I have always been a big fan of branded swag as a way for companies to spread the word about their product. Many people don’t know this, but my very first enterprise was a t-shirt company I started in high school. Since then I have probably designed 100 shirts to promote my companies and clients of my companies.
I like to think I have a sense of humor, so most of the t-shirts have included some sort of novelty slogan or saying, usually on the front of the shirt. I thought I was a damn marketing genius, but times are changing. The explosion in social media has transformed the way marketing should be done, right down to the very clothes on our back.
A few months ago we had a party called IZEA Geek Out as part of Barcamp Orlando. We gave our employees and attendees IZEA t-shirts to wear at the party and posted signs all over the office asking people to tag their photos and upload them to flickr. We had some awesome pictures taken, but as I went through them I realized I was a complete jackass. The t-shirts were cool and the people loved them, but where was the branding? Were does it say IZEA? Nowhere.
Why? The IZEA logo on both these shirts is on the back. While it is true that we benefit when someone wears these shirts out in
public, people rarely see the back of these t-shirts in photos. This is a huge mistake in the world of social media marketing.
People are postings millions of photos every day to their blogs, flickr, facebook and photobucket. These pictures are branding opportunities for companies (and bloggers) that recognize them. Your logo should be bold, front and center for everyone to see. I learned my lesson after this event and vowed to always put the IZEA logo on the front of the shirt, where it belongs.
Fast forward to IZEAFest. I went back once again and looked through all the photos, many of them from well-known bloggers. One of those bloggers was John Chow. John Chow loves t-shirts and honored us by wearing one our ours during this event. He also wore another branded t-shirt, photos of both of these are below:
Photo Credit : BenSpark.com
Photo Credit : Zengrrl
I actually like the “I’m Blogging This” t-shirt from our friends over at Market Leverage. If it weren’t for this thing called social media marketing I would give it a thumbs up. The problem is that more people will see this shirt online than they will in real life, and there is no way for me to know that this is a Market Leverage t-shirt. Big mistake.
If social media and swag are part of your marketing strategy don’t be a donkey (like I was). Resist the urge to put something clever on the front of your shirt. That is prime real estate… get that logo out in front, make it clear and visible for every photo.
If you like this post please hook us up with a Digg!
You forgot to add that he came back to steal a bunch of the shirts after the conference too! LOL
Thanks for using my photo with John Chow. I took that right after I gave him one of the XShots I had to give away. Did you notice that he looks much happier wearing the IZEA shirt. I’m just saying.
Hmmm, I’m not sure if I agree completely. If the whole goal is just to get your logo out there, then yes it should be front and center. But, truth be told, a logo won’t be remembered as many times as a clever saying will… unless it’s a really clever logo.
For instance, I liked John’s “I’m blogging this” shirt and went searching for it online. I may not have known it was a Market Leverage shirt when I saw it, but I still found it and the company online. All because I liked their shirt. I wouldn’t have gone looking for their website had I just seen their logo on something. I may have remembered their name later but it’s wouldn’t have given me any idea of their company “personality,” if you will. Because they came up with a clever shirt that I actually wanted enough to go looking for it, it makes me think twice about the company itself.
Also, you have to think about when people will wear the shirt again. 9 times out of 10 I go for the shirt that’s cute or cleve in my closet, not the one that has a logo on the front.
@lisa @benspark I fully expect you guys to have logos created for your blogs by the next IZEAFest and some sweet swag for me to wear.
That is some nice Swag, have not been able to make any conferences but would like to get my hands on and IZEA shirt
Maybe we could trade a blog post for one 
@Rae I think you bring up a great point. The design of the t-shirt is still important, it needs to be something that people want to wear. If your logo sucks and it is front and center chances are that t-shirt will be left in the drawer. However, if your brand is strong and your logo is well designed people will wear your logo itself as a symbol of cool. Think Nike, Apple, Coke…. heck even Digg. The strongest brands in the world stand on their own.
This is an awesome post. I think alot of people don’t think about about putting their logo on the front. But the emergence of social networks brings alot of pictures to the internet, and everyone loves looking at pictures.
what’s even better. Forehead tattoos with your logo on them.
Ted, would you wear yarn across your chest? Becasue I am totally waiting on my proof shirt to come in the mail. Seriously.
Hey Ted – One other thing I’d like to comment on is that your t-shirts and your designs are (i.e. Social Spark #BWE07 and IZEAFest 07) great! Part of the “social” element is to get people to wear your brand in public so it is captured and posted throughout the Web. It’s got to look good, feel good and connect with people who will be your spokesperson. We still get asked about Izea when we wear your shirts and we are happy to tell them about it. Your post reminds me a lot of Chipotle’s approach to T-shirts. They brand them well, but they also include something connecting the person to the brand, like — “I made the guacamole today.” – No matter how many times I see someone wearing this shirt, I think it’s brilliant and a well thought out brand strategy.
We are currently working on this same issue for a TV personality starting his own clothing line. The push is to get his designs recognized on TV. The logo must be present and in a way that is integrated into his illustrated designs (which is parallel to your t-shirt sayings in our “geek chic” world).
Well, thanks. This was a great post!
BTW – Always wanted to ask, who did your Social Spark shirts and how did you get American Apparel? The quality is great!
DM me at @meHeatherD
Thanks @TedMurphy!
Wow! I love the green shirt (the first pic)! I just love the print in it… GEEK!.. very clever! Where can we buy that? hehehe.. Keep rockin’ Izea!
Seems to me the best solution is to have…. BOTH! The way to win this game is to put a catchy slogan AND your logo on the front. The other reason not to put anything on the back is because it will invariably be covered up by a backpack, jacket, cape, etc. whereas the front is far less likely to get obscured.
Ted,
It is funny you mentioned us not having our logo on the front of our shirt. We just placed another order for the “Im blogging this” shirts and added the logo to the front. We will have to see which one will be worn more!
~Debby
@Debby good thinking! Seems you took Crispin’s comment to heart ; )
Another good thing is to add t-shirts/product with your logo for sale on your blog. This is easy to do using print on demand sites like CafePress or Zazzle.
This is not so much about selling as it is about providing an opportunity for your fans to connect with you/your blog/your brand. Not only are they out in the photos getting pictures taken, but just the fact that they are out with your logo!
I do not currently practice what I preach, but I have sever designs in the works so they should be available soon
.
Yes, I saw it. John Chow steal a bunch of shirts from the IZEA office. He should have been charge of stealing. I have already contacted the authorities to summoned Chow about this.
those Ts are geekishly nice, i like them
Honestly I think people are more likely to wear t-shirts that have witty phrases or eye catching graphics on the front than they are to wear ones with logos on the front. I have drawers full of swag t-shirts that have never been worn for that very reason. I doubt the “I’m Blogging This” t-shirt would do as well with the company name plastered on the front. There are plenty of places to get a t-shirt with the same phrase without a logo.
This blog Is very informative , I am really pleased to post my comment on this blog . It helped me with ocean of knowledge so I really belive you will do much better in the future . Good job web master .
*Love* the “I’m blogging this” t-shirt.
I only have one IZEA t-shirt, which is the one PayPerPost sent me 1 1/2 years ago that says;
I make money on my back.
I love it! Of course the logo is on the back – but it’s a good logo – good design and cute saying… all of which worked together for a great t-shirt. The logo might not be onthe front but everyone asks me about it or checks out my back – where they see the logo. Whomever designed that one, (way back when) I give you a thumbs up.
I would like to have the logo on the back so it doesent take away from your appearence, good post.
the geek tshirt logo is impressive especially for guys who can decipher html !
Hang tan logo and Nike logo is not bad.I worn it many time but i am sure that these companies do not need any advertisement !!!!!!!!
Hang tan and Nike logo are not bad.I worn it many time but i am sure that these companies don’t need any advertisements!!!
I just want to tell you that I’m very new to weblog and truly savored your blog site. Probably I’m planning to bookmark your blog post . You amazingly come with exceptional posts. Regards for revealing your web-site.