The internet is king when it comes to brand promotion and marketing. Many businesses spend thousands to create short videos, hire social media influencers, and curate content for their blogs and websites.
For a moment, the use of promotional merchandise was a lost art. However, it is slowly making a comeback as corporations and SMEs look for more creative ways to woo and retain their customers. Walk around, and you will spot someone carrying a backpack, T-shirt, or badge branded with a business logo and slogan.
Here, we look at promotional badges and how they are defining this new era of marketing.
A Step Away from the Norm
How many times do you skip ads when watching YouTube videos? Most people even go a step ahead and install ad blockers on their web browsers to avoid digital ads. Many of the marketing newsletters that drop into your inbox probably end up unopened or sent directly to spam.
Here is where promotional badges and other branded products take centre stage. A badge with a good design will turn heads, spark conversations, and, depending on its durability, last for years.
Why Promotional Badges Resonate
§ Physical Presence
Badges turn into miniature billboards when pinned to a jacket or backpack. Your brand gets visibility everywhere the wearer goes. People cannot skip or close their eyes whenever they see a badge representing your business in public. The same cannot be said about digital ads.
§ Conversation Starters
Promotional badges with unique designs or those supporting great causes will always spark conversations. ‘Where did you get that?’ ‘What brand does the logo represent?’ ‘Oh, I have a similar one; are you a member of club XYZ?’
These questions spark organic conversations about your business or cause. This works best when promoting good causes or running a campaign.
§ Affordable and Cost-Effective
Compared to digital campaigns, badges are incredibly cost-effective to produce, especially in bulk. The amount you will pay an influencer to share daily posts about your brand can be enough to make many rubber or plastic promotional badges.
Despite the low cost, branded badges are rated highly. People collect them, trade them, and cherish them as keepsakes, extending the brand’s lifespan for years to come.
Designing for Impact
Promotional badges can be used anywhere, from event promotion to product launches and advocacy. The secret lies in how you design the badges. First, ensure you have your target audience in mind.
Second, identify your needs and goals. Third, get creative inspiration from other creators or designs available online. Once you have all that figured out, reach out to various badge makers for quotes.
Research well and widely about the manufacturer. Also, ask questions about different material choices and how long they last. Ask for samples and get feedback from your customers and employees about the quality.
Wrapping up
Promotional badges can inject new life into your marketing campaigns. However, you must ensure everything, from the design to the material, is of the best quality. A badge that makes a lasting impression will do your brand good for years to come.
