Chances are you have seen many examples of co-branding, whether they involved clothing, food, or other familiar items. When done correctly, it can be tremendously successful, making it a hot trend many brands are willing to attempt and achieve. So let’s discuss the appeal of co-branded apparel and why you might want to consider this option for your own clothing brand.
Potential Increase in Sales
There are no guarantees, of course, but you could see an increase in clothing sales due to co-branding. The team-up could lead to more fans and a vast interest in the co-branded apparel. This could boost your sales, especially if fans from both sides deem the clothes worth the purchase due to marketing as a limited edition or reduced availability because you are only selling to collectors.
When you design an article or line of co-branded clothing, you must give each set of enthusiasts something different, unique, and attention-grabbing. For example, you could start with the already great clothing you got from the Bella + Canvas Maker’s Program, but how will your two brands revamp the items to attract both groups of customers?
Increased Product Interest
When two brands come together, it could increase the interest level in one or more co-branded clothing pieces. The combo offers an intriguing premise that many customers will notice.
Think about what happens when you hear about two of your favorite brands jointly releasing a limited-edition product. Naturally, it is likely you will want to see what the hype is all about and if it is worth your money. The same can apply when your incredible clothing company teams up with another brand, especially if it’s a merger fans would not have expected.
Ensure you and the other brand announce the collaboration on your social media pages and/or send out email notifications to your subscribers. The more people who see the statement, the better.
It Merges Two Fan Bases
Chances are you adore your fan base. After all, you would not have a successful clothing brand without loyal customers. Engaging in co-branding brings together both sets of customers, allowing for a new mutual interest from the respective fans of each brand.
Each of you is now catching the eye (and fascination) of customers who might not have previously noticed your business. New fans mean new potential customers, which, of course, leads to the potential for an increase in sales.
You Open Yourself to New Ideas and Perspectives
One of the most significant benefits of teaming up with another brand is that you can access new ideas and perspectives, especially when working with a company in another industry. The fresh viewpoints and thoughts could be invaluable, not just for the current co-branded apparel but also for potential products in the future.
You Combine Advertising Costs
There is no doubt that advertising can be expensive. Usually, the more elaborate it is, the more costly it becomes. When you want to launch co-branded apparel, and plan the advertising, you and the other brand will typically share the costs of doing so.
Not having to carry the cost burden on your own allows each of your brands to save more money than handling a promotion yourself. You will reach more potential customers for approximately half the cost you would have spent if conducting the campaign yourself. You can also use the opportunity to expand the overall advertising budget since there are now additional funds to work with rather than cutting it in half on each side.
Reputation Enhancement
If your fans buy from you, they respect your clothing brand and believe in its reputation. Teaming up with another company with a reputation that is as stellar as yours (if not better) may lead to a reputation enhancement for both brands.
Fans could see the co-branding as one company giving the nod of approval to the other, a way to acknowledge to their fans that the business is worth spending their money on and shopping with that business. For this reason, before legally agreeing to team up with another brand, you must perform your due diligence to research their reputation and ensure that it’s as great as you think.
The last thing you want is to create co-branded apparel only to get blindsided by a scandal you didn’t see coming and a surprise legal obligation.
Is Collaborating Right for Your Apparel Brand?
It is essential to take the necessary time to decide if co-branding is right for you and your business before collaborating. The prospect may seem exciting, especially if you crave more sales and attention for your small business. However, the reputation of you and your brand, future potential sales, and the respect of your fans are at stake, and that’s not something to take lightly.
Yes, co-branded apparel has the potential to be massively successful, especially if everyone works together and takes the proper steps to increase the chances of success. Yet it’s still challenging and risky.
Therefore, take the time to decide if collaborating is right for you. Then, depending on the legal terms of the potential proposal and contract, see if you can discuss the possibility of the collaboration with those you trust, such as certain family members, close friends, or business partners. Discussing the prospect with your lawyer and accountant could also be beneficial to see what they think.
Take as much time as possible to decide if the move is right for you and your brand. If you are a fan of lists, making a pro and con breakdown may be valuable. As previously mentioned, if a brand approaches you, do a deep dive into everything about them, especially if you are unfamiliar with the company. If you are approaching another brand, research that company well before you contact anyone. In addition, discuss the concept with partners, a lawyer, or your accountant to learn their opinion.
There are many reasons to love collaborating with another company to create co-branded apparel. If it’s right for you, start developing a plan that is comfortable for you. Also, this plan can provide preparation and confidence should you decide to contact a brand about collaborating or if a brand were to contact you.
short url:
