Even the most creative marketing plans can hit a wall. When your clients feel stuck in a promo rut, a fresh product idea might be exactly what they need to recharge their brand and stand out from the competition.

Here’s how to help them break away from the same-old and inspire something new, along with product ideas to kick things off.

1. Keep an Eye on Trends

Trends are everywhere: social feeds, store shelves, and even your inbox. Help your clients tap into what’s getting attention right now. Sustainability, for example, is more than a passing buzzword. Brands are leaning into upcycled fabrics, reusable products, and even regenerative materials that put something back into the environment. There’s also a growing focus on wellness—think products that support mental health, hydration, or getting outside. Tech is evolving, too, with more smart devices and hybrid work essentials that help people stay connected wherever they are.

Try:

• Wheat straw wireless chargers
• Refillable stone paper notebooks
• Totes made from ocean-bound plastic
• Stainless steel reusable straws
• Mood-boosting essential oil rollers
• Desk lamps with wireless charging
• Smart notebooks that connect to apps
• Aromatherapy diffusers for home offices
• Plantable seed paper kits
• Hydration-tracking water bottles

2. Go for the WOW Factor!

If your client wants to make a splash, look for products with a twist. Clever details or unexpected features can turn a standard giveaway into something unforgettable.

Think:

• Bluetooth bottles that light up and double as speakers
• Journals with built-in phone stands
• Self-cleaning water bottles
• Phone stands with UV sanitizers
• Touchless tool keychains
• Foldable backpacks

3. Tie into the Seasons

Seasons aren’t just about weather—they’re built-in opportunities to connect. From back-to-school to summer road trips, seasonal moments make people pay attention. Make it even easier and add SAGE’s Curated Content Collections to your SAGE Website Professional Plus—we’ve got a ton of themes from holidays and seasons to things like self-care, drinkware, and best sellers.

• For spring:
  • Umbrellas
  • Seed paper business cards
  • Flying discs
• For summer:
  • Insulated wine tumblers
  • Compact picnic blankets
  • Collapsible coolers
• For fall:
  • Branded campfire mugs
  • Cozy fleece vests
  • Portable lanterns
• For winter
  • Hot chocolate kits
  • Fleece blankets
  • Knit scarves

4. Make It Personal

Personalization is powerful. When someone sees their own name or a custom design, they’re more likely to hold on to it — and your client’s brand stays top of mind.

Try:

• Individually named tote bags
• Laser-engraved water bottles
• Custom-etched wireless earbuds

5. Think Small, Stay Smart

The smallest items can make the biggest difference, especially for high-volume events or giveaways. Budget-friendly, practical products still leave a mark.

Consider:

• Cable organizers
• Microfiber screen cleaners
• Pocket-sized toolkits

Fresh ideas are the difference between a promo piece that gets tossed and one that gets remembered. Whether you lean into trends, seasonal moments, or a little bit of personalization, these products can help spark campaigns that feel relevant and memorable. Keep exploring what’s new, keep sharing what’s possible, and help your clients see just how powerful promo can be.

6. Take Advantage of AI  

Look, we get it—sometimes your brain is a little mushy and the creative juices are taking a vacation. SAGE is here to help! With our SAGE Idea Wizard, all you need to do is enter the event or occasion your client is looking to promote, and our handy office wizard will come up with a list of ideas for you to pitch to your client.

 Looking for more promotional product ideas? Check out our Industry Deep Dive Guides here!