With the Cost of Living Crisis and uncertain economic times, making your pennies stretch further has never been more important.
And we’re here to help you do just that with these 9 merchandise money-saving tips!
From budget-friendly favourites to the most popular merchandise trend of the year, we’ll give you the very best up-to-date advice you need to make your product media count, even on a budget.
Because using branded merchandise is one of the cheapest long-term promotional strategies you can have.
If you’re looking for more cost-effective product media solutions, why not get in contact with one of our merchandise consultants today?
9 merchandise money-saving tips
1. Choose the right promotional product for your event
We can’t stress this point enough. There’s no point bringing giveaways or choosing products for a project that don’t elevate your overall goal.
By choosing products specifically tailored for your event/campaign, you’ll have more reach and more effective engagement, making the overall cost of the products more worthwhile.
Read more: Here’s how giving gifts could save your brand
2. Choose the right promotional product for your audience
You need to know who your audience is to determine what merch they’ll benefit from the most.
Carry out some market research and look into what’s proved more popular with certain demographics, or check out the latest trends to see if any fit your target audience.
With 87% of recipients hanging onto their gifts for at least a year, making sure your chosen product is actually useful to your audience will ensure your product’s longevity and impact. This way, you know the product will be worth the investment.
3. Order your favourite items in bulk
If you find yourself ordering the same items consistently throughout a year or even a six-month period, a one-off bulk buy may be your answer to saving some money.
This is because the higher quantity of merchandise ordered at any one time usually results in a discounted rate per product.
So, instead of buying 100 pens every two months, if you buy 1,200 at the beginning of the year, your up-front purchase cost may be higher, but your overall unit cost will most likely be lower.
Find more: Our bestselling products
4. Don’t add dates to your products
Adding dates to your products is a surefire way to reduce their cost-effectiveness. That’s because once that date has passed, your items and branding are no longer relevant.
The longevity of your item determines its investment value, as without dates and timestamps, your products can be used for a longer period of time.
With long-lasting promotional products, they’ll carry on spreading the word about your brand for months or years after their initial purchase, making them worth their weight in gold!
5. Don’t follow fads
Think fidget spinners and phone fans. These may have been great fun (and popular) at the time, but the key to really getting the bang for your buck when it comes to merchandise is investing in products you know will be popular (and useful) for months/years to come.
Fads are a fun way to bring a spark of creative energy to your product media toolkit, but they shouldn’t form the basis of it. With 89% of consumers stating that they’d definitely hang onto a promotional product indefinitely if it was of use to them, we’d definitely recommend having your core merchandise ordered first to be more cost-effective.
6. QR codes
QR codes are great at sharing relevant information fast. They’re easy to create, easy to brand, and can be printed onto numerous products. Your merchandise can now share way more than before, for little to no extra cost.
Should you be using QR codes in your next merchandise campaign? Click the link to find out.
7. Discuss with the experts
If in doubt, speaking with one of our expert Merchandise Consultants is a great way to ensure you’re making the right decision when it comes to your merchandise.
Your consultant will be trained to give you the best possible advice, from target demographic, budget and the latest in sustainable products.
By speaking with one of our experts, you know you’ll be getting the best deal.
Why not get in touch today for your very own free personalised consultation?
8. Stick to your brand colours
Again, following trends is great for an instant boost of creativity, but if you’re looking for a way to stretch your budget further, sticking to your brand colours is best. Your brand palette defines your merchandise and will increase the longevity of your media.
Read more: The ultimate guide: 23 product media trends for 2023
9. Get what’s been popular in the past
If you’ve had a previous project where the product media was well-received, why not repeat the same success?
We’ll be able to advise on how to elevate and differentiate the product from previous campaigns, whilst still keeping the same core elements for a more likely success rate. This way, your investment has less risk attached to it due to previous positive feedback.
It’s time to make your merchandise count
We’re here to help you dream big, whatever your budget!
We understand the importance of making an impact, that lasting first impression. And we know that there’s no better way than doing it through product media.
It’s becoming more important than ever to keep marketing - and one of the best and most cost-effective ways to do that is by giving branded gifts.
Don’t believe us? Why not try it yourself?
For more information, or to explore your options further, get in touch for your free consultation with one of our Merchandise Consultants today.
