By Dawn Robbins - February, 2025
In my experience as a Product, Brand, and New Product Development Marketer and now owner of a Marcom consulting firm, standing out isn't just a challenge—it's an art. Crafting a memorable brand requires more than a compelling logo or a catchy slogan; it demands a connection with your audience.
Enter promotional branded products! SWAG! Merch! Gear!
These tangible items serve as constant reminders of your brand, fostering loyalty and awareness in ways digital marketing simply can't. In this post, we'll explore the top three reasons why I use promotional products to build brand awareness, (bolstered by statistics), and some hard-earned practical tips, with real-world examples.
REASON 1 Tangible Touchpoints Create Lasting Impressions
Promotional products offer a unique advantage over digital ads: tangibility. When someone receives branded Merch, it creates a physical connection with your brand.
According to a study by the Advertising Specialty Institute. . .
This longevity translates to repeated exposure and a lasting impression. Practical Implementation Tips
Identify Your Audience: Tailor your products to the interests and needs of your target audience. For instance, tech-savvy customers might appreciate “smart” branded giveaways like multi-cable chargers, and tile mate blue tooth trackers.
Quality Over Quantity: Choose high-quality Merch that demonstrates your high regard for customers and reflects your brand's values. A well-made product is more likely to be used and cherished.
Strategic Distribution: Consider distributing products at trade shows, community events, or as a gift-with-purchase incentive to maximize reach and impact.
Real-World Example
Consider the success of the 2011 "Share a Coke" campaign by Coca-Cola, which replaced its iconic logo with popular names on bottles. A more modern example of the “Share a Coke” campaign is their "Personalized Bottles with Emojis" version, which launched in 2016 and has been updated in subsequent years. Like the original campaign, the personalized bottles were meant to inspire social sharing, both in real life and on social media, where people could post images of the bottles with their favorite emojis. Although not a traditional promotional product, the campaign highlights the power of tangible, personalized items in building brand awareness.
We like to source Merch from a reputable Promo resource that has a wide variety of quality Gear, allowing me to curate my choices to the occasion and for a unique customer target.
REASON 2
Promotional Products Support Employee Recognition
While promotional branded SWAG is often associated with customer outreach, it’s equally effective in recognizing and rewarding employees. Acknowledging employee contributions with branded products not only enhances morale but also turns employees into brand ambassadors.
Practical Implementation Tips
Customized Rewards: Offer personalized items such as engraved pens or monogrammed bags to make employees feel valued.
Celebrate Milestones: Use personalized products from mouse pads to wireless charging pads to branded shirts to commemorate company milestones, anniversaries, or as rewards for meeting performance goals.
Incorporate SWAG into Onboarding: Provide new employees with a curated welcome kit featuring branded merchandise to instill a sense of belonging and pride from day one.
Create seasonal and recognition gift boxes that may include branded vests, trending gifts, or cozy blankets.
Real-World Example
Google is renowned for its employee-centric culture, and part of this involves gifting employees with branded products. New hires receive carefully chosen welcome kits that include high-quality branded items like hoodies and backpacks. This approach not only boosts morale but also turns employees into walking advertisements for the Google brand.
We’ve helped clients with their brand refresh, elevating their brand and building recognition with their clients using high quality embroidered gear. For example, one client needed to make their service techs easily recognizable, so we embroidered shirts and hats with a name and new logo that really stood out. From personal experience, I find a Merch partner with in-house, high stitch count embroidery offers the highest quality.
REASON 3 Cost-Effective Marketing with High ROI Promotional products offer a cost-effective marketing solution that yields a high return on investment (ROI). According to the Promotional Products Association International, promotional products have a lower cost per impression than most other forms of advertising, including TV and print ads. This makes them an attractive option for businesses looking to maximize their marketing budget.
Practical Implementation Tips
Leverage Local Events: Sponsor community events and offer branded Merch as giveaways. This not only boosts local brand visibility but also supports community initiatives.
Seasonal Promotions: Align your promotional gear with seasonal themes or holidays to boost relevance and engagement.
Track and Measure Impact: Use surveys or redemption codes to assess the effectiveness of your promotional products and refine your strategy accordingly.
Real-World Example
A small local bakery in Portland, Oregon, used promotional branded SWAG to expand its customer base. By distributing branded reusable shopping bags and coffee mugs at local farmers' markets, they increased brand visibility and attracted new customers. The campaign was so successful that the bakery reported a 30% increase in customer traffic within six months.
Conclusion
Offering Promotional Merch is a powerful tool for building brand awareness, providing tangible touchpoints, supporting employee recognition, and delivering cost-effective marketing. By thoughtfully selecting and distributing these products, businesses can create lasting impressions, foster loyalty, and drive engagement.
As you consider incorporating promotional SWAG into your marketing strategy, reflect on the following questions:
How can you align your promotional products with your brand's story?
What events or occasions can you leverage for maximum impact?
How can you use this Merch to strengthen your connection with both customers and employees?
Ultimately, by prioritizing local businesses and community support, you not only enhance your brand's presence but also contribute to the vibrancy and resilience of your community.
Ordinary is forgettable, but extraordinary leaves a mark; Embrace the power of promotional products and watch your brand awareness soar!
Learn More Today!
Need SWAG Support? Contact me today at 702.525.6688
or email dawn.mlcexpert@gmail.com
Visit us online at mlcexpert.com
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@ 2025 by MLC Expert Consulting
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