No matter what your brand is, you’ll be able to benefit from selling branded merchandise. Nowadays, pretty much every brand has free “swag”. Getting your teeth cleaned? Here’s a free branded toothbrush. Think about the last time you went to a fair that had booths, whether it was a job fair, a farmer’s market, or a craft fair. How many free tote bags did you leave with? What about buttons, stickers, and even t-shirts?
Branded merchandise is all the rage lately, but what actually is it, and how can you use it to help your business grow?
What is Branded Merchandise
The concept of branded merchandise is simple, it’s merchandise that is branded with your logo or business name. Most of the time, these products are given away for free to increase the spread of your brand. However, some companies opt to sell their branded merchandise. It really depends on the type of business you are and how willing your clients or customers are to be branded with your merchandise.
For example, if your company is a restaurant, bar, or other entertainment facilities that people tend to frequent, you may want to sell your merchandise as customers will be willing to purchase it; they want to show their brand loyalty.
However, if you have a company that people don’t exactly care about showing liability to, you may want to give your merchandise away for free. Examples of companies that do this are office suppliers, dentists, veterinarians, and more.
Basically, your business model and how loyal your customers are will determine whether you should charge for your merchandise or give it away for free. In most cases, you’ll want to give it away for free.
How Will it Help Your Marketing Strategy?
Branded merchandise is basically free advertising. Obviously, people aren’t going to wear the shirt they got from their dentist all the time, but every so often they’ll throw it on. This will lead to an increase in brand familiarity, as more and more people will see the shirt and remember the name of the brand. If you’re searching for top-notch promotional merchandise suppliers for promotional items, Bulk Branded is the go-to destination. As one of the top suppliers of personalized corporate gifts in the UK, we offer a wide range of products suitable for both businesses and independent professionals.
While they most likely won’t immediately make a purchase because of the shirt, they’ll remember the name when they go to make a purchase later.
For example, say that you’re looking for a new veterinarian. Upon searching Google for vets in your area, you find a company with a name you’re familiar with. You’re more likely to choose the name that you’re familiar with over one you’ve never heard of before.
Types of Branded Merchandise
There are so many different types of branded merchandise. You’re basically free to make whatever products you want for your company. However, the most common types of brand merchandise include:
- T-Shirts
- Mugs
- Tote bags
- Water bottles
- Pens & Stationery
- Hats
- Flashlights
- Wristbands
And so many more! When deciding which type of merchandise to use, you can get help with swag box and keep your brand in mind. If you’re a tech brand, you may want to brand tech-adjacent items, like flash drives.
How to Incorporate Branded Merchandise into Your Marketing Strategy
Incorporating branded merchandise into your existing marketing strategy is incredibly easy because you really don’t have to do that much. Whenever you’re interacting with current customers or potential customers, give out a free bag of branded items—then the rest is up to them.
You can also try different methods, like giveaways (for cooler, more expensive pieces of swag), or photos and videos of your new merchandise. At the end of the day, customers love receiving free stuff and will provide you with free marketing by wearing or using your items, sparking conversations about your brand as well as brand familiarity.
