We know how competitive higher education is, so colleges and universities constantly seek innovative ways to attract and engage students, families, and alumni. One often overlooked yet highly effective strategy is using branded merchandise.
Beyond mere giveaways, promotional products are powerful tools for building brand recognition, fostering loyalty, and creating a sense of community. Let’s explore the numbers and why branded merchandise is a cornerstone of successful college marketing and outreach efforts.
9 Reasons Promo Products Give You Amazing ROI
Check out nine compelling reasons why you should allocate a portion of your marketing spend to these powerful products.
1. Promotional products make people excited to connect with your brand.
Promo items forge lasting emotional bonds with your prospects, encouraging brand appreciation and loyalty. The stats back this up: 83% of people are likelier to do business or associate with the brand on a promo product they receive. Plus, a staggering 90% of people recall the brand featured on a promo product, ensuring your college remains front and center in crucial moments:
- When parents are considering universities for their children.
- When other people ask for recommendations.
- When donors are contemplating contributions to higher education.
2. People love to get promo products.
Did you know that 94% of people like receiving promo products? Even better, half (48%) have said they’d like to receive even more promo items from brands like yours. The average household has 30 promo products at any given time!
Plus, 100% of people say they’ll go out of their way for promo products. That means you shouldn’t hesitate to invest in these handy, branded items to give to prospective students, incoming students, alumni, donors, and more.
3. Promo products offer an unbelievable ROI.
A single exposure to your logo on a promotional item, such as a reusable water bottle or a branded pen, counts as one brand impression. The cost per impression (CPI) of promotional items can be remarkably low, sometimes less than 1/10 of a cent, making them a cost-effective advertising medium compared to others.
This affordability makes promotional items a smart choice for colleges, particularly those operating on a set budget.
Tip: Remember that it typically requires eight to 10 interactions with a brand to leave a lasting impression. Therefore, a promotional product that remains in use, generating thousands of impressions, can be a highly effective marketing tool for colleges seeking to enhance brand recognition and engagement.
4. Thousands of people see (and remember) your logo or message on promotional products.
Studies indicate that outerwear, such as jackets and hoodies, garners significant impressions as people wear these items in various settings. To maximize your marketing impact, check out the product categories that offer prolonged brand exposure throughout their useful lifespans:
- Outerwear: 6,100 Impressions
- T-shirts: 3,400 impressions
- Hats: 3,400 impressions
- Bags: 3,300 impressions
- Pens: 3000 impressions
- Desk accessories: 1,460 impressions
- Drinkware: 1,400 impressions
- Umbrellas: 1,100 impressions
5. People actually prefer promo products over any other type of advertising.
Despite smartphones being everywhere, people like promo products almost 2.5 times more than online ads. And get this: people under 55 prefer promo items over other ads like radio, TV, magazines, and even internet and mobile ads. Most consumers say they’d rather receive a promo product than any other form of advertising.
6. Promo products help people enjoy and remember a significant milestone or event.
That’s right, 90% of recipients believe promotional products enhance an experience. Promo products are physical items that people can touch, hold, and use, making them much more memorable than other types of marketing.
Tip: Consider giving prospective or incoming students a useful item like a branded USB drive or keychain during campus tours or orientation. These practical items enhance their experience and serve as a lasting reminder of your college.
7. It’s easy to find promo products to appeal to college students – and everyone else.
The key to making promo products work for your promotion is choosing items your audience will appreciate and use. Campus Stop can help you choose the right item for your recipient, such as a reusable bag for an incoming student or an umbrella for a donor.
Here’s a ranked list of items that people want:
- Writing instruments
- Drinkware
- T-shirts
- Bags
- Headwear
- Outerwear
- Polo shirts
- Desk accessories and calendars
- USB drives
- Umbrellas
- Mobile phone banks
8. People keep promo products around.
Did you know that 99% of people who receive promo products keep them? That means when you give students and supporters useful items, they use them in their dorm rooms, classroom, and on the go. People keep promo products for at least a year vs. 15 seconds spent viewing a digital ad. The longest-kept promo items are outerwear, umbrellas, t-shirts, desk accessories and USB drives.
9. People pass promo products along to others.
Would you be surprised to know that 79% of people choose to pass on promotional products they no longer require but believe could benefit others? The most common items passed along are outerwear and polo shirts, with t-shirts, bags, and mobile power banks following closely behind.
Elevate Your Marketing With Branded Merch From Campus Stop
Campus Stop offers a variety of promotional items and branded apparel to enhance your marketing promotions. Our experienced creative team delivers superior customer service, competitive pricing, and award-winning designs exclusively tailored to colleges, universities, and high schools.
From admissions to athletics, alumni events, student life, and beyond, Campus Stop provides branded merchandise that excites, engages, and connects with your audience. Understanding the “why” behind every project ensures goal clarity and delivers merchandise that builds school pride.
Contact us at (267) 314-5583 or email sales@campusstop.com to discuss how Campus Stop can boost your next marketing promotion with our wide range of promotional items and branded apparel.
