Branded promotional items are an awesome way to connect with your customers, show off your company, and reach new customers. When your customers are excited about your brand and the swag you’re giving away, not only will they be willing to wear your logo, but they’ll also tell their friends and family all about you!
However, when you went to purchase your latest batch of swag, you might have felt overwhelmed by all the choices. How do you know which item will bring the most return for your investment?
From coffee mugs to sweatshirts, you can add your logo to just about everything – but that doesn’t mean each item will bring you the same amount of attention. If you want to get the most out of the promo items you’re giving away, you need to make some strategic decisions so you can ensure you're choosing the right products for your brand!
To avoid having your promo swag thrown to the back of your customer’s closet, here are a few steps you should take to create a design your target audience will love. 😊
Knowing your target audience is the first step in developing the right swag. Before you print your logo on anything, consider who will actually be using this item. Think about their demographics - who they are, where they’re going, and what kinds of products they love to use.
You’ll also want to consider the level of investment this individual has in your company. If you’re creating swag for your team members or other internal individuals, they may be more likely to want a t-shirt, bag, and coffee cup with a large logo across the front. However, if they’re simply customers, an overwhelming design could prevent them from using the item!
Select a promo item that your target individual is most likely to use, especially out in public. For example, if you’re targeting business professionals, a t-shirt or baseball hat may not be the most useful promo items for them. Instead, a to-go coffee mug may get the most use.
We all hope that our customers will take swag home and treasure it forever. However, if you want to get the most out of your investment, you need to be realistic about when and where your item will be used!
Most customers won’t end up wearing apparel with an extremely large logo or design. While they may support your brand, they don’t want to feel like a walking billboard. However, they may be likely to use your promo item if the branding is small and discrete. For example, a simple pair of black gloves with a small logo will be worn more frequently than a jacket with your logo plastered across the back.
Put yourself in the customer’s shoes when deciding on your design. Think about what you would be willing to wear if you were handed the item by another company. When it comes to designing swag, always remember that less is usually more!
When you’re trying to get the most out of your marketing budget, you may be tempted to spend it all creating an awesome design. Unfortunately, if you spend too much commissioning an image with a number of colors and details, you could have very little room left in your budget for your product.
If you’re printing your design on a low-quality product, such as a cheap t-shirt, your customers will be less likely to actually use it. If it fits poorly, loses its shape after one wash, or feels uncomfortable, customers are likely to throw it straight into the trash – even if they’re loyal to your brand.
While you want your design to be interesting and attractive, put the majority of your investment into the quality of your product. If you’re giving away a high-quality item with a simple logo or design, your customers will feel more inclined to use it day-to-day. Wouldn't you? 😊
Ordering branded swag that your customers will love depends on how well you know your target audience. When you create an item that you know will fit easily into the daily lives of your customers and clients, you’ll be more likely to see a return on your investment.
Getting to know your target audience, understanding what items they may be excited about, and being realistic about what they’re likely to use can help you invest in the right promo item! Additionally, when you focus your budget into items that can last long and make your customers happy, you can worry less that your item will be forgotten about.
For additional tips on how to create branded swag that will get the most reach and results, check out most recent blog posts.