Introduction:
Custom merchandise is a great way for small businesses to promote their brand and reach new customers. However, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider before investing in custom merchandise that often keeps businesses from taking the leap.
Pros of Custom Merchandise:
- Increased brand awareness: When people wear or use your custom merchandise, they're essentially walking billboards for your business. This can help to increase brand awareness and reach new customers.
- Customer loyalty: When people receive custom merchandise from your business, they're more likely to become loyal customers or at least think of you when they use your product. Working with one dispensary, we shifted their prize system to custom products instead of discounts (which were being abused, we found) and saved over $10,000 per month in revenue lost to over-discounting without taking away customer incentive.
- Lead generation: Custom merchandise can also be a great way to generate leads. When people see your custom merchandise, they may be curious about your business and want to learn more. You can provide them with a call to action on your merchandise, such as your website address or social media handles, so they can learn more about your business and how to contact you.
- Employee morale: Custom merchandise can also help to boost employee morale. When employees wear or use custom merchandise, they'll feel more connected to the company and be more likely to be proud of their work. This can lead to increased productivity and a more positive work environment. Our personal favorite is replacing name tags with t-shirts — preferably cool ones so they wear them outside of work.
Cons of Custom Merchandise:
- Cost: The cost of custom merchandise can be a barrier for some small businesses. However, there are ways to reduce the cost, such as by ordering in bulk or working with a wholesale supplier. We spent months vetting the products in our catalog for the best price.
- Graphics: Not every business has a dedicated marketing professional, in fact many have a boss or manager that wears so many hats it’s a wonder they get as much done as they do. Graphic design is a high-value skill, not to mention the benefits, insurance, and costs associated with adding another team member full-time.
- Time to produce: Custom merchandise can take some time to produce, from designing what the product will look like, finding who can make it, going back and forth on details, and finally trying to coordinate deliveries. We spent months scouring possible suppliers to make our catalog, accounting for every possible detail so you can get custom merch without the hassle.
- High minimum order quantities: You found someone who makes the lighters you want to put by your register! Now why do they only sell in quantities of 10k? Many custom suppliers only deal in bulk, and that just doesn’t work for small businesses. We want to give you the same edge major multi-state operators enjoy when ordering, down to no minimum orders on shirts and hoodies.
Conclusion:
Overall, custom merchandise can be a great way for small businesses to promote their brand and reach new customers. However, it's important to weigh the pros and cons before investing in custom merchandise. If you're considering custom merchandise for your small business, be sure to contact us to see our catalog of wholesale customized merchandise and marketing services. We can help you create custom merchandise that is both effective and affordable.
Contact us today, we'll be happy to answer any questions you have and help you create a custom merchandise campaign that is right for your business.
Your first graphic is free, delivered with all file formats, and Colorado deliveries are also free!