all things freebies

In partnership with

mornin merry makers,

dog parents know the drill: one taste of those free treats & suddenly your pup’s a professional navigator, steering you to every store with goodies.

it’s the same with us humans.

we learn where the good freebies are fast. but lately, retail giveaways are looking a little… tired. i personally do not need another canvas tote or random plastic water bottle. no one’s asking for more clutter, am i right?

today, we’re talking about gifts with purchase.

known by the professionals as gwp. these little surprises can make shopping feel that much more special. & when done right, they create a cult-following all on their own.

gift game winners

first, let’s look at some real winners to see what makes these freebies work, taking many shapes, sizes, & forms:

• apple: those wired headphones aren’t just practical; they’ve been a status symbol since the dancing silhouette ads. now? they’re a personality trait.

• tiffany: the iconic blue boxes & bags are timeless. i know i can’t be the only one still using the box a decade later after the jewelry is long gone.

• warby parker: yes i’m biased from working here for 5 years, but i truly believe the branded glasses case & lens cloth are extremely thoughtful touches.

• glossier: the pink bubble pouch was such a fan favorite that they even stocked them as merch for a short time. bonus perk of protecting your purchase too!

• crown affair: their signature light green silk scrunchies are worn with pride by their customers in their hair or just on their wrist. a subtle flex.

the common thread of all the above is the balance of form & function. these freebies elevate the product experience so well that it feels wrong to toss them. they’re like little status symbols all on their own.

happy me(all)

you’ll notice that all the above are gifts that come with purchase in any channel — online, retail, & sometimes wholesale. but there’s a missed opportunity here:

location-specific giveaways.

remember the joy of ripping open a mcdonald’s happy meal to discover the new toy inside? retailers could take a page out of that playbook to keep customers coming back & wanting to check out all of their location.

i’m thinking store specific socks, city specific friendship bracelets, or seasonal specific goodies. with the disclaimer that all are relevant to your product or brand.

for example, back in my apple days, we used to hand out special t-shirts for new flagship store openings. people fought over them, wore them with pride, & now?

they resell on ebay for $499.

holiday hacks

as we enter holiday season, here are my pro tips for shoppers who love a deal:

• shop on opening day: stores love to do something special on launch day to create buzz. it might be a collectible tee or just a juice. show up to see!

• hit up pop-ups: especially in nyc or la, brands often test out retail with pop-ups this time of year, so you’re likely to see some extra special freebies & events.

• promo parties: holidays and special events almost always mean freebies. think black friday weekend, back-to-school, or product launch days.

• follow the brand: retailers love sneaking goodies to loyalty members, email subscribers, or social media followers. make sure you’re in the loop!

• bundle up: many brands offer spend-more promos, so think strategically. bundle your purchases to maximize your freebie haul.

you’re welcome.

i’m hope the above helps you score something beyond a tote, sticker, or gift wrap.

one final thought on freebies

brands drop millions on influencer gifting and lavish PR packages but rarely show that same love to loyal customers or employees. it’s time to rethink the swag game & spread the love to the folks who already get the brand.

that influencer may bring 10k clicks by unboxing your stuff once, but imagine an employee rocking your custom hat every day & chatting up your brand with everyone who asks. which do you think creates more true fans?

bottom line: we all deserve a little treat this holiday season.

p.s. send me your favorite freebies. i’m dying to know what you actually like too!

p.p.s. pretty please do me a treat & check out today’s sponsor, convergence ai 👇️ & learn how you can build your own personal ai assistant.