By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert Your brand is powerful. So why does it only exist on Zoom calls and in email threads? If you’re a service-based business, your brand likely lives in digital spaces: 📧 Your client’s inbox🖥 A Zoom square📱 Direct messages🗂 A tucked-away client portal Helpful? Sure. But […]

If your branded merch strategy starts with, “How many mugs should we order?” — it’s time for a serious reset. Too many businesses are still stuck in the old promotional product playbook:→ Order a bulk shipment of branded items→ Hope people actually want them→ Pray they don’t end up collecting dust in a drawer Here’s […]

I thought I was heading to a wholesome dog rescue event last weekend. Plot twist: I walked into the New York International Auto Show at the Javits Center instead. So, no rescue pup—but what I did find was something equally thrilling: some of the best (and worst) branded merch in the game. Turns out, every […]

Let’s be real for a second: If your swag is just a logo slapped on something—congrats. You didn’t create a marketing tool. You created clutter. 😬 The Problem with Boring Branded Swag We’ve all seen it before:🧢 A t-shirt with your company logo—meh.📝 A pencil with your website URL—yawn.☕ A coffee mug with your branding—straight […]

When your grocery store sells $19 celery juice and raw milk, it’s not just a place to shop—it’s a brand experience. And yes, Erewhon—the ultra-luxury Los Angeles health market—sells merch. But this isn’t your average tote bag with a logo. It’s giving: “I’m looking for a man in finance” energy. 👀 The Power of Branded […]

Let’s be real: Most branded merch = logos slapped on junk. ✨ That’s not strategy. That’s clutter. If your branded merchandise isn’t being worn, used, or loved — it’s not working. And that’s because so many brands are stuck in an outdated swag mindset: bulk-ordering cheap products, adding a logo, and calling it a day. […]

Yes, you read that right—you can now get married at the Las Vegas Taco Bell… complete with wedding-themed Taco Bell swag. 🌮💍 Taco Bell Swag: Taking Brand Love to the Altar I’ve written a lot about Taco Bell merch before, but their sauce-covered bowties, sauce packet garter belts, and even a sauce packet bouquet have […]

Want to know the one swag item people were shoving each other to get their hands on at Expo West last week? The answer might surprise you ⤵️ (Plus, there’s a major lesson for you at the end!) Meet Belgian Boys (and Their Irresistible Swag) Have you heard of Belgian Boys? (I hadn’t—until I saw […]

You know those BIG business wins you see all over social media? Here’s the dirty secret about them: They’re (often) a big fat lie. And they’re doing a HUGE disservice to entrepreneurs everywhere by setting a “standard” of success based on smoke and mirrors. Sure, maybe they did: (Probably, they didn’t—but that’s another story.) What […]

Branded merchandise isn’t just for customers—your team needs it too! Investing in high-quality, stylish company swag can boost morale, increase brand loyalty, and create a strong sense of belonging. Here’s why your business should prioritize team swag today: 1️⃣ Strengthen Team Connection in a Remote World In today’s remote and hybrid work environments, your employees […]