Incorporating Branded Swag into your Marketing
Promotional products are a powerful tool in marketing. They have the ability to boost brand awareness, generate new leads, and increase sales. At first, it may seem a bit overwhelming to know which items would work best for your brand or company. It also depends on what the main goal is. Will the branded products be something you giveaway to existing or potential new clients? Will those items be used during an onboarding program for new employees? Or maybe gifts for a special occasion like Employee Appreciation Day? There are many different scenarios where custom swag can come in handy, and the more people use those items out in the world the more exposure your logo or brand will get. Let’s dive into some different categories of popular branded merchandise and go over some ways of how to effectively incorporate them into your marketing strategy.
Sustainable Products
Check out these RAD sunglasses made from recycled skateboards
Products that are created from eco-friendly materials can show your commitment to sustainability and can draw in more environmentally-conscious customers. There are many different sustainable materials that can be used as alternatives to plastic; glass, bamboo, wheat straw, wood, and even recycled plastic, just to name a few. Eco-friendly products are often reusable, which can increase the longevity of your brand's exposure. Take some popular giveaways that are often made of plastic; pens, sunglasses, water bottles… When eco-friendly materials are used instead of plastic, those items inherently feel higher end. Think about it this way, if you were at a tradeshow and were able to choose between a metal or plastic pen which one would you rather take? Same goes for the sunglasses, plastic or bamboo sunglasses? I know if I had a choice I’d pass on the plastic altogether, but that’s just me!
How many hoodies do you have in your closet?
Custom Apparel
A tee shirt will never goes out of style, it’s a classic for a reason. However, since COVID hit, fashion trends have put the main focus on comfort. It seems like most people just want to be comfortable, doesn’t matter if they are still working from home or back at the office. We’ve noticed more people wearing athleisure wear, crewnecks sweatshirts, and cozy hoodies. If you’re concerned about your team looking professional in the workplace (while still being comfortable) brands like Ogio or North Face are a great option. They are comfortable yet still stylist and business casual. Since a lot of custom apparel requires knowing the individuals size, this category may be better for either an employee gift or reserved for clients you are closer to. I’d avoid tee shirts, or anything else that requires sizes, at events similar to tradeshows because you wouldn’t want to run out of a certain size and make those people feel like they missed out. A couple ways to still be able to offer branded wearables without having to worry about sizes is doing logoed socks, hats, or beanies instead. Those items are typically “one size fits most” so you don’t have to stress about a potentially awkward situation of asking a client their size or running out of a size at an event.
Avoid burn out by relaxing once in a while!
Health & Wellness Products
Mental and physical health has always been an important quality of life. If someone is worried about fulfilling those basic needs it can make other aspects of their life more difficult. Another product category that has become increasingly popular especially since the pandemic is health and wellness. Products like reusable water bottles, exercise bands, and custom yoga mats can align with this trend. When you have offerings that focus on health & wellness it demonstrates your commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle and shows that you care about your employees well being. Also depending on your brands demographic these types of products may also attract customers who prioritize health and fitness. If you’re worried about people thinking you’re telling them they need to work out by giving them things like branded exercise bands… there are other options more focused on the mental wellness portion. Instead, you could gift a cozy blanket, scented candle, or oil diffuser. These items can help create a more relaxing environment for the receivers and, in turn, put there mental wellness as ease.
Incorporating these latest trends into your promo product strategy can help your brand stand out and make a lasting impression on your target audience. By offering sustainable products, comfortable custom apparel, and wellness products, you can appeal to a wide range of customers and increase your brand's visibility. Remember to choose items that align with your brand's values and messaging, and to create a cohesive and integrated campaign that showcases your brand's personality and unique offering.