We’re going to share with you exactly what you should avoid providing (and what you should provide instead!) to Greek life students to keep your brand from being forgotten.

For this article, The Black Sheep surveyed over 200 college students involved in Greek life asking them to rank common promotional items from most to least desirable. Now, we’re confident that if you avoid the items below, you’ll be ahead of your competitors when it comes to reaching this key demographic.

Ditch: Wine Tumblers

Wine tumblers might seem like a chic and classy giveaway, but Greek life students aren’t as enthusiastic about them. These items often end up collecting dust. Instead of a wine tumbler, consider offering a cooler bag. Cooler bags are practical and versatile, perfect for those outdoor gatherings and events that Greek life students frequently attend.

Say No To: Trucker and Bucket Hats

Trucker and bucket hats might be trendy in some circles, but they rank low in terms of desirability among Greek life students. Hats can be hit-or-miss, and in this case, they’re more of a miss. Instead, opt for sweat or gym shorts, which are much more appreciated and regularly used by active students.

Avoid: Tank Tops

Tank tops, while great for summer, surprisingly don’t make a lasting impression with Greek life students. They’re seen as too seasonal and not versatile enough for year-round use. Hoodies, on the other hand, are a hit. They offer comfort, style, and practicality, making them a go-to item that students will cherish and use throughout the year, especially in those cold classrooms.

Skip: Beach Towels

Beach towels might seem like a fun and useful item, but they’re not as popular among Greek life students as you might think. They’re bulky and often end up forgotten in a closet. A much better alternative is a portable charger. Given the on-the-go lifestyle and digital obsession of the modern student, portable chargers are highly valued and frequently used, ensuring your brand stays top-of-mind.

When it comes to promotional items for Greek life students, it’s essential to choose items that they’ll genuinely appreciate and use. Wine tumblers, trucker and bucket hats, tank tops, and beach towels just don’t resonate with this crowd. Instead, focus on cooler bags, sweat or gym shorts, hoodies, and portable chargers to make a lasting impression and keep your brand visible.

Interested in better promo items for Greek life students? The Black Sheep is here to help! Simply Contact us and we can get you a quote within 3 business days!

We know our target audience which means we know the best AND the worst promo items for college students. We’re here to share with you exactly what you should avoid providing college students to keep your brand from getting forgotten.

For this article, The Black Sheep surveyed over 200 college students about what promotional items they receive, what they like, dislike, and whether they’d keep an item they received. We’re confident that if you avoid the four items below, you’ll be ahead of your competitors in reaching this crucial demographic.

1. Lanyard: Skip It

While a lanyard might seem like a practical item for holding keys or IDs, students aren’t as thrilled about them. Only 18.8% of our survey respondents said they would keep a lanyard after receiving it. Despite their low cost and universal nature, lanyards just don’t make the cut for students looking for useful and desirable promo items.

2. Drawstring Backpack: Hard Pass

Drawstring backpacks may be lightweight and easy to produce, but they rank low in desirability among college students. With only 15.6% of students indicating they would use a drawstring backpack, it’s clear these bags are not making a lasting impression. The Black Sheep suggests steering clear of this option if you want your brand to remain top-of-mind.

3. Koozie: Don’t Bother

The koozie, a popular giveaway item in many circles, surprisingly falls short with the college crowd. Just 14.1% of respondents use a koozie after receiving it. While it might be great for keeping drinks cold, it seems that students just don’t see the long-term value in this item. Instead of koozies, consider investing in items that offer more practical, everyday use, like branded pint glasses.

4. Snacks: Least Wanted

Rounding out our list of the least wanted promo items is snacks. While snacks might seem like an exciting way to grab students’ attention, the feedback tells a different story. Many students mentioned they don’t like single-use items and prefer something they can reuse. Plus, snacks aren’t great for branding—logos can’t be effectively attached to them, and they get tossed after one use. In fact, none of the snacks we offered in our survey (chips, candy, cookies) had more than 30% of students pick them as a top-4 item. So, snacks aren’t the best at making your brand stick. It’s best to leave them out of your promotional plans.

Key Takeaways

Promotional items can be a powerful tool in your marketing arsenal, but only if they’re items that your audience actually wants and uses. Based on our survey, it’s clear that lanyards, drawstring backpacks, koozies, and snacks just don’t cut it for college students. Many of these low-scoring items are also over-distributed, leading students to end up with a dozen lanyards and koozies that they never use, simply because everyone hands them out. These items have become white noise in the promotional landscape. By avoiding these, you can focus on providing more desirable and impactful promos. Check out our previous blog post for the Top 4 Promo Items for College Students!

Interested in better promo items for college students? The Black Sheep is here to help! Contact us, and we can get you a quote within 3 business days!