Eco-Friendly Sippers: 10 Reasons to Give Custom Drinking Straws at Your Next Event

Dig around in your bag for a second. What can you find? No doubt, deep down in there is an old promotional item that you picked up somewhere along the line. Whether it's a keychain or a pencil, you probably forgot all about it! The key to a successful marketing campaign with promotional items is to give something that is useful. And it should continue to advertise for you. A surprisingly amazing promo gift to give out is a custom drinking straw. Hold up...straws? Yes, custom reusable straws are taking the promo world by storm. There are many reasons why you should use custom drinking straws for your next event. Keep reading to find out all about it. Are you ready? Let's slurp through this!

Why Buy Custom Drinking Straws?

Seriously, customizable straws? Are they really going to promote your brand in a good way? Read on for 10 amazing reasons why personalized drinking straws are the best promotional item you can give out at your next event. It might surprise you to see the power a simple straw may have!

1. Show You Care with Custom Reusable Straws

It's no secret that plastic disposable straws suck for the environment. Did you know in the US, people throw away 500 million straws EVERY day? That's a phenomenal number. If you can't picture it, EcoCycle put it like this: "500 million straws could fill over 127 school buses each day". Conservatists around the world are urging people to stop using plastic straws. The sad truth is people like straws and will not stop using them. But it's not straws that are the problem, it's disposable straws that are not bio-degradable. If your company gets on the eco-friendly side and uses custom reusable straws, it's a win-win for everyone. Straw-lovers can continue slurping away on their re-usable straws. And planet earth will thank you for reducing plastic waste. Yes, instead of adding to the troubles of this world, you can give out your promo items with a clear conscience.

2. Good Straws and Good Vibes

Jumping on the eco-friendly train not only helps you to feel good about your company, but others will notice too. In fact, according to a survey, 35% of consumers will spend more money on a product if it's eco-friendly. It's true, helping the environment can reflect your brand in a great way. Giving out custom reusable straws will show the world that you're not a corporate monster that doesn't care about what it damages to reach the top. It will show your customers that you want to make a difference in the world. These good vibes will attract more customers in the long run.

3. Perfectly Practical

When you're picking out promotional gifts for an event, you basically have two options:

1. Fun
2. Practical

While fun is a great option, the novelty can quickly wear off. Do you still play with that yo-yo you got from that trade show you went to in 2016? Probably not. Choosing something practical is the best option. Why? Customers will feel more inclined to sign up to something when they know the gift is worthwhile. And instead of a useless gift that they throw into the back of a drawer, they will continue to use the gift for years to come. Personalized drinking straws are a great option as they are ever practical. This means the money you spend won't go to waste. You'll know your straws are out there doing their job—advertising your brand!

4. The Age of the Smoothie

This year the Millennial generation is all about keeping things healthy and eco-friendly. Custom reusable straws tick both of those boxes. For Millennials, 2019 is the age of the smoothie. Health addicts are loving healthy smoothies using avocados, kale, and other superfoods. But drinking so many health-shakes will use up A LOT of plastic straws. Handing out custom reusable straws at your promotional event will draw in this trendy crowd. When they see your promo gifts, they'll immediately connect it to their smoothie loving addiction. This will attract them to your booth. The smoothie generation is also Insta-foodies. This means, whatever they drink they will post online. If your branded straw is in the photo, you have a free advertisement!

5. Walking Ads

When you hand out your promo personalized drinking straws, you really don't know where they'll end up. Especially if you buy reusable steel straws that last a lifetime. Customers may use the straw, that features your branding, anywhere and everywhere. For example, at home, at their workplace, at school, on the road or out drinking with friends. When onlookers see your promotional straws, they may ask about the brand. This may begin a conversation about your company and lead to another potential customer. And you don't have to do a thing! Just sit back, relax, and let your custom drinking straw do the work for you. This word of mouth marketing technique is a great way to get your brand noticed. In fact, according to research, 92% of customers prefer word-of-mouth recommendations over advertising.

6. Reel Them In

If you're promoting your brand at a promo fair or trade show, the competition can be tough. Other well-established brands may wow their customers. Compared to their huge displays and loud microphone, you may feel like your little booth is insignificant. It's time to think outside the box and reel in customers, even if you don't have a big budget. One great way to entice customers is to give out free snacks or drinks. Use branded cups and straws to spread awareness of your brand. Everyone loves free food and drink, right? If you have enough space, set up a cozy area to sit, relax, and have a drink. This "relaxation time" will give you the chance to promote your product or service. Most people are more likely to stop and listen when they feel relaxed and comfy.

7. Save the Turtles

Do you remember the poor old turtle who had a plastic straw stuck up its nose? In the viral video, you could see scientists working hard to remove the plastic straw from the nostril of an olive ridley sea turtle. In 2015 that video went viral and shocked the world. No doubt, that tragic video's embedded on your mind. But, sadly, he's not the only one who is in danger because of the plastic waste humans are producing. In fact, plastic straws contribute to the 5.25 trillion pieces of marine trash in the ocean. Giving out custom reusable straws is not only showing that YOU care about the environment. But it also helps OTHERS to care about the environment too. For instance, some of the people who receive your promo steel straw may stop buying plastic straws forever, why? Because YOU equipped them! They may not have given it a second thought before.

8. Mix and Match Promo Items

One of the keys to success in promotional items is to give interested people items they can mix and match with. For example, if your company is giving promo items away as an incentive for signing up to something or for buying a product. For the initial contact, they may win a custom drinking straw. If they come back again, they also get a matching tumbler or other drinkware gifts. Or mix and match with other eco-friendly items. For example, a reusable grocery bag and recycled notebooks. Little incentives like this will encourage customers to come back for more. In fact, according to research, incentives may increase participation of up to 45%. Buyers are looking to get more bang for their buck, so make sure to make it worth their while.

9. Cheap and Cheerful Customizable Straws

When you're looking for promo items to suit your budget, it can be slim pickings if you need something cheap and cheerful. But another great reason to use custom reusable straws for your next promotional event is that they are budget friendly. Even if you're in the early stages of marketing and don't have a lot of dosh to spend, customizable straws will, no doubt, be within your price range. In fact, paper straw prices can start from as low as $0.08. There really is no other promotional item that can beat that price!

10. The Options Are Endless

While custom reusable straws are great for the environment, are they an interesting choice? It may surprise you, but customizable straws come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors. You can customize and adapt them accordingly to match your branding. It's not a boring promo item, it's actually quite a unique choice. But what exactly are the options for customizable straws? Let's take a look at some of the best options.

Paper Straw

As mentioned, the cheapest straws for your budget-friendly event are paper straws. They are disposable, but as they are biodegradable, they don't harm the environment. It's a win-win. You can customize the entire straw with patterns, branding, and slogans. If you opt for straws in a pouch, you can have the bag customized too.

Steel Straw

"Steel" the show with a steel straw promo idea. These are eco-friendly and last for life. If you buy a steel straw set, you also receive a straw cleaner which can keep your straw spotless inside and out for years to come. To make your steel straw even more convenient, you can buy a collapsible version. It can be used as a keychain when not in use, and you just need to pop it out when you're thirsty! This is a great promo item for camping or sports companies.

Mood Straw

If you want to know whether your customers are loving their free drinks at a promotional fair, try out a Mood Straw. These funky designs change color according to your mood. You can even buy them with matching tumblers or Mason Jars.

Silicone Straw

Try a Sip 'N Store silicone straw. This ingenious design includes a silicone straw that pops out of a little pocket-sized pouch. It's dishwasher friendly and comes in a variety of colors. If you're looking for a promotional gift that looks more traditional than a straw, why not try a silicone straw keychain. What's that now? Yes, a keychain with a hidden silicone straw wrapped up inside. That's what we call thinking outside the box!

The Last Straw

If personalized drinking straws aren't matching your companies branding, don't worry. There are MANY other amazing promo items you can try. Forgo the promo pen and try one of these unique out-of-the-box ideas instead:

• Apparel (T-shirts, jackets, caps, beanies, gloves, socks, and more)
• Bags (Laptop cases, coolers, grocery bags, school bags, and more)
• Home Items (BBQ tools, toys, candles, kitchen utensils, and more)
• For the Office (Clipboards, calendars, diaries, magnets, notepads, and more)
• Technology (Chargers, speakers, drones, headphones, flash drives, and more)
• Wellness and Safety (First Aid Kits, safety jackets, pepper spray, insect repellent, and more)
• Outdoor and sports (Beach balls, umbrellas, hand fans, flip flops, flashlights, and more)

And the list goes on. It's true, whatever your companies vibe is, we've got the promotional items for you. But whatever you decide upon, make sure it's matching your brand's image. For instance, a tech company would stick to tech promo gifts. Whereas a coffee shop may give out coffee mugs or flasks. This tailored marketing will help you to draw in the right crowd. One of the best things about straws is that they are versatile. Whatever company your marketing, customizable straws can match the theme.

Don't Draw the Short Straw—Get Your Promo Items Here!

Custom drinking straws show the world that you care about the environment including our precious turtles. They are versatile, in with the latest trends, AND there are so many options. Yes, customizable straws really are ex-straw-dinary promotional gifts! But don't draw the short straw and buy from any old store. If you're looking for the BEST promotional items at the BEST prices, you've come to the right place. Check out our range of promotional straws that will make your next event the talk of the town.