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ByLeo Victor

Be socially conscious with your promotional wear

Nowadays, it’s not enough to simply market your brand with just any type of garment made in any country. It can especially look bad for your business if you offer T-shirts or hats featuring an American flag but the label in the back says “Made in China.” Promotional accessories such as bags, headbands, ball caps, aprons and footwear continue to be the largest-selling category in branded corporate gifts, according to Promotional Products Association International.

However, the latest trend in branded apparel is one that features a “Made in the USA” tag. Not only do the sales of made in America garments increase every election year, but a greater number of people demand clothing produced by socially-conscious and environmentally-friendly companies.

Trying to get your message across? Locally-made promotional items can help.Items made in the USA are gaining traction in the promotional apparel world.

Awareness equals effectiveness
A business wanting to garner both impressions and the good will of the public must consider American-made products as well as green, environment-friendly ones. Not only does using promotional apparel manufactured stateside put money back into the U.S. economy, it already helps the ecosystem since companies do not have to ship American-made goods as far as items made in Asia or other foreign lands.

Socially-conscious products are not only patriotic, they’re also better for the planet.

While sale of American-made goods always spike when a presidential election inches closer, smart businesses will recognize that locally manufactured items that are made with a consideration toward the environment aren’t just a fad. They’re now a mainstay.

Being aware of the importance your target market places on green, socially conscious products will make your company more effective in its marketing goals.

A trend with staying power
In fact, offering green-friendly, American-made wearables and other promotional items can be a win-win-win for you, the manufacturer of the pieces and for the Earth. Millennials are the next generation of consumers with a little more than $1 trillion in spending power, a 2014 BCG survey noted. Meanwhile, this age group values certain ideals more than older generations.

NPR noted many people in Generation Y favor taking their business to companies that show they care about the good of the nation and the planet. Some millennials that spoke with NPR said they favor companies that speak to their conscience such as Warby Parker, a company that gives one pair of eyeglasses to someone in need for free for every pair they end up selling.

Companies like Warby Parker or TOMS shoes that feature give back campaigns and those that use recycled or repurposed materials to manufacture their products continue to gain in popularity.

“Your business should show it cares about its customers, the economy and the environment.”

Red, white, blue and green
Standing by values and using promotional items that not only reinforce but display them is a great and effective way to market your company. When trying to get impressions and gain a foothold with a new target audience, they want to know that your enterprise shares the same values they do.

Your business should also show it cares about its customers as well as the local economy and the environment. With all this said, a reputation for being both eco-friendly and socially conscious doesn’t happen overnight. However, starting to use products or materials made in America that were manufactured with little affect to the environment can help your business start that ball rolling.

Whether tote bags, hooded sweatshirts or T-shirts work best to get your brand noticed, remember that more of your target market customers are cognizant of their carbon footprint and yours. If you give or sell them a piece of apparel, they’re more likely to scrutinize the label. So, it’s in your business’s best interest to use quality promotional products that are made with care not only for the sake of the integrity of the item but for your company as well.

Put your branded items to use, and whether you give them away or sell them, let the public know about how high quality they are, where they’re made and how much care for the workers and the eco-system went into their manufacture. Your customers will respect you for running a socially conscious business, reward you with increased patronage and your reputation will grow. Think about the kind of good your company can do in the world and the how it can use promotional products to get that message across.