5 Common mistakes
1.You order and there is a mistake with your order
How many times have you  encountered mistakes when buying swag for your event and don't have time to "fix" the mistake ?Even once is more than enough. According to Murphys Law-If anything can go wrong, it probably will! 
Allow time for mistakes. Always order swag in time to arrive at least one week before your event This will allow you to examine the product and make sure all is correct and accounted for.. Make a claim immediately and we will do everything in our power to make it right!
Which brings me to the next common mistake.
2. Buying anything inexpensive and on a whim because you are out of time and don't know where to turn!
 Research your vendors and build a relationship with them. Let them help you to make your event and you look great!
Do your homework. Ask questions, ask for referrals Look for Customer service and value added services..they  are worth their weight in gold. You have to find accountability and make sure your supplier keeps you in the loop every step of the way from order to art to production to shipping and finally in hands and after.  MarathonSwag,com is there every step of the way! We focus on your challenges and can guide you in the right direction.
3. Budget Over-runs
Make sure you know all the costs involved when you purchase swag. Read the fine print and beware of hidden costs Many times you will get added costs tacked on upon check out such as run charges,set-up charges and other unknown costs
Our prices are all inclusive and include free set up, free shipping and a one color one location imprint unless otherwise noted. When in doubt you can get a custom quote or contact us and we will let you know the total cost before you order! 
4. Participant Dissatisfaction
​You find out at the event that no one seems to like your Swag so how do you decide what to buy ahead of time?
The main attraction of any event should be the content of the SWAG. Coming up with the perfect swag is never easy!
Use your volunteers to brainstorm and narrow down your choices,This should be well thought out before you purchase.
Let MarathonSwag.com help you by letting us do the research for you based on your event and who you are targeting  We can make suggestions and present ideas for consideration with no obligation.
5. Low registration/turn out
Are you struggling to get people to your event? Entice them with unique and cool SWAG!
Build excitement and make registration easy! Use social media before and after the event and build an audience. Promote your SWAG giveaway Create a website or Facebook event page Tweet it and build up the excitement leading up to the event,

There are many creative ways to make the most of your event. Registration fees provide a baseline for obtaining funds; however the opportunity to raise dollars should not end there. There are numerous opportunities before, during and after your event. But today we are focusing on the Swag Bag and what goes in it!

A proven method to increase the perceived value of your event is through the contents of the participants' Swag Bag!
​The Swag bag aka the goodie bag, cinch pack back pack, tote bag etc  can include everything from the tee shirt and the water bottle to a phone accessory and sunscreen. It's surprising to many of us that these items can be obtained through sponsors and other marketing channels,  providing you with qty discounts,raffle items and custom branding!

Instead of requesting that sponsors donate the Swag to the gift bags, build the purchase of promo products into the sponsorship proposals. This will generate a more varied favorable mix of products, more value for the sponsor dollars and increased value to the  event!

When  you provide these Swag bags, each product including the bag itself can be branded with your event as well as a sponsor logo. The collections are Fully Customizable! We can even mix and match colors of products! Fill it with value!

Make it personal Make it fun! Include something for kids -Parents can hand the kids a fun item when they get the famous greeting....What did you bring me? Problem solved!
​
Would you want it? Why would you take it home after the event? The Swag bag  should give a strong first impression- Who doesn't want useful cool stuff? Make it too good to throw away! Look for colorful and unique design bags and  decorate it in full color!   Make it stylish and make it  matter!  Contact us for ideas and options!

And what better opportunity to keep your participants and sponsors coming back for  more Cool Swag?   

Ever wonder how you can get participants  to come back to your event the next time around?
                                 Loyalty is rare... If you find it, keep it!

Let's assume your race was a great success and people are already talking about next year
How do you get them to come back and participate again?
                             

1. You have to provide incentives for coming back. You could give them an early bird rate just for signing up early. Give price breaks leading up to your event
2. Perhaps provide the first 150 that sign up, a small gift for doing so. Everyones loves a Free gift!
3. Give the loyal ones special recognition on your facebook page ! Talk them up and quote what they have to say about your event!
4. Offer reserved parking at the race location at the start or finish line for the first 2  people who sign up for next year!
5. Present the first few  loyal participants who sign up early,with one of a kind special apparel -a special Adidas  jacket or a Flexfit - Cool & Dry Pro-Formance Serge Cap
6. List your race on one or all  of the many public race sites and spread the word!
7. Cross promote your event by talking with other organizers. Help each other
8. Get on the local news and promote your event
9. Tweet your event all year long 
10. Offer the returning participants   first  choice of bib number and put their names on there!

Get ready and plan early for your next event Visit us now for some cool swag and make your event memorable! Don't forget your volunteers!

I know it's not even Thanksgiving  yet but  running shoes for 2016  are appearing soon at  retail  stores. There are going to be some new tec shoes that can help you monitor your run  real time thru your smart phone headphones 
 Want a SNEAK PEAK at this shoe ? click here  or just head over to Competitor.com to check out this style as well as 30 others

 Adidas has a cool outdoor shoe that has been in the works for 4 years and modeled after a mountain bike tire  Check it out here 

Take a look @ the Akasha which is the most cushioned shoe La Sportiva has ever produced.
 
“We’re really excited to see the  new  Hoka running shoes   The Hoka can help w forefoot pathologies, including bunions and neuromas. They  often need a wide toe box and many  Hoka shoes  are available in the wide width 
Read more at Competitor.com  and get your run on!

​And if you need some cool safety laces for those new shoes click here! 

  Fall Themed events are in the works and with options and natural ideas all around us, it's impossible not to fall in love with this season  So... take advantage of all the opportunities  as you plan your Autumn Events!
We have fresh Fall styles at your fingertips for those cool crisp mornings   

• Flannels 
  
• Hoodies
  
• Jackets 
  
• Sweaters
  
• Beanies
  
• Arm and leg warmers
  
• and much more! 

Think about providing a unique alternative award for your fall event such as our  Custom engraved  apples or take a look at our engraved  turkey awards which are great for those Turkey trot events!  

People love going outside during the fall season.  With the temperature  dropping, early fall can be a great time for outdoor events that are refreshing  and fun so get your SWAG here and get ready for a fantastic fall event  

One of the most well-received event marketing ideas among consumers is that  bag of swag.  Put together Swag bags for the first 100 people who come to your event or raffle them off  -  team up with a locally owned business  that will sponsor your event and in exchange for a donation include their logo/branding  on or  in  items in your bags, thereby giving them a little cross-promotional action.
Don't forget the volunteers who do so much to make your event a sucess. Give them a small gift as a token of appreciation for all their  time and hard work!
Happy Planning!

The Tour De Force Charity was started in 2002 by 2 NYC detectives The event was created  to raise money for the victims of the 9/11    Terrorists Attacks.  Ever since they have held an annual bicycle ride from   N.Y.C to Boston or from Boston to N.Y.C. to raise money for police officers families that are killed in the line of duty nationwide. 

Our local Tour De Force Charity will be sponsoring a Half Marathon, 10k and 5k and one mile walk a  in Plattsburgh,NY 12901. If you want to volunteer or support this  great cause click on link underlined above to get involved! Every volunteer will receive a tec shirt created by MarathonSwag.Com for their first annual event! The first 200 registered participants  will receive a custom Finisher Medal
You can register here to get your guaranteed SWAG!!

If you want to raise funds we can help  you get started by clicking here
We  are your one stop shop for custom swag for any event Contact us today and we will help you from Start to Finish We will even give you $25 to start! Get started by clicking  here to  save  some green on your first swag  package

Planning a Charity Event takes months of prep, having a budget, and LOTS of volunteers and sponsors

Volunteers will provide time talent and energy and become the backbone of your event.  Sponsors will help shave money off the budget and will help ramp up the final profit to benefit the charity. Consider purchasing a fundraising card for each volunteer to solicit funds from local businesses or neighbors for your event.  A great tool for the kids in school to raise $

Non-profits are constantly looking for reliable dedicated volunteers.  Organizing an event is a great way to give back to your community Team work makes anything possible!  Non-profits are happy to provide valuable guidance and ideas to help.  They are in the business of raising money so they usually know what works!

Prior to Event Date:

All volunteers should be aware of their responsibilities. They can email, call or visit businesses to ask for goods or services Offer to display the company logo of donors of large sums of money. Donors of all sizes   can be recognized in some way... …on your event site, on logoed swag, on social media event pages or on printed posters announcing your event.  

PUBLICITY

Let people know WHEN WHERE and WHY? Do a press release, display posters, hang banners, tweet  your event, create a facebook event page   Do whatever it takes to get the info out there Tie  everything together with a theme and don’t forget to give away some cool event SWAG to the participants!

  Volunteers who have devoted nights, weekends and energy to the cause, should also be recognized for their hard work A pat on the back, a volunteer T-shirt or a small token of appreciation for their efforts always is appreciated

Work smart pay attention to detail and always have a backup plan For example, if it rains consider a tent or have extra umbrellas on hand.  Consider providing each participant with an event emergency kit and order extras for sale at the event to add to your bottom line. WE can save you time money and frustration by providing you an all inclusive swag collection for your event while you take the time to create the perfect charity event