According to statistics, 85% of consumers do business with a brand after receiving a promotional product. 89% of individuals who received promotional merchandise in the past 2 years still remember the name of the company.
15% of consumers have said that receiving a promotional product made them have a positive impression of a brand. 6 out of 10 people keep promotional items for two years. This article at JimBoggia.com explains more about promotional merchandise.
Using branded promotional products is a simple and cost-effective marketing strategy for increasing customer loyalty, building brand awareness, generating leads, and building relationships with customers. Branded merchandise will give your brand a competitive edge.
Why Are Branded Promotional Products a Great Marketing Strategy?
Competitive Advantage
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 20% of businesses fail by the end of the first year and 50% by the fifth year. There are many reasons why businesses fail, and one of them is the lack of differentiation.
You can use branded merchandise to differentiate your brand, making it stand out from the competition. Branded promotional products will make your brand look more interesting and engaging compared to competitors who have not invested in promotional items.
Your customers can also share pictures they have taken with your branded merchandise on your brand’s social media page. This will make your brand gain more visibility and build trust among your target audience.
Customer Loyalty
It costs six times more to acquire a new customer than to retain an old one. According to a survey conducted by the British Promotional Association, over 70% of customers are willing to buy a product from a brand after receiving a promotional item.
People like receiving free things. When a person receives something useful, they will feel valued and appreciated and are likely to be loyal to the brand.
Brand Awareness
The main goal of any marketing activity is to build brand recognition. When people know about a particular brand, they can recognize it instantly and are highly likely to purchase from the brand.
Giving away company merchandise regularly will facilitate maximum brand exposure. Therefore, customers will remember your brand for a longer period or even for a lifetime.
Branded merchandise makes for tangible advertising, which creates brand awareness. You give customers something that they can touch, see, and experience.
Works More Effectively Than a Business Card
Business cards help to introduce your business to potential clients; they are considered a necessity for any entrepreneur. Promotional items are new-age business cards.
Consider these scenarios. If a brand you are not interested in gives you a business card, would you accept it? Probably not. What about if the same company gave you a free t-shirt or a flash drive, would you accept it? Chances are you would. When you accept any of these promotional products you will see the same company information printed on the business card.
The chances of throwing these branded items are lower compared to a business card. You will probably use the promotional merchandise regularly; therefore, you will remember the brand for longer.
Build Relationships with Customers
Customers are the lifeline of your business. The success of your business depends on your customers because they are the ones who purchase your products or services.
Maintaining relationships with customers is one of the most difficult activities that a company can undertake. By giving your customers branded merchandise, you help to build healthy relationships. You encourage them to refer your brand to their family and friends.
Lead Generation
Lead generation is important for your business. Branded promotional products help to increase brand awareness but they can also be used for lead generation.
To generate leads through branded merchandise, you should make your team use the items during client meetings. This will improve your brand’s perception and maximize leads.
Customers who give their contact information should be added something special on top of the promotional item. For example, if coffee mugs are being used as promotional products, you can add a packet of high-quality coffee. This will attract more potential leads to your company.
A Simple & Uncomplicated Marketing Strategy
With branded merchandise, you don’t require a detailed and well-thought-out plan as is the case for television ads and other marketing strategies. You simply need to hand out promotional products. This strategy can easily be incorporated into your existing business operations by branding the products that your company already gives away for free such as key holders, notebooks, and pens.
If you own a store, you can print custom reusable shopping bags that you will give new customers when they come to your store. This not only boosts your marketing but also helps with recycling.
How to Make Promotional Merchandise to Work for Your Business
Consider the Nature of Your Business
You should figure out the promotional items to offer based on the nature of your business. The branded items you give out should remind customers of the products that you sell. Soft drink companies normally give away free glasses and pitchers. Give customers items that will help to grow your brand.
Consider Products That Add Value
You should give away merchandise that will add value to the lives of your customers. Something like business cards will be of little or no help. Consider products that your customers are likely to use such as branded flash drives, t-shirts, and umbrellas. These items are far more valuable than a business card.
When you give useful items, customers will associate your brand with helpful and unique merchandise whenever they see your brand name and logo. This will create a positive brand association which will greatly boost your marketing goals.
Company Logo
While designing branded merchandise, ensure to include the company logo on the products. Logos are usually recognized by people instantly.
Giving out promotional products is an easy and cost-effective way of increasing brand awareness and building customer loyalty. It also helps with lead generation and enhancing customer relationships. You should use high-quality premium products because they will represent your brand.
