Are Promotional Products Worth It? Why Branded Merchandise Is an Investment
By Linda Milano
Are Promotional Products Worth It? Why Branded Merchandise Is an Investment
If you've worked with me for any length of time, you've probably heard me say this before:
Promotional products aren't an expense. They're an investment.
I've built my career around that philosophy, and after more than 28 years in the promotional products and custom packaging industry, I still believe it just as strongly.
But I also understand why people ask:
Are promotional products really worth it?
The answer is yes, when they're chosen strategically.
The goal isn't to put your logo on the cheapest product you can find. The goal is to put your brand on something people will actually want, use and remember.
What Makes a Promotional Product Worth the Investment?
Think about the promotional products you use yourself.
Maybe it's a tumbler that sits on your desk every day.
A pen you keep in your favorite notebook.
A tote bag you grab when you leave the house.
A jacket you wear all winter.
A notebook that travels with you to every meeting.
Those products aren't advertising in the traditional sense. They're simply part of your everyday life.
But every time they're used, your brand has another opportunity to be seen.
That's where the value comes in.
The latest 2026 ASI Ad Impressions Study found that 78% of U.S. consumers said they would keep a promotional item because it was useful. The study also found that promotional products continue to deliver extremely low cost-per-impression because useful products can generate thousands of impressions over their lifetime.
The Cheapest Product Isn't Always the Best Value
This is something I talk about with clients all the time.
A $2 promotional product isn't necessarily a better investment than a $5 or $10 product.
If the $2 item ends up in a drawer or the trash, how much value did it really provide?
Now imagine spending a little more on something that someone uses every day.
That product may continue putting your brand in front of the recipient, their coworkers, family members and other people they encounter.
That's a very different equation.
Price matters. Value matters more.
Promotional Products Create More Than Impressions
The value of promotional products isn't only about how many times someone sees your logo.
It's also about the experience connected to it.
A useful gift can make a customer feel appreciated.
A quality piece of apparel can make an employee feel like part of the team.
A fun giveaway can create a positive interaction at an event.
A thoughtful client gift can keep your company top-of-mind long after a meeting ends.
That's why choosing the right product matters so much.
So, Are Promotional Products Worth It?
I believe the better question is:
What do you want your promotional products to accomplish?
Are you trying to:
- Build brand awareness?
- Thank customers?
- Recognize employees?
- Generate referrals?
- Attract people to a trade show booth?
- Create community connections?
- Promote an event?
- Welcome new employees?
- Keep your organization top-of-mind?
Once we understand the goal, we can start looking at products that make sense.
That's how we approach promotional products at CFB Promotional Products.
We don't start with a catalog. We start with a conversation.
Because the right promotional product can continue working for your brand long after you've handed it to someone.
And that's why I don't look at promotional products as an expense.
I look at them as an investment in your brand.
Ready to Make Your Promotional Products Work Harder?
Whether you're planning an event, looking for employee gifts, thanking customers or building brand awareness, we'd love to help you find promotional products that fit your audience, goals and budget.
Contact CFB Promotional Products to schedule a meeting and let's brainstorm what could work for your brand.
Part 1 of a 5-part series. Check out part 2 here: