Web3 Merch that Matters

What Developers Actually Want

DevRel = code + community x swag!

Merch is more than a freebie.

Merch is a tool for branding.

Merch builds connection, and excitement in your community.

Merch should matter.

There is merch we should forget about.

There is the new type of merch we should embrace.

What Developers Want to See More Of

1. Practical Items with a Cool Factor: Developers love things they can use every day, like insulated tumblers, mechanical keyboards, or high-quality tote bags.
2. Eco-Friendly Options: Reusable water bottles, bamboo pens, or ethically sourced apparel show you care about sustainability.
3. Creative and Exclusive Designs: Limited-edition T-shirts or stickers designed by community members.
4. Customizable Swag: Merch that lets developers personalize it (like blank notebooks or build-your-own kits) adds a thoughtful touch.

What We Don’t Want Anymore

1. The same old black T-shirt: Please, change the color, the model, and the T-shirt overall. Go for shorts, sweatpants, long sleeves with hoodies, be creative, every person in Web3 has a black merch section in their closet, you know you have one!!!
2. Low-Quality Apparel: If fabric feels like cardboard or shrinks after one wash, it’s destined for the donation pile. Don’t be cheap, invest in quality or skip it altogether.
3. Generic USB Drives: Look, most developers already have dozens of these lying around (and forgotten). If it’s not innovative or useful gadget, it won’t make an impact.
4. Overloaded Lanyards: Lanyards are practical at events but don’t often have a life beyond that. If you’re handing them out, ensure they’re unique or multifunctional.
5. Bulk Swag Without Thought: Sending random assortments of pens and stress balls feels impersonal. Focus on fewer items with higher value.

Tie Merch to Your Brand Story

Merch is a tool to show appreciation, foster loyalty, and create memorable moments and it becomes meaningful when it’s tied to your brand’s narrative. For example:

• If your product promotes “speed”, then create a sleek, racing-inspired hoodie.
• If your brand emphasizes “building”, so, consider sending out mini LEGO kits with your logo.

Start thinking out of the box and create FOMO for those on the fence of joining your community.

Question for you: What’s the best piece of merch you’ve ever received (or given)? 🎁

This post is Day 16 of the 22 Day Challenge from DevRel University powered by Arbitrum.

Read my previous posts:

Day 15: Tools for Scaling DevRel
Day 14: Presenting at Dev Events
Day 13: Writing Technical Content for Non-Technical Audiences
Day 12: Onboarding Women into Blockchain
Day 11: Especially on Sundays
Day 10: Why I Fired Myself
Day 9: Leveraging Social Media for DevRel
Day 8: Personal Branding in DevRel
Day 7: How Arbitrum can save Developers from Blockchain Frustrations
Day 6: My Journey Building a Components Library for NEAR BOS (Without Coding Experience)
Day 5: Building Trust with devs as a No-Code Professional
Day 4: Tracking Developer Engagement and Success in DevRel
Day 3: Web3 Hackathons: the Ultimate DevRel Classroom
Day 2: A beginner’s guide to Building Authentic Connections in Web3
Day 1: Translating Developer Speak into Human Language