The world is filled with advertisements on TV, articles, billboards and websites, but branded merchandise like pens, t-shirts or mousemats can be an opportunity to stand out with a real-life, tangible product to promote your business. Companies can invest significant amounts of money in advertising this way but there are also more cost-effective solutions that can still generate a strong know, like, trust factor with your customers.
The Power of Branding
Branding is more than just your logo or the colours you use. It’s about creating something that customers recognise and trust, and when done right can be a reflection of you (and your brand’s) values and purpose. When done effectively, branded items can increase brand loyalty, brand visibility, and even drive sales.
If your business still has more work to do on it’s branding then we would always recommend getting that right first before investing money into merchandise or websites. If it’s something you’re struggling with then we highly recommend the Brilliant Branding course from our partners at Filter Free Business as a great starting point.
Return on Investment
Of course, the aim of any money spent on advertising is to drive a return on investment (ROI), simply put to generate more sales than it cost to advertise! Thankfully, the Advertising Specialty Institue has conducted research into branded merchandise and found that on average, 85% of potential customers remember the brands that gave them a promotional product, and 58% of them keep the item for 1-4 years after! That’s a long time to be seen and recognised by your audience!
Cost vs Value
Critics of branded merchandise would most likely call out the up-front cost as the main disadvantage, and producing high quality products can cost a lot of money! But it doesn’t have to! We work with businesses every day that are looking for branded products on a tight budget, or in smaller quantities, who expect there to be minimum order quantities they need to hit.
At Filter Free Design we pride ourselves on working with businesses of all sizes, whether you’re an established brand or just starting out. We’re always just an online message or an email away to chat about what your business needs!
it’s also important to consider the long-term value that these items can generate. A well-designed and useful branded product can serve as a constant reminder of the brand, reinforcing it’s presence in the consumer’s mind.
Brand Perception and Loyalty
Beyond the immediate marketing benefits, branded merchandise can also influence how consumers perceive a brand. Offering high-quality, desirable items sends a message of professionalism and value, enhancing brand credibility and trustworthiness. Receiving a great branded gift can also improve the positive feelings your customers have about your brand, driving future loyalty!
Making the decision
So, is branded merchandise worth the cost? The answer depends on the business’ goals, target audience, budget, and how well known they already are. When done right, branded merchandise can be a hugely valuable addition to a company’s marketing, driving brand awareness, increased loyalty, and contributing to long-term business success.
In the end, it’s not just about the cost of producing branded merchandise, but the value it brings to the brand and it’s relationship with consumers. By investing wisely, businesses can use branded merchandise to make a lasting impression in a competitive marketplace and drive growth in both the short and long term!
If you are interested in branded merchandise for your business, including branded clothing, pens, mugs, mousemats, coasters, keyrings and more, then please check out our website and get in touch so we can put together a package that you and your customers will love!
