Welcome to the official OrderMerch blog! In the future, you can expect to find guides on starting a business, marketing, product development, engineering, and much more!

Welcome to the start of OrderMerch. Today we're talking about the current status, what we would like to see happen, and more.

Welcome to OrderMerch

In case you’re new to the world of promotional products business, you must’ve heard about the terms swag and merch used by 

 people when discussing products and items. It can sometimes be used interchangeably, but other people use these terms for specific products. Today we will find out what the terms mean and what kinds of clients use them.

When salespeople give away promotional products to potential clients or customers to encourage them to make a purchase, it is called swag. Think of items you may get at a 

 or in a gift bag. Swag is purposefully created to give to customers as a physical and tangible token that bears the company’s brand name on it. This is done in order to elicit a subconscious response from them and encourage them to purchase products or services from the company at a later time.

Depending on the company event that your client wants to attend, the type of swag you’ll recommend to them may also vary. For example, if your client wants to have their own booth at a trade show, you could recommend a high-quality pen with a custom message, a notepad with their logo, or a tote bag that their customers can reuse.

Merch is short for merchandise, which refers to items sold or distributed by a brand or artist to their fans or customers. Merchandise is usually available for purchase and is often associated with a specific brand, artist, or event. Examples of merch can include clothing (t-shirts, hoodies, hats), accessories (bracelets, necklaces), posters, albums, or any other items featuring branding or artwork related to the brand or artist. Merchandise serves as a way for fans to show support and affiliation while also providing a revenue stream for the brand or artist.

The evolution of swag into merch can be seen as a progression from free promotional items to branded merchandise that is sold or distributed to fans or customers. Here's how the transition may occur:

Swag as promotional items: Initially, swag refers to free promotional items given away by brands at events or trade shows. These items are designed to create brand awareness and leave a positive impression on recipients. Swag typically includes items like pens, keychains, and 

Expansion of swag: As brands recognize the value of promotional items, they may start offering a wider range of swag to engage with their target audience. Swag items can include t-shirts, tote bags, water bottles, and other practical or novelty items that bear the brand's logo or artwork. The goal is to create a sense of loyalty and connection to the brand.

Swag as limited edition: Some brands may begin to produce limited-edition or exclusive swag items to generate excitement and demand. These items are often associated with specific events, collaborations, or milestones. Limited-edition swag can create a sense of exclusivity and become more sought after by fans and collectors.

Transition to merch: As the popularity of swag grows, brands may start to explore the 

, often referred to as merch. This transition involves offering a wider range of products, including clothing, accessories, posters, and albums, which fans can purchase to show support for the brand or artist.

Enhanced design and quality: Merchandise tends to have a more refined design and higher-quality materials compared to traditional swag items. Brands invest in creating appealing artwork, incorporating unique designs, and ensuring that the merchandise aligns with their brand identity. This helps to attract customers who are willing to pay for these items.

Fan engagement and revenue generation: Merchandising becomes a means for brands, artists, or organizations to engage with their fans on a deeper level. Fans can proudly wear or display merch, showing their support and affiliation. Additionally, merch sales become a revenue stream for brands, contributing to their financial sustainability and growth.

The term swag becoming synonymous with merch can be attributed to the evolving language and cultural shifts within marketing and branding practices. Here are a few possible reasons for this transition:

Popularization and reappropriation: The term swag originally referred to free promotional items given away by brands. However, over time, the term gained popularity and became more widely used in popular culture. As a result, it started to encompass a broader meaning beyond just promotional items, extending to branded merchandise that fans or customers can purchase to show their support. This expansion of the term swag allowed it to encompass both free promotional items and paid merchandise.

Language evolution and colloquial usage: Language is constantly evolving, and terms can change in meaning or acquire new connotations. In the case of swag, its colloquial usage extended beyond its original promotional context. People began referring to branded merchandise as swag in a broader sense, regardless of whether it was given away for free or sold. This colloquial usage led to the merging of the terms swag and merch in the popular vernacular.

Influence of popular culture and social media: Popular culture, particularly music, influencers, and social media platforms, has played a significant role in shaping language and trends. Artists, celebrities, and influencers often use the term swag to refer to their branded merchandise or products associated with their personal brand. This usage further popularized the term and contributed to its association with merchandise.

Marketing and branding strategies: Brands and marketers often adopt and adapt popular language and cultural references to connect with their target audience. The term swag gained attention and recognition among younger demographics, making it an attractive and relatable term to use when promoting and selling merchandise. By aligning with popular language and cultural trends, brands can leverage the appeal and recognition of the term swag to generate interest and increase sales of their merchandise.

It's important to note that the term swag being used interchangeably with merch may vary in different contexts and regions. Language and terminology can be influenced by various factors, and different industries or communities may have their own unique interpretations and usage of these terms.

In case you’re new to the world of promotional products business, you must’ve heard about the terms “swag” and “merch” used by marketing people when discussing products and items. It can sometimes be used interchangeably, but other people use these terms for specific products. 

Swag vs Merch: The Differences Between the Two Terms

Entrepreneurs who run their own ventures, due to their strong drive for success, almost always prioritize hard work over their own well-being. However, you can find a middle ground where you can manage and grow your business and also focus on your health & wellness. Are you looking for tips on how to care for yourself despite your busy schedule?

You can take control back of your life even if you have a busy schedule and all you have to do is to implement effective time management. From simply sleeping more to managing your social interactions that sometimes take up too much of your precious time. All it takes is a little discipline and you will get the best life-work balance you never knew was possible.

Self-care is a traditional term commonly used in health care which means actions a person can take to maintain good overall health, disease prevention, and manage long-term illnesses. It addresses both your physical needs (i.e. sleep, food, and water) as well as your emotional needs like interacting with other people to create a balanced social life.

When psychiatrists collectively discovered a pattern among ordinary employees, office executives, CEOs, and entrepreneurs that their health problems are directly connected to their work-related stress, self-care was coined. Corporate folks were advised to care more for themselves than just focus all their energy on work and making money.

Pampering one’s self by giving yourself more “me time,” traveling to freshen up your mind and meditation were highly recommended activities, while not neglecting your emotional needs and relationships is also another crucial aspect of self-care.

Below are 20 self-care tips for entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs are known to be notorious for putting all their efforts towards achieving their goals, having said that, they work so hard to the point where they neglect having a healthy diet, or worse – eat less than what is needed for the human body’s daily nutrient intake.

, as it’s affordable, the ingredients are widely available and the meals are easy to prepare. You don’t have to prepare the food yourself in case you’re too busy, you can go to any restaurant that serves Mediterranean food and get your healthy diet from them!

Drink 8 glasses of water every day (you can drink more if you want). Spread them throughout the 24-hour period and drink Gatorade or eat fruits high in electrolytes as well, to stay hydrated all day, especially if there’s a heat wave going on.

Getting enough sunlight in the morning between 6 am – 10 am will cause your skin to create vitamin D, which help the body absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus; both are critical for building bone. Another benefit is that exercise triggers your body to release endorphins – a naturally occurring hormone that makes you feel happy.

It has been known that mindfulness meditation helps remove stress and anxiety from your mind, so learn all about it and start making it a part of your busy daily routine.

Bottling up your feelings can only have a negative impact on your mental health, psychiatrists say that it is good to release those feelings and be assertive every once in a while. You may think this is one of those odd self-care tips for entrepreneurs, but you will thank me later.

There have been reported cases where people suffering from stress developed pneumonia and had a mental breakdown, so based on this it’s not really healthy to keep stressing yourself over work, even if it helps boost your business profits. There are dozens of ways to cope with stress and a lot of them are surprisingly easy to do, plus they don’t take up too much time or effort to do. You can still have enough time to work on your business and keep those profits coming.

I may not be a psychiatrist but I think stress comes from overthinking and anxiety and it’s only natural for entrepreneurs to think about their businesses endlessly. So what you must do as an entrepreneur is to find time for yourself to relax, watch a movie, read a book, go camping or pick up a hobby. These things are known as good stress relievers.

You only have 24 hours per day just like all of us do and you can only divide that time among things you prioritize in your life. Being the person who leads and manages your business essentially makes you a busy person, but if you don’t learn how to say “No,” you risk losing time for important matters and time for yourself. Say no to invitations that you think will not benefit you.

People who are in leadership roles always have full responsibility not only for themselves but for their subordinates as well. If you blame others (I’m not saying that your subordinates did not contribute to your failure as a team), then you’re showing a sign of weakness as a leader.

Keep in mind that your team depends on your leadership, so if anything, their mistakes came from your plans and strategies which clearly did not work out like they were supposed to. So accept responsibility for your mistakes, move on, and improve yourself.

Let’s say that your team only has 10 people plus you the CEO. You know that there’s only so much your team can do, so if you’ve bitten more than what you can chew - delegate other projects and outsource them.

Attempting to do all the projects or contracts you’ve been awarded will only result in delays, poor quality of products or services, and ultimately your failure as a company. Just make sure that you get 60% of the income and 100% of the quality of service that the company you outsourced your clients to and you’ll see that you still win in the end. Wondering just how beneficial it is? 

There are many self-care tips for entrepreneurs on this list, but this is definitely my personal favorite! That’s because I do it myself and I have personally witnessed its effectiveness in accomplishing goals. So wake up early, have a morning routine, and plan a strategy for the day before you engage in your work.

If you’ve ever heard the phrase “walk it off,” then even if you’re not a health expert, you know, that this means to clear your head of “stuff.” This is because thinking too much can lead to stress and if you take a couple of brisk 15-minute walks throughout the course of your workday, you will create a better state of mind and have great mental health overall.

Include family and friends in this support network to help guide you in making decisions in life, especially when it comes to work-life balance. Adding your most trusted colleagues will help too but just make sure that they will support you on a personal level, your marriage (if you’re married), your wife and kids (if you already have a family), and other important details of your life. Your support network is a group of people with who you are comfortable talking about your daily life struggles, so you won’t feel alone in the world.

Who doesn’t, right? I tell you, if I had a job that lets me go on vacation 24/7, I wouldn’t hesitate for 1 second to sign up for it! Going on vacations will help put your mind at ease, so schedule at least one trip somewhere that you think you will enjoy like Thailand or the Philippines.

Plan your day out in advance. Schedule time for work and time for your personal life including family and friends. Ninety percent of entrepreneurs said that the reason for their messed up lifestyle is not managing their daily schedule.

 is already a great business tool that saves you a lot of time when doing business making everything streamlined and efficient. But there are also tools that help you manage your team, finances, tasks assignment, milestones, and other things that are crucial in running a business. The better the tools you use, the more time you save and the less stressful your life will become.

17. Take Business Calls During Work Hours Only

The reason why it’s called work-life balance is that you don’t overlap the two. Accepting business calls while you’re supposed to spend time with your family will create tension and resentment, and you don’t want that. Trust me when I tell you, it’s not worth all the money in the world. Set aside time for work and set aside time for your personal life as it should be.

Lack of sleep has a lot of negative impacts on a person’s health according to recent studies. Among them include the shrinking of brain size, which may not only cause you to reduce your intelligence (very important when running a business) but may also lead to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Another health risk it causes is erectile dysfunction and I think I don’t need to elaborate on this. Get at least 6 hours of sleep per night, although 8 hours is much better.

We, humans, are created to have social interactions. In fact, NASA once conducted an experiment where the volunteers were subjected to solitary living inside a capsule for at least 30 days and the results were not very nice. The experiment was conducted with the aim of finding out how people will survive mostly alone in space for an extended period of time. The data showed that the test subjects developed stress, anxiety, depression and even bordering psychotic disorder. Do not alienate yourself for money. It just isn’t going to help.

There’s a saying that goes, “Choose the job you love and you never have to work a day in your life.” Of course, the kind of business you decided to run is exactly the job that you love, so unless what you’re doing is not making you happy, then you need to change what you’re doing. Loving what you do aligns all your goals with the success of your business, so extend that enthusiasm to your team, in order for them to see the value of their contribution to building your business.

20 Self Care Tips For Entrepreneurs

If you're an aspiring photographer, then you must already be familiar with the challenging and complex process of selling your work; however, the playing field has dramatically changed with print on demand services. The amazing thing about these services is that it allows photographers to have a simple and convenient way to sell their work and reach a global audience. Photographers who are looking to monetize their work are now choosing to use print on demand because it gives them the ability to customize products, 

Today we will talk about print on demand photography and how photographers can benefit from it.

The entire transaction of print on demand services is fairly simple and that’s the reason why both photographers and customers love to use it. Print on demand is a type of dropshipping business that has grown into a 4.91 billion dollar market and is expected to grow even bigger by 2030 at an estimated 39.87 billion! Therefore, photographers who sign up with print on demand websites now will have a key advantage once the market grows.

Photographer sign up for a print on demand website.

Photographer showcase their work on their website, which will also appear on the print on demand service provider’s site due to the connected service features.

Customers make an order on 1 or more photos/images available for sale.

The service provider prints and ships the order(s) to the customer.

The service provider gets a certain percentage for each product sold as agreed upon with the photographers. Or the provide sells it for a flat fee and makes a profit from the product margin.

The photographers get paid automatically via their money transfer apps or bank accounts. Or if they're running their own site they get paid by the e-commerce platform.

However, photographers can sell their own prints on their own website without signing up with print on demand sites, in case they don’t want to give away a certain percentage of the profits they’ll make on each sale to the service provider. For example, if the photographer has a local studio and most of his or her customers are from within the area he operates his photography business, then all he has to do is host a website with prints and then fulfill them directly as required. He can do this by hand with a printer or use a service such as OrderMerch to provide 

This way photographers will get 100% of the profits they’ll make from selling their work. Using print on demand services is great for all artists as it is more cost-efficient to use such services than to fulfill orders on their own.

I’ve listed some very noteworthy reasons why photographers may benefit from using print on demand services for selling art.

Print on demand services allows photographers to reach a wider audience easily because they sell their art on the web, and they can also diversify their sales channels through it. There’s no need for a “middle man” because they can sell their photos from their own site, or on marketplaces (e.g. Society6, Redbubble, 

, and many more) and they get a share between 15% - 20% fees from sales, which is not bad.

Having an inventory and shipping products to customers is also a thing of the past now with print on demand services. It’s either the courier you hired or the service provider from the marketplace that will handle all shipping work for you, and all you have to focus on is creating and promoting your work.

Print on demand photography reduces the need for investments in inventory or large print runs. The only time photographers will shell out money is when customers make a purchase, the rest is handled by the services provider or courier.

Print on demand products ranging from traditional prints to phone cases and clothing are available to photographers, and they can choose which product they want their work to be sold as. Plus they can set prices for each of them.

Photographers can easily reach customers all over the world because print on demand service providers already have a large customer base. All of the shipping, and taxes are also taken care of, so photographers will have more time for creativity.

Creating a passive income stream is what print on demand services gives photographers. All they have to do is set up their shop and start selling, while the service provider will handle the rest.

Because print on demand platforms are web-based and due to the fact that they utilize 

 on their websites, photographers are ensured to increase their exposure and reach new audiences. The platform's marketing and promotion efforts become a bonus for member photographers.

Dropshipping sites that offer print on demand services ensure that photographers won’t have a difficult time using their platform to sell their work. It’s mostly click & drag and doesn’t require a lot of technical skills.

Another benefit that photographers can get from print on demand services is its analytics feature, which allows users to track sales and identify their top selling products. Photographers can then use this information to formulate their business strategy and be able to boost their profits.

The best thing about print on demand services is that there are no upfront costs or inventories that do not sell. Photographers only pay for what is sold, well, technically they actually earn when their product is sold, so service providers only get a share from the income which is a low-risk method of selling photos on the web for photographers. That is unless the POD provider sells the product at a flat rate like OrderMerch.

If you’re an aspiring art photographer, then you must already be familiar with the challenging and complex process of selling your work; however, the playing field has dramatically changed with print on demand photography services.

Welcome to OrderMerch

Brandon Nilsson - Author

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