We’re out there again and loving every minute of it! People who have been cooped up for a couple of months (and in some areas, longer), are enjoying the freedom of being able to stretch, roam, run, lunge, throw, bat, catch, and score.
The saying “you don’t know what you miss until it’s gone” can be a great incentive for sports-type promotions – and any business can get in on it.
A great idea for local leagues or pick-up games is T-shirts with logos of business sponsors for all those who participate. For municipalities or other organizations that host celebration days or outdoor fairs, you might consider creating a booth with an on-site sport contest. For example, a three-point shooting contest with a portable basketball hoop. Award the winners with a higher-end item, and the runner up with a mid-range item. And of course, all participants should walk away with a promotional pen or magnet just for stopping by.
For those who organize local charity runs and walks there are lots of opporunities for sponsors. Donating promotional products provides your charity with giveaways, while providing the sponsor with some advertising. Participants in these events take fitness seriously, and may appreciate a variety of useful items: logoed terry headband or wristband, Koozie® can coolers, Thermo snack tote bag, cooling towel, disposable ponchos (for events held in rain or drizzle), or sunglasses. Suggest they sponsor the first 10 winners who cross the line with a folding chair with a carrying bag, or golf umbrella.
Popular sports events, such as Wimbledon or the USA Open often provide logoed items for spectators or fans. For example, you could give out imprintable tennis ball stress relievers, tennis ball squeezie top pens, or tennis ball drawstring backpacks. Soccer fans would love a soccer stress ball, soccer spinner ball pen, soccer ball squeezie key ring, or a soccer ball luggage tag. These are all good suggestions for any business that wants to align itself with the sport, a sporting event, or even a local team.
One aspect of any sporting event that will be at the forefront is safety and social distancing. When baseball, softball, and soccer teams begin to play, one idea is to offer protective products for giveaways. For example, hand sanitizers and wet wipe packets.
Another fun and practical idea is for a tie-in to local teams is with a sports schedule. There are an array of printed team schedules for football, baseball/softball, golf, hockey, and basketball. And the good news is, they are available for both local leagues, and for professional sports teams, too. If your clientele is in a market that is an intense professional sports club hub, pretty much any customer can be sold on these team schedule magnets.
Promotions celebrating sports, and charitable sporting events, have the power to bring communities together and can generate tremendous goodwill for all involved. Score!