Do you ever feel like your job title just doesn’t capture the coolness of what you do? ๐ค 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 ๐ฝ, 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 ๐ก๐๐ฏ๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ฒ.”
Immediately, her eyes glazed over, and I could see where her mind was going. She probably assumed I was:
- ๐ Making giveaways for weddings and Bar Mitzvahsย
- ๐ Printing cheap corporate swag ๐๏ธ๐ฆย
- ๐ Hawking t-shirts to people in bulk ๐ย
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 thatโs not our thing. In fact, those assumptions make me shudder (๐ฏ๐ฐ ๐ด๐ฉ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ธ๐ฆ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ณ ๐๐ช๐ต๐ป๐ท๐ข๐ฉ ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ฐ๐ฑ๐ญ๐ฆ, ๐ช๐ต’๐ด ๐ซ๐ถ๐ด๐ต ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ท๐ช๐ฃ๐ฆ).
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 thatโs 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 outโour 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! ๐
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 How often do people assume they know what you do, based on outdated or inaccurate stereotypes?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 donโt fully get, youโve probably had a similar experience. Whether youโre 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tech expert, creative professional, or a specialist in a niche field, others may reduce what you do to a simplified or outdated version.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? Iโm 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. Thatโs why itโs important to continually educate people on what you doโwithout making it feel like a chore. Through strategic branding and targeted messaging, itโs possible to shift how others see your industry and role. And for us at Go To Market, thatโs part of the fun. We love showing the world that branded merchandise can be innovative, stylish, and a key part of any brandโs success.
So, the next time someone asks me what I do, maybe Iโll 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!