15 Innovative Trade Show Marketing Ideas to Attract More Visitors with Your Booth
Trade shows are a fantastic platform for businesses to exhibit [...]
In today’s saturated market, standing out is more critical than ever. This is where branded merchandise, also known as promotional products or swag, comes into play. But what is branded merchandise really, and why is it so significant?
Branded merchandise refers to products that are imprinted with a company’s logo, name, or slogan. These items are designed to be distributed as giveaways, corporate gifts, or sometimes even for sale, aiming to increase brand awareness and reinforce brand identity among customers, potential clients, or employees.
Are branded merchandise the same as promotional products? What about corporate gifts? While these terms can be used interchangeably, they have distinct nuances that cater to different purposes.
In short:
See more detail below.
Refers to products that feature a company’s logo, name, or slogan. These products can be used to represent the brand’s values and missions strategically towards customers.
Brands should remember to never forget creativity as it will help them to stand out from the competition. This can mean creating their own unique avatars or emojis to integrate themselves with the online audience.
Purpose: Increase brand awareness and reinforce brand identity.
Items given away for free to promote a company, product, or event. They almost always carry a company’s logo or brand message. For example, the free dry bag gift idea was used to help boost the sales of the Jagermeister drink.
Purpose: Promotional. These are used to attract new customers, retain existing ones, or make people aware of special offers or launches. They are not usually sold but are instead given away, often in large quantities, especially during events or campaigns.
Items that companies give to their clients, stakeholders, or employees as a gesture of goodwill. While they can carry the company’s logo, they often prioritize quality and perceived value over overt branding.
Purpose: Its purpose is intended to build or maintain relationships, express gratitude, or celebrate milestones and achievements. They’re not explicitly promotional in nature but serve to strengthen business relations and boost morale.
The range of products that can be branded is vast. From t-shirts, pens, and mugs to high-tech items like USB drives or even eco-friendly products like reusable bags, almost any tangible item can be transformed into a piece of branded merchandise.
T-shirts, caps, jackets, etc. Branded wearables can feature a brand prominently and last for years. For example, caps are practical products with prominent branding, like this Disneyland sleek leather branded cap.
Your choices range from USBs, headphones, and phone stands to power banks with stackable solar panels. Tech gadgets offer good choices for businesses in tech, marketing, finance, design, etc., where you work with computers all day.
Notebooks, pens, and calendars make great branded merchandise for any office-based businesses, educational organizations, or even therapy clinics that emphasize exercises.
Drinkware, such as mugs, water bottles, and tumblers, do not only hold drinks but also have health and sustainability meanings. Customers also use them as reminders to drink water or to save on disposable cups.
For example, Nordes’ gin gift set drinking gift set comes with a custom glass and a bottle of gin inside. With a white colour, the glass shows off the Nordés logo perfectly.
Reusable bags such as tote bags and biodegradable items made from plant-based materials are among your options.
Eco-friendly materials allow you a chance to give a new twist to old branded merchandise, such as recycled stationery, eco-friendly stone paper, eco bags, or the wooden computer mouse below.
This shirt folder can beat any nifty life hack in organizing your wardrobe and packing a suitcase. It may be a great branded merchandise for apparel brands.
Toys and displays make good branded merchandise for anniversaries. See, for example, China Airlines toy planes that can move.
Here are the many reasons why businesses of all sizes to have at least one type of branded merchandise.
Unlike a fleeting online ad or a transient billboard, branded merchandise is lasting. Every time someone uses a branded pen or sips coffee from a branded mug, they’re reminded of the company. This continuous exposure can be invaluable.
In comparison to many traditional advertising methods, branded merchandise can be remarkably cost-effective. Plus, its longevity offers better returns on investment. A single branded t-shirt can advertise a business for years!
People love freebies. Gifting branded merchandise can create a sense of gratitude, fostering loyalty among customers. Moreover, unique or high-quality items can be conversation starters, leading to organic word-of-mouth promotion.
Whether for trade shows, corporate events, customer gifts, or employee appreciation, branded merchandise can be tailored to suit various occasions and audiences.
When employees use or wear branded merchandise, it can foster a sense of unity and pride in the workplace, enhancing team spirit.
E-commerce has a transformative effect on branded merchandise. Here are the major changes.
The customer base has become larger and more diverse. E-commerce platforms allow you to offer your merchandise to a global audience. This means you can easily cater to fans or consumers in another country.
Production of branded merchandise has become cheaper. The rise of platforms like Teespring or Printful allows you to create merchandise on-demand. This reduces overhead costs as brands no longer need to keep large inventories. Products are made as orders come in, minimizing waste and financial risk.
By integrating QR codes, NFC chips, and other digital tools with the physical products, you have better data on how the branded merchandise performs. You can easily track which merchandise items are the most popular, who’s buying them, and when.
This data can inform future merchandise decisions, from design changes to pricing adjustments. You can also adapt with more flexibility. If a particular merchandise design isn’t resonating with consumers, you can quickly pivot and try something new.
Integrating with digital marketing has become seamless. You can now use online ads, social media campaigns, and influencer partnerships to promote merchandise directly. Through online platforms, you can foster communities where fans share photos, reviews, and stories related to your merchandise, amplifying engagement and brand loyalty.
Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of sustainability, and you can stand out with your sustainability commitments. E-commerce platforms provide an avenue to share information about the sustainable practices you might be using in creating your merchandise, thereby catering to eco-conscious audiences.
We are your one-stop shop for all branded merchandise, offering services from ideation designs to manufacturing and distribution. We have a wide range of materials to ensure your sustainability commitment and decades of experience in all sorts of promotional items. Contact us now for a free quote and stellar customer service.
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