In today’s fast-paced, digital-first marketing landscape, it is easy to think that traditional marketing tactics like branded merchandise have fallen stale. But with the rise of email, social media ads, and influencer campaigns, are promotional products relevant anymore? It’s a strong yes. Branded merchandise still works – even as one of the most impactful methods for visibility, loyalty, and engagement.
The Power of Physical Connection
Even with the rise of the digital world, human beings still want to connect with people, not their phones, tablets, or computers. Highly-branded merchandise allows for in-person interaction and connection. A top-tier tote bag, a custom water bottle, or unique notebook, for example, is a tactile experience you can’t get in an ad online; it’s something they can feel, use, and be reminded of your brand each time.
Digital ads may set up for you and disappear the moment they come down, but promotional products do last. In fact, according to the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), most people tend to keep promotional products for an average of eight months. That’s eight months of repeated impressions; something a digital banner ad can’t replicate.
Boosting Brand Recall
Branded promotional merchandise can enhance brand awareness tremendously. When a customer receives a useful promotional gift, your business doesn’t just become “another email marketing name”, but a part of their daily lives. It could be a mug they drink their coffee out of every morning or a pen that sits in the top drawer of their desk when they sign the check out. This creates a low-effort way for them to engage with your brand continuously.
Most importantly, promotional products are commonly shared or seen by others. A functional branded umbrella on a rainy day or a custom hooded sweatshirt spotted at the gym that acts as moving advertisements exposing your brand to additional new eyes, completely free! If you’re targeting an audience near Bucks County, promotional products offer an excellent way to stay top-of-mind in everyday routines with items that people actually use.
Cost-Effective Marketing with Long-Term Returns
In terms of real value versus the ongoing digital ad spend, promo items usually provide a much better return on investment. It only takes a one-time investment for quality branded merchandise to provide extended brand exposure over a period of weeks, months even years. When you are using promotional items in conjunction with a strategic campaign—like a product launch, a tradeshow, or as part of a holiday promotion—branded items can really help you capture attention and drive traffic both online and offline. Promotional gear is also an effective way to stand out in crowded spaces when digital marketing saturation can be a big challenge. Businesses looking to make a lasting impact locally should consider using promotional products in Lansdale, PA to support trade shows, launches, or seasonal campaigns.
It’s important to help customers feel appreciated. Giving away branded products as promotional giveaways, thank-you gifts, or loyalty rewards creates strong rapport with customers. People are far more likely to buy from a brand they trust and that they feel a strong connection with, and giving away a well-made product shows appreciation and professionalism, which plants the seed for repeat purchases. If you are in the world of eCommerce consider always sending a small branded freebie with each order. It’s only a small gesture, but it creates additional perceived value and likelihood for positive reviews and social sharing.
Blending Digital and Physical Strategies
The great thing about branded merchandise is it doesn’t need to compete with digital marketing; it can actually work alongside it. You can combine a branded giveaway with a social media contest, use a branded item as a freebie for new email subscribers, make an influencer kit with branded items for unboxing videos and mentions, and more! When two different campaigns interact, the possibilities are endless.
You can now even track specific merchandise activities digitally through modern tools. QR codes, NFC tags or custom landing pages printed on your product can all send people to the online destination you want them to interact with. You can even track engagement.
Final Thoughts
Branded merchandise has proven to be effective for one reason: it works. In an era when digital content is scrolled by in seconds, a tangible item with your brand on it, that provides value and function, can stick with a person much longer. It doesn’t matter if you’re a small business hoping to get noticed or an established brand, spewing out loyalty – branded merchandise is a good investment in today’s digital-based world.
Are you ready to learn more about custom branded items that leave an impression? Reach out today to explore custom promotional products that get your brand noticed.