How Branded Items Keep Your Dental Practice Top of Mind
Useful, Useful, Useful
Promotional merchandise (also known as swag or merch) has been around for a long time. It didn’t take long before marketers understood the power of branded items to act as traveling billboards, working daily to keep their businesses top of mind. Some of the earliest merch came in the form of shirts, hats, and coffee mugs; today, companies are able to drive sales by including their logo, website, phone number, and QR code on a much wider range of items.
Top of Mind Dental Marketing [4-Step Guide]
Creating Brand Awareness in Your Community The Goal of Marketing When it comes to marketing, there are many techniques and theories. Creative and actionable ideas are all over the internet. You can find plenty of bulleted lists and videos with expert tips. But all of this advice can feel scattered
With so many choices, how can a small business, like a dental practice, select the most effective promotional merchandise? Simply put, consumers value usefulness. People keep things and use things that fulfill a need. Moreover, they are more likely to write positive online reviews and refer family and friends if your swag improves their quality of life (even a little).
Most Effective Branded Items
Umbrella: Being caught in a downpour without an umbrella is never good. Having a spare in the car or by the front door is helpful. For this reason, branded umbrellas make excellent merch. They are inexpensive and fulfill an important need: shelter from the elements. Pro tip: Keep some branded umbrellas at the front desk and provide them to patients who leave your office in the rain. They will certainly remember such extraordinary service. Also, consider a social post in March (National Umbrella Month); create a funny video with your practice umbrellas.
First Aid Kit: Having some essential first aid items nearby is always a good idea. You never know when you’ll need to bandage a scrape, remove a splinter, and apply some antibiotic ointment. First aid kits also demonstrate a commitment to healthcare and wellness.
Power Bank: Today, we rely on mobile phones to answer work emails, check home security systems, navigate, etc. Having some extra battery power can save the day when you’re at 15%, and there aren’t any outlets nearby. Power banks are more expensive than other promotional merchandise, but keeping a few branded and ready to use as prizes and special appreciation can leave a lasting impact.
USB Flash Drive: Small, portable data storage is a good way to back up files or transfer information between computers. It’s also a practical solution when handing off large projects to others. Thankfully, the cost of such drives has decreased in recent years, making them a great item to brand.
Flashlight: It seems you can never find a flashlight when the power goes out. Having several spread throughout the house is wise. For this reason, branded flashlights make great merch. Today with lithium batteries and LED lights, flashlights can last for years.
Lip Balm/Hand Sanitizer: Why does lip balm seem to mysteriously disappear? It gets forgotten in a winter coat and falls between the car seats. Sometimes it accidentally goes through the wash. The point is that people can always use a replacement. Hand sanitizer is equally needed and appreciated, especially since COVID. It’s just good practice to sanitize your hands after being in public places. Keeping a small container of hand sanitizer in the car is a convenient way to avoid the spread of harmful germs. These types of convenience items make effective promotional merchandise.
Dark Chocolate: Besides being delicious, dark chocolate improves oral health. The polyphenols found in dark chocolate effectively fight tooth decay by limiting oral bacteria. (Consider including some facts about dark chocolate and oral health with each branded dark chocolate bar.)
Blanket: A spare blanket in the car and linen closet can be helpful. You never know when you might be stranded in a cold environment, and you never know when a house guest needs another layer. In this case, your promotional merchandise is providing warmth and comfort. People will definitely appreciate having an extra blanket around, and your logo will leave a positive impression.
Travel Mug: On any morning commute, you’ll see many people clutching a travel mug, so they are definitely used and visible. People bring travel mugs to work, so there’s also an opportunity for significant exposure. If your design is creative, coworkers might even ask about your practice and visit your website.
Ice Scraper: Those living in colder climates will certainly appreciate an extra ice scraper. A frosted windshield can mean a late start. In addition, an extra ice scraper can be given away to someone in need. In this sense, your brand is coming to the rescue.
Some Branded Merchandise Companies
Are You a Do-It-Yourselfer?
For those with a crafting knack and creative design skills, consider investing in a sublimation machine to make your own promotional merchandise. Not only will you save money, but you’ll be able to change the design and produce amounts that precisely fit your needs. The machines are relatively inexpensive and easy to use. It wouldn’t take long to train a member of your team to produce a range of useful items.
