4 ms·

I'm not sure about creators, but I get swag and invites from charities and it annoys me. I'm donating to give them resources, if I want a T Shirt I'll buy one m

by rr808 4y ago

I'm not sure about creators, but I get swag and invites from charities and it annoys me. I'm donating to give them resources, if I want a T Shirt I'll buy one myself thanks, I dont need them spending money on me.

ep103 4y ago
Two things: 1 - Them sending you a teeshirt is a form of advertising. They're hoping you will wear it and be an advocate for them in your social circle. This is a reasonable thing to spend money on. 2 - Engagement. They're trying to keep you engaged in what they're doing, this is valuable too. Of course, you don't want them spending all their resources on this, but a certain percentage is absolutely a good idea. This is why you should care about non-profits statements about % of funds that go towards the charity vs overhead.
- rchaud 4y ago
  I disagree that Tshirts are a reasonable marketing expense. For one thing, they're relatively expensive to produce and ship on a per unit basis, and you will need to order in multiple sizes. Second, most 'brand' t-shirts are low effort logo templates made from BigCartel.com that look fugly. They're clearly an afterthought. And because of that, those tshirts will end up in a landfill somewhere, just like the majority of soulless corporate swag that you'd accumulate visiting a trade show.
  - mauvehaus 4y ago
    I bought 2 dozen mixed T-shirts and hoodies (mostly T-shirts) with the logo for my business on them front and back in two sizes (the logo, not the shirts). Because I wear these things daily, I bought good T-shirts and good hoodies: tagless 100% cotton (mixed polyester increases pilling). I think I was in for about $15 a T-shirt. More for the hoodie, obviously. I'm not getting any kind of volume rate on these for a 2 dozen shirt order of mixed sizes (for friends and family as well). I can't imagine anybody ordering in real quantity is paying more than $10 a shirt, even for good ones. If you go through somebody whose business is making and shipping t-shirts, you get the benefit of their lower shipping rates and their bulk purchasing power for the shirts). If you're handing them out at a trade show, your unit cost to ship a couple hundred shirts is negligible. For me, my T-shirts for my business are effectively free: they replace other t-shirts I'd have to buy (or would, once I got through all the company and trade show swag from when I worked software). Plus they promote my business. And when they're too beat up to wear, they become shop rags before they hit the trash. I think you make some valid points (sizes are a nuisance), but I don't think T-shirts are the clear stinker for the folks giving them away that you think they are.
failTide 4y ago
I donated ONE TIME to a classical radio network in Southern California and over the next 5 years they proceeded to send me mailers that cost at least what I'd donated. They did eventually stop.
cushychicken 4y ago
You're confusing the intent here. A creator would effectively be selling swag at a markup by giving a reward at a certain backing tier. It's like your local NPR'S funding drive - you give them $100, they give you a tote bag or whatever with their logo on it. Everyone wins - you buy cool branded merch, the creator gets to sell at a large markup as "fundraising". That's not the same as being sent a free t shirt with the hopes of them wearing it.

by rr808 4y ago

ep103 4y ago

Two things: 1 - Them sending you a teeshirt is a form of advertising. They're hoping you will wear it and be an advocate for them in your social circle. This is a reasonable thing to spend money on. 2 - Engagement. They're trying to keep you engaged in what they're doing, this is valuable too. Of course, you don't want them spending all their resources on this, but a certain percentage is absolutely a good idea. This is why you should care about non-profits statements about % of funds that go towards the charity vs overhead.

rchaud 4y ago
I disagree that Tshirts are a reasonable marketing expense. For one thing, they're relatively expensive to produce and ship on a per unit basis, and you will need to order in multiple sizes. Second, most 'brand' t-shirts are low effort logo templates made from BigCartel.com that look fugly. They're clearly an afterthought. And because of that, those tshirts will end up in a landfill somewhere, just like the majority of soulless corporate swag that you'd accumulate visiting a trade show.
- mauvehaus 4y ago
  I bought 2 dozen mixed T-shirts and hoodies (mostly T-shirts) with the logo for my business on them front and back in two sizes (the logo, not the shirts). Because I wear these things daily, I bought good T-shirts and good hoodies: tagless 100% cotton (mixed polyester increases pilling). I think I was in for about $15 a T-shirt. More for the hoodie, obviously. I'm not getting any kind of volume rate on these for a 2 dozen shirt order of mixed sizes (for friends and family as well). I can't imagine anybody ordering in real quantity is paying more than $10 a shirt, even for good ones. If you go through somebody whose business is making and shipping t-shirts, you get the benefit of their lower shipping rates and their bulk purchasing power for the shirts). If you're handing them out at a trade show, your unit cost to ship a couple hundred shirts is negligible. For me, my T-shirts for my business are effectively free: they replace other t-shirts I'd have to buy (or would, once I got through all the company and trade show swag from when I worked software). Plus they promote my business. And when they're too beat up to wear, they become shop rags before they hit the trash. I think you make some valid points (sizes are a nuisance), but I don't think T-shirts are the clear stinker for the folks giving them away that you think they are.

failTide 4y ago

I donated ONE TIME to a classical radio network in Southern California and over the next 5 years they proceeded to send me mailers that cost at least what I'd donated. They did eventually stop.

cushychicken 4y ago

You're confusing the intent here. A creator would effectively be selling swag at a markup by giving a reward at a certain backing tier. It's like your local NPR'S funding drive - you give them $100, they give you a tote bag or whatever with their logo on it. Everyone wins - you buy cool branded merch, the creator gets to sell at a large markup as "fundraising". That's not the same as being sent a free t shirt with the hopes of them wearing it.