Reasons Why Promotional Marketing is Essential

In a world of digital marketing and social media campaigns, other long-standing forms of marketing are sometimes forgotten about. Whilst trends in the marketing world come and go, some are here to stay. Promotional marketing is one of them. What is clear is that today’s customers are looking to create a relationship with a brand. This can be done in a multitude of ways, but one way is through promotional merchandise.

What’s more, these relationships are long-term, with Jansen Manfredini from Sage World writing that “consumers hang on to promotional products for an average of 6.6 months” and “89% of consumers can recall the advertiser of a promotional product they’d received in the last two years”. The incredible thing about promotional marketing is that you can create an uninterrupted link between your promotional merchandise and your brand.

According to a survey by Brandwatch, the most popular promotional products are USB drives, pens, electrical items, and mugs; all relatively low-cost and easy to add to your marketing plan. There are many ways you can hand out promotional merchandise to your customers. Firstly, you can give them away at trade shows, festivals, and events to individuals who walk by or come to your stall.

You could also offer your merchandise as a free gift with a purchase from your company, either in-store or online. You could send promotional merchandise as a welcome gift for signing up to an e-newsletter. Furthermore, you can use promotional merchandise as a prize for social media competitions. For instance, we have given out Total Merchandise themed goody bags in the past from our Facebook competitions including merchandise such as beach balls, pens and advent calendars!

A final way that you can use promotional merchandise is to sell it- if your brand is on-trend, people will happily pay for some merchandise, in particular, t-shirts. For example, Leeds University Union has a popular hummus and pitta stall, and they sold t-shirts with a witty slogan and their brand name which have been spotted around campus and on the gym.

Promotional merchandise can be one of the best ways to increase brand recognition. As we mentioned earlier, people will often link your brand with the product you gave them. By gifting merchandise that is branded with your logo and is useful for everyday use, you will provide the opportunity for your customers to see your brand every day. For instance, mugs have been reported to be kept longer than other promotional merchandise, so these could be something you invest in for your next marketing campaign.

If you have any promotional merchandise you have kept, tag us in your pictures of them on Instagram!

Written by

Adam Carter | Head of Products

Adam has been leading the Product team for over 18 years, during which time he's built up an enviable reputation as one of the industry's most trusted authorities on promotional merchandise. As well as supplier relations, product sourcing and pricing, Adam is also responsible for ensuring our promotional merchandise is presented on the website in the most effective manner. His expertise makes him the go-to person on the team for spotting merchandise trends and he's highly experienced in identifying the best branded products to meet our customers' needs. When he's not working, Adam enjoys travel, electronic music and all forms of cinema.

Connect with Adam Carter on LinkedIn Connect with Adam Carter on LinkedIn

The Best Office Award Ideas (And The Trophies To Match!)

The Best Office Award Ideas (And The Trophies To Match!)

If you're currently planning an awards ceremony and are looking for the perfect trophy titles - not to mention the perfect trophies! - we can help. We've got yea

Revealed: The Best-Selling Promotional Products Of 2023

Revealed: The Best-Selling Promotional Products Of 2023

It's safe to say that 2023 has been quite the year for Total Merchandise. Over the last 12 months, we've hit some major milestones, grown our team, hosted our fi

Colour Guide: Everything You Need To Know About Blue Promotional Items

Colour Guide: Everything You Need To Know About Blue Promotional Items

With Blue Monday in sight, there's no better time to take a moment or two to think about the colour blue in all its glory. Because it's really not all bad, despite the n

Egg-Cellent Printed Easter Gifts That Every-Bunny Will Love

Egg-Cellent Printed Easter Gifts That Every-Bunny Will Love

Easter is just on the horizon and if you're considering the seasonal treats you would like to gift your customers or colleagues, you've come to the right place because o

The TM Edit: Top 10 Novelty Gifts That Your Customers Will Love

The TM Edit: Top 10 Novelty Gifts That Your Customers Will Love

Are you looking for something unique to add some fun to your promotional activity? Well, we're here to help - look no further than our range of novelty giveaways for th

Huge Savings for Your Business this Autumn and Winter

Huge Savings for Your Business this Autumn and Winter

Are you looking for promotional products at prices that will have management lost for words? Yes? Then you've come to the right place. Here at Total Merchandise, we

Revealed: The Best Corporate Xmas Gifts For Your Customers In 2024

Revealed: The Best Corporate Xmas Gifts For Your Customers In 2024

Does anyone else feel like 2024 has just flown by? While it might seem slightly surreal to be thinking about corporate Xmas gifts while it's still just-about sunny

The Best Autumn Merchandise Ideas For Your UK Business In 2024

The Best Autumn Merchandise Ideas For Your UK Business In 2024

Breathe it in, people: is that the crisp scent of autumn we can smell on the distant breeze...? Sure, it might still be warm outside - but with September a matter of day

Revealed! The Promotional Essentials Every Charity Needs In 2024

Revealed! The Promotional Essentials Every Charity Needs In 2024

If you work for a charity - whether it's a nationwide organisation or a brand new initiative based on a locally-identified cause - you'll know how important spreading yo