To a savvy business owner, selling promotional gifts can be a powerful marketing tool. Some people ignore it and focus on other, less costly methods of advertising, including:
- Traditional marketing (ads in print)
- Digital marketing (ads online)
- Social media marketing
- Influencer marketing
- Word-of-mouth marketing.
Granted, all of those are exceptionally effective, and any entrepreneur should use them. But it’s important to never skip on an opportunity to expand the circle of possible clients. And more than a few clients love getting branded items such as personalised coffee cups, custom T-shirts, or printed tech gadgets.
So, why is branded merchandise so important, and why should both big and small businesses employ it? Here are 3 of the most important reasons backing up the need for branded merch.
Reason #1: Brand Awareness
Let’s say that a CEO only gives out business cards to prospective clients and business partners. Business cards are, after all, quite effective since they let the person know where the company is and how to contact its representatives. But a small piece of laminated cardboard isn’t too engaging. Even if it’s a really colourful card, it’s still just a card.
What entrepreneurs need is to get as many eyeballs on their brand as possible. In other words, they need to spread the word. And the most effective way to do so other than social media is via branded merch.
Going back to the CEO from our earlier example, let’s say that instead of cards, they give out full-on customer appreciation packages. It can be something small, like a customised bag containing a custom planner, a personalised pen, a branded keyring, a few logo stickers, and complimentary 6 Baton Chocolate Bar. All of those, mind you, with the company logo and name printed all over them.
The person who received this gift will definitely love it and use it. But more importantly, their friends, family, and colleagues might notice the items with the company logo. Slowly, but surely, the word will spread, and new people will flock to the company to see what services it provides. In other words, it’s free marketing for the CEO; or rather, it’s cheap marketing — the cost is a single gift bag of branded goods.
Reason #2: Brand Perception
Of course, a CEO must be careful what exactly they provide as branded merch. Some might want to save money and order bargain-bin-priced pens, flimsy keychains, wallets and purses made out of polyester, or mugs that break easily. In other words, the kind of items that the client wouldn’t buy on their own, even if they needed them and the items were the very last thing on the market.
If our clients are taking our promotional merch and throwing it in the bin without even using them, then we’re doing something wrong. More crucially, we’re leaving a poor impression; they will start associating us with cheapness, and that’s never a good thing.
However, if we were to invest in high-quality brand merch, we’ll stand out from the competition. By giving our clients branded backpacks, durable personalised metal water bottles, and functioning, durable wireless chargers, we’re showing them that we care. And they will reciprocate that care by continuing to employ our services.
Reason #3: Promotional Tool
As a CEO, we can use branded merch as a promotional tool. But lots of people don’t realise how wide that scope actually is. For instance, we can use the merch to promote:
- Products
- Services
- Events
Promotion of a product or a service is more or less expected. We’re in a particular line of business, and our merch ought to reflect that. But let’s consider the other options as well.
Lots of brands promote events such as meetups, trade shows, fairs, and public exhibitions. Event-focused merch is unique and serves as a thank-you to the people who attended. Furthermore, it has a bit of a souvenir value to the person who gets it.
Marking a milestone is also important, including different anniversaries, mergers, and even celebrating individual people’s birthdays. Of course, merch can make the date feel extra special, and everyone, from employees to customers, can enjoy it by buying a branded item.
Related content:
Promotional Products: Common Favourites for Each Generation
Promotional Items: A Summary
Broadly speaking, branded merchandise is definitely going to result in a net benefit for a company, be it big or small. Therefore, we highly urge any potential entrepreneur to research the most effective methods of brand merchandising and employ them as soon as possible.
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Go over our vast collection of promotional products, and choose the ones you like best. Then, contact us at 0800 0148 970 or simply email us today — your way to seamless marketing is just a call away!
