Plan for SWAG
Everyone loves swag. How are you distributing yours?
Pickup vs Shipping
- Local Pickup
- No shipping costs
- Can drive traffic to a local sponsor
- Easier for size exchanges
- Not possible for out-of-towners
- Shipping All Swag
- Convenient for participants
- Shipping is costly
- Delivery can be unreliable
- Swag packages are time-intensive to prepare
- Half/Half
- Makes everyone happy
- Limits shipping costs
- Difficult to track and manage
Shipping Considerations
Shipping is hard. A few things to keep in mind:
- Weight: average package is $3.50, but that increases significantly with heavier packages
- Shape: a t-shirt and medal is easier to ship than a poster or a wine glass
- Zones: Use shipping software to automatically calculate the shipping zones and subsequent cost
- USPS Issues: Current USPS delays could mean very late packages. Prepare your attendees for the possibility.
- International Shipping: International shipping, if you allow it, can be 5-6x the cost of domestic shipping
Make Fulfillment Easier
Please don't sit at home writing out shipping labels. There are resources that can help streamline this process:
- DIY: If you’re keeping shipping in-house, software like Shipstation or ShipEasy can help
- Contact your Timer: Many timers offer shipping/fulfillment services as a part of their business model
- Fulfillment Companies: Some swag companies specialize in shipping fulfillment - you can find a few here.
Communication is Key (always)
Make sure you know when your items should ship and arrive, and include that information in registration, confirmation emails, and follow-up communications. Additionally, add details right where the swag is featured:
- For Giveaways, update Additional Details at Race >> Giveaways/Add-Ons >> Giveaway
- For Add-Ons, update Description at Race >> Giveaways/Add-Ons >> Add-Ons