Welcome back to another episode of Better Merch…Better Marketing, where Jade and Kirby discuss strategies for building a strong brand and using marketing to grow—even when times are uncertain.
This week, they cover:
- Tips for marketing during uncertain times and how businesses can use this period to strengthen their brand
- When and why a company should create a merch collection
- How to leverage merch and social media during a product launch
- A product they are both obsessed with—custom shoes
- A special shoutout to McWane Ductile for their incredible contributions to the community
Watch or listen to the full episode here:
Marketing in Uncertain Times
Uncertain times impact everyone, including employees, customers, and the overall market. Many businesses react by pulling back, cutting budgets, and waiting for things to improve. But the companies that continue to invest in their marketing during these periods are the ones that come out ahead.
Here are three areas businesses should focus on when times are uncertain:
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Take Care of Your Employees – Just like businesses, employees feel uncertain too. Providing a strong company culture, recognition, and support can help keep them engaged and motivated. A strong internal team leads to better customer experiences, which ultimately strengthens the brand.
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Focus on Your Current Customer Base – While finding new customers is important, it’s even more critical to take care of the ones you already have. Make sure they feel appreciated through great customer service, personal outreach, and even small branded gifts that let them know they are valued. Retaining customers is far more cost-effective than constantly chasing new ones.
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Double Down on Social Media and Content – Uncertain times can make some businesses hesitant to invest in marketing, but this is actually the time to grow market share. With fewer competitors actively marketing, there’s an opportunity to stand out. Creating valuable content, staying engaged on social media, and consistently communicating with your audience can help solidify your brand as an industry leader.
The key takeaway is not to panic and cut back. Instead, use this time to strengthen relationships, expand your reach, and build loyalty.
When Should Your Company Create a Merch Collection?
A merch collection isn’t just a collection of promotional products—it’s a branding strategy that can help create a sense of identity for employees, customers, and fans of the brand.
It makes sense to launch a merch collection when:
- Celebrating a major milestone such as a company anniversary, rebrand, or expansion
- Building team culture through employee appreciation or incentive programs
- Running a community or charity campaign where proceeds from branded merch support a cause
- Supporting a product launch by offering exclusive branded items alongside a new release
A well-executed merch collection can create buzz, strengthen relationships, and generate brand loyalty both internally and externally.
How to Leverage Merch and Social Media for a Product Launch
Branded merchandise and social media are a powerful combination for generating excitement around a product launch.
Here’s how they work together:
- Before launch, use social media to build anticipation by offering sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes content, and giveaways featuring limited-edition merch
- On launch day, drive engagement with interactive posts, live videos, and exclusive promotions that include branded merchandise
- After launch, encourage customers to share their experiences with the product and branded merch on social media to increase visibility and credibility
Branded merchandise isn’t just a giveaway—it’s a tool to create engagement, excitement, and lasting brand awareness around a new product.
A Product We Are Obsessed With: Custom Shoes
Jade and Kirby both recently got custom shoes, and they are officially a new favorite branded merch item. Not only are they cool and comfortable, but they also have a one-piece minimum, making them accessible for companies of all sizes.
Custom shoes offer a unique way to showcase branding in a way that people actually want to wear. They’re a conversation starter, a personal branding tool, and a high-end piece of swag that stands out.
If you’re looking for a fresh and creative way to promote a brand, custom shoes might be the perfect fit.
Shoutout to McWane Ductile
This week’s shoutout goes to McWane Ductile, a company that is making a major impact in the local community.
They have:
- Donated $500,000 to make the McWane River Walk a reality
- Become the leading donor to the local United Way
- Implemented the Total Wellness Plan for their employees to promote health and well-being
McWane Ductile is an example of a business that goes beyond just operations—it actively invests in the people and community around them. Their commitment to giving back is something worth recognizing.
Final Thoughts
This episode covered a mix of business strategies, marketing insights, and some exciting branded merch ideas.
Key takeaways:
- Taking care of employees and customers should be a top priority during uncertain times
- A merch collection can strengthen company culture, customer loyalty, and brand awareness
- Social media and branded merch work together to create excitement around product launches
- Custom shoes are a unique and eye-catching piece of branded merchandise
- McWane Ductile is setting the standard for corporate community involvement
What are your thoughts on marketing during uncertain times? Have you ever launched a merch collection or used custom shoes for branding? Let’s talk about it.
And as always, if you need help with branded merch, marketing, or creative ideas for your brand, let’s chat! 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.
