What Buyers Are Getting Wrong with Branded Merchandise and How to Buy Smarter

Branded merchandise is one of the most powerful tools in your marketing toolkit, but only when used strategically. At Dryvve, we see companies of all sizes invest in promotional products, and time and again, we spot the same missteps that keep the best merch from reaching its full potential. We iron out those pain points and work with you to keep it from happening!

Let’s talk about how to buy smarter, with purpose, creativity, and ROI in mind.

Common Mistakes in Buying Branded Merchandise

1. Treating Promo as an Afterthought

All too often, merch is ordered last-minute or as a reactive solution. This approach leads to rushed decisions and generic giveaways that don’t align with your brand’s goals or leave a lasting impression.

2. Prioritizing Price Over Impact

Budgets matter. But when cost becomes the main driver, quality suffers. Cheap items that fall apart or get tossed don’t save money; they waste it. They negatively impact your brand perception.

3. Missing the Storytelling Opportunity

Every piece of merchandise is a chance to tell your brand story. Without intentional messaging or design, you’re just giving away “stuff”, not creating a connection.

4. Jumping on Trends Without Strategy

Yes, trending products are fun, but only if they make sense for your audience and objectives. A viral item that doesn’t align with your brand voice or values will fall flat.

5. Neglecting to Measure Success

It’s essential to measure outcomes, including engagement, retention, and ROI. If not, you’re missing the chance to prove the value of your spend and make data-driven decisions for the future.

6. Not Using the Full Power of Your Merch Partner

Your promotional product partner shouldn’t just be an order taker. They should be a creative collaborator, trend forecaster, and brand advocate. If you’re not tapping into that expertise, you’re leaving value on the table.

How to Buy Smarter

At Dryvve, we help brands rethink their approach to promotional merchandise. Here’s how to make your merch work smarter.

1. Start with Strategy

Before choosing a product, ask: What do we want this to accomplish? Whether it’s employee engagement, client retention, or brand awareness, the goal should lead the process.

2. Tie It Into a Larger Campaign

Merchandise should be a continuation of your marketing, not an isolated item. Sync your giveaways with product launches, DEI initiatives, recruiting, or seasonal campaigns for greater impact.

3. Choose Quality and Functionality

Items that are well-made, useful, and on-brand get used and remembered. Think retail-level appeal, not throwaway tchotchkes.

4. Make It Feel Exclusive

Custom packaging, limited edition drops, or blind box experiences drive excitement and urgency. People want what feels special and intentional. Add a custom patch to make it your very own!

5. Think Like a Retail Brand

Modern branded merch should feel like something you’d buy in a store. That’s where we come in with fashion-forward, trend-savvy ideas that elevate your brand.

6. Bring Us In Early

When we’re looped in from the start, we can do what we do best! We create cohesive, creative solutions that align with your brand strategy and marketing calendar.

7. Measure & Optimize

We help clients gather feedback, track engagement, and connect branded merchandise to KPIs. It’s not just about impressions, it’s about outcomes.

Ready to Level Up?

When you treat branded merchandise as a strategic investment instead of a last-minute add-on, it becomes a powerful brand storytelling tool. At Dryvve, we’re here to help you plan, make wise decisions, and create lasting impressions with every product you put into the world. Ready to start a project? Let’s go!