Creating branded products is a great way to reach your demographic. After all, who doesn’t appreciate swag? But before you order business swag, make sure you have thought about your strategy.
Business owners often view custom swag as an easy way to get your demographic to promote your brand, but that “walking billboard” strategy is a fallacy. Most consumers are uninterested in helping you promote your brand or logo.
If you’re not careful, your swag could end up in the trash. The average consumer will dispose of more than 80 lbs. of clothes this year. If you want your swag to make a splash, you need to consider its value to your demographic.
So how do you make sure your customized swag will be a success? By considering the 9 tips in this guide, you can create a marketing strategy for branded products that resonate with your audience.
#1. Stay Relevant to Your Brand
Any custom swag that you create should be relevant to your brand and industry.
If you run a brewery, consider creating pint glasses or bottle openers. If you’re a caterer, consider publishing a cookbook. By addressing the needs of your demographic, you will promote your brand and services in an organic way.
#2. Know Your Audience
Your brand should be clearly identified in the swag, but in a subtle and unintrusive way.
Consumers likely aren’t interested in wearing a shirt with your logo plastered across it. But using your branding elements like colors and fonts will make your branded swag more recognizable.
Understand who your target market is. What are their interests? If you create swag that’s useful to them, it can go a long way.
#3. Choose Practical Business Swag
Make sure the customized swag you’re creating is practical.
If your budget is limited, keep your plans small. You can never go wrong with a branded pen or mug.
No one needs another lanyard or button with your logo on it. Make sure you are creating something that fills a need for people and will get used.
Ask yourself if you would use the item in question if it came from another brand. This is a great way to determine if you’re ordering business swag that is universal.
#4. Select Unique Branded Products
Make your brand stand out by choosing something unique.
This doesn’t mean you need to reinvent the wheel, but add some creative flare to the swag you’re creating.
If you’re doing a screen print, consider using several colors to create a gradient in the design. Consider etching your logo into glassware, or opting for something a little unusual like branded socks.
If you create a unique promotional product, you will attract attention and interest in your brand.
#5. Find Accessible Business Swag Ideas
If you want to create swag that is for everyone, you need to make sure it is accessible and inclusive.
While size inclusivity is ideal, it can be difficult to create clothing that suits every size, shape, age, and gender. Consider choosing an item that fits all—like a hat, bag, or scarf.
By making your branded products more accessible, you will broaden the size of the demographic that uses them.
#6. Think About Shipping and Fees
Before ordering your branded swag, make sure you’ve accounted for any hidden fees. In addition to shipping and handling, these fees may include a designer fee or storage fee.
Tally up all hidden charges and determine the cost per item. This will help you evaluate if you are staying within your budget, or if the item is too inflated for your needs.
If you need the item in a hurry, look for a company that offers fast shipping. For example, this company offers a service for overnight fast shipping custom koozies that everyone can enjoy!
#7. Consider Your Social Media Strategy
Don’t overlook how your swag can boost your social media strategy. After all, this is about marketing!
Create swag that will look great in high res images on Instagram or Facebook. Wear the swag in reels or post it to TikTok.
This will help you increase your brand awareness and grow your audience.
#8. Select Sustainable Branded Products
Releasing customized swag that will end up in a landfill isn’t a good look. Instead, opt for branded products that are sustainable.
Creating durable water bottles or shirts from eco-friendly materials can help reduce waste.
It may mean you need to spend a bit more, but choosing more sustainable items is something your audience will notice and appreciate. It tells consumers that you value sustainability and are willing to put your money where your mouth is to do your part.
#9. Consider Collaborating
Collaboration is key to creating some of the best business swag ideas!
If you’re not sure your target demographic will wear your branded swag, consider collaborating with a popular clothing brand. By creating swag using clothing from a popular brand like Patagonia or The North Face, you will create clothing your consumers are likely to wear.
You may consider collaborating with local artists to create a design for your customized swag. Have an artist sketch a map of your region and get it etched onto wooden coasters, or screen printed onto a bag.
These collaborations will help you broaden your audience and create something unique and memorable.
Think About Your Strategy for Business Swag
No one wants to hear that their business swag has ended up in the dumpster, but the reality is, a lot of branded products go to waste. That’s why it’s important to create a unique strategy for your swag that will resonate with your demographic.
By considering the 9 tips in this guide, you can feel confident that you are creating swag your consumers will find valuable.
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