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![Finding the RIGHT Merch!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fd3d2fa9a3ca2c78df55f4/1691594600196-NROWC4X14OQF8HSO9UMI/1691424594638.jpg)
Finding the RIGHT Merch!
Last year I was interviewed by Promotional Products Business (PPB) Magazine.
In that article I talked about how branded merch is uniquely valuable in that it creates an unrivaled level of excitement for those on the receiving end (and even a thank you -- take that digital advertising!)
![Memory Makers!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fd3d2fa9a3ca2c78df55f4/1690900675451-JQ8RKDCE1MTNHWJVLVDA/MemoryMakers.jpg)
Memory Makers!
Attention Marketers: Branded merch are not just things.
They are memory makers.
We’ve all heard the names:
Promotional Products
Swag
Branded Merch
But what about: Memory Makers?
![Promo Products OR Branded Merch?](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fd3d2fa9a3ca2c78df55f4/1683301087997-GVU6SRGH7C89TRYYSDHN/WhatDoYouCallProducts.jpg)
Promo Products OR Branded Merch?
Words matter.
How we in the promo space talk about what we do for a living can influence how others view our industry as a whole.
![Knowing the “WHO?”](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fd3d2fa9a3ca2c78df55f4/1682426463591-DOQC0KKKYUVVWEIELOB2/KnowingTheWho.jpg)
Knowing the “WHO?”
Do you know your client’s "who"?
“I’m looking to spend $5 per item and need about 500 of something. What ideas do you have for me?”
Does this directive sound familiar?
![Leave a Lasting Impression with Merch Collections](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fd3d2fa9a3ca2c78df55f4/1678211182173-5SLKHLYLMQB4891V98XB/MOD.png)
Leave a Lasting Impression with Merch Collections
Branded merchandise is an important piece of any promotion, and if done right, you’ll be sure to leave a lasting impression on your target audience.
![Our 2022 Holiday Cards](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fd3d2fa9a3ca2c78df55f4/1672934524892-CAP51SB1ZI2XSB49PGEE/buttons.png)
Our 2022 Holiday Cards
Our 2022 “Holiday Cards” did not disappoint!
![Return on Engagement](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fd3d2fa9a3ca2c78df55f4/1672935778686-HZY1I3TOUU48ILZRWE4O/ROEnotROI.jpg)
Return on Engagement
Everyone talks about R.O.I. But what about R.O.E.?
In my swag world, R.O.I. means Return on Investment.
![Great Things Start from Small Beginnings](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fd3d2fa9a3ca2c78df55f4/1672844342110-XCJ204SKDEHS2CW3XZHE/Napkin.jpg)
Great Things Start from Small Beginnings
Have you ever flown Southwest Airlines?
If you have, chances are you were handed one of these napkins with your in-flight drink.
![How to be the World’s Best boss?](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fd3d2fa9a3ca2c78df55f4/1672843693546-DK2CPSG56Q8X9XMEOB1M/WorldsBestBoss.jpg)
How to be the World’s Best boss?
Attention HR Folks, business leaders and entrepreneurs:
Are you the World’s Best Boss? (tip of the cap to Michael Scott).
![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fd3d2fa9a3ca2c78df55f4/1672841883794-RKWOLUUPX2Y3EQ35PBNN/Pick+a+gift.jpg)
“I want to offer gift choices to my (fill-in-the-blank)”
I hear this a lot from my clients.
My solution? Create a Pick-A-Gift shop!
![How Branded-Merch Boosts Morale](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fd3d2fa9a3ca2c78df55f4/1671120600836-N4JKUIS4ZPF5YQK3PYE8/QuietQuitting.jpg)
How Branded-Merch Boosts Morale
HR Folks: Is it possible to stem the tide of “quiet quitting” with high-end branded merch?
![Choose Your Brand’s Reputation](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fd3d2fa9a3ca2c78df55f4/1670955483168-APK1OVJ5OZ96AL05Q58W/Reputation.jpeg)
Choose Your Brand’s Reputation
“I just need something cheap to giveaway at an event”.
I scratch my head when a client says this to me.
I have to remind them that their reputation is on the product we choose to represent their brand.
![NO to Cash or Gift Cards this Holiday Gifting](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fd3d2fa9a3ca2c78df55f4/1670423509331-8XPCAEXC7MLUMM8WKHMJ/NoCashGiftCards.jpg)
NO to Cash or Gift Cards this Holiday Gifting
HR Professionals: Please don’t give cash or gift cards to employees during Q4!
I think we all can agree that in this current economic climate its harder than ever to find and retain top talent.
So, it’s easy to think that a gift card or cash appreciation gift would be part of the retention elixir.
Are You Procrastinating?
Procrastinators raise your hand!
If you find yourself behind the 8-Ball when it comes to year-end gifting to employees, clients, prospects and referral sources, I have some good news!
![Holiday Orders](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fd3d2fa9a3ca2c78df55f4/1670250794754-6N7PR3GWQIJ6Q7GPRR3L/avionos.png)
Holiday Orders
It’s beanie season and those holiday orders are rolling in!
![Face palm!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fd3d2fa9a3ca2c78df55f4/1669128821152-UGLFG89HV5REWT6JUN42/Facepalm.jpg)
Face palm!
I may have failed.
If the branded merch I sell to my clients ends up in a landfill or is left behind in a hotel room after an event, I have failed.
![Merch with Purpose](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fd3d2fa9a3ca2c78df55f4/1668443334355-4Y1QI65C862UK9ELUGUU/ProudPath.png)
Merch with Purpose
Branded Merch, Promo Items, Swag... it goes by many names and is sometimes dismissed as cheap items destined for the landfill.
![Top 5 Employee Holiday Gifts](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fd3d2fa9a3ca2c78df55f4/1667322880493-AGH0V71WSTGUTO7LP2VH/Beige+White+Floral+Romantic+Photo+Collage.png)
Top 5 Employee Holiday Gifts
Attention HR Folks with responsibility for year-end gifting:
Here are 5 products I think will make great employee holiday gifts:
![OGIO Mercur Backpack](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fd3d2fa9a3ca2c78df55f4/1666618040585-JY57WF3SATJ4IDOPA2LQ/ogio.png)
OGIO Mercur Backpack
If anyone on the team can be critical and analytical about a product, it's our resident shopaholic, Brittany!
![Magic Mark the MERCH-gician Will Amaze You w/ this Speaker!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fd3d2fa9a3ca2c78df55f4/1665586551537-6ARGE0WPHY0TSTODEFGI/speakers.png)
Magic Mark the MERCH-gician Will Amaze You w/ this Speaker!
At his core, Magic Mark the Merch-gician is a man of the people, and the people want more. More cool merch, more magic, and more... speaker.