The number of self-employed and sole trader workers continues to rise as more people seek independence to do their own thing. The pandemic certainly gave a lot of us ample time to reflect on our careers and what we wanted from our jobs. From this, many small businesses were born.

Owning your own business and being self-employed gives you the freedom to choose just about everything for your business – including whether to wear a uniform or not. Here’s why you should wear a uniform – even if you are self-employed.

The benefits of a branded uniform for small businesses

Exposure

One of the most significant benefits of having a uniform when you’re self-employed is the exposure it can bring you. For start-ups especially, there’s often not a lot of money in the bank to run extensive advertising campaigns, and many businesses rely heavily on word-of-mouth referrals and organic searches to grow their business. While these methods do work, pairing them with a branded uniform can provide plenty of opportunities for businesses.

A well designed, appealing uniform can – quite literally – turn you into a walking advertisement! Every person you walk past or interact with builds brand awareness and turns into another person your business reaches. Compared to other advertising methods, it can be inexpensive and is ongoing. Think about how many places you visit in a day – the local café in the morning for your coffee, those you pass during your lunchtime walk, or even members at the gym before you get changed for your after-work session – that’s a lot of people!

One study conducted researched the benefits of a uniform over other forms of advertising. The results found were:

• 75.7% of respondents said uniforms are better than billboard advertising.
• 74.4% of respondents said uniforms are better than radio advertising.
• 73.5% of respondents said uniforms are better than TV advertising.
• 71.5% of respondents said uniforms are better than newspaper advertising.
• 56.1% of respondents said uniforms are better than internet advertising.
• 55% of respondents said uniforms are better than the Yellow Pages.

Credibility

Wearing a professional uniform gives your business a sense of credibility in the eyes of the consumer, with 94% of consumers preferring staff in a uniform as they are more easily recognised and 93% of consumers believing it reflects strongly on a brand if the team wear smart uniforms. Especially for smaller, start-up businesses, a positive first impression of professionalism can go a long way in building trust and brand reputation.

Customers perceive employees who wear branded workwear take greater pride in their work and are therefore more capable of providing better products and services.

Productivity

Wearing specific garments helps to change your mindset. When you exercise, you wear activewear. When you’re getting into bed, you put on your pyjamas. When you’re lazing around the house, you wear loungewear. Wearing a uniform tells your brain that it’s time to enter ‘work mode’. It stimulates a professional mindset in workers, and as a result, they start getting more engrossed in their tasks. It’s an effective psychological effect of uniforms that makes them feel as if they are the face of the brand.

Professionalism

A branded uniform is often the first thing a consumer notices about your brand. Having a smart-looking uniform can create a solid first impression about the type of business you are and the work that you do. If you, for example, came across a lawyer who had half an untucked shirt, dirty shoes, and hair all over the place, you’d likely question the competency of the employee and the company (by extension). On the other hand, if they were well-groomed and wore a well-suited uniform, you’d more than likely feel as though they were professional and competent.

Tax benefits

Aside from looking great and increasing brand exposure, uniforms have some tax benefits (depending on where you’re located). In Australia and New Zealand, there are some clothes-related deductions you can claim, including the cost of buying and cleaning clothing that is not suitable for everyday wear, such as:

• Protective clothing (i.e., not everyday wear)
• Clothing that easily identifies your occupation, like checked chef trousers
• Distinctive uniforms
• Clothing and footwear (such as hi-vis wear, non-slip shoes, etc.) that you wear to protect yourself from the risk of illness or injury posed by your job or your work environment

Any non-compulsory uniform generally isn’t tax-deductible. You cannot claim, for example, everyday clothing, even if you do wear it to work. That includes any clothes you buy specifically for work (like an expensive suit) that you otherwise wouldn’t have purchased (unless it’s clearly branded).

Boosts morale

Whether it’s just you working or if you’re slowly building up a team, having a uniform is a great way to boost morale. If you involve your team in the uniform design process, they’re likely to enjoy wearing it a lot more, and they’ll feel a sense of pride in something they’ve helped create.

Equality

As your team expands, having a uniform can bring equality and unity to the team. It shows that your business presents a united front. A uniform should also make your team feel and be seen as the same in the workplace, irrespective of their social status.

Timesaving

Lastly, having a uniform saves time - even when you’re self-employed. Deciding what to wear every morning (or night if you’re organised enough to choose the night before!) can take a lot more time than you realise. By having a uniform, not only are you generating brand exposure for your business, but you’re also saving time in the mornings, as you’ll have your wardrobe sorted and not have to waste time deciding what to wear.

The benefits of wearing a branded uniform while working for a large company are often apparent, however, the benefits of wearing a branded uniform while self-employed aren’t often mentioned. Even if you are self-employed, wearing a uniform is a great way to build your brand reputation and expose your business to potential customers. If you’re looking for your next uniform, head to the Biz Corporates website today.