By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

“Guess how much I hate this mug,” said the employee.
“This much,” her coworker replied, pointing to the office sink—overflowing with sad, unused company swag.

It was cheap.
It was ugly.
The logo was off-center.

And worst of all?
It was completely forgettable.

Why Bad Swag Hurts Your Brand

If your team is rolling their eyes at the branded merch you’re handing out, you’re not just wasting money—you’re missing a powerful opportunity.

Employee swag isn’t just about giving stuff. It’s about creating connection, reinforcing culture, and reminding your team (and your clients) that your brand is thoughtful, intentional, and yes—stylish.

Bad swag sends the message: “We didn’t think this through.”
Great swag says: “We see you. We value you. Here’s something you’ll actually use.”

At Go To Market – Anti-Boring Branded Merchandise, we exist to prevent this exact tragedy.

How to Avoid a Swag Fail

If your branded merch isn’t being used or appreciated, it’s time to ask some tough (but fixable!) questions:

• Is your swag aligned with your brand values and culture?
• Does it feel high-quality, intentional, and worth showing off?
• Would you want to receive it?

When your merch lands—really lands—your employees and customers will wear it, share it, and love it. That’s the kind of custom swag that builds loyalty, drives visibility, and actually does its job.

Ready for a Swag Glow-Up?

Don’t let your team suffer through another cringe mug or sad polyester tote. It’s time to invest in custom swag that feels good, looks good, and does good for your brand.

Because no one should have to ask:
“Why do they keep giving us this stuff?”

Let’s make sure your next mug sparks joy—not sarcasm.

One Last Question…

What’s your corporate version of “Guess How Much I Love You”?
👇 Drop it in the comments:

• “Guess how many times I’ve rescheduled this Zoom.”
• “Guess how much I hate writing expense reports.”
• “Guess how long I’ve been waiting on that approval.”

(We’ve heard them all—and we’ve got the swag to fix it.)