Podcast Summary: "SPECIAL SERIES ==> Swag & Merch SECRET TIPS! 👚🧢<== | BATHROOM Break #45"

Hosts:

• Daniel Murray – Marketing Millennials
• Jay Schwedelson – Do This, Not That Podcast and Subjectline.com

Release Date: March 10, 2025

Introduction to the Bathroom Break Special Series

In this special episode of "Do This, Not That," hosts Daniel Murray and Jay Schwedelson collaborate to present "Bathroom Break #45," focusing on the niche yet influential topic of swag and merchandise (merch) in marketing. Designed as a quick 10-minute session, this episode delivers actionable insights for marketers looking to optimize their merch strategies.

Maximizing Conference Merch Strategy

Daniel Murray kicks off the discussion by inquiring about Jay's approach to conference merch:

[00:34] Daniel Murray: "How much merch do you actually keep when you get going to a conference, or do you even grab a piece of merch?"

Jay Schwedelson emphasizes the importance of quality over quantity:

[00:58] Jay Schwedelson: "What I won't grab is... unless your logo is really cool. Like Daniel happens to have a cool logo, 99% of logos are uncool."

Jay advises against generic logo merch, advocating instead for creative and meaningful designs that resonate with audiences. He shares that his team often opts for apparel with catchy phrases like "Stay Rad" instead of mere logos to increase the desirability of their merch.

Enhancing Contest Participation with Multiple Prizes

A significant portion of the episode delves into effective strategies for running contests to promote merch.

Jay Schwedelson reveals a game-changing tactic:

[02:08] Jay Schwedelson: "The biggest mistake that marketers do is they'll have a Contest, they'll say AirPods, they'll say, Enter into this and you could win a hoodie... it goes up exponentially when you go to like 25 winners."

Jay explains that increasing the number of winners from one to multiple (e.g., 25) dramatically boosts participation rates—from 50 to 5,000 entries—by enhancing the likelihood of winning. This approach leverages the psychological principle of loss aversion, making participants feel a genuine chance to win, thereby driving higher engagement without significantly increasing costs.

Daniel Murray concurs, highlighting the low cost per impression:

[03:22] Daniel Murray: "The ROI on that compared to other things is very good."

Merch as a Reflection of Brand Identity

Daniel Murray shifts the conversation to the intrinsic value of merch in representing a brand:

[04:51] Daniel Murray: "Merch represents your brand. If it's low quality, people can associate low quality with your brand... It's a touch point and people think of it as the last thing of your strategy instead of thinking of it as a strategy to drive things."

He emphasizes that the quality and creativity of merch directly influence brand perception. High-end brands should invest in premium merch, while creative brands might opt for unique and humorous items. This strategic approach ensures that merch serves not just as a giveaway but as a meaningful extension of the brand's identity.

Visibility and Shareability of Merch

Jay Schwedelson underscores the importance of merch being visible and shareable, particularly on digital platforms:

[05:30] Jay Schwedelson: "We only make merch that can be visible on screen... something that can be seen when people are on screen because that is how your brand is then seen."

Jay advises against items like water bottles or socks, which often remain unnoticed. Instead, focus on apparel and accessories such as hoodies, T-shirts, hats, and headbands that people are more likely to showcase on social media, thereby increasing brand visibility organically.

Sourcing Merch: Bulk vs. Boutique

The hosts discuss sourcing strategies for merch, balancing between bulk orders and bespoke creations.

Jay Schwedelson shares his experience:

[06:01] Jay Schwedelson: "If you're going with a big buy, like 500 of whatever, work with the big swag companies... But if you're going with a small buy, like 20, we've found the best creators on Etsy for high-end quality stuff."

He highlights that large orders are best handled by established swag companies, while smaller, more creative batches can benefit from platforms like Etsy, where individual creators offer unique and high-quality items. This approach allows for flexibility and creativity without compromising on quality.

Testing Brand Affinity Through Merch Sales

Daniel Murray introduces a method to gauge brand strength using merch sales:

[07:13] Daniel Murray: "If someone wants to buy your merch, you probably have pretty good branding behind it. Create a small amount and see if people buy it."

By launching a limited merch line, marketers can test if there is genuine interest and affinity for their brand. Successful sales indicate strong brand loyalty and effective branding strategies, while lackluster performance may signal the need for reassessment.

Anecdotes and Lessons Learned

The conversation takes a lighter turn as the hosts share personal anecdotes about merch mistakes and logo perceptions.

Jay Schwedelson admits to a recent oversight:

[09:52] Jay Schwedelson: "We put the year on this shirt. We wrote 20, 24 on it. I go, what do we put the year on it for? We're so stupid."

This mistake serves as a reminder to avoid transient elements in merch designs that can quickly become outdated. Daniel Murray humorously suggests rebranding it as a "vintage" item to salvage the oversight.

Conclusion and Engagement

As the episode wraps up, both hosts encourage listeners to engage with their respective platforms for more merch ideas and marketing tips.

Daniel Murray invites the audience to share merch preferences:

[11:15] Daniel Murray: "Send us some merch ideas in the DMs... what type of merch you like."

Jay Schwedelson promotes his podcast:

[11:10] Jay Schwedelson: "Check out my podcast, Do This, Not That, for marketers. Each week we share really quick tips on stuff that can improve your marketing."

Key Takeaways

1. Quality Over Quantity: Invest in high-quality, creative merch that reflects your brand identity to enhance brand perception.

2. Increase Contest Winners: Boost contest participation by offering multiple prizes, leveraging the psychological appeal of increased winning chances.

3. Visibility Matters: Choose merch items that are easily visible and shareable on social media to maximize brand exposure.

4. Strategic Sourcing: Balance between bulk orders from established swag companies and unique, high-quality items from platforms like Etsy for small batches.

5. Test Brand Affinity: Use merch sales as a metric to assess brand strength and audience loyalty.

6. Avoid Outdated Designs: Ensure merch designs remain relevant and avoid transient elements that can quickly become outdated.

This episode of "Do This, Not That" provides a comprehensive exploration of effective merch strategies, blending practical advice with real-world experiences. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just starting, the insights shared by Daniel Murray and Jay Schwedelson offer valuable guidance to elevate your swag game and strengthen your brand.