Branded Merchandise, or ‘merch’ as it’s commonly referred to, is a crucial aspect of any organization or personal brand. It serves as a tangible representation of the brand, often acting as a physical reminder of a brand’s values, image, and identity. However, not all merch is created equal. In this video and blog, we discuss the importance of avoiding bad merch and the detrimental effects it can have on your brand. It’s not just about saving a few bucks, it’s about preserving the integrity of your brand, respecting the environment, and making a smart investment.
It’s essential to understand that cheap and inexpensive are not synonymous when it comes to merch. The quality of the merch can significantly impact the brand’s image and reputation. Furthermore, bad merch is not only harmful to the brand but also to the environment. It contributes to landfill waste and promotes a culture of disposability. Lastly, bad branded merch is a bad investment. It does not leave a lasting impression and may not even be used by the recipients. In this article, we delve into these points in detail, providing you with four compelling reasons not to buy bad merch.
Cheap vs. Inexpensive Merch
When it comes to branded merch, there’s a significant distinction between cheap and inexpensive. Cheap merch often lacks quality and durability, leading to a poor representation of your brand. On the other hand, inexpensive merch can still be of high quality. For instance, a high-quality lip balm can be an inexpensive yet effective piece of merch. It’s essential to strike a balance between cost and quality when choosing your merch.
Investing in cheap merch may seem like a cost-effective strategy in the short term. However, the long-term effects can be detrimental to your brand. Cheap merch often breaks easily, doesn’t function properly, or wears out quickly, leading to a negative impression of your brand. On the other hand, inexpensive, high-quality merch can leave a positive, lasting impression, enhancing your brand’s image and reputation.
Bad Merch is Bad for the Brand
Branded Merch is a physical representation of your brand. It’s a tangible extension of your brand’s values, image, and identity. Therefore, bad merch can significantly harm your brand. It’s crucial to choose merch that aligns with your brand’s values and image. If the merch contradicts these, it can be detrimental to your brand’s reputation.
Imagine handing out pens that don’t write or t-shirts that fade after a few washes. This not only frustrates the recipient but also reflects poorly on your brand. It sends a message that your brand doesn’t value quality or customer satisfaction. Therefore, it’s crucial to invest in high-quality merch that accurately represents your brand and resonates with your target audience.
Bad Merch is Bad for the Earth
Bad merch isn’t just bad for your brand; it’s also bad for the environment. Cheap, low-quality merch often ends up in the trash after a short period of use, contributing to landfill waste. This not only harms the environment but also reflects poorly on your brand’s commitment to sustainability.
Choosing sustainable and reusable merch is a better option. Not only does it show your brand’s commitment to the environment, but it also provides a lasting, useful product for the recipient. For instance, a reusable shopping bag or a stainless steel water bottle can be a great piece of merch that aligns with your brand’s sustainability values and provides value to the recipient.
Bad Merch is a Bad Investment
Investing in bad merch is like throwing money down the drain. It doesn’t leave a lasting impression, and it may not even be used by the recipient. The perceived value of the merch is crucial for its usage and impact. If the merch falls apart or doesn’t function properly, it’s likely to be discarded, wasting your investment.
On the other hand, investing in high-quality, useful branded merch can have a significant return on investment. It can enhance your brand’s image, increase customer loyalty, and even generate new business. Therefore, it’s crucial to consider the quality and functionality of the merch before making an investment.
Conclusion
Choosing the right branded merch is crucial for any brand. It’s not just about the cost; it’s about the quality, the impact on the environment, and the return on investment. It’s important to choose merch that aligns with your brand’s values and image. Consider your target audience and what would bring them joy and lasting use. A well-thought-out merch strategy can significantly enhance your brand’s image and reputation, leading to increased customer loyalty and business growth.
So, before you make your next merch purchase, remember these four reasons not to buy bad merch. Invest in quality, align with your brand values, consider the environment, and make a smart investment. Your brand, your customers, and the earth will thank you.
As always, we want to provide you with value. So if you want to create marketing campaigns (and appreciation gifts) that hit the TARGET, check out our TARGET marketing playbook here.
You know what time it is! It’s time for Thirsty Thursday! Thirsty Thursday is the award-winning piece of content from Hasseman Marketing where we take a mystery drink out of a piece of branded drinkware! Be careful…it’s not for everyone. This week we feature the Venture Lite 24 oz Water Bottle from Tervis. It’s a fun one. Get ready to giggle…and be jealous of this new piece of drinkware. Watch now!
Why Should You Consider the Venture Lite 24 oz Water Bottle from Tervis?
Our 24oz classic Venture Lite water bottle features an easy-to-swap chug spout and straw spout so you can choose how to drink. It also has a push-button opening for one-handed operation, a safety lock to prevent spillage and a comfortable handle for easy carrying. Its large lid opening means ice cubes go in easily.
This printed wrap-around design is sealed between the bottle walls. Double-wall insulation keeps drinks cold longer and reduces condensation to keep hands dry in warmer weather.
Impact-resistant, BPA-free material makes these water bottles shatterproof. They’re also lightweight and leakproof for peace of mind when carrying.
Most classic water bottles are freezer and dishwasher-safe (top rack recommended, or away from heat element if on the bottom rack) and fit most cup holders.
Each classic water bottle is proudly made in the US with American and imported parts, and backed by a Lifetime Guarantee* so you can buy with confidence.
Delivering Marketing Joy is an award-winning interview show that helps marketers level up. Each week, Kirby Hasseman interviews the best and brightest minds in marketing to help you level up.
In this insightful interview, Robert Brandl, the founder and CEO of Tool Tester, shares his expertise on branding, SEO, and email marketing. As a renowned figure in the digital marketing landscape, Brandl’s insights are invaluable for businesses looking to strengthen their online presence and engage their audience effectively. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, from the importance of branding for SEO to the common mistakes in email marketing and how to avoid them.
Branding, as Brandl explains, is a combination of design, personality, and positioning. Each of these elements plays a crucial role in creating a strong brand that resonates with the target audience and stands out in the competitive digital landscape. Furthermore, Brandl discusses how businesses can enhance their email marketing efforts by offering value to their audience and using quizzes to grow their email lists. He also sheds light on the mystery of email deliverability, providing practical tips on how to ensure that emails reach the main inbox.
The Importance of Branding for SEO
Branding is becoming increasingly important for SEO, and it’s not just about having a catchy logo or a memorable tagline. It’s about creating a holistic brand experience that combines design, personality, and positioning. Design is a critical aspect of branding. It’s about creating a user-friendly website that makes visitors feel at home. It’s about choosing the right color palette, typography, and layout that reflect the brand’s identity and values.
Personality is another key component of branding. It’s about the tone of voice used in the content, the use of real people and office photos, and the overall vibe that the brand exudes. A brand with a distinct personality can establish a strong connection with its audience, making it more memorable and relatable. Positioning, on the other hand, is about being laser-focused on a specific topic or niche. It’s about differentiating the brand from its competitors and attracting the right audience by offering unique value.
Enhancing Email Marketing with Value Offerings
Email marketing is a powerful tool for businesses, but it’s not just about sending promotional emails and newsletters. It’s about offering something of value to the audience to encourage them to sign up for the email list. This could be a lead magnet, such as an ebook, checklist, or cheat sheet, that provides valuable information or solves a specific problem for the audience.
Another effective strategy is to create smaller, more easily consumable resources, such as infographics, short videos, or blog posts. These resources can increase engagement and completion rates, as they are easier to digest and share. They also provide an opportunity for businesses to showcase their expertise and provide value to their audience, thereby building trust and loyalty.
Using Quizzes to Grow Email Marketing Lists
Quizzes can be a fun and engaging way to grow email marketing lists. Whether it’s a personality quiz or a quiz related to a specific topic, quizzes can attract website visitors and encourage them to interact with the brand. But quizzes are not just about entertainment. They can also provide personalized recommendations based on the quiz results, adding value to the user experience.
For example, a skincare brand could create a skin type quiz and provide personalized product recommendations based on the results. To collect email addresses, businesses can offer incentives, such as discounts or exclusive content, to users who opt to receive their quiz results via email. This strategy not only helps grow the email list but also provides an opportunity to segment the audience based on their quiz results and send targeted email campaigns.
Common Mistakes in Email Marketing
One of the common mistakes in email marketing is sending too many emails to everyone on the list, regardless of their interests and behaviors. This can lead to lower engagement rates and potential deliverability issues, as recipients may mark the emails as spam or unsubscribe from the list. Instead, businesses should focus on segmentation and targeting, sending relevant and personalized emails to different segments of their audience based on their interests, behaviors, and preferences.
Another common mistake is neglecting the importance of email deliverability. Many businesses focus on creating engaging content and attractive designs for their emails, but they overlook the technical aspects that can affect whether their emails reach the main inbox or end up in the spam folder. This is where reputable newsletter software and deliverability monitoring tools come into play.
Ensuring Email Deliverability
Email deliverability can be a complex issue, but there are ways to improve it. One of the key factors is the choice of newsletter software. Reliable platforms like MailerLite or ActiveCampaign have built-in features and tools to optimize deliverability, such as authentication protocols, spam checkers, and bounce management.
Monitoring deliverability is also crucial. Tools like Glock apps or Mail dt can provide insights into email placement and potential issues, such as high bounce rates or spam complaints. They can also help businesses test their deliverability by sending test emails to different email providers and checking if they land in the main inbox. By regularly monitoring and testing deliverability, businesses can identify and address issues promptly, ensuring that their emails reach their intended recipients.
Conclusion
Branding, SEO, and email marketing are interconnected aspects of digital marketing. A strong brand can improve SEO performance, attract and retain customers, and enhance email marketing efforts. By understanding the importance of design, personality, and positioning in branding, offering value in email marketing, and ensuring email deliverability, businesses can create a powerful online presence and engage their audience effectively.
To learn more about Robert Brandl and his insights on digital marketing, visit the Tool Tester website or connect with him on LinkedIn or Twitter. His expertise and practical tips can provide valuable guidance for businesses looking to strengthen their branding, SEO, and email marketing strategies.
As always, we want to provide you with value. So if you want to create marketing campaigns (and appreciation gifts) that hit the TARGET, check out our TARGET marketing playbook here.
In September, I launched my newest book called Hit The Target. The new book is a parable about Michael, whose life is in shambles. He is about to lose everything and needs to turn things around in only 3 weeks. A new friend, Charles, introduces him to the TARGET marketing framework. Hopefully there are plenty of lessons in the book, but that’s not what today is about! Today is about the 4 lessons I learned from launching the book…and how those might apply to you. Here are 4 Lessons from my book launch! Watch the latest DMJ 1 on 1 below (and subscribe).
Below are just 4 of the lessons I learned while launching this book. To dig deeper, watch the video above!
You Choose You
So many people wait for someone to choose them. They wait to be picked. I have found that to be a recipe for frustration for me. If you want to write a book, start a business, create a hobby, or make any significant change in your life, I think you need to choose you. Take the initiative and go after it. It might not work. But it can’t if you don’t try. Choose you.
Start Building Your List Now
When we are ready to launch our idea, we want to tell as many people as possible. If that’s the case, that is not the time to build the list. You want to build a list of people that are excited about your project long before you need it. So now is the time to start building that brand, and inviting people to be a part of that tribe and follow along.
You Are Going To Be Uncomfortable
I knew this was coming…but the urge to “sit down and be quiet” was still so powerful! When you put yourself out there, the voice in your head will get loud. When you start something new, prepare for “the voice” to tell you to be quiet. But if you want to be successful, you need to fight through that and share your message. As I discussed in the video, one of the ways I overcame that was to schedule my messages in advance. That way I could more likely stick to my plan. I used our software PromoMotion to make that happen (find information here). But regardless of how you do it, it’s imperative to fight through the voice and get comfortable being uncomfortable.
Let Others Help You Tell Your Story
When you do something like this, it can be powerful to have a tribe to help you spread the word. I created a private Facebook group that helped me choose the title, pick the cover, and more. And when the launch happened, they helped me spread the word. It can be hard to ask for people to join that tribe, but it’s a must. Make sure you invite people to help you tell your story!
So those are the 4 lessons I learned during my book launch. I hope those lessons help you. If you want to learn more about the book, head to HitTheTargetBook.com. You can get more information about the book and even get the audiobook for FREE!
As always, we want to provide you with value. So if you want to create marketing campaigns (and appreciation gifts) that hit the TARGET, check out our TARGET marketing playbook here.
I love blogs, podcasts, and videos. Each of these has the chance to inspire me and lift me up. I have created time in my morning routine to put some good into my brain each day…and these are often my tools of choice. But if I really want to take a deep dive into a topic, I still am inspired by books. Whether I read a physical book or simply take a walk with the author (in audio form), books help me grow (and level up).
Over the course of the last 10 years, I have had the chance to read hundreds of books. Some have been forgettable. Others have been what I needed to hear at the moment. But here is a list of 37 Game-Changing Books for Business that have impacted me. I wanted to share them with you.
I originally wrote this list in 2021. So I updated this list again to add a few new favorites!
The E-Myth Revisited
This is one of the best business books ever. I have bought countless copies and have recommended it more times than I can remember. I have probably read it 10 different times and have found myself in a different place on the journey each time. If you are in business or want to start a business, this is awesome.
Profit First
When I first listened to Profit-First, I thought author Mike Michaelowicx was following me around. It spoke to the challenges I was having in my business’s cash flow right then. We tentatively adopted the philosophy and have not looked back. It’s been a game-changer for us. Mike’s goal is to “eliminate entrepreneurial poverty,” and for many in business, that is a real thing. Love this book.
I think each one of Sinek’s books has gotten stronger. And while I really enjoyed “Start with Why,” I thought “Leaders Eat Last” was even better. Sinek goes into what makes a great leader and even the biological reasons for it. Powerful information…and super interesting too!
Infinite Game
As you might expect, this is my favorite of Simon Sinek’s books. He explains the difference between a finite game and an infinite game and why it matters so much to know what kind of game you are playing. For me, it crystallized the idea of playing a “long game” in business. It’s what I have long believed and discussed, but Sinek does it in a much more articulate way than me!
The Thank You Economy
I love Gary Vaynerchuk. I am a fan. But while I love his content, his energy, his speaking, and his philosophy, I don’t always LOVE his books. But The Thank You Economy was different. Gary talks about using social media to create appreciation, value, and connection at scale. Loved this one.
Pumpkin Plan
This is the second Mike Michaelowicz book on the list. I am a fan of Mike’s work and this is a powerful one about differentiation. He says “The Riches are in the Niches” and explains how to find your niche and grow into it. He even spends a bit of time explaining how to “fire a client” which just seems so hard for some entrepreneurs. The Pumpkin Plan is worth harvesting.
Purple Cow
I am an unapologetic fan of Seth Godin. He is a thought leader in business and marketing. And he has the ability to say things in a way that is simple, yet powerful. “If you want to be remarkable, you have to do something worth remarketing about.” Read this one if you want to stand out in a crowded marketplace.
The Dip
While this is probably not Godin’s most famous book, it is the one I find myself quoting the most often. It’s short and powerful. When you start something new, you will be learning fast and your improvements will be fast. Then, that will excitement and progress will slow down. It will not be as exciting. This is the Dip…and it’s when most people quit. Get through the Dip…and you become the expert.
The Practice
His most recent book (as I type this), The Practice is a powerful reminder about how we get better at anything. If you want to build a career, a business, your fitness, content, or a life…creating a Practice will help you do it.
Ultimate Selling Machine
If you are an entrepreneur or are in sales (and we are all in sales), this book is powerful. There are strategies for everything from creating a sales process to building real relationships. Love this one.
High Trust Selling
I read this one a long time ago, and it was one of the first books that changed my business. Duncan’s observation is that 80% of our results in sales come from 20% of activities. But as salespeople, we tend to focus on the wrong part of the business. We need to hire out the 80% that does not make us money.
The 5-Second Rule
File this under “simple but powerful.” Mel Robbins gives you a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 solution for procrastination. Along the way, she gives powerful insights into performance and life. Oh…and this is a great audiobook if you enjoy those.
Finish
Jon Acuff is a great writer and speaker. His sense of humor helps me get lessons I might otherwise miss. While I love his book Start (Punch Fear in the Face), the book Finish was more powerful for me. I have never had problems starting things…but finishing? Squirrel! He gives some great tips on getting your project to the finish line.
I got this book recently at the recommendation from a friend. It’s a great look at how to improve a bottleneck and flies in the face of traditional manufacturing policy.
Known
Want to build your personal brand? I really enjoyed this book from Mark Schaeffer on how to make it happen. In this book, he outlines the 5 steps you need to take to build your brand and become Known.
Building Your Storybrand
Donald Miller wrote this gem that outlines why most companies get their marketing wrong. It was a real “a-ha” moment for me and shined a light on why sometimes messages work and sometimes they don’t. Who is your marketing making “the hero of the story?” Most of us make ourselves the hero. The customer needs to be the hero. Miller explains why in this wonderful book.
Marketing Made Simple
Now that you understand that the customer needs to be the hero of your marketing story, Marketing Made Simple digs into the tactics of how to make that happen. This book outlines a step-by-step process to create a marketing machine that works for your business.
Dare To Lead
Most of us are afraid to put ourselves out there. We don’t want to be completely authentic because it doesn’t feel like “what a strong leader would do.” Brene Brown breaks down those myths and challenges us to lean into them. I feel like this book made me a better leader by making me a better person.
Extreme Ownership
And speaking of leadership, it’s hard to learn from better teachers than Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. These two team up to give amazing lessons in leadership combined with stories from leading teams in combat. Oh…and if something is going wrong in your company, or division, or family…you should take extreme ownership. Good one here.
Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics
Everywhere I looked, I saw people telling me I needed to meditate. But I didn’t know how. I felt like I was doing it wrong. It felt strange and weird. This book breaks down some of those myths and gives you permission to get started with “just one minute” if that’s what you need to do. This is a good introduction for someone that feels they might need meditation in your life…but does not know where to start.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
If you are offended by strong language, this book is not for you. However, if you can get past that, there is a zen-like quality to much of this book that really connected with me. One of my favorite lessons, which I talk about here, is the idea that successful people are willing to “suffer through” things to get to what they want. Not everything will be easy. If you want to reach your goal, you need to decide what you are willing to suffer through.
Scrum
This book is sort of the bible for Agile productivity. We read it as a team. If you want to get more done as a team, this book is a must-read. Can you break down tasks into small enough pieces so that every member of the team can help? You probably can…and SCRUM lines up how.
4 Disciplines of Execution
Let me see if you have been there. We come back from a conference (or read a book) and want to implement a great idea. We start strong, but then the “whirlwind” of business and life gets in the way. The 4 Disciplines breaks down how to identify the Wildly Important Goal, and create a process to make improvements with your team.
Epic Content Marketing
If you want to do content marketing “right,” this is your manual. Joe Pulizzi talks about the start of his company and how creating compelling content (for the customer) works. He shows you how to create an audience and story-tell in a way that will build your brand. Loved this one.
Hug Your Haters
So you have created a social media following that is worth having. What do you do when “the haters” show up? Jay Baer says you need to “Hug Your Haters” in this book about dealing with tough comments on social. Jay gives the playbook on what to do when complaints happen (and they will). Most of us want to ignore the comments so they go away. Jay explains why that is the wrong play…and how doing it right can change haters into fans!
Never Split the Difference
Life is a negotiation. If you are in business, you already know this. In this powerful book, Chris Voss takes us inside some amazing stories from a hostage negotiator…and how many of them can apply to you.
Living With a Seal
This is a fun one. Jesse Itzler tells the story of how he invited the “toughest man on the planet” David Goggins to live with him for a month and train him. When I listened to this, no one knew who David Goggins was…but it all makes sense now. While there are some sincere lessons here about how far we (as humans) can go, this one was fun.
The Power of One More
If you have followed me over the past few years, I talk a lot about Ed Mylett. His book The Power of One More is a great personal development read. If you want to level up in any area of your life, Mylett gives you the tools to do that. And I love the way he frames so many of these important topics.
Soundtracks
Jon Acuff is funny and insightful…and this is probably my favorite book from him. Here Jon talks about the voice that we hear all of the time in our heads…our own. Most of us can be our own worst enemies, and he gives us permission to push back on that voice…and tools to do just that. Totally worth a read or a listen.
Buy Back Your Time
Most of the entrepreneurs I know struggle with two things…cash and time. While this book doesn’t give you any cash, it does give you lots of tactics on how to better use your time in order to grow.
$100 Million Offers
Alex Hermozi doesn’t need any recommendations from me…but he is going to get it anyway! This book $100 Million Offers, and his follow-up $100 Million Leads, are must-reads if you want to grow your business. And if you are not following him on social media already, you really should check him out!
Traction
I read this a long time ago…but I didn’t implement it. I went back to re-read after so many people I respect mentioned the book. We have worked to implement the tactics at Hasseman Marketing, and now I understand the appeal.
The 6 Types of Working Genius
Sometimes you read a book and it changes the way you look at your team. This was one of those books for me. I love the concept of how there are 6 types of work in each project. Then Patrick Lencioni explains how to increase efficiency and avoid burnout by putting people (and yourself) in your area of genius as much as possible.
12 Months To $1 Million
If you want to start a business, I think this is a great place to start. There are concepts here that will help you get started off right…and great reminders for those who have been doing this for a while. Great book!
Hit The TARGET
This is my one selfish plug, but if you are struggling with your marketing, I really think this can help. Hit The TARGET is my latest book, written as a parable, that helps you identify your perfect customer and grow your business with them.
So there you have it! This is my updated list of 37 Game-Changing Books for Business.
As always, we want to provide you with value. So if you want to create marketing campaigns (and appreciation gifts) that hit the TARGET, check out our TARGET marketing playbook here.
You have heard it before. You are the people you surround yourself with. We tell our kids this as they grow up. But we often lose sight of it as adults. The people we surround ourselves with, influence us in big ways. And while you might not be able to schedule lunch with anyone you want on the other, content has changed who we can spend time with. In today’s DMJ 1 on 1, I talk about this…and I talk about the 5 people I follow who help me raise my game.
5 People Who Help Me Raise My Game
Ed Mylett
Ed Mylett is a successful businessperson, content creator, and influencer. He is a man of faith and I quote his advice all of the time (as I do in the video). In addition, his book “The Power of One More” is awesome. He is all over the place, but you can find him on YouTube here.
Codie Sanchez
If you are an entrepreneur or want to be one, Codie Sanchez is a great follow. She has an email called “Contrarian Thinking” and talks about building her empire by buying “boring businesses.” Again, I am a big fan of following her on YouTube.
Alex Hermozi
If you want to grow your business, Alex Hermozi is a must-follow. He built his original business in the gym space, and is working to “build a billion-dollar thing.” Alex provides real-world advice on building businesses, getting new customers, and more. He challenges me to push myself and I love that. You can find him here.
Jon Acuff
While Jon is an entrepreneur, I think of him in the author and speaker space. He has written books called Start, Finish, Soundtracks (probably my favorite), and recently released a book called “All it Takes Is a Goal.” Jon is a self-professed “goal nerd” and gives great advice on parenting, business, and leveling up in all areas of life. My favorite place to follow him is on LinkedIn.
Gary Vaynerchuk
I love Gary Vee. Gary creates so much content that I can’t possibly consume it all. But every once in a while I see a piece of content that hits me right where I need it to. He talks about entrepreneurship, modern-day marketing, and happiness. You can find him everywhere, but I still love finding his videos on YouTube the best.
These are just 5 people that inspire me to raise my game. There are plenty of others. The point, of course, is that you can choose who you listen to in order to raise your level of fitness, finance, or even happiness. You just have to be intentional.
As always, we want to provide you with value. So if you want to create marketing campaigns (and appreciation gifts) that hit the TARGET, check out our TARGET marketing playbook here.
