On this episode of Better Merch…Better Marketing, Kirby and Jade are back to cover a lot of ground — from building stronger morning routines to building better websites. As always, the conversation is filled with real-world marketing insight, a few laughs, and plenty of practical takeaways you can use right away.
Watch the full episode below and join us for the conversation.
Updating Morning Routines
The episode kicks off with some personal updates as both Jade and Kirby reflect on how their morning routines are shifting.
Jade shares that she’ll be moving to Georgia soon, which means she’ll officially be operating on Eastern Standard Time — the same as Kirby. The change may seem small, but it impacts how her days will start and how she wants to structure her workday more intentionally.
Kirby, on the other hand, talks about how he’s recently delegated a few of his morning tasks to his team. While that delegation helps free up time, it also creates space he wants to fill intentionally. Rather than waste that extra time scrolling or being reactive, he’s thinking about ways to invest that energy into personal development, creativity, or deeper planning work.
Both agree: your morning routine sets the tone for your day. And if you’re not adjusting it as your life and business change, you’re likely leaving opportunity on the table.
Improving Your Website: Your Digital Real Estate
From there, the conversation shifts into one of the most important assets every brand owns — their website. Or as Kirby calls it, your “digital real estate.”
Jade doesn’t hold back when she shares some of her website pet peeves. Things like broken links, outdated info, confusing navigation, or a lack of clear calls to action drive her crazy. In today’s world, your website is often your first impression and a bad experience can cost you business before you even know it.
Kirby adds one of the biggest mistakes he sees: websites that aren’t clear. Within seconds, a visitor should be able to easily understand what you do, who you serve, and how you can help them. Confusion kills conversions. If your visitor has to scroll or search to figure out what your business actually does, you’ve already lost them.
Beyond clarity, Kirby also discusses how a website should serve its audience. That means adding tools, resources, and content that actually help people solve problems, answer questions, or take the next step with your company.
A few simple ways to upgrade your website include:
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Make it clear what you do within seconds of landing on your homepage
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Ensure your contact info is easy to find
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Add lead magnets or free resources
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Create FAQ or knowledge base sections
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Use video to introduce your brand and team
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Keep your site updated regularly with fresh content
The theme here is simple: treat your website like a living, breathing asset, and it becomes one of your most valuable business tools.
Why Welcome Kits Matter
The third segment dives into a topic both Jade and Kirby love: welcome kits for new employees.
When someone joins your team, the onboarding experience is one of the first signals they get about your company culture. A great welcome kit helps them feel like part of the team right away — before they even step through the door on day one.
Kirby shares that the best companies start building culture and excitement even before an employee’s first official day. Sending a branded welcome kit to their home helps new hires feel valued and creates instant buy-in.
Welcome kits don’t have to be elaborate. A few well-selected branded items, a personal note from leadership, and useful tools for their new role go a long way. Plus, it helps build internal brand pride and creates consistency across the organization.
Product of the Week: Year-At-A-Glance Calendar
This week’s featured product is simple but powerful: a Year-At-A-Glance Calendar.
While it might not be the flashiest piece of branded merch, it delivers something marketers always want — staying visible all year long. When a customer hangs your calendar in their office or workspace, your logo is seen every single day. That’s long-term brand reinforcement you can’t get from a quick social post or one-time mailer.
Year-at-a-glance calendars are easy to customize, affordable for bulk orders, and deliver high ROI for the right audiences. Find out more information (and order yours) here.
Shout Out of the Week: The Downtown Ice Cream Parlor
This week’s shout-out goes to The Downtown Ice Cream Parlor in Newark, Ohio. The shop has built a great reputation for doing the simple things right. They serve up delicious ice cream in a warm, friendly atmosphere that keeps customers coming back. From classic flavors to the local charm of the store itself, The Downtown Ice Cream Parlor has created exactly what a great small business should be — consistent, inviting, and customer-focused.
Sometimes the best marketing is simply delivering a great product and experience, every single time.
Final Thoughts
This episode is packed with takeaways that apply whether you’re marketing a business, leading a team, or simply trying to build better habits.
A few quick reminders from the conversation:
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Review and update your morning routine regularly
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Make your website clear, simple, and truly helpful
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Use welcome kits to create stronger culture and first impressions
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Simple branded products like calendars can deliver year-round visibility
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Great customer experience is still the most powerful form of marketing
Be sure to watch the full episode above for the full discussion, and stay tuned for the next edition of Better Merch…Better Marketing.
If you need help with branded merch, welcome kits, or creative ways to grow your brand, we’re always here to help.
And as always, if you need help with branded merch, marketing strategy, or creative ideas to grow your brand, let’s talk. 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.
