Welcome back to another episode of the Better Merch… Better Marketing podcast! 🎙️ This week, we cover some hot topics in the world of branded merch and marketing—tariffs, employee engagement, brand purpose, and even a little workplace debate. Plus, we take a moment to celebrate Baltic State Bank’s expansion into West Lafayette, Ohio!
Let’s dive into this episode. 👇
1️⃣ What You Need to Know About Tariffs on Branded Merch
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the news, you know that tariffs on imported goods are a moving target right now. The reality is, no one has all the answers, but we do know this: it could impact pricing and availability in the promotional products industry.
So, what does that mean for you? Two key things:
✅ Be open about your budget. If we have a general idea of what you’re working with, we can recommend the best options without unexpected surprises.
✅ Be flexible with your product choices. Some items may see price increases or availability issues, so being willing to explore alternative products can help keep your project on track.
The bottom line? We’re here to help you navigate these changes and find solutions that fit your needs. Communication is key!
2️⃣ How to Incentivize & Retain Great Employees (Especially Gen Z!)
Keeping great employees is more important than ever—and let’s be real, what employees want is evolving. Gen Z is bringing new expectations to the workplace, and organizations that want to attract and retain top talent need to adapt.
So, what matters to today’s workforce? Here are a few key takeaways:
✔️ Recognition & Appreciation: Employees want to feel valued, and branded merch can be a great tool for recognition programs and milestone rewards.
✔️ Flexibility: Work-life balance is a top priority, and companies offering hybrid or remote work options are seeing better retention.
✔️ Experiences Over Stuff: Instead of just handing out a generic t-shirt, consider customized welcome kits or branded items that enhance their daily work life.
Great branded merch isn’t just a giveaway—it can play a role in building culture, increasing engagement, and keeping employees happy.
3️⃣ Why Purpose Matters for Brands—And How Branded Merch Can Help
Purpose-driven marketing isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a major driver of customer loyalty. People want to do business with brands that stand for something.
So, how can you use branded merch to reinforce your purpose? We discussed two main strategies:
1️⃣ Create your own campaign or event. If your brand has a cause or mission, use branded merch to support it. Whether it’s an environmental initiative, a community project, or a fundraising event, merchandise can help tell your story and spread awareness.
2️⃣ Choose merch that already gives back. Some brands, like Snugz’s Basecamp product line, integrate philanthropy into their business model. When you purchase Basecamp items, a portion of the proceeds supports the Wounded Warrior Project—so you’re not just getting great merch, you’re making an impact.
The key takeaway? Customers and employees connect with brands that align with their values. Branded merch can be a great way to amplify that message.
4️⃣ Dad Was Wrong: Jade Loves Working from Home 😂
This is the part where Kirby has to admit he was wrong.
Jade shares how she unexpectedly loves working from home—despite Kirby’s early predictions that she wouldn’t. Turns out, flexibility and a personalized workspace can actually increase productivity and happiness for a lot of employees.
The lesson here? People work differently, and having options can be a good thing. (And maybe, just maybe, Kirby isn’t always right. 😉)
5️⃣ Shoutout to Baltic State Bank’s New Location in West Lafayette, Ohio! 🎉🏦
We love celebrating local businesses, and this week, we’re giving a huge shoutout to Baltic State Bank for expanding with a new location in West Lafayette, Ohio!
Growth like this is exciting for the community, and we’re thrilled to see businesses thriving. It will take some time for this project to come to fruition, but we love to see the investment!
Final Thoughts: Better Merch, Better Marketing, Better Conversations
This episode covered a lot—tariffs, employee retention, brand purpose, remote work debates, and celebrating local businesses. But at the core of it all, we keep coming back to one thing:
Branded merch is more than just stuff. It’s a tool that can help you:
✅ Build stronger relationships with employees & customers
✅ Communicate your brand purpose in meaningful ways
✅ Create impact beyond just impressions
If you’re looking for better ways to use branded merch in your marketing, we’d love to help. Reach out, and let’s chat about how we can make your next campaign better.
And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Better Merch… Better Marketing!
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.
