Key Takeaways

When you think of branded merchandise, you probably imagine fun t-shirts, stylish water bottles, or logo-covered bags. But what about industries where customers aren’t exactly excited to show up — like the vet’s office? 🐾

Surprisingly, businesses offering services that customers don’t want to use can leverage branded merch to completely shift the mood. They can turn stressful visits into joyful experiences, all while building brand loyalty. Thoughtful gifts build emotional connection and turn routine appointments into positive brand experiences.

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The Power of Branded Merch to Bring Joy

Branded merchandise isn’t just a tool for getting your name out there. It can be a strategic way to create joy, even in unexpected spaces. 💨 When customers walk into a place they’d rather not be—like a vet’s office, dentist, or cleaning service—having clever, fun, and thoughtful branded items can lighten the mood and leave a positive impression.

Take it from my personal experience: My vet’s office hands out branded frisbees, and it’s delightful! 🥰 The branded frisbee isn’t just a marketing tool; it brings a bit of joy to a potentially stressful visit.

Lessons from “Unreasonable Hospitality”

I’m currently reading Unreasonable Hospitality, a book that emphasizes the importance of going above and beyond to exceed customer expectations. While I’m still early in the book, one takeaway is crystal clear: exceeding expectations creates a fiercely loyal customer base and brings immense satisfaction to employees.

This principle applies perfectly to branded merchandise. In industries where customers don’t expect to be delighted, a simple, joyful branded item can make all the difference.

Why Branded Merch is the Easiest Way to Spread Joy

➡️ Branded merchandise is one of the easiest and most effective ways to bring joy to your customers and your team. ⬅️

Here’s how branded merch can transform your business:

1️⃣ Create Clever, Joyful, or Beautiful Branded Merch
Whether it’s a frisbee from the vet or a quirky t-shirt from a cleaning company, the key is to design branded items that are fun, useful, or visually appealing.

2️⃣ Cultivate a Culture of Gifting
When you offer branded merchandise as a gift, it creates a sense of connection. Customers will associate your brand with positivity, and your team will enjoy the act of giving. This simple gesture can build strong bonds between customers, employees, and the brand.

Turning “Chore” Services into Something Fun

Have you ever seen a company use branded merchandise to make a traditionally boring or unpleasant service fun? I’ve seen it with cleaning companies, too—they offer branded items like quirky aprons and cute cleaning supplies that brighten the customer’s day.

Branded merch can be a powerful tool for turning a “chore” into an unexpectedly enjoyable experience. So, the next time you think about branded merchandise, remember that it’s not just about promotion—it’s about creating joy where it’s least expected.

What are your thoughts? Have you encountered branded merch that made a routine service feel special?

Key Takeaways

In today’s fast-evolving business landscape, it’s super old-timey to think that traditional giveaways like pens, water bottles, USB sticks, and chapstick are enough to attract people to your trade show booth. While they were once the go-to items, the effectiveness of these giveaways is up for debate. Let’s face it—if you’re still relying on one of these items to draw attendees, you’re likely missing the mark.

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What Is The Problem with Traditional Giveaways?

Items like pens and USB sticks are easy to overlook. They often fail to leave a lasting impression, quickly getting tossed aside or forgotten at the bottom of a bag. Plus, they don’t offer much value in highlighting your brand’s unique identity or message. Do you really want your company to be remembered for a pen that will probably run out of ink by next week?

In a sea of booths at trade shows and conferences, it’s essential to stand out with something memorable and valuable to your audience.

What You Really Need to Create an Engaging Trade Show Booth

Instead of falling back on old habits, here’s what will truly elevate your booth and attract the right kind of attention:

👉 A crystal-clear message – Make it easy for visitors to understand what your brand is all about within seconds of seeing your booth.

👉 Well-designed banner and tablecloth – First impressions matter. Investing in professional and visually striking displays can make all the difference.

👉 Beautiful swag that reflects your company values – Your giveaways should speak to your brand’s identity and what sets you apart. Think beyond the generic and opt for unique, high-quality items that resonate with your audience.

👉 Team members proudly wearing branded merchandise – Your booth representatives should be walking advertisements for your brand, donning stylish and well-designed swag that sparks conversations.

Why High-Quality Swag Matters for Lead Generation

An often-overlooked aspect of trade show swag is its potential for qualified lead generation. Imagine offering a beautiful piece of branded merchandise that attendees actually want to wear or use. This not only increases your brand visibility but also generates a buzz among people who are genuinely interested in your product or service. Consider offering these items through online giveaways or exclusive promotions to foster deeper connections with your audience.

At the end of the day, would you rather have 500 people who picked up your pen, or 50 people wearing your high-quality branded merchandise, proudly representing your brand wherever they go?

So, Do Pens, Water Bottles, and USB Sticks Still Have a Place?

While traditional giveaways like pens and water bottles might still have their place in the trade show world, they’re not the game-changers they once were. If your goal is to truly stand out and connect with your audience, it’s time to rethink your strategy and invest in branded merchandise that reflects your brand’s values and leaves a lasting impression.

What do you think? Are traditional giveaways like pens and USB sticks still relevant at trade shows, or is it time to move on to more thoughtful, high-impact swag?

Maximize your brand’s potential with creative, high-quality branded merchandise that people actually want to wear.

Do you ever feel like your job title just doesn’t capture the coolness of what you do? 🤔 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 🗽, 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, “𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲.” 

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

• 👕 Making giveaways for weddings and Bar Mitzvahs 
• 👕 Printing cheap corporate swag 🖊️🔦 
• 👕 Hawking t-shirts to people in bulk 🙈 

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 that’s not our thing. In fact, those assumptions make me shudder (𝘯𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘦𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘢𝘳 𝘔𝘪𝘵𝘻𝘷𝘢𝘩 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦, 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘷𝘪𝘣𝘦).

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 that’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 out—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! 😅

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 don’t fully get, you’ve probably had a similar experience. Whether you’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? I’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. That’s why it’s important to continually educate people on what you do—without making it feel like a chore. Through strategic branding and targeted messaging, it’s possible to shift how others see your industry and role. And for us at Go To Market, that’s part of the fun. We love showing the world that branded merchandise can be innovative, stylish, and a key part of any brand’s success.

So, the next time someone asks me what I do, maybe I’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!

FAQ

How does print-on-demand improve sustainability in swag?

It prints items only when ordered, eliminating bulk overproduction and storage waste.

Why is design quality essential for modern swag?

High-quality design elevates merch into wearable fashion that people proudly keep and wear.

What Is the “Meat Sweats” Sweatsuit?

Arby’s has created an unforgettable piece of branded merchandise: the “Meat Sweats” sweatsuit. This bold and quirky apparel features a high-res, close-up photo of deli meat printed all over both the sweatshirt and sweatpants. Known as the #meatsweats, this limited-edition item has captured the attention of fans and influencers alike. But here’s the catch—you can’t buy it. The coveted sweatsuit is only gifted to content creators who share the love for Arby’s in fun and creative ways.

Why the “Meat Sweats” Strategy Is Pure Genius

Arby’s #meatsweats isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a brilliant marketing strategy that taps into the power of branded merchandise. Here’s why I’m fangirling over this genius move:

1. It’s Over-the-Top and Leans Into Arby’s Brand Identity

The “Meat Sweats” sweatsuit is ridiculous in the best way possible. It fully embraces what Arby’s fans love most: the meat and the unapologetic celebration of “meat culture.” By leaning into this identity, Arby’s creates an emotional connection with its audience, making them feel like part of an exclusive club.

2. It’s Head-to-Toe Hilarious—With or Without the Branding

Even if you strip away the Arby’s logo, the sweatsuit is pure comedic gold. The visual of wearing a head-to-toe meat print is so absurd that it stands out on its own, grabbing attention online and sparking conversations. This humor helps the brand stay relevant and relatable, even beyond its traditional messaging.

3. Influencers Amplify the Love

When influencers like voice actor SungWon Cho (@prozd) don the #meatsweats and pair it with the classic Arby’s hat, it amplifies the fan love. This grassroots content creation not only promotes the sweatsuit but also reinforces the strong connection between Arby’s and its loyal fan base. It’s a brilliant example of how branded merchandise can strengthen a brand’s community.

The Virtuous Cycle of Brand Love

This campaign showcases what branded merchandise and swag can do when executed correctly. Arby’s is showing its customers love by creating a fun, exclusive product—and in return, customers respond by showing their loyalty and enthusiasm for the brand. This creates a virtuous cycle of brand love: Arby’s fans love the brand, Arby’s gives them something to celebrate, and the love grows even stronger.

What Can This Strategy Do for YOUR Brand?

This is the power of branded merchandise when it’s done right. It’s more than just free stuff—it’s a way to connect with your audience, make them feel special, and turn them into brand advocates. Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, creating exclusive, humorous, and memorable merch could do wonders for your marketing strategy.

Could a “Meat Sweats” Strategy Work for You?

Now the question is: could a strategy like this work for your brand? The key is knowing your audience, leaning into what they love about you, and creating something memorable that they’ll want to share. Done well, your brand can enjoy the same kind of love and loyalty Arby’s has built with its fans.

What Do You Think of the #MeatSweats?

Is this a brilliant use of branded merchandise or just a throwaway gimmick? Let me know in the comments if you think a strategy like this could boost your brand!

Key Takeaways

Branded merchandise isn’t just about showcasing your own brand; it’s about celebrating and supporting the companies and brands you love. Wearing branded swag from your favorite brands is a way to connect with others, spark conversations, and share your personal brand affinity with the world.

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Why I Wear Branded Merchandise That Isn’t My Own

Recently, I’ve been sporting two new merch favorites that aren’t from my own company or clients: the quirky IKEA bucket hat and a sleek black tee from Skratch Labs (shoutout to Joy Shure!). These items are more than just clothing; they are conversation starters, symbols of my brand loyalty, and a way to show love for the brands that resonate with me.

The IKEA Bucket Hat: A Quirky Connection

The IKEA bucket hat may seem like an odd choice, but that’s precisely why I love it. IKEA doesn’t need my help with brand recognition, but this hat has a unique “If You Know, You Know” (IYKYK) quality. It’s a shared language with anyone who’s ever navigated the labyrinthine aisles of IKEA, only to find their desired item out of stock. Wearing this hat is like being part of a club of IKEA survivors—it’s fun, quirky, and undeniably relatable.

The Skratch Labs Tee: A Symbol of Endurance and Passion

Next up is my Skratch Labs tee, which I adore for its playful design featuring little fruit characters on the back. But it’s not just the design that makes this tee special; it’s the brand behind it. After featuring Skratch Labs on the Unboxing Ecommerce podcast with Jennifer Yates and James Marks, I’ve grown to appreciate this small company even more. They work tirelessly to improve athletes’ endurance journeys, and I’m proud to wear their merch as a symbol of support for their mission.

What Is The Real Impact of Branded Merchandise?

Both of these items have sparked real-life conversations about the brands they represent. SO many people ask me about Skratch Labs when they see the tee! This is where the true power of branded merchandise lies—in these off-grid, in-person conversations that highlight why real people love your brand. It’s not just about visibility; it’s about creating connections and fostering brand loyalty.

Is Branded Merchandise Right for Your Brand?

How valuable is it to you to have people talking about your company, brand, product, or service out in the world? If the answer is “very,” then exploring branded merchandise could be a powerful strategy to achieve that goal. It’s not just about selling products; it’s about building a community around your brand.

Share Your IKEA War Stories

Do you have an IKEA war story? I’d love to hear it! Drop your tales of triumph (or frustration) in the comments below—I’ll share mine too!

Key Takeaways

If you are purchasing branded merchandise in bulk, you might be making a costly mistake. This approach often falls short because this ties up capital, creates severe inventory storage headaches, and leads to massive landfill waste when items go unsold. Print-on-demand eliminates inventory risk by printing gear only when ordered.

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What Is The Problem with Bulk Buying? : Inventory Management

When you buy in bulk, you inevitably end up with either too much or too little inventory. Managing this inventory can be a nightmare, especially for small business owners. Not only does it drain your time, money, and energy, but it also creates an environmental burden. Excess inventory often leads to waste, contributing to environmental degradation and financial loss.

The Hidden Costs of Bulk Printing

Bulk printing doesn’t just create inventory headaches; it also brings along several other challenges:

• Limited Style Appeal: You might choose styles that are “okay” for most, but great for no one. This one-size-fits-all approach rarely satisfies everyone, leaving you with unsold items that don’t resonate with your audience.
• Distribution Hassles: Bulk orders require you to physically distribute all merchandise, adding another layer of complexity and cost to your operations.
• Branding Challenges: If you change your logo or branding, you’ll need to discard your entire existing inventory, leading to wasted resources and potential financial loss.
• Environmental Impact: Let’s not forget the significant environmental impact of producing more than you need, often resulting in excess waste.

What Is The Solution: Print-on-Demand for Branded Merchandise

Switching to a print-on-demand model can eliminate these issues. Here’s why:

• No Wasted Inventory: You print only what you need, ensuring that every piece of merchandise is wanted and used. This approach reduces waste and eliminates the stress of managing excess inventory.
• Customization & Variety: With print-on-demand, you can create a variety of merchandise options, so everyone gets something that suits their preferences. This personalized approach increases customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.
• Trend Responsiveness: Stay on top of the latest trends by updating your merchandise offerings regularly. Print-on-demand allows for flexibility and freshness in your product lineup.
• Size Inclusivity: Ensure that your merchandise is size-inclusive, catering to everyone on your team or in your fan base.

My Passion for Sustainable Merchandising

I started my company because I’m passionate about helping businesses avoid the pitfalls of bulk printing. Have you ever had to manage inventory at your company or in a volunteer role? How did you handle it?

How Travel Merchandise Applies To Your Business

Let’s talk about travel merchandise, and how it applies to your business. Where the branded merchandise in Tuscany was reserved, tasteful, and artist-focused, the swag in Rome was 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜, 𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐲.

𝘭𝘦𝘵’𝘴 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵: 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘢 𝘓𝘪𝘴𝘢 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 “𝘥𝘢𝘣”, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘋𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘥, 𝘵𝘸𝘪𝘨𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭.

The Rome merch screamed “𝐈 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐄!” while the Tuscany merch said “𝐨𝐡, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧? 𝐨𝐡 𝐲𝐞𝐬, 𝐈 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐲”.

𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐡?

Dropping your logo — and your logo alone — on all of your company branded merchandise is 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲. It’s the “I AM PART OF THIS COMPANY!” method.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝 is thinking through the values and special parts of your company and featuring that magic on your merch.

𝐒𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲, 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐲?

What do you think of the Rome merch in this video? Is it sacrilegious to alter classic art like this, or just fun and silly?

I just got back from a weeklong bike-packing trip around Tuscany, Italy. 𝐌𝐲 𝐡𝐮𝐬𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐛𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝 200 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧, 𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞. It was gorgeous, challenging, highly sweaty and adventurous 🚴‍♀️🚴🏼⛰

(Let’s just say, we did 𝘯𝘰𝘵 realize how HOT it is in Italy in July 🥵.)

Here are the Top 3 Ways to Engage with Branded Merchandise: Italy Edition

🇮🇹 𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒: I saw *only* tasteful merch in Tuscany. There was no “I’m with stupid” or “my grandparents went to Tuscany and got me this dumb shirt”, no sexual innuendo, no political messaging, no shot glasses. Everything fit into the same general aesthetic and was pretty pleasing!

🇮🇹 𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐘: Aside from a few mostly-tasteful items bearing the town name and lots of cheese-, wine- and olive oil-related products, there wasn’t a lot to choose from. Tourists have a smaller, more curated selection, even in the lower-end tobacco shops. Individual restaurants don’t offer branded merchandise.

🇮🇹 𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐍-𝐅𝐎𝐂𝐔𝐒: It seems that the shops favor art featuring Tuscany, so you can find many items inspired by the vistas around Tuscany or gorgeous hand-painted pottery.

𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐓𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 Go To Market – Custom Print-On-Demand Branded Merchandise 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞: 𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥, 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲.

I didn’t find much to buy there because the aesthetic didn’t match my personal taste, but I can appreciate that 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟. (And anyway, when you’re bike-packing you can’t buy anything bigger than your fist because you’ll have to bike with it the rest of the way.)

I ended up buying a very small leather wallet and two tiny rings for me and my daughter. We also bought and sent postcards of cats dressed up in regal royal outfits to our kids 😻 (𝘰𝘯-𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦)

Have you seen and bought branded merchandise from international travel? What have you noticed about it? I was surprised to see so much lower volume of branded merch outside of the USA!

FAQ

How does curated swag improve customer experience?

Fewer, high-end options eliminate decision fatigue and elevate the perceived value of the brand.

What are the key pillars of tasteful merchandise?

Cohesive design aesthetics, zero tacky gimmicks, and high-quality material craftsmanship.

Merch that’s Ugly-on-Purpose is now a capital-t Thing.

At least, that’s the only way I can explain the Pizza Hut hat from Chain that is so highly coveted that it has sold out multiple times.

Why occasionally having branded merchandise that’s ugly is helpful for your business.

𝐀𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰, 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐮𝐠𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐠𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐩𝐨𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫:

👹 It’s a signal of 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲. Not everyone is invited to these celeb-infused events. The hat is an IYKYK social signal of an elite society.
👹 It’s 𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐠𝐢𝐜, which is super powerful in and of itself
👹 It 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭 — the hat is loud and noticeable. It’s the equivalent of a neon shirt or dying your hair purple.

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡, 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐞. This technique won’t work for every brand but it’s worth considering if a loud design might work for yours. If someone who loves your brand wants to wear it as a fashion statement, let them!

Why do YOU think this design is so popular? Do you like it, would you wear it? And lastly, could a loud or ugly design work for your brand?

Let’s be honest: you’re 𝘸𝘢𝘺 too busy to design, order, and ship the branded merch you need for your business.

In the list of things you need to do for your business, let me guess where branded merchandise and swag falls: ↘️↘️↘️↘️

Merch usually gets assigned to whoever and lands at the bottom of a to do list.
𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 9,999 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭, 98 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 👨‍🚒🔥, 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐮𝐩. 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐭.

(𝘈𝘩𝘦𝘮, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴)

Here’s how we can help with your branded merchandise and swag:

🤩 Come up with fashion-forward, chic branded merchandise designs for your merch
🤩 Figure out what kinds of items to print for your business (tees vs bags, for examples)
🤩 Set up a print-on-demand merchandise shop with no order minimums

… and much more, so you can get to those 9,999 other things! If merch is on your list for this summer, DM us or comment and we’ll get it done for you easy peasy.

And thanks to Tara Lenney for the inspo for this blog post. She says: “If Merch has been falling to the bottom of your list for a thousand years like it was mine, let Go To Market loose! They had such great ideas, and also took my fledgling ideas and ran with them. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦.”

Tell me, has branded merch ever landed on your to do list, and did it keep falling to the bottom? How have you seen this play out in your company?

FAQ

Why work with a branded merchandise expert?

An expert prevents costly bulk inventory mistakes and curates high-quality gear people want to keep.

How does print-on-demand help small businesses?

It eliminates upfront inventory costs and allows companies to offer custom gear without minimum order limits.