Swag Strategy:
Why Branded Merch is Your Marketing MVP
Does your brand have swag?
Today, we’re going to discuss how custom branded merchandise can elevate your brand. Whether you’re a startup carving out your niche or a seasoned business reinforcing your presence, custom swag is an invaluable tool in your marketing strategy. These tangible representations of your brand not only promote your business but also create memorable impressions with your audience. From everyday essentials to standout luxury items, each piece acts as a vibrant ambassador for your brand.
Imagine each piece of swag as a walking billboard, reinforcing brand recognition and building customer loyalty. Branded merchandising is about building brand buzz, leaving a lasting mark, and winning hearts (and loyalty). Giving away branded goodies isn’t just a nice gesture either; it builds relationships. People love receiving useful stuff for free—and they’ll go bananas for your brand when it’s presented with a fun twist! Studies show that promotional products create a positive impression and keep your brand top of mind. It’s a win-win!
Here, we thrive on thinking and designing outside the box. Think of business cards for example—imagine handing out a sleek, sturdy metal card that not only looks impressive but also feels substantial—it’s like presenting a piece of your brand’s soul.
Ready to elevate your swag game and make your brand the MVP? We’re excited to chat about your brand and how we can bring your vision to life. Reach out to us to create custom merch that doesn’t just grab attention but also sparks conversations.
Let’s make your brand unforgettable.
Transform your brand’s swag into an MVP (Most Valuable Promo) today!
The World Of Curated Branding
Have You Thought About a Curated Brand?
We have discussed branding quite a bit on our journal because it is the major touchpoint through which customers find you and keep finding you. It is your calling card in the business world. Many in the industry have been wondering where the logo will be going next. We might be looking at the beginning wave.
This week, we are bringing up a new angle on the traditional logo that might seem a bit far-fetched or intimidating, but it might just be genius.
What is a Curated Brand?
Have you noticed a few brands standing out lately? The age of consistent branding might be coming to a close. What will come next, you might ask? As Rory Macrae put it so well in his article: The age of the “Chameleon Brand” (loving this term!!).
In an age where everyone has their own customized desktop, cell phone, menu, and more, why should a brand appear the same to every eye? This is based on the same thinking that brings you the “share a Coke” campaign. Visually, the bottles are still very consistent with each other and the Coke brand, but each bottle is personalized in a very specific way.
Google fiddles with this idea with their doodles all the time – more specifically, every time your birthday rolls around and your google landing page is decorated specifically for you. A company that has been doing this for much longer is M&M. You have been able to get personalized M&M candies made for years! Same old recognizable chocolates but with your message stamped onto them.
Market Saturation
The market has become saturated with the same looks and feels. Not only that – we see giants everywhere, recognizable from a three-key jingle or a color. And they’ve caught on to it. So why do they need to plaster their logo across everything when its not needed?
We are gradually stepping away from the traditional logo and branding, approaching the idea that you can morph into whatever your customer wants to see. Spooky, huh? One example of this is Netflix and their specialized content. They figure out what you love and select cover art for all the other titles to be most attractive to you. They figure this out in sneaky ways.
Morphing Potential
What we are asking is: What if you could do that with your brand? How lethal would you be in your market? This might still be a few years out, but it is definitely worth talking about. What kind of morphing would your brand be able to cope with? It might be worth taking the time to make sure you have a “morphing potential” in your base brand. If there’s nowhere to go with it, it will not go far.
While we all fear change just a little bit…it is something that your business depends on. Your brand needs to be able to grow and change right along with your customers.
If you don’t have a chameleon brand, you might need to make some serious decisions. Here are some questions to help you figure out if your brand is flexible and dare I say…chameleon-y?
- Do I currently have a strong branding system to utilize?
(colors, typography, graphic style, mood, visual iconography, sound/music) - Is my brand translating well across all platforms, media and devices?
- Does my current logo remain strong when simplified?
Spread Your Wings, Darling!
Let’s give you some morphing power!
Just as a chameleon effortlessly adapts to its surroundings, your brand can seamlessly transform to meet every need with vibrant versatility. Whether you seek professional advice or wish to refresh your brand, you’ve found the perfect place to embark on a new journey. Start your transformation today!
Email us: hello@829design.com or call (916) 581-1777
The Dangers Of Sameness
We found an interesting article and wanted to share it with you, but we also wanted to translate it a bit and add our thoughts!
In a piece written by Tom Roach, he discusses the difference between distinctiveness and differentiation. While these two words might sound like the same exact thing, he discusses them as two separate schools of thought as it applies to marketing and branding.
Here is a link to the article if you’d like to read it yourself!
Breaking The Mold
The whole idea of this article was to bring to light the fact that we are all trying to run successful businesses. In order to do that, we sometimes take the mold that we found was successful for one business then we change it just slightly to fit us and make us “stand out” a bit (while still being safely inside that mold). This doesn’t work too well though because you aren’t being distinctively different. You are still one of the masses that are trying to sell toner or blenders or whatever else. There is a definite risk to stepping out of the mold, but the risk for those who remain one of the masses is greater.
As a business, you cannot risk NOT standing out. As Mr. Roach says in his article, “The idea of competitive advantage is intrinsically linked to difference. Which is why the marketing sections of business books always say the same thing – difference matters – and no marketing professors ever advocate sameness as a winning strategy.” (1)
$$$ Through Difference
Brands are more successful when they set themselves apart. They might even get a better price for a product that is only slightly different than their competitors. Why is that? Because they look different therefore they MUST BE different. Worth the higher price tag, obviously. “An analysis of actual prices paid (from the loyalty card data of 2400 shoppers for 79 brands) showed that shoppers paid 22% more for brands they find different and meaningful vs those they didn’t, with difference alone accounting for 40% of this on average.” (2, Brown Study).
How does one set their brand apart and make themselves seem more…more? Good question. I liked the way Tom Roach put it in his article. It’s not just a single smoking gun, it’s a culmination of several different things. It’s a catchy tagline, a certain ad campaign, or even a branding strategy that isn’t at all what one would expect in your line of business.
Not only does being different help you stand out in people’s minds, but it also helps predict sales in the future. “Brands which people score strongly for both meaning and difference grow sales around 8.2% better in the following year than brands which score poorly, with difference being responsible for at least 50% of the predictive power.” (3) This means that if you are different enough and have legitimate meaning behind what you’re doing and what your brand represents, you have a higher chance of being successful!
So, What Are We Saying?
- Always shoot for unsaturated markets.
- Break that mold and make a definite move towards individuality.
- Keep looking for ways to be different and show you are different through public face, public interaction, or a number of different ways.
If you are having troubles finding your way or you’re not sure how to start, begin by asking questions. Reach out to businesses that inspire you and ask what their secret is. Shoot your local experts an email by clicking HERE!
Definitely take a fine tooth comb to your business. Compare the visuals and websites to your level one and level two competitors. From there you can start deviating from the mold.
It’s time to stand out!
Worried about your company in a saturated marketplace?
We can help!
Branding 101
Branding 101: Brand vs. Company
While often intertwined, a brand is distinctly different from a company. Think of a company as the engine and a brand as the sleek, polished car that catches everyone’s attention. The company is the entity—the people, processes, and operations. The brand, on the other hand, is the carefully crafted identity that represents the company’s products or services to the public.
Consider this: a parent company like Procter & Gamble owns a wide array of branded products, or a company like FedEx offers multiple branded services. A company has CEOs and accountants; a brand has a color palette, a voice, and a photography style. While the actions of the company drive the brand, a strong brand is essential for building trust, growing a business, and connecting with customers. Success lies in creating a brand that authentically reflects your company’s mission and values.
Why a Brand Matters
A strong brand is the cornerstone of business growth. It builds loyalty, recognition, and emotional connections with your audience. The experiences people have with your brand and the stories they hear about it will influence their buying decisions. When your brand is recognizable and consistent, it elicits trust and encourages repeat business.
Imagine you’re in a grocery store choosing between two beverages: Coca-Cola or an unmarked soda. Which would you choose? Chances are, you’ll grab the Coca-Cola, not because it’s the only option, but because its branding has earned your trust over time.
Good Branding vs. Poor Branding
Good branding is an investment. It’s backed by research, strategy, and creativity. Expert designers and branding firms analyze market trends, study competitors, and dive deep into your ideal customer’s profile. The result? A cohesive brand system tailored to set you apart in a crowded marketplace.
On the other hand, poor branding—such as cheap, generic logos or inconsistent visuals—can harm your credibility. In some cases, bad design is worse than no design at all. A thoughtfully crafted brand identity communicates your company’s mission and sets expectations for the quality of your products or services. Consider Apple: its brand has evolved minimally over the years, maintaining a reputation for innovation, premium quality, and exceptional customer experience. That consistency keeps customers coming back, even at a premium price.
The Building Blocks of Branding
Did you know that maintaining a consistent look makes your brand four times more visible in the marketplace? Consistency is key, and it starts with understanding the components of a strong brand.
The logo is just the beginning. A professional brand identity includes a complete suite of elements: secondary logos, color palettes, typography, and usage guidelines. For example, Chipotle’s branding extends to every detail, from their napkins to their packaging. The consistent use of fonts, colors, and artwork ensures you instantly recognize their brand—even without seeing the logo.
Your brand extends to signage, packaging, promotional materials, and your website. A DIY website might look polished, but it often lacks the essence of your brand. Professional websites, by contrast, incorporate your unique fonts, colors, photography, and graphics to create a cohesive online presence that resonates with your audience.
To maintain consistency, designers create brand guidelines, often called a brand book. This document outlines everything from your logo’s usage to the precise color codes and typography for your materials. According to DesignRush, consistent branding can increase recognition by 80%. In short, a brand book isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Standing Out in a Saturated Market
For new businesses, breaking through a crowded market can be challenging.
The key? Focus. Define your niche and tailor your message to your ideal audience. Avoid the temptation to appeal to everyone. Instead, share your unique story and highlight your values. According to industry research, narrowing your focus can boost revenue by 23% and foster loyalty with minimal effort.
Remember:
Your brand is more than a logo. It’s the promise you make to your customers. Investing in professional branding is an investment in the future of your business.
Ready to Strengthen Your Brand?
We’re here to help. Contact us at hello@829design.com or (916) 581-1777.