Merch products for music promotion are a great way to spread your work and artist branding. How many times have you seen someone wearing a t-shirt of your favorite band? And it doesn't stop there, musicians can be even more creative and think of different types of merchandise items. It may seem complicated to put it all together, but this article will help you! Let's learn about visual identity, how to choose the best business model, product tips and more!
Artist branding
First of all, before doing your organic music promotion and planning your social media music marketing, it’s time for branding! Basically, branding's the essence of who you are. Meanwhile, marketing is the message you use to increase the reach of your brand, products, and music. Remember: your identity must come first. The audience should look at something and just know it’s related to you. In order to that, be authentic and creative. The artist must reflect on their values, positioning and overall message they want to show the fans. Asking yourself about who you are outside your music and what are your goals is a good exercise to find a persona. What are your inspirations? What differentiates you from others? Make it a meaningful result. Following that, distinctive design is an relevant part of establishing a brand. For example, creating a recognizable logo is very important, as well as working on a cohesive visual identity. It may be the first impression you give, so it should cover aspects that represent you. It’s indispensable to create a smart merchandising strategy. Of course, musicians can get some inspiration from similar successful bands or genres. But be careful to never copy them. A Pinterest board can also help you find references, and a graphic designer will be fundamental to make it possible. A strong brand can even boost your engagement on social media.What type of merch should I sell?
The next step is deciding on which products to sell. Singers and bands must think about their public and what they're most likely to buy. Avoid wasting money on the production of items your fans won't like. Know your audience and their desires. Merchandise should be a profit maker, not otherwise. To start, why not open a poll on Instagram to ask your followers what would they like to buy? You can do it on other social platforms too, like Facebook, TikTok or X (formerly Twitter). More than supporting your output decisions, the poll should develop excitement around your merch. And the fans will feel included in your choices, which will bring them closer. You can also research about consumer preferences. According to atVenu, t-shirts continue to be the most popular item, with a single one averaging 38% of a band's gross sales. And each genre has its own particularities. For example, country fans prefer koozies and hats, but pop admirers go for hoodies and long sleeves.
Ideas of merch products for music promotion
After establishing your visual identity and understanding what your audience wants to acquire, let's sell! You didn't think we wouldn't give you lots of product ideas, did you? From conventional to eccentric, there are options for all tastes!Clothing
We can't start this list without talking about the public's favorite items: t-shirts and hoodies. Fans love being able to wear an outfit that resembles their number one artist. The best part is that they'll be out there promoting your name. A successful example of this strategy is The Rolling Stones. Who has never seen a clothing item with the famous mouth and tongue logo sticking out? When creating your own pieces, make different models. A t-shirt can feature your logo, photos, symbols, excerpts from a song… the sky's the limit. Turn them into collectibles!Accessories
Another area where you can find dozens of types of merch items is accessories. How about patches or enamel pins that your fans can put on their clothes, for example? And hats also continue to top the list of most requested. There is a variety of them, produce those that most closely resemble the style of your audience. The same goes for bandanas. It doesn't stop there: you can sell personalized backpacks or tote bags too. Or even phone cases, since nowadays nobody puts down their cellphone. Speaking of taking it with you everywhere: don't forget the classic keychain. Recently, the trend of nail tattoos is becoming increasingly popular too, talk to a specialist in the niche to create yours.House items
The artist can also sell decorative or everyday products. Customized candles are on the rise: create a look and a signature perfume that relates to your brand. The good old posters cannot be left out either, fanbases love to spread them around their bedrooms. As well as stickers, which can be pasted in various places. Additionally, cups and mugs can carry your logo as well.Vinyls
Vinyls have not been the main way to listen to music for decades, but the curiosity around them is only growing. With this in mind, you can make special versions of vinyl albums and sell them as a collector's item. The most engaged fans will rush to buy and you can even reach new listerners.