“I have no idea where to start.” Good, that means you’re in the right place!
We hear it all the time. You know your brand needs to be out there. You know your team deserves better than the scratchy, oversized unisex tees sitting in the supply closet. But when you look at a catalog of 10,000+ items, or try to come up with a trendy new design, decision fatigue hits hard.
At College Hill, our goal isn’t just to help you pick a product; it’s to help you solve a business problem. Whether you’re in a high-rise office or managing a warehouse team, branded merchandise is the ultimate marketing and engagement tool.
So if you’re stuck at the starting line, here is a quick roadmap to getting started!
Why Are We Doing This?
Before you look at a single hat or hoodie, first ask: What is the goal?
Here are a few quick examples of how we commonly see our clients in different industries using custom merchandise to move the needle:
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- Professional Services
- Common Issue: Remote teams feeling disconnected from the team
- How we can help: We curate meaningful brand experiences for new hires by creating, packing, and shipping custom kits directly to their door.
- Manufacturing & Construction
- Common Issue: High turnover and strict safety requirements
- How we can help: We help construction and manufacturing teams create branded workwear, like Carhartt jackets and hats, to wear on the job. We also help create safety awards and programs that reward and celebrate employees for successfully reaching safety milestones. And that's just the tip of the iceberg!
- Healthcare
- Common Issue: Burnout and a need for professional cohesion across large facilities and/or departments
- How we can help: We help healthcare organizations set up Pop-Up Storefronts where their staff can use a credit redemption system to pick the products, styles, and sizes that they actually want.
3 Steps for Success
Most people think they have to be designers or work with several different teams and partners to get great results, but rest assured that's not the case! Here is how College Hill partners with you to get from "I have an idea" to receiving gear that you're proud of.
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- Dedicated Account Management: We don’t just send links and we don’t just take orders. When you work with us, you’re assigned a dedicated account manager that becomes a strategic partner. They’ll look at your brand guidelines, understand your budget, and discover the deeper why. They also help search for and select pieces that fit your industry or project needs!
- Creative Mockups: Our in-house design team takes your logo and brings it to life with custom mockups in just 48 hours. They can also come up with creative designs for events, merch drops, and more! The team might even suggest things you haven’t considered, like tone-on-tone embroidery or different decoration locations, to elevate the look.
- Stress-Free Logistics & Delivery: Whether we’re shipping 500 jackets to one warehouse or individual welcome kits to different addresses across the country, we handle all of the logistics. You get the tracking numbers so you can count down the days to happy mail arriving, but our Client Services team is managing timelines, communications, and delivery in the background, to deliver a remarkable experience!
Easiest Ways to Get Started Today
If the blank page is still staring back at you, try one of these easy ways to get the ideas flowing!
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- Signature Staple: Don’t start by offering a 20-item line of merchandise. Pick one hero item - like a hoodie or a t-shirt - and our in-house design team can help you nail the design. We’ll also help you select the best decoration method to make it pop!
- Discovery Call: Our team of experts do this all day every day! You tell us the basics: the goal / purpose of the merchandise, the budget, and your logo and brand colors. Then we curate ideas and product recommendations for you to review. Our design team can then create some custom mockups for you within 48 hours, bringing the vision to life!
- Branded Sample Kit: Not sure about the fabric, colors, or products themselves? Simply provide your account manager with a few ideas of what you’d like to see and we’ll curate a sample box so you can see and feel the quality for yourself before making a final decision.
At the end of the day, branded merchandise is more than just a logo on a product; it's a physical touchpoint for your culture and a common thread that connects your team, your clients, and your community.
You don't need to have all the answers or a finished design to get the ball rolling. Whether you're looking to overhaul your safety gear or surprise your remote team with a premium unboxing experience, we're here to help and handle the heavy lifting.
Ready to turn "I don't know where to start" into your team's new favorite gear?
Reach out to our team today and let's start building something remarkable together!