By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert
As a business owner, your number one job is simple (but not easy): Stay top of mind.
But in reality, you’re not just competing with other brands. You’re up against:
- 55 open browser tabs
- Five never-ending Slack channels
- Inbox overload
- And let’s not forget the algorithm gods that demand a blood sacrifice to go viral 🐑🔪
So how do you break through the noise?
Make Your Branded Merch Unmissable
If you’re still handing out throwaway pens and ill-fitting tees, it’s time to level up.
Create custom swag people actually love—and wear, use, or carry proudly in their community.
Whether it’s a perfectly cropped hoodie, a sleek insulated tumbler, or a laptop sleeve that turns heads in the coffee shop, the right branded merchandise becomes more than a giveaway—it becomes part of someone’s daily vibe.
This is the kind of swag that:
- Gets Instagrammed without you even asking
- Becomes part of their desk setup
- Starts conversations at school pickup or WeWork desks
- Lives in their life, not in a junk drawer
From Promotional Item to Brand Billboard
When your branded merch becomes part of someone’s lifestyle, your brand becomes part of their story.
That means your logo isn’t just seen by the person you gave it to—it’s seen by everyone else they interact with. That’s exponential brand visibility.
It’s how you:
- Build brand recognition organically
- Earn trust and familiarity through repeated exposure
- Stay top of mind without having to scream for attention
That $25 hoodie? It might be worth more than a $10,000 ad campaign when it comes to brand stickiness.
So, What Makes Swag Wearable?
Great branded merch should check at least one of these boxes:
- Useful – Think premium water bottles, tech accessories, notebooks you actually want to write in
- Stylish – Apparel that feels retail-quality, fits well, and doesn’t scream “I got this at a conference”
- Identity-Driven – Swag that reflects your brand values and resonates with your audience’s lifestyle
This is where a strategic merch partner (hi 👋) comes in. It’s not about slapping your logo on a t-shirt. It’s about curating pieces that are aligned with your audience and brand DNA.
Bonus Question: Who Are You in the School Pickup Line?
Unrelated, but… important: Are you the parent who arrives 10 minutes early to school pickup with coffee in hand and a podcast queued up? Or are you the one screeching into the parking lot with 0.1 milliseconds to spare?