Custom apparel and branded swag can enhance the overall experience of your webinars and virtual events by boosting brand visibility, professionalism, engagement, and participant satisfaction. They provide lasting reminders and help create a positive and memorable impression of your brand and event.
We've been in the customer apparel business since 2009, and over the years, we've seen more and more companies participate in webinars and other ~SWAGGY~ virtual events. Get it?
Ever since COVID hit a few years back and the world adjusted to life more consistently online, remote conferences and webinars have become the new normal.
We've customized a LOT of branded swag and apparel over time, and we must say- this stuff is a real hit. Whether you send your attendees an embroidered tote bag or a super soft screen printed t-shirt, it will make a lasting impression on your crowd. (Not that those are your only options, there are a ton of awesome products for you to choose from, but we can dive into that another time.)
So now you might be asking yourself, "Alright, so why should I use custom apparel for MY webinar or virtual event?"
We will tell you. DON'T WORRY. Prepare to be inspired. Real Thread powers swag at virtual events.
Brand Awareness
Custom apparel and swag featuring your company’s logo or event branding can significantly increase brand visibility. When participants wear or use these items during the webinar or virtual event, it creates a strong visual impact and helps promote your brand to a wider audience.
Boosting Registration + Attendance Numbers
Event marketers measure registration, attendance, and attendance rates to determine webinar and virtual event success. That is a great reason to use custom apparel in any capacity- to boost registration numbers or get more people excited to attend.
Increased Visibility
With branded swag and apparel, people become walking billboards for your brand. Whether a custom t-shirt, hat, bag, or other promotional item, it carries your logo or event branding, making your brand visible to a larger audience. This increased visibility can attract attention and generate brand interest.
Exposure to New Audiences
Participants in webinars and virtual events often come from diverse backgrounds and industries. By providing custom apparel and branded swag, you can expose your brand to individuals who may not otherwise have heard of your brand. When participants wear or use your branded items outside the event, they introduce your brand to their networks, expanding reach even further.
Brand Recall
Custom apparel and branded swag are reminders of your brand long after the event. When participants receive these items, they associate them with their experience during the event. Every time they see or use the branded merchandise, it triggers their memory and reinforces their connection to your brand. This recall increases the likelihood of future engagement.
We recently enjoyed working with Welcome*, the only end-to-end webinar and content creation platform and helped them print custom t-shirts for their Evolve 2023 event attendees.
*If you’re interested in hosting a webinar or virtual event, Welcome is a great starting point! They make creating and hosting professionally-designed webinars easy and instantly repurposing them to share across all your channels.
Consistency + Cohesion
Consistency in branding is crucial. With the use of custom apparel and branded swag that aligns with your brand identity, colors, and logo, you create a cohesive brand experience. This consistency helps participants develop a clear and unified perception of your brand- reinforcing its image and making it easier for them to recognize and remember it.
Social Media Amplification
Participants may share social media posts featuring these items when they receive custom apparel and branded swag. This UGC (user-generated content, for those who aren’t familiar) serves as a form of endorsement and can significantly amplify your brand’s visibility. It reaches the immediate participants, followers, and connections, further spreading brand awareness.
Encouraging participants to share photos or posts featuring the custom apparel and branded swag on social media can amplify excitement and engagement. User-generated content creates a buzz around your event and encourages others to participate and get involved. It extends the reach of your event, generates online conversations, and boosts overall engagement and excitement.
You can even incorporate custom apparel and branded swag into challenges or contests during the webinar or virtual event. For example, you can ask participants to take creative photos or videos featuring the branded merchandise and offer prizes for the most creative or engaging entries. This gamification element increases excitement, encourages active participation, and generates buzz around your event.
Professionalism + Credibility
Providing custom apparel and branded swag adds a professional touch- demonstrating that you’ve put thought and effort into creating a cohesive and branded experience. This attention to detail enhances your credibility and makes a positive impression on attendees. This can set you apart from your competitors.
Attention to Detail
Providing custom apparel and branded swag demonstrates that you have invested time, effort, and resources into creating a cohesive and branded experience for your participants. It shows that you pay attention to detail and strive for excellence in every aspect of your event. This attention to detail contributes to the overall perception of professionalism and quality.
Brand Cohesion
Custom apparel and swag featuring your company logo or event branding create a unified and cohesive visual identity. When participants see consistent branding across different elements of your event, it sends a message that you have a well-defined brand and takes your brand image seriously. This consistency enhances the professionalism and credibility of your event, as it reflects a strong and cohesive brand identity. This consistency helps participants develop a clear and unified perception of your brand- reinforcing its image and making it easier for them to recognize and remember it.
Perceived Value + Positive Perception
Offering custom apparel and branded swag as part of your webinars or virtual events adds value for participants. It shows that you are committed to providing a high-quality experience and that you value their engagement. Gifting branded merchandise elevates the perception of your event, making it more desirable and valuable in the eyes of the participants.
People appreciate receiving free merchandise, and it adds value to their experience. This positive perception enhances the overall credibility of your event, making participants more likely to trust your brand and engage with your content.
Professional Appearance
Custom apparel, such as branded t-shirts or polo shirts, can be worn by event staff or presenters, creating a professional and unified appearance. When your team members dress in branded attire, it gives a sense of authority and expertise, contributing to your event's credibility. It creates a cohesive visual representation of your brand and helps establish participant trust.
Custom apparel and branded swag help solidify your brand's identity in participants' minds. By consistently presenting your logo and brand elements throughout the event, you reinforce your brand's presence and make it more memorable. This familiarity contributes to the credibility of your brand and circumstance, as participants associate your brand with professionalism and reliability.
Differentiation from Competitors
In a crowded marketplace of webinars and virtual events, using custom apparel and branded swag sets you apart from your competitors. It shows that you go the extra mile to create a professional and branded experience, which can attract participants who value professionalism and quality. Standing out from the competition enhances your credibility and positions you as a trusted authority in your industry.
Participant Engagement + Excitement
Offering custom apparel and branded swag creates a sense of exclusivity and excitement among participants. People enjoy receiving free merchandise, which can generate a buzz around your event. It encourages attendees to engage with your content actively and increases their overall satisfaction with the experience.
Exclusive + Personalized Experience
Exclusive and Personalized Experience: Offering custom apparel and branded swag creates a sense of exclusivity and personalization for participants. When they receive these items, it makes them feel special and valued. This exclusivity and personal touch generate excitement and anticipation even before the event begins, creating a positive participant mindset.
Custom apparel and branded swag provide visual and physical elements that participants can engage with during the event. For example, participants wearing branded t-shirts or using branded notepads or pens create a visual connection between themselves, the event, and your brand. This visual engagement is a reminder and reinforces the event experience, keeping participants actively involved.
Incentives for Participation
Custom apparel and branded swag can incentivize participants to actively engage in the webinar or virtual event. You can offer these items as rewards for participation, such as completing surveys, asking questions, or contributing to discussions. This incentivizes attendees to be more attentive and engaged throughout the event, knowing they can receive a tangible reward.
Social Interaction + Networking
Custom apparel and branded swag can facilitate social interaction and networking among participants. When attendees see others wearing or using the same items, it creates an immediate connection and a conversation starter. This shared experience promotes networking opportunities, encourages participants to connect, and fosters a community around your brand and event.
Word-of-mouth marketing is also worth mentioning. When participants use or wear these items publicly or share them on social media, it creates opportunities for others to inquire about the brand or event. This expands the reach of your message and can attract new participants or customers who were not directly involved in the event.
Tangible reminders can serve as conversation starters or icebreakers. Participants wearing custom apparel and branded swag in public or networking settings can attract attention and prompt discussions about the event or your brand. This presents additional opportunities for engagement, networking, and sharing experiences related to your event.
Tangible Reminders
Apparel and branded swag are tangible reminders of your webinar or virtual event. When participants receive these items, they will likely keep them and use them daily. This ongoing exposure helps to reinforce your brand message long after the event has ended.
It can even serve as event memorabilia that participants can take away from the experience. These tangible items become mementos that remind participants of the event and their engagement with your brand. Whether it's a custom t-shirt, a mug, or any other branded item, it holds sentimental value and creates a lasting connection with your brand beyond the virtual event itself.
Long-lasting Brand Exposure
Custom apparel and branded swag act as ongoing advertisements for your brand. When participants receive these items, they integrate them into their daily lives, whether wearing a branded t-shirt, using a branded water bottle, or carrying a branded tote bag. Each time they use or see these items, it serves as a reminder of your brand, reinforcing the connection they made during the webinar or virtual event.
Tangible reminders help participants retain the memory of the webinar or virtual event. The physical presence of custom apparel and branded swag brings back the experience and emotions associated with the event. It triggers recall of the knowledge gained, connections made, and overall positive experience. This retention strengthens the impact of your event and ensures that participants remember your brand beyond the event itself.
Subconscious Brand Association
Custom apparel and branded swag reinforce the subconscious brand association in participants' lives. Regularly seeing your logo or brand elements creates familiarity and builds trust. Even if participants wait to engage with your brand immediately and actively, repeated exposure through tangible reminders increases the likelihood that they will remember and consider your brand.
Cross-promotion + Partnerships
Tangible reminders featuring your brand can open doors for cross-promotion or partnership opportunities. For example, suppose participants use branded items in their workplaces or during meetings. In that case, it can spark conversations and generate interest from potential collaborators or clients who may be exposed to your brand through these items.
Networking + Connection Building
Custom apparel and branded swag can facilitate networking and connection-building among participants. When attendees see others wearing or using the same items, it creates a sense of camaraderie and connection. This can lead to meaningful conversations and networking opportunities during and after the event.
Icebreakers + Conversation Starters
Custom apparel and branded swag can serve as icebreakers during networking sessions or when participants interact with each other. Seeing others wearing or using the same branded items creates an immediate connection and provides a natural conversation starter. It helps break the ice and facilitates interactions among participants who may not have had prior contact.
Shared Experience + Sense of Community
Participants who receive custom apparel and branded swag create a shared experience and foster community. They feel part of a group with a common interest or affiliation, making initiating conversations and building connections easier. The visual representation of the brand or event through the apparel and swag creates a bond and helps establish rapport among participants.
Networking Opportunities
These items can be used as networking tools by increasing visibility and attracting attention from other participants or potential collaborators. When participants wear or use these items in virtual networking sessions or external events, it can generate interest and curiosity from others. This allows participants to share their experiences, exchange contact information, and initiate professional connections.
Brand Association + Recognition
Branded apparel and swag help reinforce brand association and recognition among participants. When they wear or use these items, it serves as a reminder of the event and the brand behind it. Other attendees or industry professionals who recognize the brand or logo on the apparel or swag may approach participants for discussions, leading to networking opportunities and connection building.
Online Engagement + Follow-up
Tangible reminders can play a role in online engagement and follow-up after the event. Participants may share photos of themselves with the branded items on social media or in event-specific online communities. These interactions can spark conversations, generate online connections, and create opportunities for further networking and collaboration beyond the virtual event.
Promoting Collaboration + Partnerships
When participants wear or use these items outside of the event, they can capture the attention of potential collaborators or clients. It may initiate discussions about shared interests, industry-related topics, or potential partnership opportunities. The branded items are a visible representation of your brand and can pique interest and foster collaboration.
Ready to check out some custom apparel for online events?
Your attendees will love it; we can almost guarantee that.
Now you know the benefits of custom apparel and branded swag on virtual events- what’s next?
As mentioned, we’ve been in the biz for over a decade and have assisted brands in achieving their custom apparel goals, regardless of size.
Contact our team if you want to customize some apparel and other branded swag for your next webinar or virtual event. They’re a team of REAL people who can help you determine your next move. We screen print, embroider, and offer various add-on services that separate us from the competition. We’re your go-to; we gotchu.
In the meantime, check out our T-Shirt Buyer’s Guide. Learn everything you need to know about custom t-shirts.
ONE MORE THING! We already mentioned this, but if you want to host an event online and don’t know where to start, Welcome can help.
Okay, that’s all, folks.
.svg)
