6 Inspirational Ideas For Upping Your Music Merch Game

In this day and age, there's no reason any of your fans should ever walk away from a concert disappointed in the merch. Clever and innovative band merch is one of the best ways not only to earn an income from your profession, but also to make yourself memorable to fans.

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Guest post by Angela Mastrogiacomo of the ReverbNation BlogImagine you’re at a concert. You’re awestruck by the band and all you can think is, “How can I get more of these guys?” After their set, you hurry over to the band merch booth ready to hand over your hard-earned cash. Then, seeing nothing but oversized tees, CDs, and maybe a sticker or two, your heart sinks. Sure, it’s better than nothing (and you may even buy an oversized T-shirt that you’ll never wear), but it’s not what you hoped for, and you’ll leave the show feeling a bit let down. This is a scenario I’ve found myself in more times than I care to count.There are too many artists doing too many cool things for you to get complacent in any area, and clever band merch is one of the most effective ways to both earn income and give your fans an experience they won’t forget. When people are excited about the things you have to offer, they’ll talk about it. All. Day. Long. That’s priceless. It can be tough getting started, so I’ve compiled a few stories of artists who are on top of their merch game, plus some ideas to get you inspired. What will your merch say about you?

1. Friends W/O Benefits’ comic book

My all-time favorite story to tell regarding creative merch is from San Francisco punk-rockers Friends W/O Benefits, who created a limited-edition, hand-numbered comic book in place of a traditional CD. Because they’re a character band, this fit them perfectly. They took all the photos themselves and created an involved storyline about the characters. It tied in perfectly to the album’s theme, and provided a completely unique representation of their brand—and even three years later, I still talk about it every chance I get.Find your next gig with ReverbNation Opportunities

2. Tribe Royal’s gum pack

When you’re at a major music conference like Canadian Music Week (where this happened), you tend to get a lot of people shoving their music in your face. When I met Tribe Royal, they had a goodie pack for me, but it wasn’t just your traditional album and stickers—it also included a really clever gum pack that showcased the band and everything they were about. I’ve been talking about this gum for nearly a year since it happened, so I’d say the message stuck! (Ha! Get it?)

3. Fitz’s tea blend

A customized tea blend! In my opinion, this surpasses that hot sauce trend we had a while back like nobody’s business. This idea belongs to English folk band Fitz, who created their own blend of tea after brainstorming a way to stand out, make money, and create a memorable merch experience. The idea worked—they sold out in the very first week. After that, it became a staple offering on their tours.

4. Lego figures as business cards

[Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/64604717@N03/5938725141]Although it isn’t music related, Lego’s approach to business cards for their executives is just brilliant. What could be more perfect in this scenario than a business card that is you as a Lego character? A+ for Lego’s clear intentions when it comes to marketing and brand identity.

5. Bookmarks with tour dates or lyrics

band merch inspo from dave matthews band

These are sort of like artist postcards, but with true functionality. Offering free bookmarks with your artwork, lyrics, or tour dates on them is not only a way to keep with your fans (and their books) everywhere they go, but it’s as useful as it is unique. You could even approach local coffee shops, bookstores, and libraries about offering your bookmark.

6. Your own ‘zine

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✔@thisisLANYwe made a zine. this is the cover. it's 32 pages front to back, and it will never be sold online. cya soon, america.Who says you can’t create your own ‘zine? Along the lines of Friends W/O Benefits’ comic book release, many bands, such as LANY and MUNA, are embracing putting out their own ‘zine to showcase fan artwork and personal stories. This is a fantastic, unique way to show a little fan appreciation, while offering your VIPs something special.Angela Mastrogiacomo is the founder and CEO of Muddy Paw PR and Infectious Magazine. She loves baked goods, a good book, and hanging with her dog Sawyer.