Using Branded Merchandise To Promote Your Business

When it comes to having your own business, naturally you want it to be as successful as possible. Getting your name out there isn’t always the easiest thing to do, but there are several different marketing strategies you can use, and if anything, businesses are spoilt for choice. No longer does a company have to rely on word-of-mouth – although that’s still an incredibly effective way to get business. From numerous social media platforms and TV to radio and print, to name just a few. However, the classic option of branded merchandise can often be forgotten and undervalued. Promotion products are a great way of marketing your business.

Brand Recognition

According to studies undertaken by PPAI, 83% of consumers enjoy receiving merchandise with an advertising message. Of those who receive products, 85% will go onto doing business with the advertiser. Branded merchandise makes a brand more memorable; 94% of people remember where they received a promotional gift. 58% of those will keep the product for anything from one to four years, and branded products see 500% more referrals from happy customers who appreciate the item.

These stats suggest that branded merchandise has a place in any businesses marketing strategy. A little expense to get the items can result in an increase in customers and therefore, profit.

Exposure

While TV and radio adverts are effective and print ads in newspapers and magazines will get your name out there, they don’t provide the exposure quite as promotional products do. Providing people with items that have a long life will result in your brand logo being seen daily and by multiple people. Things such as a mug, pen or notebook that are used regularly. PPA found that 76.1% of those surveyed could recall the name of a business they’d received a promotional product from during the last 12 months

Low-Cost Marketing

Branded merchandise doesn’t have to be expensive. For smaller businesses for whom TV and radio adverts are out of the question due to the high cost, this cost-effective strategy is ideal for marketing. There are plenty of items that can be bought in bulk and branded for a price to suit your budget. Promotional merchandise is significantly cheaper than many other forms of marketing and provides businesses with a form of advertising with longevity.

Desirable Items

Generally, people like to get free things so there’s little chance they will turn down the free product offer. And that’s regardless of whether it’s a mug or a pot of sweets. The vital thing to do is to research what products are the most successful when it comes to promotional merchandise. Choosing products seen as fashionable or trendy may work for a short time, but ideally, you want a product that won’t go out of style.

Targeted To Customers

What’s useful about branded merchandise is that you can choose items that suit your customer base and target audience. For example, when promoting a gym, reusable water bottles will be appreciated by gym-goers and those looking to join. Office workers will generally enjoy mugs, pens and even USB drives. For those working in the trades industry, a thermal mug or radiator key, even a t-shirt would be desirable.

Branded Merchandise Examples:

• Pens
• Notebooks
• Calendars
• Umbrella
• Water bottle
• Lip balm
• USB drive
• Tote bag
• Keyring
• Lanyards
• Coasters.

For more marketing tips, take a look at Five Marketing Activities For Tradespeople.