8 Benefits of Branded Merchandise to Your Business

by Justin Reynolds | Nov 4, 2024 | Branded Merchandise

In today’s competitive landscape, how can brands stand out?

Branding is the process of cultivating and managing a company’s brand identity through assets and actions. The goal is to create a distinct identity in the minds of the target audience and stakeholders.

It’s a common misconception that branding is all about aesthetics and visuals. Branding helps distinguish you from the rest of the competition and communicate what you offer, highlighting what makes you unique. It also affects your brand’s perception and reputation, or how your target audience associates your brand in their mind.

There are many ways to communicate your company’s branding. One of them is through branded merchandise—promotional items designed with your brand’s logo and tagline. From simple stationery to more creative t-shirts, gadgets, and accessories, branded merchandise today can come in various shapes and forms.

8 Benefits of Branded Merchandise to Your Business

While advertising costs can be generally higher than promotional costs, branded merchandise presents itself as a cost-effective way to build brand awareness. Using branded merchandise as an advertising strategy can both promote your brand’s message and attract potential customers.

Let’s take a closer look at the different benefits branded merchandise can give your business.

Increases Brand Recognition

Creating merchandise for your brand can help generate more awareness and recognition. Just like any advertising platform like a TV commercial or a newspaper ad, the branded merch item can become an extension of your brand for your audience to see. What sets it apart is its interactive nature. Customers can’t always bring home the advertisements they see, much more interact with them.

Branded items on the other hand are things they can take home and use on a daily basis, like a branded coffee mug they can use for their morning routines or a branded notepad they can use in their home office. When your customers use and interact daily with items branded with your logo on them, helps keep your brand in your customer’s minds.

Emotional Connection with Customers

Branded merchandise is typically functional and often helps solve a pain point. For example, your brand might decide to give away branded pens and notepads during a conference or trade show. These items would give the attendees a neat way to take notes during the talks, solving a pain point.

Because your brand logo is displayed on the item, the positive experience they get with using your branded item can be associated with your brand. This helps establish an emotional connection with your audience by making them feel that you care for their pain points and value their experience.

Strengthens Customer Loyalty

One common tactic is giving away branded promotional products for every purchase. For customers, this simple gesture can mean that you value them and want to reward them for the purchase.

Research shows that 83% of customers would experience stronger loyalty to a brand that would give them a promotional product. Incorporate branded merchandise into your marketing strategy and increase your customer’s loyalty.

Cost-Effective Marketing

Unlike other marketing activities, branded merchandise has the advantage of longevity. In a world where billboard ads and social media ads only last as long as your budget allows, merch continues to exist as long as they are well-built and quality-made.

Promotional tote bags or backpacks can last a couple of years and offer a practical use of letting your customers carry around their items. Invest in high-quality branded merchandise to make sure that you get your money’s worth in advertising.

Enhances Employee Engagement

Strong company branding contributes to a stronger sense of purpose, which can help unite a team. Wearing or using branded merchandise helps foster a sense of belonging and strengthen the team’s bond especially when worn during company events or team building.

There’s no better way to display your company culture than with a well-curated induction package that includes a collection of various items and branded merchandise. Right from the get go, make your newest hires feel welcomed with branded merchandise that lets them feel like they’re part of the team.

Customisation and Personalisation

80% of consumers believe that personalised gifts are more thoughtful than non-personalised ones. Branded merchandise can be tailored and personalised to your audience to create a much more memorable experience.

Understanding who your target audience is and their demographics and interests is the first step in narrowing down what promotional items you can use. You can also tailor it to fit your current event, for example including branded water bottles and towels for a fun run giveaway.

Expands Business Reach

Introduce your brand to a whole new audience with the strategic use of promotional item giveaways. Corporate events, conferences, and trade shows often involve setting up booths to promote your brand’s products and services. Using branded promotional product giveaways can help draw more attention and drive foot traffic to your booth.

Promotional item giveaways can be a great way to introduce your brand, by taking the shape and form of a functional or trendy item. Whether it’s a limited edition company anniversary merchandise or a functional item they can use in their daily routines, promotional items are versatile marketing tools that can make your events much more memorable.

Creates Long Lasting Impressions

Unlike other promotional channels, branded merchandise lasts. 85% of consumers remember the advertiser who gave them the branded merchandise. This sets it apart from the other forms of advertising when it comes to longevity.

Its physical and tangible nature ensures more chances for awareness and engagement for your consumers because it can be used plenty of times.

Customers who are satisfied with getting your merchandise also can partake in social sharing by sharing their experiences with your brand on social media and recommending it to their friends and family.

Create Your Branded Merchandise with Red Tomato

With so much competition around, companies should look into investing in their brand strategy. Utilising branded merchandise is a cost-effective way to increase brand awareness, reach, and engagement.

Promotional products used for merchandise are often functional and relevant for everyday customers and have broad appeal, which makes it a great avenue for advertising. They can be bundled with the product or services or act as giveaways during trade shows and conferences.

Level up your branded merchandise and bring your creative ideas to life with Red Tomato! Book an ideas call with us and get started.

7 Branded Merchandise Ideas to Elevate Your Brand

by Justin Reynolds | Sep 11, 2024 | Branded Merchandise

One important but sometimes overlooked item in any marketing toolkit is promotional products. Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) reports that 73% of people want to receive promotional products more often. 

Promotional products or branded merchandise provide benefits and are tangible ways for your potential customers to interact with your brand. Think of how fleeting most marketing ads and campaigns are today—branded merchandise can seem traditional, but they have benefits to your business and last as long as the products last. This gives you plenty of opportunity to leave an impression on your customers. 

For companies, there are two main benefits of promotional merchandise:

• Brand Awareness: Many studies have shown the effectiveness of branded merchandise when it comes to brand awareness. According to ASI, 85% of people who are given a promotional gift will remember the brand that gave it to them. 
• Brand Loyalty: Having a physical product to remind customers of the brand will help them get acquainted with the brand. This affinity is valuable when the time comes that they have to make a purchase and your brand comes top of mind. A Sendoso survey shows that 83% of customers who received a corporate gift said it made them feel closer to the company. 73% of consumers are also more likely to consider purchasing from a brand that gave them a branded product they kept.
• Brand Engagement: A PPAI survey shows that 65% of consumers say they’ve kept a promotional item because it was useful. Every time your customers use or interact with your product, they are engaging with your brand. Investing in good quality products that last and deliver consistent engagement with your customers can also reflect a positive and engaging experience with your brand.

Knowing how valuable promotional merchandise can be for your brand, you might wonder what’s next. We curated 7 standout branded merchandise ideas that can increase your brand recognition and drive loyalty and engagement with customers.

Custom Branded Apparel

Elevate your brand through branded apparel that lets your team wear your colors with pride. Branded clothes like hoodies, crew neck shirts, and caps are all items your employees could wear whether it’s at the office or in their day-to-day activities. 

According to ASI, promotional t-shirts generate 5,053 impressions over their lifetime. This is great indirect marketing for your business as it turns your employees into walking brand ambassadors whenever they wear the branded apparel. 

Tech Accessories

As times change, so do people’s needs. This is why tech accessories have become a popular item to include when it comes to branded merchandise. Whether it’s a branded phone case, power bank, or wireless charger, these items will always find their use in today’s modern lifestyle. Its functionality and usability make it a great pick for brands that want products that their customers will frequently engage with. 

Eco-Friendly Merchandise

The last five years have shown a 71% increase in the searches for sustainable goods according to The Economist Intelligence Unit. As the threat of climate change persists, consumers are starting to be more conscious of the goods they are purchasing. Today, brands have embraced being a part of the sustainable movement, and you can achieve this through eco-friendly merchandise. 

Given the wasteful nature of cheap merchandise, show your commitment to sustainability by choosing well-built products that are ethically sourced and recycled. Items like cotton tote bags and bamboo notebooks complete that eco-friendly look while still being customisable to display your brand. Promote against single-use plastics by including a reusable water bottle for your merchandise.

Office Supplies

If your customers are based in the office, then one gift they might appreciate would be branded office supplies. Give them a boost of productivity with items that make their day-to-day tasks much easier and simpler. Think of premium branded pens, desk organisers, or even stationery items. This may be a back-to-basics choice for branded merchandise, but one that is evergreen in its usefulness. 

Lifestyle and Wellness Products 

Are your target customers health buffs? Or are they busy customers would they benefit from a relaxing day at the spa? Depending on their lifestyle, you can tailor your branded merchandise to give them lifestyle/wellness items that support their day-to-day activities. Keep active customers happy with branded merchandise like yoga towels, gym water bottles, or fitness trackers. Indulge your customers in need of relaxation with aromatherapy products, scented candles, and massagers. One thing’s certain, you are showing them that you value their health and well-being. 

Home Products

Products that are useful at home like kitchen and home accessories can be another option for branded merchandise. These tick the box for being functional and practical, without having to tailor them very specifically to the lifestyle and preferences of your potential customers. Choose from items such as tea sets, kitchen cutlery, bottle openers, photo frames, and wine racks. 

Limited Edition Items

Think of a time you were compelled to purchase something just because they were branded a seasonal item. Limited edition items have this effect on consumers that stirs their desire to purchase because of the exclusive nature of the item. You can play on this by releasing limited-edition branded apparel or collectible items. Collaborate with community artists by releasing an exclusive drop of your branded shirts or release a commemorative anniversary coffee mug that your customers.

Got a Merch Idea? Unleash Your Creativity with Our AI-Powered Merch Generator

Brands are always looking for ways to remain at the top of mind of their consumers. In a world of fleeting marketing ads, promotional products can benefit companies as they serve as a tangible reminder of your brand and keepsakes for your customers. Utilising promotional products in your marketing and brand strategy can be effective for building brand loyalty, customer engagement, and brand recognition. 

When it comes to branded merchandise, there are tried and tested options that mean you don’t have to keep reinventing the wheel. Embrace the future of promotional products with Red Tomato’s AI-powered merch generator, which enables you to create unique branded merchandise. Cut down time when brainstorming ideas so you can focus on what matters.

Try out our AI Merch Generator for free and see your branded ideas come to life!