Did you hear about the crazy long lines at Google’s Mobile World Congress booth? The buzz was about, in part, their custom water bottle promotion.

The booth WAS pretty sweet. From smoothies to high-fives, robotic sketch artists to topiaries…it was full of mega-fun stuff. But Android’s custom water bottle promotion was a big deal at the show. Visitors could create a print and have it painted onto one of 5000 water bottles. Everyone wanted one!

But, what if you’re not Google? What if you want to make a big splash with your custom water bottle promotion, but don’t have unlimited funds? How do you create a buzz at your next trade show? Here are 5 things for you to consider:

1. What’s your goal? Sure, we all want the most sought-after item at the show to come from us, but is that really the only return you want to get on your investment? Do you want fewer, qualified people to take your water bottle, or do you just want to blast your name for the world to see? There is no right answer. It depends on your marketing strategy.
2. Is it trendy? People gravitate towards what’s “cool”. And they use it. Over and over. Which means your company stays top of mind when they see your logo on the side of their new favorite water bottle! Be it an in-demand color, style, or material, chances are we have it!
3. Check your artwork. Seriously. Water bottles are a great canvas for unique artwork that pops. As such, what you choose to print on your bottle plays a part in what makes a custom water bottle promotion successful. If your logo’s not hip or trendy, that’s totally fine! Don’t change it, play it up. Choose a bright colored bottle, use patterns on a full wrap (more info on that here), or spring for a high-perceived value water bottle (glass, for example).
4. Who’s it for? The bottle, that is! Identify your target recipient and dive deeper to find the right bottle for your project. Think about gender, age, and practicality. If your intended recipients are outdoor-minded, a glass bottle is probably not the best option for them. Targeting businesspeople? A bottle with a straw is a great idea, to keep liquids from spilling on a desk.
5. Count your pennies. We hate to say it, but budget is a critical aspect of every promotion. If it weren’t, every company would have Google-esque booths at trade shows! Since it is, you need to evaluate all the moving pieces of your campaign. If budget becomes a concern, we can help you figure out a bottle that can accomplish your goals within your budget.

In the end, remember that the success of your custom water bottle promotion likely isn’t measured by something as simple as how many people take a bottle (though it’s certainly sweet if you’re the hit of the show!). You need to figure out your goals, budget, and recipient for a killer campaign!