microsoft search engine and their commercials have earned them big time views.

Bing boasts it’s ability as a Decision Engine rather than a mere search engine. According to their advertisements, you can throw out the stress balls and finally have a happy internet search. No more weeding through results.

However, I’ve found just the opposite. I usually don’t find what I’m looking for during daily Bing searches. Plus, when I Binged myself (”binging” oneself doesn’t have the same name appeal as “googling”) I was totally disappointed with the results! Just compare Googling your name to Bing-ing your name. Big ego kill.

Anyone else try using it yet?

I was browsing the internet checking out schwag when I came across a list of the top 11 weirdest search engines. Click on their websites and find some of the weirdest schwag as well. Here are just a few examples for you to enjoy

1.

FindaGrave.com- This search engine will tell you where almost any grave is. Want to visit Marilyn Monroe’s headstone? No problem. Looking for your Uncle Eddie’s plot? There’s a good chance you’ll find it here. And if you like that idea, consider supporting findagrave.com with some gravestone post cards or gravestone lapel pin.

2.

BibleGateway.com- Need a bible passage? Here’s where you find it. And if you want to buy some BibleGateway promotional items guess what you’ll find in their store?

Bibles.

3.

WUnderground.com- Here is the weather history search engine. No longer do you have to ponder about what was going on in the sky on April 3, 1789 at 4:00pm. Now you’ll be able to find out with the click of a button.
And if you like their website, dress your dog in an American made WUnderground shirt. Perfect.

Yahoo wasn’t fooling around with this one. This pack of schwag is probably the most intensive giveaway I’ve ever seen. Accordingly, it’s given only to partner companies and business clients. The shot glass, mugs and rubber duckies are awesome giveaways by themselves. However, the thing that really catches my attention is the skateboard.

If you look close enough, it incorporates the name of almost every Yahoo search engine and service into the design. It’s bright and eye-catching, perfect for spreading brand awareness. Plus, it’s functional!… or really awesome as a wall decoration (for those busy execs out there!).

A year ago Yahoo sent out an interesting promotion for their (at the time) new open search platform, Search Monkey. The box contained a “happy hour in a box” kit including a mini-keg of Heineken and 6 beer mugs. On the sides of the box were informational flaps about Search Monkey.

It’s definitely an interesting concept, “get ‘em drunk and sell ‘em on a new idea!” Either way, you go Yahoo! for coming up with something awesome and original. Now all they need are nice little beer totes and maybe some koozies to keep it chilly on a hot day.

Twitter has become the capital of giveaway land. With hundreds of products being handed out every day, it’s the schwag-lover’s playground.

Among top giveaways (going on now!) are digital cameras, a laptop, a Wii, and a honeymoon. Just google “twitter giveaways” and suddenly anything is possible!

So what’s the deal? Marketing teams have finally realized the power of twitter. With a big dollar give away companies can attract thousands, if not millions, of followers within a matter of days. Suddenly website traffic soars, links to different products become more valuable and brand recognition grows exponentially.

Not interested in SEO? Most people aren’t. But that doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from these incredible promotional items! Unfortunately your new mp3 player may be branded with a company logo and your awesome laptop bag may say “Tom’s Cookie Factory” on the side, but it’s still free and any win is exciting!

So go twitter crazy and capitalize on the SEO schwag!

Google caught up with the business card craze and put out these customized business cards to promote Google Profiles and Google Sites. Both programs are easy to use websites that allow users to create profiles, blogs and photo sharing pages (Check out my favorite Google Site!).

Now users can promote themselves even more with this clever marketing ploy (all the while promoting Google and it’s services). I think I’ll order my own sometime soon, along with a swanky business card holder and some oxford shirts. That way I have the whole ‘professional’ image down.

Maybe you’ve never heard of dogpile.com, or maybe you’ve seen the name and never used the search. Whatever the case may be, it’s one of my favorite search engines on the web. It takes search results from Google, Yahoo, Ask and Bing and then compiles them for the most relevant results.

So why is their largest promotional campaign a pile of dog friendly frisbees? Well, that’s because Dogpile generates money from advertising for donations to animal Search and Rescue. Over $200,000 dollars were raised and donated last year alone. They’ve also used paw print promotional items- and even a few human friendly items.

Which is why I love the frisbee in the photo; it’s pet and people friendly! Not only does this promotion get right in the hands of dog lovers, but it’s also great for frisbee-lovin’ college students.  What a great alternative to t-shirts.

To promote the new (at the time) eBay Desktop, Ebay came out with this creative promotion. Unlike a t-shirt, this memory stick is conveniently used right where you need Ebay services- your computer. This was a really good idea from their marketing department; unfortunately Ebay desktop isn’t as popular as once imagined. However, the schwag is still gorgeous with those bright colors on a glossy white background!

Keep in mind that Ebay isn’t the only company who’s used USB drives as a promotion. Some of my favorite schwag items are creative drives. Like this teddy bear one. Because, really? What’s better than shoving a bear’s head into your computer?

This one is also one of my favorites, perfect for medical professionals. I’ve seen robots and business men as well! Long gone are the days of boring USB drives!