Why Choice Is the Secret Ingredient to Branded Merch People Actually Love

Everyone loves free stuff… or at least we think we do.

You grab it with that little dopamine rush:
👜 A tote from the conference
🖊️ A pen you definitely don’t need
👕 A T-shirt that looks like it might be your size

But then you get home and reality hits. 😵‍💫
👜 You already own a thousand totes
🖊️ Your pen drawer is overflowing
👕 And that tee? Not your size, not your vibe, not entering your weekly rotation

You didn’t take it because you wanted it.
You took it because it was free.

And that’s the problem with most company swag.

What People Actually Love Is Choice

The best branded merchandise isn’t something people feel obligated to take — it’s something they select because it fits their life.

When people choose their merch, they:

• Like it more
• Keep it longer
• Wear it proudly
• Use it often
• Remember your brand for the right reasons

Choice transforms custom swag from an afterthought into a favorite.

Let People Pick What Fits Their Life — Not Just Your Logo

This is why modern merch programs (especially print-on-demand shops) outperform bulk inventory every time.

When you offer options — colors, sizes, styles, vibes — you’re giving your team and clients something far better than free:

You’re giving them agency.

People don’t want another generic giveaway.
They want branded merch that aligns with their lifestyle, aesthetic, and personality.

And when you let them choose?
Your merch budget suddenly starts working a whole lot harder.

The Payoff Is Mutual

For them:
No guilt, no waste, no “why did I take this?” regret.

For you:
More brand visibility, higher engagement, and swag that actually gets worn.

That’s a win-win every brand should want.

How Branded Merch Helped a Plant-Based Brand Stand Out on a Crowded Conference Floor

What do you do when you want to stand out in a sea of booths, banners, and business cards?
You get cheeky.

That’s exactly what Before the Butcher did — and the result stopped people mid-aisle.

Their team showed up in custom branded merch that was clever, confident, and instantly attention-grabbing. The tees became conversation starters, photo magnets, and the kind of event swag people actually remembered long after the conference ended.

Perfectly on-brand for a company making plant-based food friendly, flavorful, and fun.

Why We Created This Branded Merch

Danny O’Malley and his team wanted company swag that reflected who they really are:
Bold. Playful. Unexpected.
Definitely not what comes to mind when most people think “vegan.”

Our mission was simple: capture their entire brand personality in four words — and turn it into wearable marketing that worked just as hard as their team.

The result?
Branded apparel that delivered the vibe before they ever opened their mouths.

Steal This Move for Your Own Brand

If you want your branded merchandise to stand out at conferences, trade shows, or events, borrow this strategy:

Make your values wearable — and unmistakable.

The best custom swag communicates your energy, message, and beliefs in a single glance.

When your team becomes the highlight of the room, your merch isn’t just clothing — it’s strategy.

Here’s a truth most entrepreneurs, creators, and founders don’t realize:
Most of your followers have no idea what you actually do. 🤔

You hear your message every day. You live it, breathe it, repeat it.
But most people? They just see you scroll by and think:

“Coach, maybe?”
“Some kind of consulting?”
“Skincare? Tech? Taxes?”

It’s not personal.
It’s just unclear.

The Easiest Fix: Wear Your Message

This is where branded merch and custom swag become game-changing tools for brand visibility.

Hoodie. Tee. Hat. Tote.
Whatever you choose — it becomes your walking billboard.

When you wear branded apparel that clearly communicates your mission, tagline, or niche, suddenly every:

• Selfie
• Airport fit
• Coffee shop moment
• Speaking event
• Zoom square

…turns into free advertising.

People understand your vibe before you even introduce yourself.

In a Crowded Field, Your Merch Becomes Your Differentiator

And let’s be honest — some industries are packed.
(👀 Looking at you, Coaches of LinkedIn.)

When everyone is posting the same advice and blending into the feed, branded merchandise helps you stand out.

Put your values, your philosophy, your one-liner, your mission — right on your clothes.
Let your brand message walk into the room ahead of you.

Because clarity is magnetic.
And wearing your message makes it unmistakable.

If you’ve ever wondered, “What does the Go To Market team do all day?”
Great question. Because the answer is simple:

We make branded merch fun again.

Every project starts with a brand that’s ready for merch with personality—not the same old promotional giveaways, not boring logo slaps, and definitely not the kind of company swag that ends up forgotten in a drawer. We create custom swag people actually want to wear, use, and show off.

Here’s how we bring your branded merchandise to life:

1️⃣ We Get Inside Your World

Before we make anything, we learn everything.
Your stories. Your quirks. The inside jokes your team wouldn’t dare put in a pitch deck.
This is how we create authentic branded merch that feels like you, not just “corporate swag.”

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2️⃣ We Sketch a Few Personalities

We explore concepts that match your brand’s vibe:

• The IYKYK piece with insider flavor
• The bold, statement-making design
• The cozy, everyday staple
• The subtle wink only your team will get

This is where your custom merch identity starts to take shape.

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3️⃣ You Try Things On

If it won’t earn a spot in someone’s weekly rotation, it’s out.
We create wearable, giftable, lovable swag—not dust collectors.

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4️⃣ We Build Your Print-on-Demand Shop

We design a seamless print-on-demand merch store right into your existing site.
That means:

• No boxes
• No inventory
• No closet full of outdated sizes
• No “Who’s shipping this?” Slack panic spiral

Your company swag program becomes automated, effortless, and infinitely scalable.

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5️⃣ We Keep the Drops Coming All Year

Because great brand engagement doesn’t happen once.

We plan merch drops for:

• Big launches
• Tiny wins
• Anniversaries
• Team moments
• Random Tuesdays that could use a little magic

Your branded merch ecosystem stays fresh, relevant, and alive all year long.

When it comes to branded merchandise and company swag, most teams still rely on something that feels a lot like psychic intuition. Ordering in bulk often turns into a full-blown séance:
Guess the sizes.
Guess the quantities.
Guess what people might want six months—or a year—from now.

And then comes the real haunting: stacks of leftover swag boxes sitting in supply closets like merch ghosts you can’t get rid of. 👻

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. For years, companies assumed this was just “how swag works.”

But it doesn’t have to.

The Problem With Bulk Swag Orders

Traditional bulk ordering sets you up for waste from the start. You’re forced to make decisions without data, without personalization, and without any guarantee anyone will actually wear what you ordered.

That’s how teams end up with:

• The wrong sizes
• The wrong quantities
• The wrong items
• And piles of unworn branded T-shirts that quietly haunt the office

One client told me she had spent years “just hoping people liked the swag.” That was her entire strategy—hope.

And hope is not a supply chain plan.

Why Print-on-Demand Changes Everything

Switching to print-on-demand branded merch removes the guesswork entirely. Instead of ordering large quantities and crossing your fingers, you produce items only when someone actually wants them.

That means:

• No minimums
• No wasted inventory
• No guessing sizes
• No sad bins of outdated merch

Employees, customers, and event attendees can choose exactly what they want. And the reorders? They tell the real story. When people actually choose the swag, they actually use the swag.

Stop Guessing. Start Offering Choice.

The most successful corporate swag programs today aren’t about forcing the same T-shirt on everyone—they’re about offering curated, on-brand choices that people genuinely love.

When you let people pick their own merch:

• Engagement goes up
• Waste goes down
• And your branded merchandise budget finally works smarter, not harder

So ask yourself: Why keep guessing when you don’t have to?

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Every brand wants merch that people actually want to wear. Not just free T-shirts for the drawer. Not giveaways that die at the bottom of a conference tote. We’re talking about the kind of branded merch that sparks joy, builds community, and generates organic visibility everywhere it goes.

So we’re writing our Merch Rulebook—a collection of painfully obvious truths that too many brands overlook.

Rule #1 is simple:

🧠 Rule #1: If It Needs Explaining, It’s Not Good Merch

The moment you start saying:

“Well, it’s our company motto… but in Latin…”

You’ve already lost the plot—and your audience.

Great branded merchandise should never require an explainer, a PowerPoint, or the backstory of a 2017 rebrand. If you have to decode the meaning, it’s not connection… it’s confusion.

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🎨 Good Merch Speaks Without Words

The best merch communicates instantly through:

• Color
• Texture
• Emotion
• Wit
• Vibe

It makes someone smile.
Or nod.
Or say, “Oh, that’s clever.”
Not: “What is this even for?”

Branded merch is a visual language. If your audience can’t read it? They won’t wear it.

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✂️ Decoration vs. Connection

There’s a big difference between design and decorating.

❌ Design that needs context = decoration

Pretty? Sure.
Meaningful? No.
Memorable? Definitely not.

✅ Design that clicks instantly = connection

It says something about your brand—and about the person wearing it. That’s what turns swag into storytelling.

When merch resonates at first glance, you’ve created a wearable brand experience.

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📘 Why This Rule Matters for Your Merch Strategy

In branded merchandise, clarity is currency.

Instantly understandable designs:

• Increase how often people wear your merch
• Strengthen brand recall
• Spark conversation
• Create emotional connection
• Make your brand feel accessible and human

If you want your merch to work as a marketing tool—not just a giveaway—start every idea with this question:

“Would this make sense to someone who knows nothing about our brand?”

If the answer isn’t yes, it’s back to the design table.

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

What if your branded merch was so irresistible that people—in an airport, of all places—would literally trade the clothes off their backs for it?

That’s not a hypothetical.
That’s exactly what went down this month at Chicago O’Hare, thanks to one brilliantly bold brand activation.

🥯 King’s Hawaiian Turned a Layover Into a Merch Moment

In a move equal parts absurd and genius, King’s Hawaiian set up a pop-up shop in the terminal where travelers could swap whatever shirt they were wearing for a sweatsuit inspired by—yes—dinner rolls.

Here’s how it worked:

1. You hand over your shirt.
2. They hand you a plush orange sweatsuit.
3. Your old shirt gets donated.
4. You walk away looking as soft and cozy as the bread you’re holding. 🍞

It’s weird.
It’s wonderful.
And it’s a masterclass in branded merch strategy.

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🔥 Why This Was Brilliant Branded Merch Marketing

Most merch is designed to promote a brand. But the best merch?
It creates a story people can’t help but share.

King’s Hawaiian took a mundane airport moment and turned it into:

• A surprising brand experience
• A feel-good activation (hello, clothing donations)
• A social content goldmine
• A walking swarm of bright orange human billboards

This is the power of strategic branded merch:
It transforms everyday customers into excited, enthusiastic brand fans—instantly.

When your merch is this good, it’s not just apparel.
It’s a conversation starter, a memory, an inside joke your audience is thrilled to be in on.

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💡 The Takeaway for Brands

A warm roll and a soft sweatsuit aren’t just freebies.
They’re identity and emotion wrapped in fabric.

Great branded merch should:

• Make people feel something
• Elevate your brand story
• Create connection and delight
• Encourage participation, not just purchase
• Turn your audience into proud, public brand advocates

If your merch can do that?
You’ve got a marketing advantage no digital ad can match.

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

When most companies decide to launch a branded merch shop, they immediately laser-focus on one thing: the profit margin.

And sure—it’s a fair question. But it’s also the wrong one.

Because branded merch isn’t just a revenue stream.
It’s a sales tool, a marketing engine, and one of the most powerful ways to turn customers into loyal fans who promote your brand everywhere they go.

🔥 The Real Value of Branded Merch

If you want your merch shop to succeed, start by asking a better question:

How much would you pay to have your biggest fans advertise your brand in real life—every single day?

That’s what good merch does.
It turns your audience into walking billboards, hype squads, and community builders.

And the best part?
They pay you for the privilege of promoting your brand.

👕 Good Merch Isn’t About Selling Hoodies

Brands that win at merch understand something deeper:

⭐ It’s not about the product. It’s about the identity.

People don’t buy branded merch because they need another sweatshirt.
They buy it because it:

• Signals belonging
• Represents their values
• Connects them to a community
• Makes them feel something

This is why high-performing branded merchandise isn’t just “swag.”
It’s a strategy.

When your merch is thoughtfully designed, high-quality, and rooted in brand values, it transforms from a novelty purchase into a badge of loyalty.

📈 Why Merch Belongs in Your Marketing Strategy

Here’s what branded merch can do when done right:

• Increase brand visibility everywhere your fans go
• Strengthen customer loyalty and retention
• Build emotional connection
• Fuel user-generated content
• Create real-world touchpoints that digital marketing can’t replicate

Merch isn’t an accessory to your marketing plan—it’s a force multiplier.

And if you’re only measuring success in dollars, you’re missing half the ROI.

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

When a brand’s energy is already electric, the merch should crank the volume even higher. That’s exactly what happened when DivaDance®—a brand built on joy, inclusivity, and serious main-character energy—stepped into our Merch Lab.

DivaDance has always stood on one powerful idea: every body can dance.

No judgment. No experience required. Just music, movement, friendship…and maybe a little sweat (the fabulous kind).

Today, that mission doesn’t just live in their studios and playlists—it lives in their branded merch too.

✨ Vibe Check: Sweaty, Celebratory, and So. Much. Fun.

Designing merch for DivaDance meant channeling everything that makes their community extraordinary:

• Inclusive energy
• “Dance like nobody’s judging” freedom
• A celebratory vibe that feels like the end of a perfect girls’ night out

This wasn’t about printing a logo on a tee. It was about capturing a feeling—the pulse of a brand that helps people unleash confidence they didn’t even know they had.

💥 Why We Made This Collection

Our job was simple:
Create branded merch that matches the unstoppable energy of the DivaDance community.

Every person who walks into a DivaDance class brings their own spark—every playlist, every hip pop, every burst of “OMG, I can actually DO this!” confidence. The merch needed to reflect that:

• Bold designs
• Wearable, danceable styles
• Pieces that celebrate every body

When the swag is this good, it becomes more than merch. It becomes identity.

🛍️ Steal This Move for Your Own Brand

If there’s one thing we’ve learned in the Merch Lab, it’s this:

When your branded merch reflects what people already love about your brand, it stops being “swag” and starts being who they are.

That’s what modern branded merchandise does—it builds community, belonging, and pride. And yes, it still looks incredible on social.

Whether your brand is fierce, funny, nostalgic, or neon, your swag should scream it.

🎶 Pop Quiz: Which Decade Actually Had the Best Dance Anthems?

The great debate lives on:

• 80s — Synths, sequins, and pure pop magic
• 90s — The birth of boy bands and iconic choreography
• 2000s — TRL-era perfection
• Now — Bass drops that shake your soul

And be honest…
If you didn’t perfect the “Bye Bye Bye” routine in your bedroom mirror, were you even alive in 2000? 💿

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

I’ve loved personalized gifts since I was a little girl.

My mom had a thing for names. She’d light up when she found a mug, keychain, or sweatshirt with mine or my brother’s name on it — it was her vacation specialty.

But the real thrill was finding a personalized gift for a family member with a less common name — a license plate, a shiny keychain, a glittery pencil, even a snow globe. She was always on the hunt, and that tiny discovery made her day.

She taught me to notice the joy in things that feel personal — the small magic that makes someone feel seen.

From Souvenir Racks to Branded Merch

Now, every time I help a brand create custom merch that feels made just for someone, I think of her and that same feeling of being known.

That’s what makes personalized branded merchandise so powerful — it connects emotion with identity. When someone receives or wears something that reflects them, your brand becomes part of their story.

From custom apparel and branded gifts to personalized packaging, it’s not just about putting a name or logo on something — it’s about creating a moment of recognition.

Why Personalized Merch Works

Personalized merch stands out because it’s more than a product — it’s an experience. It says: “We see you. You matter.”

That simple message builds trust and loyalty in ways that mass-produced items can’t. Whether it’s a name, an inside joke, or a meaningful quote, personalization turns brand storytelling into something you can hold.

A Memory That Stays

How easy was it to find your name on those souvenir racks growing up? (And did you care?)

P.S. This photo is of a square I saved of Amanda wrapping paper my mom got for me 30+ years ago. Proof that even the smallest personalized touches can leave a lasting mark.