You’re missing a trick if you haven’t considered merchandise for your company. It’s one of the oldest marketing techniques, and the reason it’s so long standing is because it works. Whether you use your merchandise to give out to people that visit your stall at trade shows, or you sell it on your website, it’s important to make sure you have the right kind of merchandise so that you can spread your name far and wide. But, it can be difficult to know what types of merch works the best when it comes to being a memorable item that will bring back customers down the road. So, we’ve put together a list of the best types of merchandise so that you can choose the items that fit your business the best. Let’s check it out.
Clothing
If there’s one thing that will never go out of fashion, it’s casual wear like jeans, t-shirts, hoodies and caps, and as a business owner, you should be taking advantage of this by designing clothing that has your company name on it.
One of the biggest mistakes that companies make when designing branded clothing is not putting the time, budget or effort into it. With that in mind, here are a few things to keep in mind so that your merchandise leaves a lasting impression on past, present and future customers:
- While printing can be great for merchandise, it’s not always the best idea for clothing. As soon as your customers put those items through the wash they’re going to dip in quality. You’re better off choosing an embroidered option to give the item as much longevity as possible.
- Keep fashion in mind when designing your items. You’ll need to take some time to design your logo/brand name in a way that’s going to be eye-catching yet not an eyesore when it comes to fashion. The more people wearing your clothing, the better for your business.
- Be creative with the colours you use. While you can’t go wrong with black and white t-shirts, sometimes it can be a little boring. Experiment with lots of different colours until you find something that sticks. Or, offer a range of different colours!
- Get some opinions before sending your designs to be created. You could even take the time to ask customers what their opinions are. Going with the masses will make sure that they fly off the shelves.
- Choose quality materials for all clothing merchandise; the last thing you want is for it to end up in the back of someone’s wardrobe because it’s too itchy or of bad quality.
Stationery
Everyone loves a good bit of stationery, especially if it’s free! While many things are now computer based, there’s nothing better than a fresh notebook or pen to jot things down in. That’s why it’s a great way of getting your name around! You can get quality printing for all kinds of business stationary for next to nothing! They’re great for handing out at marketing events or stalls you’re hosting at trade shows as a thank you for visiting.
The best part about them is that because they’re useful pieces of merchandise, they’ll actually be used. And, when someone notices these pieces of merch, you’re naturally advertising yourself without needing to be anywhere near!
Reusable bags
Now that the world is becoming more and more eco friendly, everyone is on the lookout for a quality reusable bag to buy, so it makes sense to design your own! Take some time to think about the size, strength and shape of your bag; while you don’t want it to be too small, you also might not want it to be too big either and end up only being used on the odd occasion. You should also think about whether you’re going to include a carry case with it so it can be folded down and carried around in a pocket or a handbag.
The great thing about this idea is that you could create a whole range of different designs, shapes, sizes and strengths. And, who knows where your name will end up?
Digital merchandise
Digital merchandise is fairly new to the scene, but it can still be extremely powerful when it comes to advertising your business. For example, if you’ve created a killer product that’s flying off the shelves, why not get your design team to create stunning wallpapers people can use on their desktops, or you could even create a dynamic wallpaper for people to download and use on their phones.
While digital merchandise probably won’t make you much money in sales, it’s still a fantastic way to always be in the front of potential customers’ minds. So, take some time to create some visually stunning digital merchandise and offer it for free as a thank you for purchasing from you – it will make a difference!
Keyrings
Choosing to create keyrings as merchandise is another fantastic way of spreading your name about because who doesn’t like keyrings? They’re a fantastic way of jazzing up any boring set of keys and if you design it well enough, you could end up starting a trend and everyone will want one.
It’s important to think about your target audience so that you can come up with a keyring design that not only looks good, but is also clever and possibly doubles up into something useful. For example, you could add a flashlight, a magnifying glass, or even a bottle opener to make it a keyring that’s advertising your business and useful to your customers!
Lanyards
Lastly, but far from the least, lanyards are another piece of merchandise that will always be a fan favourite. Anyone that works in an office, a restaurant, a pub, a retail store, and pretty much anywhere where you’ll need a set of keys on hand uses lanyards. Again, you’ll have to think about the design, but they could be a fantastic freebie to give out at events that will promote your business far and wide!
