How to Use Your Company-Branded Products for Marketing

Branded products can be a valuable marketing tool for any business to help develop its brand visibility and reputation. These are products that feature your business’s logo, whether it’s printed on the product, engraved, or embroidered. These products are meant to promote a company and create brand awareness.

Depending on the item, a branded product can also create visibility for your business as people use it and, in turn, show your brand’s logo off to their loved ones. The more often people see your logo, the more likely they are to remember it for future needs.

Benefits of investing in branded products

Aside from getting your business noticed and remembered by a greater number of potential customers, investing in branded products can lead to several other benefits for your business, including:

Improved ROI

Often, bulk-ordering branded products doesn’t require a large budget and can lead to a clear return on investment.

[Read more: How to Build a Successful Brand]

Increased customer loyalty

When customers receive free, useful, and engaging branded products, their loyalty will quickly increase. If your branded products are high-quality, your customers will associate this quality with your business.

Increased revenue

While you can give your branded products away for free, many businesses sell their branded products as a part of their business, leading to increased revenue from these sales. Branded products often lead to other purchases of your business’s products or services.

Long-lasting advertising

While advertisements are temporary, your branded products will likely create lasting impressions in your customers’ minds depending on how often they utilize the product.

Increased social media presence

Often, when people receive free branded products, they will create social media posts about them. Not only does this increase your business's online visibility, but it also might create a sense of “FOMO” (fear of missing out) that persuades others to purchase the same products.

[Read more: 5 Steps to Reduce Online Returns and Build Brand Loyalty]

Types of branded products to offer for marketing

While there are countless options for branded products, here are a few popular items to consider offering your customers.

• Pens: Pens are a classic branded product. These items are small, useful, easily portable, and in high demand. Ensure your pens are high-quality, so customers will associate your brand with a quality product.
• Mugs: Mugs are another great example of a branded product because people view them, especially travel mugs, as items sustainable enough for daily use. Also, if they are well-designed, people will want to show them off, showing off your brand in the process.
• Journals/notepads: People often need journals and notepads in their professional and everyday lives. When they go to jot a quick note or log the day’s events, they will be instantly reminded of your business. Journals and notepads are also typically portable, making them a convenient branded product for your consumers.
• Reusable bags: A tote bag that is useful, stylish, and durable will be reused again and again, leading to more exposure and impressions when your customers take them out into the world.
• Computer accessories: Two examples of potential branded computer accessories include USB drives and webcam covers, which both allow your customers to think of your brand while going about their everyday work activities.
• Apparel: Branded apparel leads to many impressions, as they can be worn multiple times over the course of their lifetime — typically 14 months, according to Delta Marketing. Some popular forms of branded apparel include T-shirts, fleeces or sweaters, long-sleeved shirts, and hats.

Before creating branded products, make sure your business has a unique, well-designed logo. A well-trained graphic designer can make your logo memorable and easily recognizable. Learn more about creating a great company logo in our guide.

CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.

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