Does Celebrity Swag Help WAHMs?

Fri, Mar 7, 2008

Working at Home

Marketing folk say that Celebrity Swag is a major opportunity for big business – but is it good for smaller home based business owners?

What is Swag?

Merchandise that is given to celebrities and high profile members of the media.

Why do businesses provide free Swag?

They hope that the people who receive their products will be seen with them in public. If their product shows up in a picture of a popular celebrity, it’s almost like having a testimonial. Ultimately they hope that the celebrity’s use of their merchandise will create a buzz that leads to profits.

Are Celebrity Swag opportunities smart for WAHMS?

I chatted with a work at home mom this year who had decided to get involved in Swag. She learned that to participate in large Swag opportunities you have to provide a minimum number of products. She did the math she realized it would require a substantial investment on her part and drain her current inventory levels but with glitter in her eyes, she was about to sign on the dotted line when her husband nixed the plan.

I’m relieved that hubby stepped in when he did. Like most small product sellers, she had gone into debt to develop her initial product inventory. She did so counting on the profits from that first batch of product to cover her debts and provide a profit. If she had bundled it all up and mailed it with a fat check to put it in the hands of socialite celebs, she might get some fabulous exposure – but then what?

From what I read about promoting through swag, it shouldn’t be approached as a ‘one time’ thing. To really benefit from it you have to keep it up. Perhaps large, well financed companies can manage that, but a home based venture doesn’t have that kind of capital and it’s likely to lead to more debt than profit.

I’m curious to know if any WAHMs have participated in some of the larger celebrity swag opportunities and hear how it went for you. If you’ve had experience with it, please get in touch :)

Here are some links you can browse to learn more about Celebrity Swag:

This post was written by:

Kelly McCausey is the host of Work at Home Moms Talk Radio and owner of Mom's Talk Network. She has built a successful internet based home business and helps other moms do the same.

Contact the author

  • So glad to see you talk about this. It's so tempting, I looked into it, but with such a custom product, it just didn't really work for me, thank goodness! It did seem like a big investment they were asking for with no guarantee of any return.
  • I'm curious to hear if any WAHM succeeded with this kind of promotion. The value of the potential exposure is huge - the kind you could never buy. But the issue of keeping it going is an important one.

    Sharon's last blog post..TV's ?Real Housewives of?? - Not Real AND Boring
  • It does seem like an awesome opportunity, but as with any marketing, you're correct, to get the best exposure you would need to do this more than once...and that's quite an expense that could easily run a small home-based business into debt instead of profit.

    RhondaW's last blog post..Top Ten Best-Selling Household Items at Ebay
  • tsoniki
    A handful of years ago when I was a direct seller for a paper company, I put together a small bag for contestants in a pageant. Looking back on it, it was talked up *very* much and I honestly thought people, if even just a few, would order. I ended up receiving three thank you notes and that is it. I was disappointed but that was the year I quit actively working that business so lesson learned!

    Tsoniki's last blog post..Craft Pad Review
  • Hi ladies!
    I am a WHAM that began my hair accessory company in 2007. I was approached by many PR firms wanting me to sign up for 3 month PR campaigns that packages started at $5,000 with hopes of maybe getting you a local tv spot or print. They insisted they would pitch the major network shows & magazines. Well, after spending thousands of dollars on 2 trade shows my first 6 months of business. I did not have $5,000 for a PR.
    I was trying to build a Media Kit and to add something to my press page on my website.
    That is when I found Baby Swags! I was thrilled to be able to participate in a celebrity gifting for these reasons:
    1. $75.00 inclusion fee (little cheaper than a $5,000)
    2. was included in a press release that had my website named
    3. now I had something to put on my press page!
    OK, so my very first gifting was Jessica Alba's baby Honor. Well, sure enough reading People Magazine with my husband behind me he says, isn't that your hair clip! Sure enough it was! It was the best $75.00 I ever spent! That turned into several photographs of baby Honor wearing several clips from my line.
    It gets better so I a few more giftings that included,Jenifer Garner, Nicole Richie, & Denise Richards. All of their children have been photographed numerous times wearing my product. Oh, and then I was contacted by a local TV station here in Phoenix, Arizona that did a whole story about my company & celebrity gifting!

    I guess my point is for such a small fee you can gain some press without having to spend a million dollars!
    I would highly recommend celebrity gifting at least once. Phyllis with Baby Swags is a pleasure to work with!
blog comments powered by Disqus