Branded goods are a fantastic way to get your business in front of potential consumers during one of the busiest periods of the year. However, can branded merchandise be the right course of action for your business?

In this article, we answer five commonly asked questions when considering the use of branded merchandise as part of your holiday marketing strategy:

Can branded merchandise make a great holiday gift for customers and employees alike?

Branded merchandise is an excellent way to show your appreciation for someone’s business or loyalty. According to ASI (Advertising Specialty Institute), 85% of consumers worldwide remember the advertiser of the promotional products given to them. This may be a shirt or a hat, or even a gift set.

Imagine the joy someone feels when they receive a gift. Now imagine that gift has a tasteful expression of your brand on it. Every time that employee, influencer or customer uses that gift, they are reminded of that positive bond between your company and themselves.

A gift set combines a variety of items into one package. From food and spirit sets to fitness and relaxation options, you can find gift sets that can really speak to your brand identity and the community you foster. Sets allow you to brand more than one item, so you can maximize your presence on items your employees or customers will love.

Now imagine gifting a gift box. Gift boxes are hugely popular – so popular that there are entire companies dedicated to people who send themselves gift boxes! Unboxing videos have seen 57% growth on Google in the past year. The fact is people love thinking within the box. We see great results with gift boxes for new employees, new contracts, high-value clients, influencer rewards, and more – but the real stand-out in 4th quarter is leveraging the ability to create that moment of delight for employees and key customers.

With the right partner, it is easy to consolidate orders with a pop-up shop, making it easy to manage all orders, even among a widely distributed organization. The benefit of this is you can control costs and ensure on-time ordering so deliveries happen when they should.

The impact of branded merchandise as a holiday gift is powerful tactic and should be a part of every serious growth plan.

Can branded merch be a great way to get my business in front of potential customers during the holidays?

Yes, with more people out shopping for gifts and other holiday-related items during 4th quarter, offering branded merchandise is a great way to turn gift-givers into brand evangelists for your company.

Your customers and yes, your prospects feel a connection to your brand. By encouraging them to purchase branded merchandise as gifts for others during the holidays, you are expanding your brand’s reach while creating exciting gifting experiences.

The choice of branded merchandise you offer can vary based on the business you are in. For example, many manufacturers or service companies provide branded swag as part of an intelligent strategy to add revenue to the bottom line. Nonprofits may offer branded merchandise as a fundraising option. Other companies do not offer branded merchandise to the public but do offer it to their employees. Each of these approaches can vary, which is why we recommend speaking to an MSP Design Group creative consultant to pick the best approach for how you do business and your industry.

In general, some of the most popular branded items during the holidays include t-shirts, sweaters, gift boxes, tote bags, and hats.

How is branded merchandise a great way to promote special deals and promotions during the holidays?

We love this question! So, here’s the answer: You increase the visibility of your business while also driving sales by giving branded merchandise as part of a promotion. Not only are you promoting your business, but you’re also providing value to your customers.

During the holidays, people are always on the lookout for great deals. So, when you add your company name and logo to branded merchandise and make them available as part of a special deal with holiday messaging, it offers the same value as higher-cost holiday gifts.

One of the most famous and successful promotional marketing strategies was done by Adolphus Busch, of Anheuser-Busch. In the late 1800s, Adolphus urged his salespeople to visit taverns with not only samples of their beverages, but also promotional corkscrews with the company name on them. This campaign empowered consumers with a free tool they could use, and dramatically increased sales of the now popular beverage. The result was nothing short of legendary, cementing Anheuser-Busch as a standard beverage in our everyday lexicon, becoming a multi-billion-dollar corporation, and eventually becoming known as the “King of Beers.”

Can branded merchandise help my business stand out from the competition?

With so many businesses vying for attention during the holidays, branded merchandise can absolutely help you make your mark and stand out from the crowd.

You can distinguish your business from the competition by offering your own line of branded merchandise, such as t-shirts or tumblers. This method may be used by any kind of business. Even accessory and clothing boutiques may distinguish themselves with their own branded goods.

For example, let’s say you own a local restaurant. You can brand cups, keychains, and t-shirts and more with your company name and logo to give as gifts. People will love the unique gift and think of your business every time they use the branded merchandise in their kitchen.

In addition, branded merchandise can also help businesses gain an edge by appealing to certain demographics. For example, eco-friendly companies may appeal to the growing number of consumers who are interested in sustainability. And businesses that focus on health and wellness may use branded merchandise to appeal to those who are looking to live a healthier lifestyle.

No matter what your business does or what industry you’re in, branded merchandise can give you a leg up on the competition during the holiday season and all year long.

Is branded merchandise a great way to show my support for charitable causes?

Absolutely! Many companies choose to support charities during the holidays by giving branded merchandise that supports a worthy cause. This often shows your customers that you’re a business that cares about more than just profits, and the charity you give your support to benefits from the use of that branded merchandise.

Businesses are also navigating a climate in which consumers demand more from them than ever before.

• According to a recent Gallup poll, 72% of Americans feel businesses must do more than simply make money; they must also have a positive effect on society.
• Consumers are more motivated to express their opinions on social issues if they believe the company’s position reflects their own. A brand’s stance on social issues influences 36% of consumers’ decisions, according to Pollfish.

One of the best implementations of a company supporting a charity in this fashion is Target and UNICEF’s co-branded campaign, Kid Power. Where Target introduced a fitness band to encourage kids to be active. As a result, UNICEF benefited from the exposure and funding, while Target sold over 135,000 Kid Power bands.

Another example is Walgreen’s partnership with RedNoseDay.org, to fight child poverty. This partnership has lasted over 7 years and has raised well over $200 million for the cause. Who knew adding a smile to someone’s day with a funny clown nose could accomplish so much in fighting child poverty?

There are also many different types of charitable overlays with merchandise. The most common type is the donation overlay, which allows customers to donate directly to the charity of their choice. Another popular type is the bid-and-win overlay, which gives customers the chance to win merchandise by bidding on it. The winner of the bid gets to keep the merchandise, and the proceeds from the bids are donated to charity. Finally, there are also raffle overlays, which give customers the chance to win merchandise by purchasing raffle tickets. The proceeds from ticket sales are donated to charity. Charitable overlays with merchandise are a great way for businesses to support their chosen causes. By offering these types of overlays, businesses can encourage customers to support their favorite charities while also getting something in return.

Whether you’re looking to get your brand in front of more people, show your appreciation for customers and employees, or promote special deals and promotions, branded merchandise is a great way to do it. So, if you’re looking for a way to make your holiday marketing strategy more effective, branded merchandise is definitely worth considering.

Let us help you create the perfect holiday campaign this year. Give us a call at 1-833-978-0076 to get started!