The power of branded merchandise is a game-changer for businesses large and small looking to connect with their customers and clients as it helps build your brand identity and awareness.
In today’s marketplace, standing out from the crowd and your competition is crucial. There are a variety of ways to do so – and one is with branded merchandise. Adding your logo and your message to a product not only enhances your company's image, but it also creates a lasting impression with your target audience.
When your customers use your products in their day-to-day lives, they are constantly exposed to your brand, reinforcing brand recognition, recall, and this exposure and interaction helps build long-term customer loyalty as your product and brand becomes a familiar and trusted presence in their lives. Also, when your customer likes what you have to offer, they tend to talk about it with their friends… this sort of word-of-mouth “free advertising” is priceless.
What Is Branded Merchandise, Exactly?
Typically, branded merchandise like pens, T-shirts, mugs, water bottles, tote bags, and the like, are terrific giveaways because they are items used every day. As well, many of these products are also great stand-alone retail products you can sell under your brand name and generate revenue with. When you really think about it… what do all companies have in common? They have a product which represents their vision and they make money selling that product.
When you consider your followers, customers, subscribers, and clients, you already have an audience who trusts you. Continuing to build on that trust and increasing your base by offering products useful in their daily lives builds even more trust and what will keep your customer coming back for more. As you build your brand, you build loyalty.
Showcasing Your Brand's Identity
Custom products not only allow companies to showcase their brand identity, but they also provide a powerful marketing tool that resonates with consumers on a deeper level. From custom packaging and personalized merchandise to tailor-made products, the possibilities are endless. Whatever niche you’re in, whether you’re promoting a high-end luxury lifestyle or providing budget-saving meal plans, offering your customers products that will enhance their lives is key. And every audience needs and wants something to fit their lifestyle. Creating customized products to help them on their journey is what you can offer them with confidence, branded in your own unique style.
Let’s say you're a food blogger and have tips to create healthy alternatives to those packaged food dips… you know that spice blend with ingredients you can’t pronounce that gets tossed into a tub of sour cream? What if you had a great recipe for an all-natural seasoning that tasted even better? Why not create your own spice blend?
Or, what if you have the perfect meal-plan guide which helps your customers make a week’s worth of meals. What are they storing them in? Perhaps you should create your own brand of food storage containers that come with your recipes and cost-cutting tips.
Let’s say you are an expert in travel. What does every traveler need? Well, there are lots of products that would be helpful and one that comes to mind is a charger for their mobile phone. Did you know there are also solar chargers? A great product for those on the go… especially where no plug-ins are nearby.
The Possibilities Are Endless...
In a nutshell, putting your product and brand in the hands of your followers is the goal and the list of products you can create is endless. Here are some additional things to consider and remember:
Your message is unique, and so are your customers. Offering them products which align with their own identity allows them to express their unique style, preferences, and choice. Whether it's customized clothing, decorative accessories, health and lifestyle products, or home decor, people appreciate having items that are tailored specifically to their tastes. Branded merchandise does just that.
Discover and rediscover what you do best. Focus on your vision and examine what your customers need and want. Ask yourself how they will benefit from your expertise and fill that void with not only advice, but with a product that targets their need.
Creating branded merchandise allows you to offer solutions by addressing the specific needs of your audience. Once you do this, you will differentiate your brand from others and establish a competitive edge.
👉 And finally, it’s time to generate the revenue you deserve by creating the custom products your customers need and want. When you create branded merchandise you believe in, many of your customers will believe in it too. If you're curious to learn more you're very welcome to explore my complimentary "Branding 101" mini-course!