Branded merchandise is such an effective way to boost awareness and recognition that it’s become a chief defining feature of the modern market-confident brand. Reproducing your name and logo in the physical world and attaching it to universally Effectively Project Your Brand by Investing in Branded Products between the make-believe of marketing and the physical space in which people live, act, and enjoy the service or product your brand specializes in.
All brands benefit from branded merch, no matter their industry or specialty. While some may be more suited for merchandising than others – think a music label versus a fertilizer wholesaler – there’s no company that won’t benefit from its logo being seen on apparel, bumper stickers, leisure gear, stationary, or anything else.
The longevity of branded merch as a marketing strategy is a well-known fact. Interestingly, 81% of people who are gifted a piece of branded merchandise kept it in regular use, or in a visible place on their desks, for up to two years. It’s a necessity if you want people to have confidence in your brand. When was the last time you saw A company’s name stamped on products of all kinds, and being worn by all kinds of people, creates both trust and familiarity.
Selecting Branded Merch
Before investing in a run of branded items, consider these two things: your audience and your intent.
Audience
Your audience is made up of people whose attention, and ultimately whose business, you want to attract. This is your marketing audience, and you need to reach them. Your selection of merchandise should be based mostly on your observations about this audience. What do they like, and what do they dislike? What do they like about your brand, or, even better, what do you want them to know about your brand?
Say you were marketing a nonprofit organization dedicated to the sustainable management of global forests and reduction of carbon emissions, and you had to come up with a branded product concept. Is a baseball cap your best idea? Or would you target the specific concerns and values of the people you’re depending on for donations and support, opting instead for a recycled or biodegradable item designed to cut down on waste – like a reusable shopping bag?
Intent
Next, think about the intended use of your branded product, in a marketing sense. What is the specific branding goal of your merchandise, and in which context will it be distributed? Do you want to sell gear, or just raise awareness? If your company already has a steady and loyal following, branded merch can be directly monetized, sold on your online shop to those who want to rep your brand. But there’s a fair chance you aren’t there yet, so maybe this first foray into promotional products is in anticipation of a giveaway event of some kind. (That’s actually a great idea for startup brands. Giving away any gift is a universal sign of goodwill.)
If you plan on having your brand represented at community events, festivals, or trade fairs, then think about products that are easy to distribute and can make a bang right away. Why do you think so many companies hand out colorful, branded sunglasses at daytime events like music festivals and open-air markets? Wouldn’t it be neat to give out reusable water bottles at a summertime event, replete with a water refilling station? If you’re attending events, you need to make your name present throughout them, leaving everyone wondering who you are and itching to find out.
Branded Merch Ideas for 2022
These branded promotional products are growing in popularity and will help you stand apart from competitors’ branding efforts.
Power Banks
Power banks have become a modern necessity as people find ways to deal with more intense battery consumption by their phones’ apps. High-quality power banks get continuous use, and almost always in public spaces, to take advantage of the small product real estate and print your name big and bold.
Travel Mugs
As the winter months approach, insulated travel mugs become more and more popular, and are still used year-round by commuters and students hoping to keep their tea and coffee fresh. GoPromotional cites branded travel mugs as one of their strongest sellers this season. Pick a modern, unabused design for better visibility.
Personal Protective Gear
We’re still in a pandemic, remember? Masks still see frequent use, especially in more urban areas and more regulated jurisdictions, and people are ever in need of high-quality, reusable masks. Why not stamp your brand on some and hand them out in public spaces? If you have a brand with a distinctive logo, ensure the trademark symbol is clearly depicted on the mask.
Sanitation Products
Like masks, sanitation products such as hand sanitizer are still hot in demand. Small bottles of sanitizer with silicone sleeves that attach to backpacks and purses are your best bet; even better is the sleeves themselves, which are designed to fit a handful of common sanitizer bottle designs.
RFID Wallets
Financial security is a constant concern for everyone, and thankfully, RFID wallets provide a solid defense against those who make their living hijacking credit card information by RFID scanning. If your brand deals with tech, finance, or security, this is a great option to demonstrate your values and share concerns with your audience.
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