How to Change the Perception Around Branded Merchandise

Do you ever feel like your job title just doesn’t capture the coolness of what you do? ๐Ÿค” I sure do! As a business owner in the branded merchandise industry, I get this all the time.

A Misunderstood Industry: My Experience

Just this weekend, I was on a class trip to Ellis Island ๐Ÿ—ฝ, chatting with some fellow parents. As we waited in line, one of the moms asked, “What do you do for work?” I replied, as I always do, “๐ˆ ๐ก๐š๐ฏ๐ž ๐š ๐›๐ซ๐š๐ง๐๐ž๐ ๐ฆ๐ž๐ซ๐œ๐ก๐š๐ง๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ž ๐œ๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐š๐ง๐ฒ.” 

Immediately, her eyes glazed over, and I could see where her mind was going. She probably assumed I was:

  • ๐Ÿ‘• Making giveaways for weddings and Bar Mitzvahsย 
  • ๐Ÿ‘• Printing cheap corporate swag ๐Ÿ–Š๏ธ๐Ÿ”ฆย 
  • ๐Ÿ‘• Hawking t-shirts to people in bulk ๐Ÿ™ˆย 

Spoiler alert: that’s not what we do!

Breaking Down the Stereotypes About Branded Merchandise

The truth is, there are a lot of misconceptions about the branded merchandise industry. Sure, there are companies that focus on mass-producing generic swag, but thatโ€™s not our thing. In fact, those assumptions make me shudder (๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ ๐˜ด๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ฅ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜ธ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฅ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ ๐˜‰๐˜ข๐˜ณ ๐˜”๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜ป๐˜ท๐˜ข๐˜ฉ ๐˜ฑ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฑ๐˜ญ๐˜ฆ, ๐˜ช๐˜ต’๐˜ด ๐˜ซ๐˜ถ๐˜ด๐˜ต ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ๐˜ต ๐˜ฎ๐˜บ ๐˜ท๐˜ช๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ).

At Go To Market – Custom Print-On-Demand Branded Merchandise, we’re all about sustainability, creativity, and helping businesses truly shine through their unique branded merch and swag. We help brands tell their stories in a way thatโ€™s as distinct as they are, whether it’s through custom-designed apparel, accessories, or eco-friendly products.

Shifting the Narrative: What Makes Us Different

Sure, I know how to pitch what we do in a way that stands outโ€”our focus on print-on-demand, which is not only more sustainable but also helps companies avoid the waste and risk of bulk printing. However, a class trip isn’t exactly the right place to launch into a full-blown merch pitch! ๐Ÿ˜…

That got me thinking: how many of us have jobs that are easily misunderstood? How often do people assume they know what you do, based on outdated or inaccurate stereotypes?

Do People Make Assumptions About Your Job?

If you’re in an industry that people donโ€™t fully get, youโ€™ve probably had a similar experience. Whether youโ€™re a tech expert, creative professional, or a specialist in a niche field, others may reduce what you do to a simplified or outdated version.

How do you handle it when people make these assumptions? Do you correct them, or do you just let it slide? Iโ€™m curious to know how others navigate this challenge.

Changing the Way People See Your Job

When it comes to branding your business, perception is everything. Thatโ€™s why itโ€™s important to continually educate people on what you doโ€”without making it feel like a chore. Through strategic branding and targeted messaging, itโ€™s possible to shift how others see your industry and role. And for us at Go To Market, thatโ€™s part of the fun. We love showing the world that branded merchandise can be innovative, stylish, and a key part of any brandโ€™s success.

So, the next time someone asks me what I do, maybe Iโ€™ll change my answer up a bit. Perhaps, “I run a company that helps businesses stand out with creative, eco-friendly branded merchandise” will do the trick!

Have you ever had a similar experience? How do you handle misconceptions about your job? Share your thoughts in the comments!