by Jeff Zbar
Swag, bling, haul, booty, merch. When we created RoadtripMojo.com to promote our adventures exploring RV camping and music festivals, we knew we needed more than a domain and a Facebook page to be memorable. We needed giveaways. Merch – short for “merchandise” – can be t-shirts, key chains, decals, or any customized promotional items that put your brand in people’s hands – and turn them into fans.
As we’ve written before, creating an online and tangible brand requires more than money. It takes time and effort (sweat equity). Keep in mind, the lower the quantity, generally the higher the unit price.
Providers out there, however, can make quick work and powerful messaging for almost any brand. Maybe yours?
Consider these ideas…
– Something tangible. As we were looking for a giveaway to support RoadtripMojo, as luck would have it, a promo for a keychain / bottle opener / LED light came across the email. For $.17 (yes, 17 cents). We created our own logo (the people at SuperiorPromos offered to help). It helped to have a seriously talented, Broward-based graphic designer (Angela Moses) who helped transform our meager visions into compelling images. For about $150, we scored 750 of these bad boys we give away like Skittles at music festivals.
– 
Something wearable. T-shirts, tanks, hoodies, and other printed wearables aren’t cheap in low quantities. But they’re easy to make with DIY online tools and can leave a lasting impression. CustomInk.com made the design and product selection process simple as could be. Revising the order and completing the purchase was uber-easy. Just the way it should be for people who’d rather be working and earning coin than spending time on marketing.
– Something sticky. Stickers, decals, cards, clings, banners. Stickers are silly simple to design, cheap to print, and powerfully supportive of your brand. Whether using VistaPrint for any products, or StickerMule for stickers and other leave behinds, these apps make swag creation an easy exercise. Next up: Creation of a cling decal for the back of the travel trailer.
Whether you call it swag, bling, haul, booty, or merch, each creation can become a tangible, memorable impression that – along with social media, blogging, personal presence, and other products – not too much “treasure” (or actualy money) may be needed to create. Just deploy time and talent, and a host of tools available for free on the Internet.
Jeff Zbar is a Florida-based journalist, corporate copywriter, event blogger, and married empty-nester who travels the country by RV visiting music festivals and enjoying the open road. Learn more at www.roadtripmojo.com or www.gotwords.com.
