How The Right Greek Merch Can Change Everything About Your Org
In this article, we'll cover two things:
- Building Your Sorority / Fraternity's Identity (aka Brand)
- How Custom apparel can change everything about your sorority/fraternity
Building Your Sorority / Fraternity's Identity (aka Brand)
If you're a social chair at your Greek org, or any exec that cares about your srat or frat, I have a hot tip for you.
Establish a brand for your sorority/fraternity.
Now, hear me out! If your sorority or fraternity only thinks about brand, promotion, and marketing in the context of an event, you guys are missing out! You all stand for something, are brought together by something, and are different from other sororities and fraternities in many ways! You have a unique identity that sets you apart - even beyond the sorority core values and colors.
As a leader in your sorority/frat, you should think about that unique identity as a brand. Why? It not only helps you have a cohesive representation regardless of event and member, but it also helps foster a sense of community and bonding. When your brothers and sisters all know what they're a part of and why - it's no surprise that it helps strengthen your sisterhood/brotherhood.
Start by thinking: What makes your sorority/fraternity different?
If you're thinking, of course, Alpha Phi and Kappa Kappa Kappa Gamma have different core values that set them apart. Yes, but we're talking deeper! I mean, you're not wrong but you'd be lying if you said you talked to girls from both sororities and didn't walk away with different views of what it means to be a sister in each sorority.
In fact, even within the same sorority - no two chapters are the same! Alpha Phi at Penn State and Alpha Phi at UMich are two very distinct groups - and that's exactly where the brand lies.
Questions like: Aside from the obvious, what do we all care about? How do we sound? How do we want to present to the world? Can help you answer this question. If you want to turn finding your frat or srat's identity an exercise, try going through this article from Indeed with your exec board.
I know my org's brand. Now what?
Great! Now, not only should you celebrate org members who live by your true brand but also encourage it with tangible things like custom apparel and other merch. Before you call us biased, we can back it up! According to Inkbot Designs, “Over 76% of Americans derive a stronger emotional bonding with custom apparel that they or someone they knew designed.”
How Custom apparel can change everything about your sorority/fraternity
Merch helps you stand out!
Your members will likely wear your Greek merch outside, use that sticker on their laptop, and take their custom water bottles to the gym. When you design personalized items like t-shirts, hoodies, or co-ords with your org's design, you're not just creating a cohesive visual identity – you're also establishing a brand.
That's why if you want your org to stand out and have a strong brand identity, get some trending custom apparel. It's the most effective way to do it!
Great custom apparel encourages member participation.
Custom apparel can also help you get your members hyped up and involved. By creating personalized items, you can motivate members to attend events, meetings, and other activities. And that's not just us saying it – a survey by the Advertising Specialties Association found that promotional products like branded or custom apparel can increase morale and encourage a more positive attitude.
Custom items can level up your org’s recruitment stats.
When hundreds of your members are repping your org in the most fashion-forward head-turning merch, people are definitely going to want to join! Great merch makes your org memorable. Consistently great merch? Imagine what that can do!
Picking trending designs to customize on a variety of different merch items simply screams "We're where it's at!"
Your members become walking billboards!
Picture this: you're at a football game, and everyone's in their regular Uni fits.
But you and your besties are out there with matching tees, and shorts customized with your org's letters. Instantly, you stand out from the crowd with all your Greek pride.
Other than standing out, you and your members are literal walking billboards! You're advertising your group to potential members. It's a big W! So, if you wanna show your frat or sorority love loud and proud, custom apparel is a must.
You're always showing off your team pride and spirit!
Sometimes all it takes to remind your members about your community is a well-thought-out design on quality custom apparel. Your design on a shirt can give your members a sense of pride and motivation like nothing else. It's the first thing people see, and that first impression can set the tone for how they feel about your people.
And there you have it! All the reasons why your org's identity is important and how great custom apparel can boost your identity, team bonding, and even recruitment numbers!
Happy customizing :)