If you’re looking for creative ways to grow your sales this year, branded merchandise should be a key part of your strategy. Too often, businesses treat promo products as afterthoughts—something you slap a logo on and hand out at events. But when used strategically, branded merch can help you increase engagement, drive conversions, and build long-term customer relationships.
In this post (and video), we’re sharing five powerful ways you can use branded merchandise to boost your sales in 2024.
Use Branded Merch to Improve Direct Mail
Direct mail still works—but with today’s digital noise, you need to make sure your piece gets opened. That’s where branded merch comes in.
By adding a small promotional product to your mailer, you make it “bumpy,” which naturally increases curiosity. People want to see what’s inside. And here’s the kicker:
💡 Studies show that adding branded merch to direct mail can increase open rates by up to 75%!
Yes, this will increase the cost per piece. But if your offer is strong, dramatically improving your open rates will lead to higher conversions and sales. If you’re already investing in direct mail, adding branded merch can significantly boost your ROI.
Use Branded Merch to Improve Show Rates
Getting people to show up for appointments, meetings, or events is a challenge—whether you’re a dentist, gym owner, or service provider. One smart way to increase attendance is to use branded merch as an incentive.
Here’s how it works: Offer people a choice of branded merch BEFORE they arrive.
For example, when scheduling a new appointment, you could ask:
🛍️ “Would you prefer the red tumbler or the blue tumbler when you come in?”
This small tactic taps into the power of commitment and consistency. When someone chooses, they feel more invested in showing up. And more people following through on appointments means more sales for your business.
Use Branded Merch to Incentivize Referrals
Referrals are one of the best ways to grow a business. When people recommend you, they bring in warmer leads who already trust you. But sometimes, customers need a nudge to make those introductions.
That’s where branded merch comes in.
When you create a referral program using high-quality branded products, you turn your customers into brand ambassadors. They wear, use, and talk about your merch—spreading the word about your business in an organic way.
📣 Pro Tip: The best referral gifts aren’t just “cheap swag.” Pick something people actually want to use—like premium drinkware, apparel, or tech accessories. This increases the likelihood that they’ll share it, talk about it, and send new business your way.
Use Branded Merch for Brand Marketing (Not Just Direct Marketing)
Most businesses focus on direct marketing—ads, sales funnels, and emails designed to drive immediate action. While these are important, brand marketing is what keeps you at the top of your mind in the long term.
And guess what? Branded merch is one of the best tools for brand marketing.
Why? Because it makes your brand omnipresent in your audience’s daily life.
Imagine your target customer drinking their coffee every morning out of your branded tumbler. Or pulling out your custom notebook at every meeting. That constant exposure builds brand familiarity and trust—so when they’re finally ready to buy, you’re the first name they think of.
✅ Direct marketing = asking for the sale immediately.
✅ Brand marketing = building long-term relationships that lead to future sales.
Great marketing needs both. Use branded merch strategically to be everywhere for your ideal customers.
Create a Quarterly Appreciation Program for Your Top Customers
It’s important to focus on getting new customers—but don’t forget to take care of the ones you already have.
Your top 20% of customers likely generate 80% of your revenue (hello, Pareto Principle). The best way to keep them loyal? Show them you appreciate them without always asking for money.
A Quarterly Appreciation Program is a simple way to do this. Every three months, send your top clients a thoughtful branded gift—something useful, high-quality, and unexpected.
Why does this work?
💡 Loyal customers spend more and refer others.
💡 A thank-you gift strengthens relationships and reduces churn.
💡 Most businesses don’t do this—so it makes you stand out!
Remember: People like to do business with those who appreciate them. A well-executed appreciation program can have a massive impact on repeat sales and referrals.
Start Using Branded Merch to Grow Your Sales This Year
Branded merch isn’t just about slapping your logo on a product and hoping for the best. When used strategically, it can:
✅ Get more people to open your direct mail
✅ Improve show-up rates for appointments & events
✅ Incentivize referrals and build a community
✅ Strengthen your brand marketing strategy
✅ Show appreciation to your best customers
If you’re ready to put these strategies to work in your business, we’d love to help! At Hasseman Marketing, we specialize in helping businesses use branded merchandise to drive real results.
🚀 Let’s create a plan for you. Contact us today, and let’s talk about how to use branded merch to grow your sales this year!
If you need help hitting the TARGET with your branded merch, reach out to us! We’d love to help you. Head here to get the book “Hit The TARGET” for FREE! This will help you dial in your marketing for better results.
We’re back with another episode of Better Merch…Better Marketing! This week, Kirby and Jade dive into some of the quirks and challenges in the marketing world, sharing insights from the PPAI Expo, discussing the best ways to reach prospects, and of course, enjoying a little father-daughter banter.
Check out the latest episode below:
Marketing Pet Peeves: What Drives Us Crazy?
Every marketer has those little things that make them cringe. In this episode, Kirby and Jade talk about some of their biggest marketing pet peeves—from bad branding choices to messaging mishaps. If you’ve ever been frustrated by a clunky campaign or an organization missing the mark, you’ll relate to this segment!
Our Favorite Finds from the PPAI Expo
One of the highlights of the year for branded merchandise pros is the PPAI Expo in Las Vegas. We got to see some of the latest and greatest products in the promotional world, and we’re sharing our top picks! If you’re looking for innovative and exciting branded merch ideas, you won’t want to miss this part of the episode.
Sales & Prospecting: Phone Calls vs. Emails
When it comes to sales outreach, is it better to pick up the phone or send an email? Kirby and Jade debate the effectiveness of each approach and share their personal experiences in the world of prospecting. Whether you’re a die-hard caller or a strategic emailer, there are key takeaways here for anyone in sales or marketing.
Dad Was Right: Jade Actually Enjoys Reading!
In a fun twist, Jade admits that Kirby was right about something this time: reading is actually enjoyable! They talk about what changed her mind and some of the books that have made an impact. (Don’t worry, Kirby is taking full credit for this one!)
Shoutout of the Week: Shrivers Hospice
This week, we’re giving a huge shoutout to Shrivers Hospice, which is opening a new office in Coshocton County. Their work in providing compassionate care to those in need is truly inspiring, and we’re excited to see them expand their reach in our community.
Key Takeaways from Episode 3:
The most common marketing mistakes that drive professionals crazy.
The latest and greatest in branded merch from the PPAI Expo.
A candid discussion on phone calls vs. emails for sales outreach.
Proof that sometimes (just sometimes), Dad is actually right.
A celebration of Shrivers Hospice and their commitment to serving the region.
What’s Next?
We love hearing from our listeners! If you have a marketing or branded merch question, send it our way and we might answer it in a future episode. Stay tuned for more great discussions, insights, and fun on the Better Merch…Better Marketing podcast!
Make sure to watch Episode 3 above, share your thoughts, and subscribe to stay updated on all future episodes. Together, we’re creating Better Merch…Better Marketing!
Got a topic or question for a future episode? Let us know in the comments or reach out directly—we’d love to hear from you!
If you need help creating Better Merch & Better Marketing reach out to us! We’d love to help you. Head here to get the book “Hit The TARGET” for FREE! This will help you dial in your marketing for better results.
We’re back, baby! 🎉 Thirsty Thursday has returned, and we’re kicking things off in a BIG way—with a special episode recorded live at the PPAI Expo in Las Vegas!
Last week, we got everyone ready for our return by sharing a Thirsty Thursday Greatest Hits episode, packed with some of our funniest moments from past episodes. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you can watch it here for some good laughs. But this week, we’re back with a brand-new episode, featuring a mystery drink, an awesome guest, and a whole lot of fun!
A Special Thirsty Thursday at PPAI Expo
For this episode, Kirby Hasseman and Jade Crider took Thirsty Thursday on the road to the PPAI Expo in Las Vegas, the biggest event of the year for branded merchandise and promotional products. And we didn’t just bring the show—we brought a special guest!
Joining us as this week’s guest taster was Dawn Browne from Keystone, who was kind enough to donate the Trail Mug for our mystery drink tasting. (Spoiler: The mug looked fantastic. The drink inside? Well, you’ll have to watch to find out. 😉)
But that’s not all. This episode couldn’t have happened without the generous help of Brandon Pecharich of Mark8Media, who not only recorded the episode but also took on the crucial task of hunting down the mystery drink. It was a lot to coordinate, and we’re so grateful for their help in making it happen!
What’s the Mystery Drink?
As always, Thirsty Thursday is all about drinking from branded drinkware—and hoping the mystery drink inside isn’t too terrible. We never know what we’re getting into, which makes every sip an adventure.
So, what did Brandon find for us to try this time? Was it a smooth sip or a rough ride? You’ll have to watch the episode to see our reactions!
Bringing back Thirsty Thursday has been a blast, and we’re excited to keep the momentum going with new episodes coming soon. We love sharing these moments with you, showcasing great branded drinkware, and (sometimes) suffering through questionable drink choices—all in the name of fun.
At Hasseman Marketing, we are all about fun…and doing marketing BETTER. If you need help creating Better Merch & Better Marketing reach out to us! We’d love to help you. Head here to get the book “Hit The TARGET” for FREE! This will help you dial in your marketing for better results.
Welcome back to the Better Merch…Better Marketing podcast! We’re thrilled to bring you Episode 2, where Jade Crider and Kirby Hasseman dive into exciting topics in marketing, business, and branded merchandise—all while adding their unique father-daughter dynamic to the mix. If you missed Episode 1, don’t worry; you can catch up anytime. But today, we’re diving into new discussions that we think you’ll love.
Check out the latest episode below:
What’s in Episode 2?
Here’s a rundown of what we covered in this week’s podcast:
1. The TikTok Drama: What Happened and What’s Next?
We kicked off this week’s episode by discussing the recent TikTok drama. From its sudden removal to the widespread reaction, Jade shared how she felt when the app disappeared briefly and what it meant for content creators and marketers alike. Kirby and Jade also speculated on what might come next for the platform and how businesses should approach TikTok moving forward. Spoiler alert: This conversation was packed with insights into adapting to change in the digital marketing landscape.
2. Lessons from the PPAI Expo
Last week, we attended the PPAI Expo in Las Vegas, the premier event for promotional products and branded merchandise. We had the chance to explore new trends, connect with industry leaders, and come away with some important lessons in business. In this episode, we share our key takeaways that can help you in whatever business you are in!
3. Audience Question: How Can You Attract and Retain Clients?
This week’s listener question comes from someone who tuned in to Episode 1: How can you attract and retain clients? Kirby broke down his TARGET method for effective marketing, offering actionable steps to help businesses stand out and build lasting relationships.
To make it even better, Kirby is giving away his book, Hit The TARGET, for free! Head over to HitTheTargetBook.com to grab your free copy, which includes the ebook, audiobook, and online course.
4. When Dad Was Wrong
In this week’s fun and lighthearted segment, Jade turned the tables and shared an area where she thinks Kirby is wrong. This playful moment highlighted how different perspectives—even within a family—can lead to some lively discussions and even better ideas.
5. Shout Out to Local Stars: Main Street Station & Sorrell’s on the Square
We wrapped up the episode by celebrating two amazing Coshocton businesses, Main Street Station and Sorrell’s on the Square, both of which were recently featured on America’s Best Restaurants. These local spots are doing incredible things for our community, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a spotlight on their achievements. If you haven’t visited them yet, make it a priority!
Key Takeaways from Episode 2
TikTok’s impact on marketing is undeniable, and adaptability is key as platforms evolve.
Live events like the PPAI Expo are invaluable for networking, learning, and staying ahead in your industry.
Attracting and retaining clients requires a clear strategy, like Kirby’s TARGET method, and a focus on delivering value.
It’s okay to challenge ideas and perspectives—that’s where growth (and sometimes laughter) happens.
Supporting local businesses is a vital part of building strong communities.
What’s Next?
We’re already planning Episode 3, and we’d love to hear from you! Have a question or topic you want us to cover? Send it our way, and we might feature it in an upcoming episode. Whether it’s about branded merchandise, marketing strategies, or building better business practices, we’re here to help.
Make sure to watch Episode 2 above, share your thoughts, and subscribe to stay updated on all future episodes. Together, we’re creating Better Merch…Better Marketing!
Have a question or comment? Drop it below or reach out directly—we’d love to hear from you!
If you need help creating Better Merch & Better Marketing reach out to us! We’d love to help you. Head here to get the book “Hit The TARGET” for FREE! This will help you dial in your marketing for better results.
If you’ve been missing our Thirsty Thursday videos, we’ve got good news: we’re bringing them back! 🎉
For those who don’t know, Thirsty Thursday is one of our favorite video series here at Hasseman Marketing. In each episode, we try a mystery drink out of a piece of branded drinkware. The catch? We have no idea what the drink will be. Sometimes it’s delicious, and sometimes…well, not so much. 😂
It’s been a few months since our last episode, so to get back into the groove, we went through some of our older episodes and pulled together a collection of the funniest moments. From unexpected reactions to some questionable drink choices, this video will remind you why Thirsty Thursday is always a good time.
We love doing these videos because they’re a fun way to showcase branded drinkware while sharing a laugh with our audience. And the best part? New episodes are starting again soon! So stay tuned as we dive into more mystery drinks, more laughs, and more (hopefully) tasty surprises.
In the meantime, check out our “funny moments” video and let us know which clip made you laugh the most.
