Swag at Shows [Archive] - Los Lonely Boys Forums

Tasina

02-22-2008, 03:21 PM

now that the boys are coming out of the studio and back onda road, I want to start a conversation, that maybe would go here.

Concerts get pretty crazy and Our philosophy is about representing the boys whenever we put on those STREET TEAM badges. It's not just about being gung ho about the band, but about welcoming, representing in a positive way.

We make swag to give out so fans will have a memento, token, or directive (swag with the website address or where to buy FORGIVEN in this case. ), and sometimes people get outta hand. I've been swamped so many times, and in some cases where I have my own bodyguard. lol
I've had people insult me when they can't have 'another one' or a different one. so if you have some tips, maybe we can share with each other about these things.

I love making and giving out swag. . .and have had great experiences and some not so great. .

Love talking about the boys, the cds/dvds, and whatever I'm wearing lol. .as I pass out swag.

As I give stuff out, I KEEP MOVING. . pick and choose here and there to give mainly to kids. . if I only have a limited amount of something, I'll say "These are for the kids". .and look for them. .if it's LIGHT UP type of stuff, I stay in the crowd close to the stage (for 12 rows or so), so the boys can see a concentration of light waving around. . glow sticks are the best for night concerts. .

One thing I believe is, Never THROW swag. I've seen it happen at concerts and I don't think it's a good idea. You never know where it will land, and I've seen security get upset and escort people out. . Some venues won't allow it, so we need to be as gentle and discreet about it. Many times I've started out by going up to security, telling what I'm doing and offering them a button or magnet or keychain. .so they don't think I'm selling it.

Also. Never use your badge to get special treatment. If someone offers you special treatment, compliments, etc. you can be gracious and thank them. With the questions that come about "being with the band". .my answer is "just a fan. . I'm just a fan". .but if security or anyone confronts you, never say "I'm La Onda . . . .." in a confrontive way. .that's not who we are.

I once heard someone hollar. .I joined the street team and never got anything. . I mainly ignore negative remarks, but usually say "as a street team we work to give and not expect to receive anything" .. .and then I tell them "I paid for this out of my own pocket, do you want to make something to give out". .usually does the trick.

The main thing is to have fun! People are usually SO THANKFUL and amazed that it's free. . .I love that, and telling them WHY we do it. .because we LOVE them so much, and they deserve our support. . .

I've got a lot more to add, but will stop here. I'm sure others have 'swag tips'. .if this wasn't the place to put this, maybe a moderator can move this to start a thread where it should go?. . .

More to come! I have some links for glow sticks, keychains, etc. which we can probably start another thread for. .

5 more weeks!!! whoohoo!

Belle

02-22-2008, 10:15 PM

Tasina - this is GREAT! What a lot of good advice. (And you put it in the right spot, too!)

Thank you for writing this up. I'm looking forward to what else you and other veteran street teamers have to say on the subject. This new CD is certainly going to bring new folks to the concerts and to the forum.

mmmbopnmommy

02-23-2008, 02:17 PM

I make the SWAG- but it's when it comes to distrabution that I CLAM UP!!! LOL (believe it or not!)
I'm basically a SHY- person so I'm always timid when handing out my SWAG items to people. I try to chat w/ them some before I give them anything---to know if they'll accept it or not.( okay- quit laughing!)....
Quite often I've had people say "No, I don't want to buy that" to me, and I'll tell them I'm not selling it, and they wonder why I'm not!
Last summer I had t-shirts. Just white shirts (factory seconds actually!)w/ something I'd painted on it...and I haded out a few, and someone who was walking by asked if they could BUY one. I said "No, I"m sorry , you can't" then reached into my bag and handed them my last one and said "But I can give you one"....talk about being surprised! That guy acted like I had MADE his day!

The thing to remember is-- not everyone WANTS the SWAG you are giving out. Crazy as it may seem to us--LOL-- it's true. Alot of people aren't trusting enough, and think something isn't right(like maybe we STOLE it from the band?), and want nothing to do with it. I just say okay, and move on. Doesn't hurt MY feelings any........

I think WHERE you ARE is also another important thing---know your crowd!
I know that up here in New England, well, not a whole lot of people know WHO LLB even IS! (can you believe that?? LOL) So to have someone out trying to give something away for promoting the band?? Let's just say, not everyone is accepting! :p

That is why I feel like I'm out of place!! hahaha...All the SWAGging I do, and no one to hand it out to! What's a MommyPerson to DO??!!!!! :D :cool:

llbheaven

02-23-2008, 09:19 PM

Tasina--lots of good pointers in your post. And Rita--you're too funny! Yes, I've had people turn down swag, but it's usually because they thought I was selling it. But, if they're not interested I just keep moving on to the next person.

Like Tasina said, I think the most important thing to remember when handing out swag is that you are "representing the band." So, even if people are rude, just ignore them, smile, and move on. (I've had people tell me to tell the band to hurry up and get on stage, etc, like I had some control over it.) But, for the most part, people are receptive and it's such a wondaful feeling to spread the word, and get people excited about finding out more about our boys, to want to buy their CDs and DVDs. We (OBTB) always include the LLB website on our swag so we can point to it and tell peole where to get more info about the boys. And, now that we know the name of the new CD and the release date, we'll also include that on the swag we hand out beginning in March in Oregon.

Also, as a member of the street team, we don't ask for special favors, we don't bother Glenn or Gigi or Kevin for things. Our mission as a street team member is to spread the word about the boys and not expect anything in return, to be considerate of the band, management, the venue, etc.

One other thing I've learned--if you're going to give out something that lights up, take time to turn them on before you start handing them out. We handed out light-up leis in Maui, but didn't turn them on before hand, and then were struggling to get them to light up as we went through the crowd. The crowd was a little reluctant taking the leis at first, but once other people were wearing them, then others wanted one. And, we heard later from Glenn, that the lit-up audience looked really cool from the stage. But, we wasted a number of leis because we couldn't get them to light up as we were handing them out.

OK, I think that's enough from me--just remember to be considerate and HAVE FUN! See you ONDA road!

02-24-2008, 08:26 AM

I am a real beginner at handing out swag. I've only done it once, but I hope to do it alot more in the future. I was given a bag of about 200 buttons to pass out to the audience. At first, people were reluctant, they thought I was selling them! But when you tell someone its free, of course they want one. The people were very polite as I made my way around the crowd, most of them were already seated. The buttons went very quickly, and everyone that got one had a momento of the show. Things like that go a long way with people. They will come across it one day in thier stuff and recall the show,maybe buy a cd, go to another show, or look on the website. I think its sweet how much time and money everyone puts into it. And all the cute little things people have sent to me in the mail really make me happy. Its just a really special concept and I hope everyone has a great time promoting the band this tour! :)

cherienjim

02-25-2008, 01:35 AM

My husband and I are new to this forum, and I want to thank all the advice and comments that I've read on the forum concerning etiquette.
We are going to Orlando tosee the LLB's. I am so excited!!! I saw them 2 times last year. I have a quick story to tell you all. I was at the show in Pittsburgh. After the show, I was walking back along the fence to get Henry's autograph. I had sandels on. Well, to make a long story short, I cut the top of my foot a little on the bottom of the fence. Well the foot healed, but an infection got into my blood and bone, and I almost lost my foot. I was in the hospital for 11 days, and had an operation. There is power in prayer because I prayed every day for the Good Lord to save my foot, and HE did.
But I will tell you, I had my ipod in the hospital with me and listened to SACRED constantly, and those songs mean soooo much to me. I needed to say that, I'm sorry if I made this sooo long.
Cherienjim

mmmbopnmommy

02-25-2008, 10:40 AM

Hey! WELCOME!
No- not too long a story at ALL! OMG! What a thing to happen to you--- Thank goodness you're okay now!
I'll be in Orlando TOO!!! Gotta meet--and I've just gotta give you some of my good ole' SWAG!! LOL
Otheres here are PROs at giving swag..I"m just a novice! LOL
RosieJean, Kristen & I will be seeing YOU in Orlando in April!
(feel free to email me Mmmbopnmommy@hardrockers.com)

My husband and I are new to this forum, and I want to thank all the advice and comments that I've read on the forum concerning etiquette.
We are going to Orlando tosee the LLB's. I am so excited!!! I saw them 2 times last year. I have a quick story to tell you all. I was at the show in Pittsburgh. After the show, I was walking back along the fence to get Henry's autograph. I had sandels on. Well, to make a long story short, I cut the top of my foot a little on the bottom of the fence. Well the foot healed, but an infection got into my blood and bone, and I almost lost my foot. I was in the hospital for 11 days, and had an operation. There is power in prayer because I prayed every day for the Good Lord to save my foot, and HE did.
But I will tell you, I had my ipod in the hospital with me and listened to SACRED constantly, and those songs mean soooo much to me. I needed to say that, I'm sorry if I made this sooo long.
Cherienjim

Tasina

02-25-2008, 08:36 PM

I am a real beginner at handing out swag. I've only done it once, but I hope to do it alot more in the future. I was given a bag of about 200 buttons to pass out to the audience. At first, people were reluctant, they thought I was selling them! :)

I made those buttons here, and sent them to Roadking ( a long time ONDA street teamer) and other La ONDA who are friends of mine, who I knew would be there. I thought they'd all help pass them out. . . , or at least give you some advice. .

Maybe this is a good reminder to help out the newbies, teach others a long the way. We do get a lot of questions from fans and we refer them to the website, and the street team site, hoping they would feel inspired to "make swag". . (that was before it was a paid membership).

I'm sure you did fine Janine, and I'm sure the crowd that did take them appreciated it.

It's okay to ask for help. . many of our original shows where we went into action as a ST, we shared information and answered questions a lot. It's a lot of work and costs add up. We do it because we love it, and the boys appreciate it as well. . .

02-26-2008, 07:59 AM

They had been passing out stuff before I ran into them. Those buttons sure were nice, tasina. I dont think I needed help, they told me to give them to the kids mostly, and sent me on my way. My husband helped me, and we had fun! It wasnt that hard to figure out how to give them away! And Cherie, you poor thing, I cant imagine what germs were on that fence! I was there that day, so I know exactly where you are talking about. When I see you in April, you better have on some steel toed boots or something! :)

letsgetlonelyin

02-26-2008, 02:53 PM

I hope this advise helps, I got it from Bela who got it from Tasina, and I put my spin on it (see how that works the sharing thing)

Well it is ... There is usually more than one of us handing out swag at a show, at least that is they way it is here on the east coast, so we need to be organized

In order for our swag to go farther and reach more people, we should focus on one type of swag, say- poastcards- because once people realize what we are doing and it's free, then they want one of everything,

I know it's easy to get carried away with ideas, and the whole making of the swag and swag parties are a blast, but we will be at more than one show so if we focus on one type of swag per show it will be utilized better.

cre8ivepoet

02-27-2008, 08:28 AM

I've only passed out swag once in 2006 in Tampa FL. It was very nerve wracking...kind of a shy person here. Amore and I passed out bumper stickers that were passed down to us. We had no newbie advice whatsoever, but everything went great! I was amazed at how receptive people were to LLB. It was an experience! Some folks stopped and talked about them, some didn't know who they were. The cutest was this little kid and dad who came through. the little kid had a LLB bandanna on and his eyes lit up when i handed him a bumper sticker. He and his dad said, "All right!" It was cute.

Amor

02-27-2008, 09:01 PM

Yeah, it was a lot of fun passing these out with Cree and my hubby. Actually, my hubby was really getting into it and would talk about The Boys to anyone that would listen to him. He was so cute.

To be honest, it was pretty easy to do it. Just smile and start handing them out. If someone is not receptive, no big deal, just go to the next one.

Lovergrrl

03-01-2008, 10:07 PM

Tasina, thank you for the advice. When I get ready to make swag this summer, I'm going to read your post again. You've really got some good pointers in there.

Here's my story about swag: I had no idea what swag was until I met La Onda. The second time I saw the boys was at the Greek in 2005. I was really excited because I had my street team badge on and I really wanted to meet other street team members. The first person I met was Vicki and she gave me swag. It was this cute mardi gras necklace with a guitar on it. I believe Laurie had given it to her to give to me. That night I met so many new friends. It was so much fun! The swag made me feel like I was being welcomed into this happy family. :D The concert, of course, was great. But my new friends made it even better. They were like the icing on the cake. :)

That's what made me want to pass out swag, you know? We are handing out little presents with Los Lonely Boys on it. We represent and we inform. But it also helps to welcome new people into our family.

When the boys came back to the Greek in August of 2007, I made swag for the first time. Handing it out was a very positive experience. No one said anything negative and things didn't get out of hand. I just wished I would have made more!

Take care and God Bless!
Have fun making swag!

Always,
Lovergrrl :)

llbheaven

03-01-2008, 11:19 PM

Hi Amy/LetsgetlonelyinMA,

Good to see you on here! I hope to get to see you again sometime this year--maybe in Texas?

I agree with you about making just one type of swag for each venue. Otherwise people get greedy and "want one of each." Even with the buttons, if we have more than one type, they want one of each of them, or want to pick through them to find the one they want. In that case, it's just best to keep moving through the crowd, and hand the buttons out, rather than let them choose what they want. So, like Amy said, our advice is to try and have one type of swag for each venue. Or, if you have several people with different types of swag, divide up and go to different parts of the venue--the front, the back, the balcony--that way more people will get the swag and will be happy. Whoohoo! Less than 4 weeks till we're handing out swag in Oregon!

letsgetlonelyin

03-13-2008, 01:07 AM

Hi Martha

I sure will see you in Texas this year! I can't wait.

llbheaven

03-14-2008, 02:10 AM

Amy--I can't wait either--only about 2 months from now! Whoohoo!

Tasina

07-12-2008, 02:04 AM

just clarifying for some newbies who were asking about swag:
SWAG
definition: a term for promotional items, gifts to the general public, or a souvenir of a special event
It's made to give out to the masses of people,
to PROMOTE the boys (in our case), their CDs, their DVDs, Upcoming concerts. .

This is different then making and giving gifts out to each other. I make gifts and RECEIVE amazing gifts for and from other loopies, (artistdebbie is known for making gifts for other loopies/crossroads. she's even got PHASES of gifts :) ) and they are very cool. . I've gotten so many amazing gifts from La Onda and Crossroads fans. . .Lil Mama's LLB Bags, Amy's bookmarks, LLB calendars of all sizes from Pat, VEronica, DONNA, Margie. . and of course the many gift bags from Texas Onda, OBTB and Visors (Like the ones Laurie and I wore on Leno, thank you Ora), LLB beach towel from the ODR raffle (thanks Karen), my LLB mobile, SHOT GLASSES, earrings, playing cards, and my most amazing silver LLB pendant.

and I've seen some pretty amazing swag :) keychains, magnets, postcards, buttons, fans, matches, lit up roses, lit up leis, frisbees, glow sticks, bracelets, and the list goes on. . .

Loopies/Lonelies. . . let's get on the promo for FORGIVEN. . . Gigi and the boys need our help. . . it takes more than one person, or even two. . if everyone pitches in, Like we did for the FORGIVEN guitar picks, it keeps the expense down.

Hope y'all are having a great time with the new music and the concerts coming your way. .

OndaLove and stuff,

Tasina

mamacitaRuth

07-12-2008, 06:27 AM

Funny you should mention that, Tasina....we were just talking about this very thing. Thinking about ordering the glow bracelets, like Amy had at Saxon, but in the new Forgiven BLUE?? What d'ya think? I can see people wearing these at every concert, and once it gets dark...WOW, what a beautiful sight that would be! And if they showed up at more than one concert, the Boys would definitely get the idea that there's a theme going on here.....Kelly also had the idea that we could put clear stickers on them with just the word "FORGIVEN", maybe the website...Has anyone ever tried to attach something to them before? I'm wondering how that worked out?

If anyone's interested in quantity discounts, PM me and maybe we can pool our resources. Here's the link and what they look like....
http://www.flashingblinkylights.com/glow-bracelets-c-114_120.html?osCsid=09ljeg71j0r962n0hn071ifen3
http://i38.tinypic.com/dfdmko.gif

RosieJeanne

07-12-2008, 07:07 PM

Mamacita, Amy & I just print out "Visit www.Loslonelyboys.org" on white address labels. I can get 2 lines on each label, so I get 2 to a label, cut it in half, Then just put it around the bracelet and stick it together. The only thing is, you have to attatch the bracelets with the little connector thingy. I think I forgot I had the bracelets at House of Blues in Orlando, then I just opened the tin cans and cracked the glo bracelets, and handed them out! I was sooo mesmerized, I forgot! But we have to put the stickers on ahead of time, and be careful not to snap the glowstick. Then put them back in the can. It's kind of a pain, but it does look nice in the dark! Amy had a better idea, which I do alot... Just give out snapshots of the guys in action, with labels on the back with future shows, and albums to buy. It's really easy, and Walgreens has specials sometimes, like .10 a picture. I just ordered about 100 today. Oh, btw, Michael's Crafts has 15 glowbracelets for $1. Almost the same amount each, except assorted colors. That's where we get them, on the $1 table. Hope this helps!

mamacitaRuth

07-13-2008, 10:36 AM

Thanks for all the info, Rosie. Didn't even think about sticking the stickers TO themselves, DUH. That would work! We're going a slightly different way, so it should be a lot easier to manage....

Going to order silicone bracelets in glow-in-the-dark light blue that are debossed with "LLB * FORGIVEN * LLB". If anyone wants to have a piece of the order, they will be about 29 cents each. PM me if you want to be included! Orders going in the end of this next week (the 18th).

velvetsky0222

07-14-2008, 08:05 AM

Ruth I sent you a PM (before) I saw the .29 quote. :cool:

Los Lonely Girl

08-08-2008, 11:17 PM

are there any more of these around? i'd like to buy some. i just joined the crossroads here so i'm a little behind. :(

thanks, kimmie rae

mamacitaRuth

08-09-2008, 09:53 AM

are there any more of these around? i'd like to buy some. i just joined the crossroads here so i'm a little behind. :(

thanks, kimmie rae

Sorry, Kim! That order's closed, but if there's enough interest later in a reorder, I'll be sure to keep you in mind.

Los Lonely Girl

08-09-2008, 07:32 PM

thanks, mamacitaruth. there are just so many cool things out there people are doing and making. i should not cry too much about the bracelets. lol! :o

llbeagle

08-10-2008, 04:06 AM

i should not cry too much about the bracelets. lol! :o
"NO LLORES, BABY"

don't cry, Kimmie Rae. if i come across any of those pretty blue bracelets at a show somewhere, i'll let ya know and send 'em your way. i have yet to complete my first swag, but it's in process now. it's not hand-made and i don't really know if it's worthy of being categorized as swag, but it's gonna be fun. heheheee...

Los Lonely Girl

08-10-2008, 12:29 PM

i appreciate your kindness ellen. :)

ya got me curious about your swag. i've always thought along the lines of t-shirts --- even years ago. but i know those probably aren't the cheapest things to order up, at least something of quality anyway.

i'll keep letting the little gerbil in my head spin ideas. good luck on yours.

Tasina

08-10-2008, 02:46 PM

i don't really know if it's worthy to be categorized as swag, but it's gonna be fun. heheheee...

Swag is anything you PASS OUT to people TO PROMOTE the boys. .

the official definition

SWAG
definition: a term for promotional items, gifts to the general public, or a souvenir of a special event

It'll pass ;) and I can't wait to see it Ellen

RachelinAZ

08-10-2008, 11:59 PM

A couple years ago, I did up some keychains from photos I have taken.... I didn't do very many... I think I ended up doing maybe 10 of them LOL. They were not REAL time consuming AFTER we figured out how to do them.

The pictures are from Palm Desert. If I can find the materials, I am going to do them here in Alaska... I have nothing better to do :D right now.

Where can I find graphics for the boys? Such as the one off the new album and the original one with the silhouette of the boys with the cool likes behind them. Isn't there somewhere we discussed swag before? I lost the link.
And I know I have asked before, what font is used on their albums.

Unfinished....
http://spencephotography.smugmug.com/photos/61595029_mtuz5-S.jpg
http://spencephotography.smugmug.com/photos/65779591_eSPWF-S.jpg
I am not sure if I have a copy of the finished....

Ahhhh here it is:
http://spencephotography.smugmug.com/photos/65954583_4Fwf4-M.jpg

OK Stinkpot aka my little love muffin aka Aiden, is due back from his Grandma's here shortly, so I better go shower... :)

TIA... sorry if I have asked these questions before. These blasted seizures really screw with your memory. I am lucky if I remember my login day to day anymore :(

mamacitaRuth

08-11-2008, 08:01 AM

Where can I find graphics for the boys? Such as the one off the new album and the original one with the silhouette of the boys with the cool likes behind them. Isn't there somewhere we discussed swag before?
Ahhhh here it is:

Rachel, all the graphics are loaded either in the ReverbNation site
http://www.reverbnation.com/loslonelyboys
or on MySpace in their pics file or HERE in Photos
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewAlbums&friendID=50917029

RachelinAZ

08-11-2008, 04:39 PM

Rock on! Thanks so much Ruth!! :D I will check it out when I get over to my mom's. I am on my cousin's old laptops :D

cmedina

08-13-2008, 06:35 PM

Rachel, I love the keychains!
I collect keychains, have tons of them on my lanyard and everybody always teases me, got enough of those, have more keychains than keys, although I need to add some LLB ones to the collection!! LOL :p

HRosebud

08-16-2008, 09:50 AM

mamacitaRuth

08-16-2008, 12:51 PM

The Houston team has made keychains a couple of times too ... I'm telling you, the fans go WILD when you give them something like that for free. They just can't believe it ... AND, it gives them a super "first impression" of the Boys based on how fabulous their Street Team is. That's why we do it!!

I have made a LOT of keychains and magnets over the years, so the last couple shows, I thought I'd do something different....In Des Moines, I had given Ian a magnet and some gal conned him out of it!...LOL. Said that's "all she wanted". I ALWAYS run out, so I couldn't give him another for himself. Anyway, in CB, IA recently, a gal came up to me there, who looked vaguely familiar, and said, "Hi, Mamacita!" Figured she was reading my hat...I handed her one of our bracelets, and -- though she said "thanks!" -- she looked a little disappointed and kind of was slow to move away. So, BEING ME, I started talking to her...street-teaming..."are you excited to see them here? They're SO good, have you heard their new album?" She said, "Yeah! I saw them in '05. I still have your keychain!" And she pulled it out of her pocket, battered and ready to fall apart! Now I'm puzzled because I didn't give out swag at that show...??? I recognized my work, so I couldn't get out of it...LOL...but she had me going! I said, puzzled, "You got this from me?" She said, "Yeah, but not at that show. I found your website and wrote to you and you sent me a package." WOW....double stunned now, since the website didn't happen for another 9 months or so after that! And if that wasn't enough, she says "and I got a magnet from you in Pueblo (2006?)". I said, "Okay, (laughing now) surely I didn't forget meeting you there!" She says, "Oh, I didn't see you that time. My sister gave it to me. She lives there and I was out there staying with her and we went to that show together." :p FAR AND NEAR.......So, keychains WORK!!! LOL.. :D

Tasina

08-16-2008, 01:25 PM

I had given Ian a magnet and some gal conned him out of it!...LOL. Said that's "all she wanted". I ALWAYS run out, so I couldn't give him another for himself.

No matter what you give Ian, he gives them away. I always give him buttons, loads of them, . .and he ALWAYS gives them away. .lol He's La onda himself.

Yeah, Keychains are the best. . I went different this year with the frisbees and bookmarks. . . and of course buttons buttons buttons. .

that's a great story mamacita. .in 2004 we made LLB stickers, and put them on black bandanas and everyone was wearing them when the boys came out. . to this day, we see them at concerts out here. It's good to see people who cherish the swag.

HRosebud

08-16-2008, 03:08 PM

.... I started talking to her...street-teaming... She said, "Yeah! I saw them in '05. I still have your keychain!" And she pulled it out of her pocket, battered and ready to fall apart! ....So, keychains WORK!!! LOL.. :D

I absolutely LOVE that story, M.Ruth!! In that one fans' eyes, YOU were almost as famous to her as the Boys! (almost I said, *lol*)

You never know when you casually hand somebody something how much it's going to MEAN to them later on! I always wish I could put tracking devices on all the magnets I've given away, and the keychains... it would be so NEAT to know where they all are now!

mamacitaRuth

08-16-2008, 04:23 PM

SO true, Heather! About not knowing what it MEANS to them....not the "famous" part! LOL....I always love the look in their eyes, one of complete surprise and JOY....I will never forget a little boy in Cheyenne. I gave him a keychain and a picture 'cause he looked so downhearted. They had just told him and his dad that they were out of the t-shirt he had wanted. He kept asking me, "Really? Really? I can keep this?" He couldn't have been more than about 7 years old, if that...His dad reassured him in Spanish, and he just grinned from ear to ear, and hugged me around my waist! He was so sweet....Makes all the preparation worth it! (BTW, your keychains are beautiful!)

cmedina

08-16-2008, 09:00 PM

It really does leave an impression, and means so much to those receiving swag. I remember getting a bumper sticker from Artist Debbie at Mardi Gras Universal Orlando and I thought wow, people were there handing stuff out, how cool is that! I was there to see the boys, but having something with them on it was just awesome!
And then I saw her again this year at HOB Orlando again handing out swag and that's when I decided I had to get involved in this loopies madness and joined the fan club. :D
I'm excited to be able to hand out swag at upcoming concerts in October here in Florida. Although it's bought swag, hopefully I can get a little creative & make keychains and buttons, I'm not the most creative! :p
But you all surely motivate me to try! ;)

lovemusic

08-16-2008, 11:41 PM

I still have people come up to me at concerts and tell me that they have a magnet that they got from me last year or the year before. Giving swag out to people is really a lot of fun and really worthwhile. It makes a huge impression on people and gives us an opportunity to talk about how the Boys inspire us to do this.

I always give Ian some swag for him to give out to kids. He loves to give a little something to the little ones. I just gave him a handful of picks in Indianapolis. Anything you give him, he will give away.

Los Lonely Girl

08-19-2008, 05:44 PM

wow! these keychains and magnets sound cool! i've got a blue beaded forgiven necklace and a forgiven button i got from laura at the nissan live and greek theater shows.

both the keychains and the magnets are easy to carry and useful to those who receive them. i'll probably wind up designing something for either of these in my photoshop class.

i also thought about big magnetic bumper stickers. those are pretty awesome but not as easy to carry around.

Los Lonely Girl

08-19-2008, 05:47 PM

very nice keychains, lachesis! very elaborate!

cmedina

10-11-2008, 10:10 AM

I have a question on the swag.
I have some of the LLB bracelets and picks, and wanted to hand them out at the Fl shows. Do I just hand them out as is, or should I put them in a baggie with a label on it???
This is my first time doing swag :p

Thanks ya'll !!!

Tasina

10-11-2008, 12:30 PM

I just hand them out as is. The only thing is, if you only have a limited number, things like the glow bracelets (mamacita's right?) you might want to be strategic about. . ..when we have say 100 light up roses, or glow sticks or bracelets . .we try to give them out in the first three rows, so that the boys see a bunch in one general area. . and they have a visual impact. .

if they get spread out all over, you see one here . .there, . .and it looks like theres' hardly any. . but concentrated in the front, the boys notice.

Picks.. .or smaller items like buttons, magnets, keychains, bracelets, bookmarks, cards. .I tend to wait until after the show because that's when you see the FANS who are blown away. ..who linger in the venue hoping to see the boys come out. . kids especially. . wanting more. . and so when you hand them a pick, they are sooooo thrilled! and they remember it even more. .

but those are just my suggestions. .there is no wrong way (except do NOT throw swag). . everyone does things differently. . I remember Karen had burned hundreds of DVDs. .and was handing them out to people as they were entering the show. . I thought that was very cool.

I usually wait to pass out glow stuff right before the boys come on, or in some cases, when they start playing Heaven. .
Here's a video of last year at the Fillmore. .we had 120 light up roses, and waited until they started playing Heaven, so the impact was awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyK0_uI44P4

and another time in Rosebud, South Dakota. .same thing 100 roses,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxy4mukhwKk

velvetsky0222

10-11-2008, 09:56 PM

I really think it depends on the venue. AND if you don't want to be carrying it with you into the shows. Remember some venues will not allow pins (crazy but true). We usually hand out to the "die-hards" ... those folks who come to wait in line for hours for a GA (you know ... like us but who aren't on the forums). It's then that you talk up the website.

Tasina is absolutely correct about the glow sticks though ... it's a beautiful site to see.

Some people will not take swag when offered especially if they don't understand that you are "gifting" them with a momento of the evening.

It's really up to you and how much time you have to put things together and funds. If you want to package up your swag and put a sticker on it - GREAT ... just be sure to include all the websites so that LLB gets more fans hooked to the sites.

The most important thing to remember is to have fun!:cool:

cmedina

10-12-2008, 11:13 AM

Thanks for the great tips Tasina & VelvetSky.
I appreciate it :)
Looking forward to spreading the love and getting lonely! :D

RosieJeanne

06-12-2009, 08:08 AM

HI! Who made the cool $100 bills with the boys' pictures on them? I love them! Good Job! I read about it in a google blog today. Here's what it said:
"The evening's events included a fine dinner (I had swordfish cooked to perfection and The Mister had prime rib) at the JA Nugget Casino and a Los Lonely Boys concert. The food was excellent and the performance was better. The Boys travel with an enterauge of family and friends. Before the show they went around the room handing out souvenir bookmarks and swag ... 100's of dollars in swag!"
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e215/jbousq1017/SDC10212.jpg
And I'm not sure what that yellow thing is... Maybe a LLB condom?

velvetsky0222

06-12-2009, 11:25 AM

I bet that was Mano and Debbie from Cali that did that. She told me that he had been working on a surprise Swag Idea and it was really cool. Such talent! And it even got written up in the press. Way to go!

Tasina

06-12-2009, 02:05 PM

HI! Who made the cool $100 bills with the boys' pictures on them? I love them! Good Job! I read about it in a google blog today.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e215/jbousq1017/SDC10212.jpg
And I'm not sure what that yellow thing is... Maybe a LLB condom?

yes,it was MANO & DEBBIE who surprised us at the OBTB dinner. . and it WAS A BLAST. . during Heaven we threw handfuls up onstage and they floated around and landed. . the boys were smiling. After the show we were able to hang out and Ringo had a stack and Henry got his stack (of all three of course) and Jojo wanted his stack of Onda cash as well. So happy that Mano was able to take pics with them and talk about his details of making it. THEY LOVED IT!!

Ish was funny, he came and hugged me and I said "sorry for messing up the stage". .right after the left the stage, I thought "oh-oh, if they do EOANB they might fall " .. Ish said, "yeah, I said Chingao. . .my clean stage. . ". . it was very funny, we all had a great time.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/EEVLWYS/LLB%20shows/manoswag.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/EEVLWYS/LLB%20shows/manomoney.jpg

after the shower of cash floating around. . .on da stage
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/EEVLWYS/LLB%20shows/floorswag.jpg

Tasina

06-12-2009, 02:07 PM

and Carol's beautiful tour bookmarks are off the hook!

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/EEVLWYS/LLB%20shows/Carolsswag.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/EEVLWYS/LLB%20shows/IMG_5881.jpg

and can't forget our tattoos which have been making it around Cali to Texas and back again

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/EEVLWYS/LLB%20shows/tattoos.jpg

velvetsky0222

06-12-2009, 02:15 PM

Carols' tour cards are great looking. Love the "forgiven" blue ribbon! Awesome y'all.

Hey Koty tell Mano NEXT print run he needs to use Henry's favorite...In God We Trust, In Familia we Believe and In Jesus Name We Pray!

ORALE'

lovemusic

06-12-2009, 03:06 PM

That swag is priceless!

senoRita

06-12-2009, 04:39 PM

OMG! The swag for this show is WAY COOL! :cool::cool::cool:

Satan-Handy

06-24-2009, 11:50 PM

Hello,,,,,,,,,,,,

Maybe Hello is a little to short

I will start off by introducing my self

I am A singer Songwriter from London Ontario Canada ,,And I am addicted to Playing the Blues

,,,I Am really look forward to Hearing LLB Live ,,At the London Blues fest this July

I am sure Los Lonely Boys will be Burning things up , I cant wait to hear them live and Buy their CD ,

Most people look forward to Holidays like Christmas and easter ,,,,,Well I look forward to the Blues and Rock fest's

See you there

" KEEP THE FIRE BURNING"

Satan Handy

senoRita

06-26-2009, 10:29 AM

Welcome to the LLB Crossroads Fourm. All I can say is you're in for a real treat when you see LLB live for the first time.

You're gonna love them. :D

mmluvstheboys

09-01-2010, 05:01 AM

There is a lot of great advice and examples given on this thread here,
I did not read every word, but most replies.

I only have this to add, what I found works for me - when walking around with SWAG to give out, people do wonder what the heck I am doing, giving away things - or maybe selling SWAG. This works for me, I approach the person or when talking to a new LLB fan, I say here's - a souvenir of the Concert and LosLonelyBoys web site if interested in learning more of LLB and/or upcoming concerts. and of course add ; enjoy or hope you enjoyed the show.

I didn't think it would be difficult giving away SWAG, but like Rita - a little shy walking up to strangers and then just stick out my hand and say -- something--like "here this is 4 u" or what do I say >> LOL
that was the most difficult thing 4 me. As a lot of people are looking at you, wondering why would someone be giving good "stuff" away.

Also someone said, maybe check with ushers or security to see if ok to hand out swag.
Like the bumper stickers, at a sit down venue, they didn't want us to give out stickers b4 concert as people might stick them on the chairs.

anyway, the Souvenir of the concert works for me.

chiqui

09-10-2010, 02:24 AM

I love reading everyone's stories about distributing swag. When Martha & I were in HI, I handed out magnets to fans while we were in lne which became more acceptable after the first few people understood it was promotional.

We had a more difficult time inside the venue with the light up leis. People thought we were selling them & wouldn't accept them as promotional items. Of course, after we found a group of fans to wear them, we ran out and THEN people started requesting them! Glenn said that it was a "cool effect" from the stage! The Boys ended up putting the real flower leis on their mic stands so they wouldn't get in the way of their playing.

The best way to insure that your swag will be popular, is to take just a few & of course, you'll always run out ;)

lovemusic

09-14-2010, 04:20 PM

In the Northeast we have a lot of problems handing out swag because people assume you are selling it. If it is in a big city such as Boston or NYC, I always start by saying:"It is free. Would you like a souvenier of the show?" I say it loud enough so that people around can hear me. I like to give out swag either while we are waiting in line for a GA concert or, for seated venues, before and after the opening act; NEVER during an act. I always spend a minute talking to each person who takes swag. I always ask them if they have seen the Boys before. If they say yes, then I might talk about it for a second. If it is their first time, I tell them what a treat they are in for. In either case, I always find a way to bring up all the CDs and that they could get a full collection; each one is unique.

As most of you know who have been to shows with me, I love to street team. I will talk to anybody and the more people see me talking and smiling, the more people stop me and ask me either what do I have or can they have one too.

I love the new postcards that Jeanette created because they allow me to point to the newest CD as well as mention all the other ones. For those who have not seen it on the other post, here it is again.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd116/belalovemusic/SWAG/aPostcardNewDesignside20908.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd116/belalovemusic/SWAG/aPostcardsNewDesignFINAL10908.jpg

mmluvstheboys

02-20-2011, 07:43 AM

llbheaven

02-22-2011, 03:05 AM

Thanks for all the good reminders about handing out swag, Margie! One other thing we discovered--if you have swag that lights up and needs to be "turned on"--for example, the light-up leis we handed out in Maui in 2007--be sure to turn them on first before you start handing them out. Otherwise, stopping to turn them on slows you down, plus you end up dropping some of the little magnet parts, or some of them don't turn on, etc. But, with glow sticks, you don't want to light them up before you hand them out--give instructions as you hand them out about when to light them up--like "during Heaven" or hand them out just before you want people to crack them and light them up. (And, you'd be surprised how many people don't know how to get a glow stick to "glow.") :)

velvetsky0222

02-22-2011, 10:18 AM

OK: We are anxiously awaiting 2011 LLB Concerts. Just wondering what ideas you have come up with for 2011 SWAG. Is Everyone still, or ever, running ideas by Jeannette? That is a lot of work for one person, wasn't there someone else listed who would check out our SWAG B4 we made a ton of it.

I just re-read the first page and Tasina's post, and others input. Lots of good information.
Be polite, we are representing and street teaming for the BOYS. We don't get nor can we request special favors because we wear our badges. Don't throw SWAG. If shy, I practice what going to say, like this is a gift or souvenir we give away made especially so you will remember the concert and web to get more info.blah,blah,blah. If asked, if you are related to or with the band - maybe say no you are a fan.
I have been asked if I was their mother or their aunt, I said no, but thanks for the compliment as they are quite good looking. LOL:

Someone once said; don't give out Swag during the show especially if it is a big headliner show with more than LLB as headliners like the Blues Festival. Or wait till before the boys come on. Can't remember all. But basically be polite and considerate. If you start to get annoyed or upset, stop giving out the swag till you can "put on a happy face."

Have fun. It is 2011, where are the BOYS who sing HEAVEN???

Thanks for asking Margie. ALL LA ONDA swag must come thru me. If I'm not available, Bela knows what is acceptable and is a good representation of Los Lonely Boys. IF any fan choose to pass out swag that is their perogative however if you are passing anything with La Onda on it or as a member of La Onda you are expected to follow the process.

There are some really good points mentioned here in passing out swag - as representatives of Los Lonely Boys - we have to smile at the most unpleasant situations ... but in the end you will gain respect and most importantly you will make LLB fans very happy with their giftable swag.:cool:

cliffd64

02-24-2011, 11:33 PM

Thanks for asking Margie. ALL LA ONDA swag must come thru me. If I'm not available, Bela knows what is acceptable and is a good representation of Los Lonely Boys. IF any fan choose to pass out swag that is their perogative however if you are passing anything with La Onda on it or as a member of La Onda you are expected to follow the process.

There are some really good points mentioned here in passing out swag - as representatives of Los Lonely Boys - we have to smile at the most unpleasant situations ... but in the end you will gain respect and most importantly you will make LLB fans very happy with their giftable swag.:cool:

The best part of handing out swag is seeing the smiles on the faces of the people who receive it :) I STILL smile when I think of the first time members of La Onda gifted my wife and I with swag at a LLB show :)