Trend: A general direction in which people, ideas, or activities are moving. Something everyone wants to be part of so they feel like they belong to the same cool club.
250 years ago, America’s fledgling 13 Colonies fought the world’s most powerful country for their freedom…and won! After the war, George Washington was unanimously elected to the Presidency by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention, and buttons (actual clothing buttons) were created celebrating his inauguration in 1789. It’s the first known instance of promotional products being used in our newly formed country.
Promotional products have come a long ways since those first buttons and the challenges hustlers in the promo business face could have never been foreseen 237 years ago. Just a year ago, our businesses were struggling with tariffs, wondering how AI was going to affect us, and were dismayed over the way companies seemed to be pulling back on purchasing promotional products.
While all of those challenges are still roiling the industry, hustlers are finding niche areas where they can make inroads with their customers and prospects. Below are five of the current top trends to watch and dive into, if you haven’t already.
- A Higher Demand for Premium Merchandise: Not that long ago, companies spurned well-known brands, instead looking to buy as much stuff as possible and as cheaply as possible with their marketing dollars. Today, more and more companies see the value in buying smaller quantities of quality, brand name merchandise and being more selective in who receives them. Brand name apparel, high-end tech accessories, branded gift sets and premium drinkware resonate with customers and have a high perceived value. Handing a customer a high quality, well-known brand name product with subtle corporate branding is the best way to ensure the product stays around and is seen.
- Personalized Promo Products Aren’t Thrown Away: Have you ever received a nice gift with your name on it? Kinda cool, huh? Promo companies have learned how easy it is to either subtly brand a product and add a recipient’s name or simply print the recipient’s name without a logo. Technology has made one-off products much more affordable and easy to produce. Variable data printing and on-demand decoration have made it easy to personalize the promotional products you create for your customers. In tandem with the premium merch trend, personalizing customer gifts should be a no-brainer and an added revenue stream for hustlers.
- Employee Recognition Is Driving Sales: While employee recognition has always been available, companies are realizing how valuable a tool it is. From higher productivity, increased company loyalty and decreased turnover, recognizing employees empowers them and lets them know you care. Whether it’s onboarding kits, anniversary gifts, company wellness campaigns, birthdays, or goals reached, everyone appreciates being recognized. Hustlers who help their customers define and implement employee recognition programs are finding a niche that few distributors take advantage of and the repeat business that goes with it.
- Online Company Stores Are Expanding: COVID changed the way companies function, including employees working from home and hybrid work schedules. To make it easier for employees to purchase branded merch for themselves and their customers, company stores have evolved and become an integral way for businesses to manage their promotional product purchases. These stores are used for uniform programs, sales incentive programs, sales and trade show handouts, employee recognition, and event marketing among other things. Hustlers who can help their customers put a company store into place will realize recurring revenue opportunities for years to come.
- Health, Wellness, and Lifestyle Products are Hot: With health insurance premiums skyrocketing, companies are finding employee well-being can save them big money. Requests for wellness themed branded products for employees has increased substantially and hustlers are taking advantage of this trend. Fitness gear, stress-relief items, healthy snacks, hydration bottles and outdoor lifestyle merch have all found a place in wellness focused corporate programs. Companies that invest in their employees’ well-being will find increased loyalty and a stronger connection to the work-life balance employees are demanding.
If only George Washington had been able to create a company store, develop a recognition program for his troops, and personalize wellness products, he might have won the war in half the time!
But as hustlers, we can take advantage of these trends to stand out from the competition and revolutionize our businesses for years to come. As George Washington really did say, “When there is no vision, there is no hope.”
Steve Woodburn started hustling early in life, landing his first on-air radio gig when he was just 20 and spending the next 20 years as a DJ, news anchor, talk show host and traffic reporter. He found the promotional products business totally by accident (as do most) working 29 years on the distributor side and five as a supplier. Steve won multiple sales awards along the way and volunteered his time with his local association, the Regional Association Council (RAC) and served on the PPAI Board of Directors. He's currently the Chief Adventurer of Marvelous Moosey Adventures, a company he and his wife created, and pursues acting, writing and voice-over work. Connect with Steve on Linkedin or via email at successnow09@gmail.com