Merchandise helps companies connect with their audience and build a recognizable brand. Selling branded merchandise can be extremely lucrative, and it can also provide free exposure for your brand and products. That said, you must choose the right merchandise for your brand and sell or gift promotional items that will appeal to your customers. Make sure that you get your merchandise strategy right and plan well to maximize your return on investment. Here are some suggestions to help you make merchandise that customers actually want.
Understand the value of quality merchandise
High-quality merchandise can benefit your business in several ways. You can sell branded merchandise to generate a new revenue stream. Or, you can gift merchandise to customers as a way to gain free exposure and marketing for your brand. There is no shortage of ways to make merchandise part of your customers’ lives. You can choose from an impressive variety of merchandise, including soft toys, stationery, branded clothing and apparel, and eco-friendly promo items like reusable coffee mugs and water bottles. Business owners should understand the value of quality merchandise and leverage branded products to increase sales revenue and boost brand visibility.
Learn about your customers
If you are planning on selling branding merchandise or using it as part of your promotional strategy, then you must research your target audience. Learn as much as you can about your customers and their behaviors. Find out what products they love and which ones are less popular with your customer base. Use the findings from your market research to identify what merchandise will appeal most to your audience. You should tailor branded merchandise to suit the specific needs, wants, and preferences of your target customer. For example, if you’re target audience is teenage girls, then you might choose to display your logo on bags that feature pretty floral designs and vibrant colors. Whereas, if your target audience is professional males, then you may decide to print your logo on a reusable coffee mug with a corporate design. You can use Google Analytics reports to define your target audience and find information on your customers.
Validate your merchandise ideas
As mentioned, there is a massive choice of merchandise, and you must pick branded products that will appeal to your audience. Brainstorm different merchandise and narrow this down to a list of several ideas. One of the easiest ways to validate your merchandise ideas is by asking your existing customers what they would like to buy or use. Social media polls are a great way to get opinions from your customers. Facebook and Instagram polls are a fun way to ask questions and customers love them as they require minimal effort. You could post a Facebook poll asking your
followers whether they would rather receive a t-shirt, a hat, or a reusable bag. The info that you receive from the poll will help you determine what merchandise will be most profitable for your brand. According to Neil Patel, another great benefit of Facebook polls is that they are one of the best ways to boost engagement and build a stronger sense of community around your brand. You could also send text messages or emails to your existing customers to ask questions about what merchandise they would prefer. Asking your customers for their opinions will make them feel part of the process and help you foster stronger customer relationships.
Find a print-on-demand service
Once you have decided what merchandise you want and chosen a design and logo, you will need to consider how you are going to make your merch. Most businesses choose to partner with a print-on-demand company. Shopify explains how “print-on-demand services allow companies to minimize the investment, time, and risk involved with managing inventory.” A print-on-demand company can manage the entire process for you, including order fulfillment, shipping, and customer service. This means you can start advertising merch without having to make sacrifices in other areas of your business. If you are seeking a print-on-demand partner, then make sure that you search for a reputable company. Poor quality products or customer service will reflect badly on your brand and may impact how many customers you lose. You should always ask a print-on-demand company to send you samples before you go into partnership. This will allow you to test the quality of the products that will be sent to customers.
Gift promotional merchandise
Selling branded merchandise can be a great way to secure an additional revenue stream and improve your bottom line. However, gifting promo merchandise can be just as profitable long-term. Giving branded merchandise can make your customers and clients feel valued and help you build loyalty and trust. Getting your customers to use branded products can also be an excellent marketing tactic that will promote your products and improve brand visibility. There is an endless choice of fun and exciting promotional merchandise to choose from, such as t-shirt, shoes, hats, mugs, and socks. You can visit anthembranding.com to browse the latest promo products on offer.
Market your merchandise
You must market your merchandise effectively to increase brand awareness and maximize your returns. Social media provides the ideal place to promote your merchandise and promo products. Take high-quality photographs of your branded merch and post this on your social accounts. Encourage your followers to share your posts, and remember to include a link to purchase the merchandise advertised. You can also use brand ambassadors to promote your promo products on social platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Many companies provide fans with free merchandise in exchange for exposure on social media.
Summary
Selling branded merchandise can help you secure an additional revenue stream and increase your profit margins. Selling or gifting branded merchandise can also be a powerful marketing strategy that will increase brand exposure and boost your company’s reputation. Every company should consider using merchandise as a way to market their brand and increase sales revenue. Use the above suggestions to help you create quality merch that will appeal to your customers and give you a competitive edge in your industry.