By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Key Takeaways

Most branded merchandise doesn’t earn a place in your suitcase, but a plushy adventure buddy in a Rivian showroom pulled me right in. Story-driven swag wins because it’s a travel companion, a conversation starter and a brand symbol, and this one only needs a name.

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Not All Merch Deserves a Spot in Your Bag

But this little guy?
He’s definitely coming on the road trip.

Last weekend, I stumbled into a Rivian showroom at the mall — and was instantly pulled in like a moth to a headlamp.

Not by a car.
Not by a flashy display.
But by a plushy adventure buddy staring up at me with button eyes and irresistible energy.

How Do You Do Memoerable Swag?

Let’s be real — most branded merchandise doesn’t exactly earn a place in your suitcase.

But this?
This furry little security sidekick you can bring hiking, camping, or road-tripping under the stars?
💥 Adorable
💥 On-brand
💥 Totally obsession-worthy

This is creative swag that tells a story — one of safety, exploration, and loyalty.
The kind of custom merch that sparks a feeling, not just a fleeting glance.

Why Does Story-Driven Swag Win (Every Time)?

A plush toy isn’t just a toy — it’s a travel companion.
It’s a conversation starter.
It’s a brand symbol that connects emotionally with your audience, especially in spaces like adventure travel, tech, and lifestyle.

And let’s be honest…

This little fluffball will end up in way more social media posts than a branded mug ever could.

Because when swag is meaningful, word about it travels — literally and figuratively.

What Should Rivian Name Their Plushy Protector?

Here’s the only problem with this brilliant branded item:
It doesn’t have a name yet.

We can fix that. 🧠✨

Let’s give this iconic piece of Rivian swag the identity it deserves.

Vote below or pitch your own idea:

🧸 Riv
🧸 Scout
🧸 Wattson
🧸 Bolt

Want to Create Merch That Travels?

At Go To Market Studio, we specialize in branded merchandise that earns loyalty, tells your story, and ends up in backpacks, not garbage bins. If you’re ready to launch swag that stands out — and maybe even gets its own name — we’re here to help.

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Key Takeaways

Conference swag is where sustainability goals go to die: cheap plastic trinkets, useless giveaways and more tote bags than anyone can carry. Eco-conscious swag can still be exciting, useful and unforgettable, so ask four simple questions before you print a single unit.

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Conferences: Where Sustainability Goals Go to Die ☠️

Let’s talk about the dark side of branded merch.
A Reddit thread recently lit up with complaints about conference giveaways — and if you’ve ever walked out of an expo with a tote bag full of junk, you already know what they were talking about.

One user in r/Anticonsumption posted about being buried in branded swag at an event:
💥 Cheap plastic trinkets
💥 Useless promotional giveaways
💥 More tote bags than any human could possibly carry or care about

And then the comments came pouring in.

💬 What Are People Really Saying About Your Swag?

“I guarantee 95% of this stuff is going into the trash.”
“Convention swag is just birthday party favor bags for adults.”
“We talk about being zero waste, then mail boxes of branded clutter.”
“I don’t use tote bags. Why would I need 20 from companies I don’t care about?”

And the real kicker?
It’s not about one notebook or one reusable bottle.
It’s about 100,000 of them — mass-produced, uninspired, and destined for the dump.

Quantity ≠ Quality

When it comes to branded merchandise for conferences, the volume is often the villain.

If your company is ordering tens of thousands of generic products that will sit in hotel trash cans, you’re not building brand love — you’re building waste.

At Go To Market Studio, we believe eco-conscious swag can still be exciting, useful, and unforgettable. The kind people want to keep, use, and even post about.

Because great branded merch doesn’t scream your logo —
It tells your story, shares your values, and makes people feel like insiders.

What Questions Should You Ask Before You Print a Single Unit?

✨ Is it carry-on worthy?
✨ Is it actually useful?
✨ Is it beautiful enough that someone would buy it in a store?
✨ Does it align with your brand’s sustainability commitments?

If the answer is no to any of these…
Put the tote bag down.

Ready to Reimagine Your Conference Giveaways?

We’re here to help you create intentional, sustainable, and standout branded merchandise that people don’t just take home — they treasure.

Let’s end the era of disposable swag and create something worth carrying.

Now, your turn — what TV show are you binging lately?
I’m watching Gilmore Girls for the first time with my 13-year-old daughter, and yes… I’m completely charmed. ☕💬

Want help building better, smarter conference merch?
Let’s chat.

FAQ

What is wrong with conference swag?

The volume is often the villain. Tens of thousands of generic products end up in hotel trash cans, which builds waste instead of brand love.

Can eco-conscious swag still be exciting?

Yes. It can be exciting, useful, and unforgettable, the kind people want to keep, use, and even post about.

What should you ask before printing swag?

Is it carry-on worthy, actually useful, and beautiful enough that someone would buy it in a store? And does it align with your brand’s sustainability commitments?

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Key Takeaways

I’m not just in the business of designing custom swag.
I’m in the business of becoming a full-blown fangirl for my clients.

Not out of obligation.
Out of obsession.
Because when I believe in a founder’s mission, I really believe.

Not performatively — passionately.

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When Does Branded Merch Spark Loyalty?

🔥 We created custom merchandise for a personal trainer…
Now I’ve trained with her every single week for two years. 💪🏻

🔥 A new tea brand is about to launch their e-commerce shop with our swag studio…
I tried one sample — now I’m on their monthly subscription. 😳

This is the kind of loyalty branded merch can ignite — not just with your customers, but with your creative partners, your team, and your community.

Branded Swag That Builds Connection

At Go To Market Studio, we don’t slap logos on water bottles and call it a day.

We create strategic branded merchandise that people actually want to wear, sip, carry, and talk about.

We’ve helped coaches, consultants, educators, authors, trainers, and product-based brands launch their own swag lines — not just to build awareness, but to create emotional buy-in.

Because when people admire your brand, they want to be part of it.

Loud, Loyal, and Low-Key Obsessed

When I fall in love with a client’s brand, it’s game over.

I get loyal.
I get loud.
And I get a little low-key obsessed.

Just ask some of the incredible founders we’ve supported with custom merch and shop launches:
🦬 Joseph Cope, M. Ed. – The Empathy Guy
📕 Julie Ciardi
💡 Carlyn Bushman
☕ Ashley Carlson
🧡 Courtney Shaughnessy, Amy Davis, Olivia Radcliffe, Shea Keats, Liz Coffey, Lesley Stern, Meagan Allers, Danny O’Malley, Sandra A., Ruthie Berber, Shanna Hocking, Melissa Armstrong, CPA… and more!

You’ve all turned me into a walking billboard for your mission — and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Ready to Build a Brand People Brag About?

Whether you’re launching your first line of custom branded swag, or expanding your merchandising strategy, we’d love to help you create something meaningful — something your superfans (like me) can’t shut up about.

Drop your favorite client’s name below. 👇 If they turned you into a raving fan, I want to know them.

FAQ

What kind of merch does Go To Market Studio create?

Strategic branded merchandise that people actually want to wear, sip, carry, and talk about, not logos slapped on water bottles.

Who has Go To Market helped?

Coaches, consultants, educators, authors, trainers, and product-based brands launching their own swag lines.

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Key Takeaways

Zabar’s 75th-anniversary tee came with a love poem to smoked fish, and it works because it speaks to identity, not just branding. Great swag is limited-edition, local, nostalgic and modern, a badge of taste and belonging that resonates instead of just promoting.

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What does a love poem to smoked fish 🐟 have to do with swag?

Everything – if you’re Zabar’s.

To celebrate their 75th anniversary, the iconic Manhattan grocery store dropped a limited-edition branded tee. And it didn’t just feature a logo—it came with a perfect poem:

𝘈𝘤𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘡𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘳’𝘴
𝘚𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦
𝘚-𝘔-𝘖-𝘒-𝘐-𝘕-𝘎
𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩,
𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘴,
𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 75 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘕𝘠 𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴

This isn’t just any grocery store tee.
It’s wearable nostalgia, a New York cultural flex, and a prime example of what great custom swag can be.

The Best Swag Aligns With Identity—Not Just Branding

This limited-edition Zabar’s shirt works because it speaks to more than the brand—it speaks to identity:

🥯 “I know where the good bagels are.”
🗽 “I’m an actual New Yorker.”
💬 “This shirt will get people talking.”

Branded merch at its best doesn’t scream look at me—it says this is who I am. It’s not just a promotional product—it’s a story, a memory, a conversation starter.

From Grocery Store to Cult Brand: What Did Zabar’s Get Right?

Here’s why this worked so well:

• Limited-edition swag builds urgency and exclusivity
• It’s deeply local and culturally relevant
• It hits both nostalgia and modern design sensibilities
• The merch becomes a badge of taste and belonging

Whether you’re a local deli or a fast-scaling startup, the lesson is the same:
Merch should do more than promote. It should resonate.

Want Your Brand’s Swag to Feel This Good?

Your branded merch can be more than just a logo tee. It can be:

✨ A flex
✨ A souvenir
✨ A shared wink between fans of your brand

When we create custom branded merchandise for our clients, we’re thinking about more than giveaways—we’re thinking about what people will actually wear, keep, and connect with.

🐟 Would you wear a grocery store tee? Why or why not?
Drop your hot takes below—I’m collecting the best of brand-aligned swag wins (and misses).

FAQ

What did Zabar’s do for its 75th anniversary?

The iconic Manhattan grocery store dropped a limited-edition branded tee that came with a poem, not just a logo.

Why did the Zabar’s tee work so well?

It builds urgency and exclusivity, it’s deeply local and culturally relevant, it hits both nostalgia and modern design sensibilities, and it becomes a badge of taste and belonging.

What is the lesson for any brand?

Whether you’re a local deli or a fast-scaling startup, merch should do more than promote. It should resonate.

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Key Takeaways

Ugly swag is universal: it fills tables, clutters closets, ends up in landfills and does nothing for your brand. Smart branded merch is useful, on-brand, conversation-starting and designed for real humans, and it is never an afterthought.

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Why Bad Swag Hurt Your Brand?

My love language?

Getting texts about bad merch.

And wow, do people deliver.

🖊️ Sad piles of broken conference pens
🥏 Branded frisbees melting at field day
😂 “hashtag#badmerch” pics straight from the group chat

Because let’s be honest: ugly swag is universal.

It fills tables, clutters closets, and ends up in landfills.
It doesn’t spark joy.
It doesn’t start conversations.
And worst of all—it doesn’t do anything for your brand.

Why Should Branded Swag Never Be an Afterthought?

If you’re investing in custom merchandise, your swag should work for you. It should show off your brand personality, start meaningful conversations, and make people actually want to keep it (and use it).

But most corporate giveaways miss the mark.
They’re generic. Cheap. Forgettable.
The kind of stuff that screams “FREE” pile at a garage sale.

And if your branded merch isn’t making a strong, memorable impression—it’s not doing its job.

What Does Great Swag Actually Looks Like?

Smart branded merch is:

✅ Useful
✅ On-brand
✅ Conversation-starting
✅ Designed for real humans (not just your marketing checklist)

Whether you’re prepping for a product launch, a trade show, or your next team retreat—your merch should represent your brand at its absolute best.

Because when swag is good, it’s not just something you hand out—it’s something people talk about.

Have You Seen Some Cringe-Worthy Swag Lately?

I’m building a collection.

Send me your worst: the swag fails, the tragic tote bags, the “who-approved-this?” pens.
I want it all.

Because fixing bad merch?
That’s my favorite kind of love story.

Need help turning your swag from skip to standout?
Let’s talk. Because your brand deserves better.

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Key Takeaways

Let’s get one thing straight: I’m not just in the branded merch business—I’m a full-on fangirl for the brands we work with.
Not because I have to be.
But because when I believe in a client’s mission, I don’t just support it—I live it.
Not performatively. Passionately.

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The Power of Branded Merch That Converts You Into a Fan

When we create custom swag and branded merchandise for our clients, it’s not just about printing logos on t-shirts or stickers. It’s about helping brands tell their story in a tangible, wearable, shippable way that people actually want to engage with.

🔥 We designed merch for a personal trainer.
Now she trains me every week—and has for two years. 💪🏻

🔥 A new tea brand is launching their shop with our merch strategy.
I tried one sample… and now I’m on a full-blown monthly subscription. 😳

The magic of effective branded swag is that it creates real connections. When it’s done right, your community doesn’t just like your brand—they live it, wear it, drink it, gift it, and become part of your movement.

Branded Swag That Builds Brand Evangelists

At Go To Market Studio, we don’t see client work as transactional. We’re here to help you build something people want to belong to. That starts with swag that’s not only on-brand—but deeply aligned with the feeling behind your business.

Whether you’re launching a Shopify storefront, rolling out custom event swag, or sending premium branded merch to your top customers—our team is obsessed with making it meaningful, strategic, and impossible to forget.

Because when I admire our clients’ brands, I become loyal, loud, and low-key obsessed. And we want your customers to feel the same way.

Ready to Make Merch That Converts?

Let’s turn your community into superfans—with branded merchandise that speaks volumes.

👉 Get in touch to build a merch line that does more than look good—it builds loyalty.

FAQ

What can effective branded swag do?

It creates real connections. Your community lives it, wears it, drinks it, gifts it, and becomes part of your movement.

How does Go To Market Studio approach client work?

It isn’t transactional. The goal is to build something people want to belong to, with swag that is on-brand and aligned with the feeling behind the business.

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Key Takeaways

Playa Betty’s waitstaff wear bold shirts that say “Don’t be a Playa hater,” and it’s cheeky, confident and totally on-brand. We want your merch to extend your vibe instead of just advertising your brand, because presence and personality are what people remember.

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What Can Playa Betty’s Taco Tees Teach Us About Branded Merchandise?

New York has no chill.
And neither does Playa Betty’s, in the best way possible.

I popped in for Taco Tuesday and left thinking about the merch.
Their waitstaff? Decked out in bold shirts that say:

“Don’t be a Playa hater.”

It’s cheeky. It’s confident. It’s totally on-brand.

And it reminded me of a core truth in branded merchandise:

Great Merch Doesn’t Just Advertise Your Brand—It Extends Your Vibe

Playa Betty’s isn’t just a beachy Mexican joint in NYC.
It’s a whole mood—and their restaurant swag matches it perfectly.

They’re not slapping a logo on a plain tee and calling it a day.
They’re telling a story. Starting conversations. Making people laugh.
And maybe even turning a few diners into loyal, merch-wearing fans.

Why This Works: Branded Swag as a Brand Experience

The best custom merch doesn’t feel like an afterthought. It feels like a natural extension of the brand.

Whether you’re a restaurant, startup, or global company, your swag should:
✅ Reflect your brand personality
✅ Feel wearable and fun
✅ Be something people actually want to show off

When done right, branded apparel becomes a marketing tool—one that walks around the city, posts selfies, and says, “Hey, this place was awesome.”

Merch as a Vibe-Setter

Brands that win at swag don’t wait for permission to be cool.
They just make the shirt and let the people decide.

Your branded merchandise strategy should follow the same idea:

Don’t just think about promotion.
Think about presence.
Think about personality.
Think about the feeling people have when they rep your brand.

Because whether you’re serving tacos or tech, your merch should say more than just your name—it should say something worth remembering.

Seen any restaurant merch you loved?
Drop it in the comments—I’m collecting favorites.👇

Need help creating branded merchandise with serious personality?
Let’s turn your brand into something worth wearing.

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Key Takeaways

Let’s get real:
Merch that only features your logo is boring AF. 😑

Sure, logos are practical. But they lack heart.
And your team—especially your remote team—deserves better. Put a phrase, inside joke or meaningful message on your swag, so it says what you value and makes your team feel seen, not stamped.

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What Should Branded Merchandise Say Beyond “Hey, Here’s Our Name”?

Your swag is more than stuff.
It’s a message.
It tells your team (and the world):
→ What you value
→ What you stand for
→ What kind of culture you’re building

If your merch isn’t saying something about you, it’s a missed opportunity.

Your logo alone won’t spark connection.
But a phrase, inside joke, or meaningful message?
That’s where the magic happens.

How Custom Swag Is a Chance to Tell Your Brand Story

Every piece of branded merchandise is a chance to reinforce your brand identity.
So why waste it?

Great company swag should feel:

• Thoughtful
• On-brand
• Personal
• Share-worthy

Especially in a remote work world, branded merch helps create a sense of belonging. It becomes a tangible way to say, “You’re part of something bigger.”

And no offense to your logo—but it’s probably not carrying that whole message on its own.

What Is the Fix ? : Add Personality To Your Swag

The best employee swag and corporate merch combines:
✨ Brand values
✨ Team culture
✨ A little cleverness (or a lot, if you’re us)

Think:

“In My Growth Era”
“Building the Future, One Zoom at a Time”
“Making Moves Since Monday”

(Okay, maybe not that last one. But you get the idea.)

Make your team feel seen—not stamped.

Bottom line: Don’t let your swag be silent.
Make it speak.
Better yet, make it shout your brand story from the rooftops.

P.S. Quick pop quiz:

Were you more Dawson’s Creek or 90210?
(Me? I had a heart-shaped Dylan pillow. No regrets.)

Tell me in the comments 👇

FAQ

Why isn’t a logo enough on branded merch?

Logos are practical, but they lack heart. Your logo alone won’t spark connection, but a phrase, inside joke, or meaningful message will.

What should great company swag feel like?

Thoughtful, on-brand, personal, and share-worthy.

Why does merch matter for remote teams?

In a remote work world, branded merch creates a sense of belonging and is a tangible way to say, “You’re part of something bigger.”

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Key Takeaways

Most corporate swag feels like an obligation instead of a gift: scratchy tees, oversized boring hoodies and mugs destined for the donation bin. I push your merch to feel personal, premium and purposeful, with retail appeal and limited-edition energy.

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Is the Bar for Company Swag Still Way Too Low?

Let’s be honest—the bar for company swag is still way too low.

If you wouldn’t wear it outside of work, why would anyone else?

We’ve all seen it:
👕 Scratchy tees
🧥 Oversized, boring hoodies
☕ Mugs destined for the donation bin

Most corporate swag feels more like an obligation than a gift.
And that’s the problem.

Why Doesn’t the Best Branded Merchandise Feel Like Swag at All?

If your branded merch doesn’t spark joy, it’s just stuff. And stuff doesn’t build loyalty, engagement, or brand love.

So what makes good swag actually good?

✨ It feels like a gift—not a giveaway
✨ It looks like something you’d buy from a real retail brand
✨ It reflects your company’s personality and taste—not just your logo

When done right, branded merchandise becomes a conversation starter.

It doesn’t sit in a drawer. It gets worn. Used. Talked about.
People don’t just keep it—they ask for more of it.

Don’t Think “Freebie.” Think “Retail Appeal.”

Here’s your merch gut check:

👉 Would you be proud to wear this on your day off?
👉 Would a stranger ask, “Where did you get that?”
👉 Does it reflect your actual brand vibe—not just your font and colors?

If not, it’s time to rethink your swag strategy.

Whether you’re designing employee welcome kits, event giveaways, or client gifts, your merch should feel personal, premium, and purposeful.

How Do You Raise the Bar?

Don’t settle for leftovers. Aim for limited edition energy.

Need help creating branded merch that actually gets worn?
Let’s make swag that’s worth showing off.

P.S. On a totally unrelated note… I’m officially out of shows to binge.
Got any recommendations for light, fun TV this summer?
I want something good—but not Love Island level emotional chaos 😅
Drop your favorites below!

FAQ

What makes good swag actually good?

It feels like a gift, looks like something from a real retail brand, and reflects your company’s personality and taste, not just your logo.

What is the merch gut check?

Would you be proud to wear it on your day off? Would a stranger ask where you got it? Does it reflect your actual brand vibe, not just your font and colors?

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Key Takeaways

Zabar’s dropped a limited-edition 75th-anniversary tee with a delightfully oddball poem, and it sells out because it whispers legacy instead of screaming logo. I want your merch to work the same way: celebrate your brand story, align with customer identity and create something people want to wear.

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What does a love poem to smoked fish 🐟 have to do with branded merchandise Everything—if you’re Zabar’s.

The iconic Manhattan grocery store just dropped a limited-edition T-shirt for their 75th anniversary. It’s simple, nostalgic, and hyper-specific. And it’s paired with a delightfully oddball poem that reads:

𝘈𝘤𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘡𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘳’𝘴
𝘚𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦
𝘚-𝘔-𝘖-𝘒-𝘐-𝘕-𝘎
𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩,
𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘴,
𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 75 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘕𝘠 𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴

It’s the kind of branded swag that actually sells out—not because it screams LOGO, but because it whispers legacy.

Why DoesThis Tee Work?: Identity Over Advertising

This is the perfect example of what good branded merchandise should do:

✅ Celebrate your brand story
✅ Align with customer identity
✅ Create something people want to wear

This shirt says:

“I know where to get the good bagels.”
“I’m a real New Yorker.”
“I’ve been shopping here since before you were born.”

It taps into something deeper than branding—it taps into belonging.

Why Great Swag Is Personal, Not Promotional

The best custom merch isn’t just a walking billboard. It’s a souvenir. A status symbol. A conversation starter.

Branded merchandise strategy is about more than slapping your logo on a shirt. It’s about asking:

• What story does this tell?
• Who will this resonate with?
• Would someone wear this twice?

Zabar’s didn’t make a shirt that said “Zabar’s.”
They made a shirt that said, “You’re one of us.”

That’s the magic.

How To Make Merch That Makes People Feel Something

Whether you’re a startup or a legacy brand, the lesson is clear:
Your company swag should make your audience feel seen.
Custom branded merch works best when it aligns with:

• Identity
• Taste
• Nostalgia
• Shared experiences

It’s not just about what you’re selling—it’s about what it means.

Would you wear a grocery store tee?