MAKE SURE YOUR GROUP’S LOOK IS COHESIVE—Wear branded apparel like shirts, hats, sunglasses, shoelaces, socks and use banners to get your message across! Get People's Attention—Think bright colors, loud, highly visible, large or unusual!
 

PICK A PRODUCT THAT HAS TO DO WITH YOUR ORGANIZATION—Think about your colors, your mascot, the needs of your customers or community, the type of business you operate. Choose something relevant to your work and that you want people to have!

• Ex: Religious Tracts—Many churches or religious organizations take this time to pass out religious tracts showing the way to salvation. If you do this, don't be pushy about it or try to go through the tract with the person right there. Simply hand it out and keep walking. If they are interested, they will read it. Place a sticker with your organization's name, address and phone number on the tract so they can contact you for further information.
   

PICK SOMETHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE EVENT—Stick with the theme and the colors of the event to get instant use out of the product. Think cultural patterns, colors, shapes, and designs.

• Ex: Flags—Hand out small RBG flags during the parade. Don't give more than one to each person or you may run out. Passing them out near the beginning of the parade route allows the attendees to wave them throughout the rest of the parade.

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PICK SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE APPRECIATED AT THE PARADE—Is it going to be hot? How about something that cools you down like a cooling neck wrap, beverage koozie, visor, or fan? Raining? Ponchos or Umbrellas. Dry and windy? Lip Balm! Bright? Sunglasses! If it goes into use immediately, there are a bunch of people there to see it right away and advertise for YOU at the parade.
 

PICK SOMETHING THAT HAS UTILITY—And that people don’t already have or need more of. Think tools, first aid, flashlights, key rings, hygiene products, etc. PICK SOMETHING THAT WILL BE SEEN REPEATEDLY—Pick a product that the person will look at over and over, like mouse pads, bags, calendars, pens, office accessories, and apparel.
 

PICK SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN USE AGAIN FOR SOMETHING ELSE—Do you go to trade shows, have your own events, regularly give your customer’s gifts or the like? Buying in larger quantities will save you money in the long run!

• Candy—Purchase large bags of candy to hand  out during the parade route. Individually wrapped candies are best, so you don't pass germs around and so children can pick up the ones that land on the ground. Lollipops, gum and mints are perfect. Small Toys—You can purchase small toys in bulk from online retailers or catalogs. Items like bouncy balls, slinkies and tiny animals are perfect. 
   

ENLIST FRIENDS IN THE PARADE TO HAND OUT YOUR STUFF—At the parade, most of the people on the floats are going to be handing out generic, unbranded items. If you have more than you need, get other folks to hand out your product for you! They will more than likely be happy just to have more stuff to hand out. With everything being distributed along the parade round, parade-goers rarely know who handed them something, which is why it is so much better for any items you distribute to have your logo and contact info on it.

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MAKE SURE YOUR INFORMATION IS INTRIGUING AND THEY CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOU—Make sure that there is enough info on your product to spark interest and enable contact. You need your logo, what you do in very few words and website or phone #. Don’t overwhelm with text, but get them curious!

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Ex: Business Pamphlets—If you are promoting a business or organization in the parade, put together a small pamphlet or flier. You can hand them out as you walk the parade route. Make it a magnet or tape a piece of candy to the back so people won't just toss it in the garbage. Include a coupon for your business to bring new patrons in.