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heywood_j2 · March 24th, 2008

Ok, this is my first post in this forum. I have a killer idea for a new brand and I need help getting started. I have so many questions and each answer I find leads to 20 more questions. Website design and implementation issues, logo designs, marketing and promotion, etc. It becomes overwhelming and stops me in my track whenever it seems like I'm making progess. What I'm realizing is that I need help and am willing to hire a professional to help guide me in this process. But my search for help has lead me to web designers who say they know what to do, but they really don't. Most of them BS me and know nothing about CafePress or anything else related to starting an online clothing ecommerce site.

Does anyone have any suggestions of what I can do????

Rodney · March 24th, 2008

Quote:


	Does anyone have any suggestions of what I can do????

You may want to try looking at the source.

Try visiting the official CafePress forums. Take a few days to read through posts, see who is helpful, see who is professional, see who has been around for awhile. Visit their websites by looking at their signature, etc.

Then contact people you think might fit the type of person you're looking to hire and ask them if they would be interested in working with you.

Or if it's allowed over there, post a message saying you're looking to hire someone and review the people that respond.

Most businesses won't be as simple as Step 1, step 2, step 3, profit. There is a LOT of research and work involved in doing it right. It's very common that one question will lead you to more questions. That's how learning happens when you approach a totally new topic. It may take a couple of days or it may take a couple of months to do it.

I would honestly suggest that you take your time and learn. Once you get a better overview of how it all works, you'll realize some things you really don't need, some things are must haves, and some things you can do yourself to save money.

If you just pay someone to do it all for you now because you're frustrated, you run the risk of paying for too much and not really understanding how it all fits together.

Jeepwidow · March 24th, 2008

I don't have experience in the t-shirt industry nor am I screen printer. But I can share what I've done in the past few months. And that is: Read...Read...Read! From "what is vector imaging", to E-Commerce 101 you will find it here. Your eyes are going to hurt, but spend the time and reading. It's worth it

In regards cafe press. Keep in mind it's one type of fulfillment house, but there are others. I opened a shop (only basic) to see if my images will sell, knowing that this isn't my only way I'm going to make money. I've also opened a shop at Printfection.

Images - I had a graphic artist friend refine my designs before I uploaded them to CP. Then my husband spent a few late nights learning about Illustrator (now he wants to do more and learn more!).

In essence, give yourself time to learn; on the web, at the library. In the beginning, I felt my head spinning! So try to take one thing at a time. Maybe this am you will read the forum and/or google about images(photoshop, Illustrator, Coral Draw ); tomorrow is about going to the SBA website and learn about E-commerce. If you look at the whole pie, it will make you hyperventilate. Take a slice and enjoy each bit, savoring what is inside (sorry for the analogy, I must be hungry

). Talk to friends/family and see if they know anyone who does web design or graphic design on the side.

I may be saying this out loud so I can hear myself, but, be patient. Oh, and one more thing. Grab a notebook and take notes because there is too much information to retain.

Peace2TheRest · March 24th, 2008

I totally agree with the notebook thing.
I have been working on my launch for almost 4 months now, and everyday I make it a point to learn one more thing, find one more contact, work on one more design, tell one more person about what it is that we are doing.
Small steps added will get you there I promise you.

I was in such a rush to get open I reviewed some designs, ideas, website design, and it was all sub par.
I think it is better to learn, evolve, and get everything just how you want it before taking that step then anything.
I would also consider outsourcing, or having a local screen printer or DTG person do make your shirts. Yes you will have to box them and ship them and keep track of all sorts of other things but if you are successful on CafePress, imagine how successful you will be when you can put your designs anywhere on the shirt, and add some real personal touches to the boxing you use.
Not to mention the profit margins are quite a bit better when you are doing it yourself.

manna1111 · April 17th, 2008

Hi there,
I am a newbie as well and I know how you feel! I thought I could simply throw a design on a t-shirt and be on my way...Here I am a few months later and know less than when I started

However, these forums are AWESOME! I try to read them everyday and I go wherever they take me. I keep a list of the different topics that I need to research and simply add information as I go along. I also piece together a business plan as I am discovering. Keep reading and be patient

JCN8580 · April 18th, 2008

Hi Rodney,

I'm a new member as of today. Your post hit the nail on the head. I am getting started with Cafepress and have someone designing my page for me right now but there is much more to this than meets the eye. I believe that if you want a profitably business for the long term it's best do do your research about your product and try to do as much of the work as time permits. I don't know how to program html so I am having it done for me. As far as the rest goes, I am designing my own graphics and learning about how to organize my shop on cafepress.

Xeon · April 19th, 2008

Actually, if you're going to custom-code your CP store etc., or is trying to do fancy things with your CP store and own website, the best is to post a "Paid project. Help needed" thread in the appropriate CP forum.

Trying to hire people from sites like iFreelance or Guru.com etc for your CP needs wouldn't work, because although these guys know technical stuff, the CP interface needs time to learn and get familiar with, something they don't have.
It's like asking a general doctor to perform brain surgery for you.
LOL, would you?

There's a lot of good coders there and I can even recommend you a couple of these guys who are very professional CP-centric, and the only limit is your financial budget.

JCN8580 · April 19th, 2008

Thanks for the info Xeon. I just found someone who codes mostly for CP. The biggest challenge for me seems to be uploading 200 or so graphical designs, labeling them, categorizing them, and so forth. It's very time consuming. I think it will be worth it in the long run though.

John

Xeon · April 20th, 2008

Quote:


	Thanks for the info Xeon. I just found someone who codes mostly for CP. The biggest challenge for me seems to be uploading 200 or so graphical designs, labeling them, categorizing them, and so forth. It's very time consuming. I think it will be worth it in the long run though

LOL, well, you can always hire a teen to do the job as some sort of spring break vacation part time job since it's pretty repetitive.

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