We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Christina Maag. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Christina below.

Christina, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

I come from an executive assistant background and was often tasked with procuring branded merchandise for corporate events and projects. I wanted to change careers and had the opportunity to learn about branded merchandise as a distributor (the companies I work for).

I think most promotional product companies work with a cost leader model. They also provide the same top ideas to their clients. With my background I view each company’s project I work on from the client and recipients’ lens. I know when I receive branded items a lot of them end up in the trash. I strive to provide curated items that fit the client’s budget, brand and project. No matter the budget I work on ideas that will be useful and always take in to account the demographic of the receiver or if there should be a call to action.

Another benefit of my executive assistant background is problem solving and project management. During Covid supply chains have been unreliable so I am always problem solving and have a solution on hand for my clients when the unexpected happens!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Christina Maag is a brand consultant and owns Hoopla, a promotional products company. She is based out of Boise, Idaho but works with clients all over the United States. Her experience as a former executive assistant influences how she views each project through the client’s lens and her high level of customer service. She has experience planning global events for over 35,000 employees while working for a large tech company. Her goal is to help you find marketing merchandise that fits your budget, is useful to the receiver, and adds high value to your brand recognition. She provides project management, polish, and professionalism to every project she collaborates on. Her goal is to make her clients shine with custom marketing merchandise.

I have overseas factories I work with regularly to create one of kind awards and giveaways. I also have a design studio on my site to help inspire artwork for special events. I work on smaller projects that can be as simple as pens to large scale custom award projects and kits that are shipped all over the world!

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I regularly schedule lunch or coffee with my clients or potential clients. When I meet with a new client I provide a spectacular SWAG bag branded to Hoopla, my company so they can see the variety of products that can work for upcoming projects. I always say YES and figure out a way to help execute project. Often times in my industry clients come to me with short notice for branded merchandise as an after thought. I get creative with what we can do in short periods of time.

I also advocate on pricing and delivery for all my clients. My goal is to make my clients job easy. I am their personal shopper and project manager in one!

How did you build your audience on social media?

Trial and error! I have run my own social media since day 1. Went from 0 followers to 1500 in 3 years. I think consistency is key and posting daily. The thing about social media is it is always evolving. From Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok. I think you have to ask yourself what your goal is with social media. Is it awareness to your company or to procure new clients and leads? For me, LinkedIn is where my avatar client lives so I work to learn more about what strategy is most effective.

Don’t be scared to try new things no matter how silly they make you feel! I noticed a lot more followers and engagement when I started posting reels, post and stories about myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hooplaboise.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoopla_boise/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hooplaboise
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-maag/

Image Credits
The Scout Guide Boise Numo Mfg