The truth is that people love to get something for free. Getting a present unexpectedly creates a strong positive emotion that all brands should be aware of. The benefits of using branded merchandise to market your business are long established and understood but the theory behind the practice remains as solid as ever.
Our promotional merchandise are useful, much-appreciated products to be used over and again, others are more gimmicky and throwaway but perhaps still memorable. Either way, they created a positive sensation when they were received and, depending on that longevity, continue to do so afterward.
Why is branded merchandise important?
The key question, and one that we need to dig a little deeper into the workings of human psychology to understand. Promotional merchandise is important for the same reason intelligent, targeted marketing is important. Why is branded merchandise important? Because it will:
Advertise your brand and attract new customers
It’s all very well having a superb product or service you can be proud of and feel people will love and appreciate. But if your target audience has no clue your company exists, they are unlikely to become valued, repeat customers.
Provide a positive, ice-breaking introduction
First impressions are everything when it comes to the business of business, and there is no finer way to get off to a great start than by giving someone a gift that they will truly appreciate and make use of. Trade shows and events are good places to engage in this kind of promotional giveaway, and the initial hurdle of attracting prospective customers is made much less daunting with a carefully thought-out, high-quality freebie.
Improve brand awareness and perception
Various studies have inferred that promotional products are the most effective tool for creating positive reactions to your brand and increasing its awareness many-fold. It is the single most important of all marketing tactics and is unmatched by almost any other promotional activity.
Awareness is crucial, but the perception of a brand is equally important in the success of any business. The clever part is in offering branded merchandise that your competitors cannot replicate without reminding people of your brand instead and that is where the team at Bullseye Gifts are just the people you need to help.
Trigger the rule of reciprocity
The rule of reciprocity is connected to this and is described as a social norm that dictates your feeling of obligation to reciprocate if somebody does something nice for you. It’s a kind of ‘You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours’ mentality that holds societies together, along with many other accepted conventions. And it can be used to your advantage when creating promotional giveaways, as receiving something for free is said to trigger this sensation.
The better the item’s quality, the more excited the recipient, and the more likely they are to have positive associations with your brand and purchase your products or services in the future. Remember that the perception of quality is more important than anything, and some items inherently have a greater perceived value, particularly items like:
- USB storage devices
- Cameras
- Power banks and chargers
But everything from personalised glassware to quality bags and clothing can leave a great impression, so be sure to check out our vast range of promotional products here at Bullseye Gifts.
Some other tangible benefits of using branded merchandise to market your business
- Increased sales
- Improved customer and employee retention
- Tactile marketing your clients can touch and interact with
- The potential to tailor-make marketing for specific demographics
The key of success
It used to be any kind of giveaway or branded merchandise that was considered to be a good marketing strategy no matter the quality, but times and attitudes have changed. If the quality of your promotional merchandise is not up to scratch, the result of giving it away might actually be more detrimental than positive. That’s why it is important to set the highest budget you can afford and engage the services of knowledgeable professionals who can advise and guide you towards the perfect solutions.
Contact us
Here at Bullseye Gifts, we have a team of experienced experts to help you with all aspects of any promotional giveaways you are considering. Please get in touch today and let us give you our best advice and suggestions to increase your brand visibility and get the maximum benefits of using branded merchandise to market your business.