How often do you find yourself receiving promotional products at events or conferences? It’s a tried-and-tested business strategy that delivers real tangible return on investment (ROI).

Remember that cosy hoodie you received from a hotel, gym, or a school? It keeps working as a constant reminder of the brand’s presence in your daily life. If you were to ask a marketing professional, they’d agree to the importance of maintaining top-of-mind awareness to ensure your brand is always on your audience’s radar. Think about it, why does Coca Cola still advertise despite being known the world over? Top-of-mind awareness.

Investing in high-quality branded merchandise is a great tangible strategy to boost connection, recognition, and visibility. If you’re considering this investment and want to maximise your ROI, you’re in the right place. We’ll provide all the essential insights to make your brand as memorable as possible.

The Power of Branding Through Merchandise

The benefits of branded swag are visibility, loyalty, and pounds. Why is it so important? Imagine you are walking down the street wearing a hoodie with your company’s brand. Every person that passes becomes a potential new customer who sees your brand, who might ask about your brand, or who might simply remember your name for their next purchase. 

Now, take in mind the long-term effect of investing in branded merchandise versus traditional ads. The cost per impression is a fraction of TV ads or billboards. On the other hand, selling branded merchandise can bring a lot of revenue, especially if your brand has a strong following. For example, popular clothing brands often release limited-edition merchandise drops that quickly sell out due to high demand.

The ROI Equation: Calculating the Value of Custom Merchandise

Return on Investment (ROI) is not just a financial metric, it’s a measure of the effectiveness of your marketing efforts. To calculate the ROI of custom merchandise, you’ll want to start by setting clear objectives and crafting a robust strategy. Whether you’re looking to boost brand awareness, boost employee morale or increase sales, defining your goals upfront is the first step. 

Next, leverage key metrics to engage effectiveness. From direct sales impact to brand recall surveys, tracking relevant data points to measure the effectiveness of your campaigns is important. 

Arguably the most important indicator of ROI is the impact on your bottom line. When customers engage with your branded merchandise, they’re engaging with your brand. And if that interaction leads to increased sales, repeat business, or positive word-of-mouth referrals.

Beyond Marketing: More Business Benefits of Branded Merchandise

First, let’s focus on keeping your team happy and motivated. When you invest in custom merchandise for your team, you’re fostering a sense of belonging. This can boost morale, which in turn increases productivity and reduces turnover – saving you time and money in the long run.

Then there’s networking and relationship building. Whether you’re attending a trade show or hosting an event, branded swag serves as a powerful icebreaker and conversation starter. It creates opportunities for meaningful connections with clients, partners, and prospects.

Branded merchandise can also play a key part in your CSR efforts. Opting for sustainable materials, ethical production practices, and eco-friendly packaging, helps reduce your environmental footprint whilst aligning with modern consumers (and employee) values. By choosing eco-friendly options you can differentiate your brand and live your values.

Choosing the Right Merchandise Strategy for Your Business

When looking to commission bespoke merchandise for your brand, we recommend to focus on your end users needs and preferences (whether that’s a customer or an employee). From stylish apparel, practical accessories, or eco-friendly products, choose items that align with your brand identity and bring it to life in a relevant way. Additionally, invest in high-quality merchandise that reflects the quality of your brand.

Here’s how to make sure you’re making the right choices:

– Focus on your customer — while it may sound basic, it’s an important foundation.

– Choose merchandise items that align with your brand and resonate with your audience. Think outside the box a little and be creative in your approach to get the most out of your project.

– Invest in high-quality merchandise with high standards that reflects the quality of your brand. 

– Be open to experimenting with different merchandise strategies. 

Best Practices for Implementing a Branded Swag Campaign

Take time to plan carefully and follow best practices to ensure your campaign is a resounding success:

– Outline measurable goals for your campaign (KPI’s). 

– Take care of your budget, and factor in the cost of merchandise, printing, distribution, and promotion. 

– Find the best channels for distributing your branded swag, if it’s at trade shows, events, in-store promotions, or through online giveaways.

– Personalise and enhance the effectiveness of your branded swag. 

– Consider adding recipients’ names or customising designs to make the merchandise feel more special to individual recipients.

– Keep a cohesive aesthetic across all merchandise items and communication channels.

– Use data to identify areas to optimise your future campaigns.

Conclusion

Throughout this exploration of the ROI of custom merchandise, we’ve uncovered the undeniable impact that branded swag can have on businesses of all sizes and industries. From increasing brand visibility and customer loyalty to driving website traffic and sales, the benefits are clear and quantifiable.

At ICON Printing, we’re your partner in success – committed to creating high-quality apparel and accessories for higher standards. With our dedication to quality, sustainability, and design innovation, we make sure that your campaigns are impactful and leave a lasting impression. Reach out today to collaborate with us.