Revamp Your Marketing Kit With Custom Merchandise
Creating an effective marketing kit is part art and part science if you truly want your brand to stand out from the crowd.
A marketing kit can be thought of as a compilation of everything you use to showcase your brand and communicate with your audience.
Each aspect of a marketing kit can accomplish different goals your company has whether it be educating your audience through a website or raising brand awareness via billboards.
But, as audiences are becoming more and more apathetic towards traditional advertisements like radio ads, TV commercials, billboards, and emails, there is a need to expand your marketing kit to new avenues like custom merchandise and unique promotional products.
Why custom merchandise is so effective
Consumers are tired of being marketed to and seek to develop a trusting, two-way relationship with the brands they choose to do business with. In order to create this relationship, there needs to be multiple access points in your marketing kit for them to connect with you beyond traditional advertising.
No longer will a “one-size-fits-all” model work for your marketing strategy, and custom merchandise is a great way to diversify and give your audience the experience they are looking for.
Unlike traditional advertising, custom items create a tangible experience for your audience that provides extended brand exposure rather than a snapshot promotion that people may quickly forget.
If done right, custom merchandise can accomplish many of your marketing goals and play a key role in your marketing kit.
Creative and customizable
Custom merchandise and promotional products are completely customizable to show off your brand personality to your target audience and bring it to life in a creative way.
As consumers are looking more and more for experiences with brands, custom items can give them a memorable experience that feels personal rather than one-sided tactics like an email or Facebook ad.
Walking billboards
The beauty in custom branded merchandise is that it does the advertising leg work for you. When your brand is represented on a cool t-shirt, water bottle, sweatshirt, or any other item your customers and fans may use or wear, they are showing their loyalty and endorsement of your brand.
Shows that you care
Everyone loves receiving a free gift or purchasing unique items they can’t find elsewhere that they can use all the time, and will likely tell others about their positive experience with your brand. These items can also be used as a way to say thank you to loyal customers, welcome new customers, and anyone else who makes your brand thrive.
3 tips on revamping your marketing kit with custom merchandise
Write out marketing goals and plans
You want your marketing strategy to be integrated and cohesive between campaigns and tactics that help you reach your marketing and business goals. So, a good first step would be to see what you already have going on and what goals have not been met yet.
Once you have these goals in mind along with supporting campaigns, events, and promotional activities set out, you can create the perfect custom merchandise to align with.
Do your research
As mentioned earlier, the beauty of effective custom merchandise is that it feels personal to your customers. If you get to know what style they have and what they are likely to use most often, the items can go from better to best as your brand becomes a part of their everyday life.
Design and distribute in a way that’s right for you
Every brand is different, so every item should be different and speak exactly to the brand’s ethos. We can work with you to design the perfect items that speak to your customers and show off the best of your brand.
Whether it be tradeshow giveaways, a company promotional store, or a special event, the way you distribute your custom merchandise can help you reach specific goals like raising brand awareness, bringing in new leads, developing brand loyalty, and more.
Find out what is right for your brand, audience, budget, and goals to build the perfect custom merchandise program.
We can help you find the best way to design, create, and distribute your custom merchandise based on your goals to boost your brand with a new and improved marketing kit.
Related: How Rebranding Helps Businesses Avoid Hitting a Plateau and Remain Relevant