In this week’s episode of Better Merch…Better Marketing, Kirby Hasseman and Jade Crider make the case for ditching random acts of marketing in favor of a real plan, break down why the smartest brands are already thinking about holiday merch and branded gifts, and share some bold predictions for what trends are coming in Q4. And before you dive in, grab your free spot in the 5 Day Business Bootcamp at Bootcamp.HassemanMarketing.com.
Random Acts of Marketing Are Killing Your Results
Let’s start with something a lot of businesses are guilty of — and most would never admit.
Random acts of marketing. You know what they look like. A social media post here when you get around to it. A promotional product order when someone asks for something. An email blast when you suddenly remember you have a list. A sponsored post when you feel like you should be doing something.
It feels like marketing. It looks like marketing. But it is not producing real results — and there is a reason for that.
Marketing works through consistency, repetition, and intentionality. When your efforts are scattered and reactive, the message your audience receives is equally scattered. There is no momentum. No story being built. No brand impression that sticks.
The businesses that see real results from their marketing are the ones that commit to a plan and execute it consistently — even when it feels repetitive, even when engagement is slow, even when it would be easier to skip a week. The plan is the thing. Random efforts get random results. Intentional efforts build brands.
If you have been wondering why your marketing is not moving the needle, start by asking yourself how intentional your efforts really are. A little structure goes a long way.
Why the Best Brands Are Planning Holiday Merch Right Now
It might feel early. It is not.
The brands that show up with the most creative, most impactful holiday merch and branded gifts every year are not the ones scrambling in October. They are the ones who started thinking about it in the summer — and there are very good reasons for that.
First, creativity takes time. When you are not under deadline pressure, you can actually think. You can explore options, consider what your clients and team members would genuinely love to receive, and find something that feels thoughtful rather than last minute. Great branded gifts do not come from rushed decisions.
Second, budget planning gets easier. When you know what you want to do months in advance, you can build the cost into your budget rather than absorbing it as a surprise expense at the end of the year. That changes what is possible.
Third, supply chain and production timelines are real. Certain products — especially premium, custom, or high demand items — have lead times that can catch you off guard if you wait too long. Starting early means you actually get what you want, not just what is available.
And fourth, being early gives you options. You can layer your holiday gifting into a broader Q4 marketing strategy rather than treating it as a standalone scramble. Merch that is part of a plan is merch that works.
So if you have not started thinking about your holiday branded gifts yet — this is your nudge. The brands doing it right are already at the table.
Jade’s Q4 Predictions
Every good episode needs a bold take or two — and Jade delivered. She shared her predictions for the trends she thinks will be defining Q4 this year, from shifts in what clients are asking for to broader movements in the branded merch and marketing space.
We are not going to give everything away here. You are going to have to listen to get the full breakdown. But if you want to walk into the fourth quarter with your eyes open and your strategy sharp, Jade’s predictions are worth your time.
Product of the Week: The PlainView Prime Pen
This week’s featured product is the PlainView Prime Pen — and it is a standout. What makes this one special is the imprint area. Three full color imprint locations on one clip gives your brand serious real estate on a product people use every single day. If you have been looking for a pen that does more than just write, this is worth a look. Check it out here.
The Joy Report: Hailey Helter, Our Town Coshocton
This week’s Joy Report shout out goes to Hailey Helter, Executive Director of Our Town Coshocton. Hailey is exactly the kind of young leader that makes you excited about the future of a community. She is not content with the way things have always been done — she is looking for ways to be innovative, to push Coshocton forward, and to create something worth being part of. That kind of energy is rare and it matters. Hailey — we see what you are building and we are grateful you are doing it right here in Coshocton County. Keep going.
Grab Your Free Spot in the 5 Day Business Bootcamp
Ready to stop the random acts of marketing and start building something intentional? The FREE 5 Day Business Bootcamp is the perfect place to start. Get access now at Bootcamp.HassemanMarketing.com.
And if you are not already subscribed to Better Merch…Better Marketing, find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. New episodes every week.
