Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Five Tips for Choosing Great SWAG! With Gabrielle Meyer!

Erica Here: It's my pleasure to be hosting my friend, Gabrielle Meyer, here on Seekerville today! She's got a fabulous giveaway for you, but first, read this fun article on how authors choose the SWAG that they give to readers with their new releases!

Five Tips for Choosing Great SWAG

Hello Seekers. I’m Gabrielle Meyer and I’m thrilled to be back on Seekerville. Today, I thought
we’d talk about swag, which, according to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, is “promotional goods
or items.” When I think of swag, my mind immediately goes to a conference or convention
where vendors give away free items to draw you into their booth and promote their product.

In the book industry, swag often means a free item associated with a book or a particular author.
There is a lot of different swag ideas. Notebooks, pens, coffee cups, stickers, chocolate,
chapstick, letter openers, flash drives, pocket mirrors and brushes, and keychains are some that
I’ve seen. The swag often has the author’s name and website printed on it, and sometimes a
particular book.

As an author, how do you decide what items to give away? I’ve come up with five tips that I use
when I’m planning swag.


  1. Useable. Is the item something the reader can use? I’m kind of a stickler when it comesto purposeful gifts. I hate wastefulness, so I try to offer swag that is useable, often consumable. Last year, for the Mississippi River Readers Retreat, I gave away chapstick with my name and website on the label. Recently, a reader messaged me and said that she uses it every day!
  2. Recognizable. Is the item something that will make the reader think of me when she uses it? Does it have my name and website on it somewhere? Is there a picture of my book? Is it something so unique, she’ll remember me each time she sees it? I don’t want her to forget where it came from, because it’s meant to promote my book, after all.
  3. Size. Is the item easy to carry? Mail? Use on a daily basis? For my recent release, When the Day Comes, I wanted to offer incentive swag to give away when someone preordered my book from Baker Book House. Because it had to be flat and lightweight, I decided on a bookmark, but not a paper bookmark that is easily discarded. Instead, I handmade ribbon bookmarks with a clock charm to represent my time-crossing novel. The result was elegant, like my book, and drew a lot of attention. It was also easy to mail!
  4. Cost. Think about your budget and how many qualities items you can purchase within that budget. For the Mississippi River Readers Retreat, I needed a hundred and fifty pieces of swag. The chapstick, with the customizable labels, cost me about sixty cents per unit. I felt that it was a good use of my budget and wasn’t something that would be easily discarded. 
  5. Consider Your Audience. This is one of the most important tips. As you plan your swag, think about the person receiving it and what they would enjoy. If you fit within your target demographic, think about what you would like. I knew that almost everyone attending the Mississippi River Readers Retreat were women, about my age, and, like me, they probably carry purses with chapstick. This was an easy choice.

Swag is a fun way to say thank you to your readers or to create buzz about your book. There is 
no right or wrong swag, though some items offer a little more bang for your buck. By being 
thoughtful and purposeful ahead of time, your reader—and you—will reap the benefits of good 
swag.

Your Turn: What is the best swag you’ve given or received? Do you have any thoughts for authors looking for swag ideas?


Gabrielle Meyer lives in central Minnesota on the banks of the upper Mississippi River with her 
husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love 
with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing fictional stories inspired by real people, 
places, and events. You can learn more about Gabrielle and her books at 
www.gabriellemeyer.com.











When the Day Comes

Libby has been given a powerful gift: to live one life in 1774 Colonial Williamsburg and the 

other in 1914 Gilded Age New York City. When she falls asleep in one life, she wakes up in the 
other. While she's the same person at her core in both times, she's leading two vastly different 
lives.

In Colonial Williamsburg, Libby is a public printer for the House of Burgesses and the Royal 
Governor, trying to provide for her family and support the Patriot cause. The man she loves, 
Henry Montgomery, has his own secrets. As the revolution draws near, both their lives--and any 
hope of love--are put in jeopardy.

Libby's life in 1914 New York is filled with wealth, drawing room conversations, and bachelors. 
But the only work she cares about--women's suffrage--is discouraged, and her mother is intent on 
marrying her off to an English marquess. The growing talk of war in Europe only complicates 
matters.

But Libby knows she's not destined to live two lives forever. On her twenty-first birthday, she 
must choose one path and forfeit the other--but how can she choose when she has so much to 
lose in each life?



Gabrielle is generously giving away:
  1. A copy of When the Day Comes
  2. A handmade velvet ribbon bookmark
  3. Handmade drop earrings
  4. A customized chapstick
To enter, leave a comment. A winner will be drawn an announced on the Weekend Edition. US Resident only, please!




 

64 comments:

  1. Hi Gabe. I can't believe I am the first person to comment today. This was a fun post. My favorite swag items are pens and bookmarks. I also enjoy chocolate! But those are certainly more disposable. No need to put me in the drawing. I have the book and I don't have pierced ears, so couldn't wear the earrings. I am reading the book right now. I have been excited to read it as I remember you talking about it at the MRRR last summer when you were sitting at my table. But I do have a question I haven't quite figured out. When Libby is in one of her timelines, what happens to her in the other on that day? Or is she in both worlds on any given day? Thanks!

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    1. Hi Sandy! Time pauses while she is away, so nothing happens when she’s gone from one of the paths. Thanks for ordering and reading the book! I’m happy you stopped by to chat today.

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    2. That's what I figured. I really enjoy this time travel concept.

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  2. These are great ideas, Gabrielle. And very timely since I need to order some swag. Thanks for sharing this.

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  3. Book swag is always a tricky one. How useful, how expensive, how easy to mail...lots to consider!

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  4. Swag I have received (& enjoy) are reusable grocery-type bags, bookmarks, pens/pencils, small notebooks, key chain flashlight, and an insulated cup. Lip balm is always a great idea, as I appreciate practical gifts too.

    I am glad Erica mentioned this giveaway as I had seen the cover of your book on Amazon (when ordering books for our church library) but hadn't written down the title. Thank you for the opportunity to enjoy your book!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Jennifer! Thanks for the helpful list of swag. It’s always nice to know what readers enjoy.

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  5. Totebags, arcs of books, bookmarks are all good as far as I'm concerned. Signed books make it extra special as do bookplates.

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    1. That was me, Laura W…not anonymous 😄, thrilled by the thought of tote bag swag!

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    2. Tote bags are a great, reusable gift that folds up nicely and can be mailed out. Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. this book sounds amazing! i have won some very nice swag: mugs, handmade keychains, earrings. i love bookmarks, magnets, stickers. t shirts and bookbags are fun too. oh and pens!

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    1. Those all sound like great SWAG items! Thanks for stopping by.

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  7. The books sounds fabulous and what a nice giveaway! (Thanks to Erica for mentioning it.)

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    1. Don’t know why my name came up as Anonymous, but it is Cynthia (just so you know it is a real person 🙂).

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    2. Hey Cynthia! Thanks for stopping by.

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  8. Thank you for this post, Erica and Gabrielle. It was an interesting read! I enjoy swag 🙂, especially when it relates to books. I love the bookmarks I’ve received. Thank you for a lovely giveaway!

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    1. It’s always good to know what people enjoy! Thanks for stopping by!

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  9. Those are great swag ideas! I love usable/consumable swag. Some of my favorites are bookmarks and signed bookplates to go with the book, good quality pens, chocolate, small notebooks or notepads/sticky notepads. What a fun giveaway! Throw my name in the hat! I'm looking forward to reading your book sometime soon!

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    1. Hi Winnie! I love all the SWAG you’ve mentioned. I especially like the chocolate. 🤗

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  10. Hello Erica and Gabrielle, I love book swag! I certainly don't expect it to be expensive and I appreciate all that I get. Two of my favorite items are the sticky notes and sticky tabs that allow me to flag quotes that I want to use in reviews or book graphics. I also love pens and bookmarks. I recently received a set of beautiful notecards with Amish, a package of flower seed, and for fun, a rub-on tattoo! Fun indeed for this grandmother who isn't brave enough to get a real tattoo!! :-) Please throw my name in the hat!

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    1. Those are all great SWAG ideas! My friend had a fun rub-on tattoo with one of her books several years ago and we all had fun sporting them. ☺️ Thanks for sharing!

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  11. Bookmarks are definitely good and necessary (as I often lose mine). Book plates, sticky notes/tabs and edible swag. I am honestly happy for anything!

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    1. Those are great ideas! I agree that any gift is fun, especially if it’s related to a book. 🤗

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  12. Love this post. Swag is sometimes a hard choice for me. But one thing I love to give away is pens. My name is on them, as is my website. But also, I am always searching for a pen for something. As a teacher, or a mom, I wonder around my domain, setting them down, then forgetting where I put them. So, in my mind, one can never have enough pens.

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    1. Pens are a great idea! Useful, small, inexpensive, and very visible. Great suggestion!

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  13. Learning how to choose good swag was interesting.Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! This is my process, but I’m sure everyone has their own set of criteria for picking out SWAG.

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  14. I just absolutely love that cover, Gabriel

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  15. One of my favorite things I’ve received from an author is a tote bag with the cover art from her book. I also have loved getting bookmarks, magnets, sticky note pads and pens. I like to get things that are useful.

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    1. This is not allowing me to sign in and comment as myself.
      My name is Connie

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  16. I love the idea of swag that will be kept. Something that the recipient will carry or keep because it's useful. Some things I've given. Flexible jar openers shaped like a cowboy boot. Magnets (hint, they're heavy) six pack insulated coolers. Cutting boards, nail files shaped like a heart. Lots of book marks. All these things are exactly like Erica said, a balance...how bulky to mail. How heavy, how expensive. I haven't always succeeded. Those cutting boards fit in the largest manilla envelope I could find, plastic so lightweight but so large. It all becomes expensive to mail so...tricky. Add in how FEW writer events I've done for SO LONG. How to give away all these promo items when I never GO ANYWHERE!!!

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    1. I’ve seen some of those swag items and I think I have a couple! It’s always nice to know what works and what doesn’t. Thanks for stopping by, Mary!

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  17. I did small bottles of hand sanitizer with a printed book cover, made by me, stuck on the front of it. Chapstick once.

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  18. My current promo item for my latest release is a tote bag that says, Peace, Quiet, Books.

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  19. This was a fun post! I love getting bookmarks and stickers.

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  20. I like notepads and coffee mugs. Tote bags are also awesome. And clicky pens. I love clicky pens!!!!

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  21. Bookmarker, pens, tote bags and notepads are great swag items I received in giveways.

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    1. I love all of those items. Useable, practical, and easy to send in the mail!

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  22. I like how you are thoughtful about the swag you give your readers. A Handmade bookmark is definitely sleeper! But if one needs a lot rather impractical for the author. Chap stick and pens are always a good gift. I love time slip books and can’t wait to read your newest.

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    1. I should’ve reread the comment more carefully. Don’t you just love auto correct. Should’ve been ‘a keeper’ not sleeper!

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    2. Haha! I understood what you meant. ☺️ Those are great thoughts. Thanks for being here.

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  23. I’m happy with a bookmark and I keep it in the book it goes with. Thank you for sharing. I have your book on my wish list. Blessings

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    1. It’s fun to hear how others use their swag. I love keeping a bookmark from the author in the book it belongs to.

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  24. It is so fun to get a little special something from an author, even signed bookplates make a book seem personalized. I have a small book tote that I just love, and although I don't travel (except in wonderfully written stories) I use my luggage tag to mark which electric cord is mine so the kids don't unplug my computer. I did preorder your book and had to show off the lovely bookmark you made. Thank you! So looking forward to traveling through time with Libby! All the best.

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    1. I’m so happy you have Libby’s story! I hope you enjoy it. What a great use of the luggage tag!! I’ll have to use that idea.

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  25. For my debut novel I gave away ribbon bookmarks with a snowflake charm ( was a Christmas novel) and small cookie cutters ( gingerbread scene). I like receiving magnets with info on it because I don't lose them! Lol For our wedding we gave away packets of flower seeds because we married in spring. It's a challenge coming up with swag that people won't toss.

    BTW- LOVED When the Day Comes! Congratulations!

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    1. It is hard to come up with items! How fun that you gave away ribbon bookmarks. Thank you for your kind words about When the Day Comes!

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  26. I really like bookmarks and keep them with the book. All of you are generous when it comes to giving away your books and thank you to all who do that. I love your book cover, Gabrielle!

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    1. Thank you, Karen! I love the cover, too. Bethany House did an amazing job. Thanks for stopping by.

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  27. This is a great post! I love pens. Even better if they never seem to run out of ink. I still have Bethany Turner's pink one from her Wooing Cadie McCaffrey and I love it.

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    1. I love hearing about Bethany’s pen!! It’s fun to know that something is used and loved for so long. Thanks for stopping by!

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  28. I love pens--pens and mugs--I use them constantly!
    I'm so glad you did this post. That the swag should be "useful" is such a good tip.

    The best swag I've gotten recently was a little travel cutlery set from my town's environmental group--metal, so you don't need to use plasticware. It even included a metal straw with a rubber end, and a scrub brush to clean the straw! Such useful swag. I use that metal straw every day.

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    1. I've gotten lots of great swag over the years. The one I received that I liked the most was a magnet with the book/author info.

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  29. Great post Erica and Gabrielle.
    I love anything an author sends me... especially: bookmarks related to the book, ARC book, totebags with something related to the book on it, signed bookplates/books are always great!
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    Blessings, Tina

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  30. I Love anything received by an Author Love the bookmarks so I can mark my pages when I am reading a great book! Love the cover of this book! And the earrings are amazing! Blessings To You!

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  31. Thanks for the inside scoop on choosing book swag! Those are some great ideas! Some swag that I have received and enjoyed are: Insulated travel cups; eye glass cleaning cloths; sticky notes; and tote bags. Your bookmark, earrings, and chapstick are a wonderful and fun idea! Thank you so much for the chance to win your new book, When the Day Comes! It sounds so good! I love time crossing novels!!

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    1. I missed entering my name in the above post. It is Alison Boss

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  32. I love bookmarks and tote bags. I have your book already and a pair if earrings. I think of you when I wear them and I have worn them several times!! Book is awesome! Thanks for writing your books and I hope you continue to write!!

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  33. What a great giveaway! Thank you!😀😀😀😀😀

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