http://www.t-shirtforums.com Discuss the fun task of marketing a t-shirt shop. Where to advertise, local marketing tips, word of mouth, press releases, search engine marketing, keyword advertising, magazines, etc. en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:05:28 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.t-shirtforums.com/styles/tf/misc/rss.jpg http://www.t-shirtforums.com http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t102313.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:41:47 GMT I'm planning to launch my site within 10 days. I have 3 great designs. One of which I did a test run of 40 shirts. The other 2 designs will be up, but on a pre order basis to get a feel of which direction to take. I will knock off $5 for pre order's to entice customers to purchase and will ship within 2 weeks.

Also, since the date is approaching, is it a good idea to promote the site? The site is still being worked on and has a splash page "Coming Soon", should I start getting the name out there now or wait until the site goes live?

I guess I have 2 question. Llollool thanks ]]> T-Shirt Marketing NeverBePeace http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t102313.html http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t102239.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:35:23 GMT Hey there,

I've been working on a new line of shirts, Kafkacotton, and we're going to launch in a week with an Etsy store. This forum has been an amazing place for information - thanks everybody.

Anyway, a big part of my marketing effort is going to be a road trip to promote Kafkacotton on college campuses. Our niche is, "Great books. On your chest." I'll be dressing up as our cockroach mascot and collecting email addresses for a drawing of some free shirts. I'll also be using Facebook and Youtube to amplify any buzz we receive. I'm expecting some print PR as well since our line donates 5% of our proceeds to fighting illiteracy.

Do you recommend any states (or better yet, cities) that I should be sure to hit?

Shirt.woot has a cool "Woots by State" map for each of the designs they print. It tells you which states the sales came from (for example: http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt...tml#post586156)..... but I'm not sure if this is useful information.

If you're interested, feel free to follow the journey via our blog or facebook page. ]]> T-Shirt Marketing xdrjohnx http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t102239.html http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t102230.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:53:22 GMT So Ive been know to have some rather odd marketing ideas. This is the newest one that I cooked up on the train on my way to work (idea central I tell ya). Long story short, my stupid XBOX Red Ringed the second I started playing Modern Warfare 2... awful awful experience but I saw it as an... So Ive been know to have some rather odd marketing ideas. This is the newest one that I cooked up on the train on my way to work (idea central I tell ya).

Long story short, my stupid XBOX Red Ringed the second I started playing Modern Warfare 2... awful awful experience but I saw it as an opportunity nonetheless. So I put together a Kool Aid and Oatmeal gift package. Why Kool Aid and Oatmeal? It happened to be in my house. I dont actually expect them to USE it (because that would be silly) but still.

SMSG Kool Aid and Oatmeal gift package and party invite

I have NO idea if this is going to work or create any "word of mouth" but a lot of people here ask how to market their product. I say just do it and be creative, be ridiculous... be completely stupid. As long as it gets people talking. I plan on sending at least a few more of these so see where it goes. If it fails Im out like 20 bucks and a few minutes of my time.

Then I'll move on to the next idea.

Really just do the first thing that pops into your head. Thats where the math problem idea came from basically. Most of these ideas arent that expensive (which is easily the best part).

Keep on truckin. ]]> T-Shirt Marketing adam.smsg http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t102230.html http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t102224.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:30:36 GMT Hey all,

I am looking for tips or ideas of how you market/sell your business when it is home based and you have no storefront or website yet.

A friend of mine will be selling for me also and I'm trying to figure out a packet of sorts to have and carry with us.

Should I make a brochure, have some samples (but how many and of what), etc.

Any tips of the trade here would be great!

Eventually I will have a website but until then I need ideas!

Thanks!:D ]]> T-Shirt Marketing sporttees1 http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t102224.html http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t102033.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:02:17 GMT I was wondering what percent everyone prints t's that are just one color print. Trying to do some market research. Thanks. ]]> T-Shirt Marketing hatmanok http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t102033.html http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t102019.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:03:49 GMT Can someone tell what the proper channels to go through to sell T-shirts at a concert in greensbrough North Carolina? Can someone tell what the proper channels to go through to sell T-shirts at a concert in greensbrough North Carolina? ]]> T-Shirt Marketing sho4it http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t102019.html http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t101938.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:33:54 GMT So...I have another possibly lame idea.
I have lots of ideas about how i could start a t-shirt company. and I have tried and failed several times through the years, mainly due to the fact that I never have the capitol to do so...and partners come and go before I can even start.
I've been designing t-shirts for twenty years.
i'm fed up with struggling and I want to make money.
I've been laid off several times from a nice salary base employment...and have worked freelance off and on through the years.
Currently as a freelancer, over the years I have built a solid base of just a few clients that I have continually worked with. the resort industry is a seasonal industry...and I can ride the waves..but lately it's running dry.

Here's my idea...

Instead of trying to create a t-shirt company (with lots of overhead) and instead of offering my designs to each client (t-shirt manufacturers) exclusively while waiting for approvals (which could be months), I'm thinking I could offer my designs to everyone on the internet under a limited licence agreement so I would retain ownership of my designs, but buyers could use them as they wish. But they would have non-exclusivity with my designs (i'll resell them to others).....so i'd probably lose the interest of my current client base (which has been nil lately anyway) but build the possibility of lots of income from a much larger client base. The issue is: reselling my designs..and competing manufacturers would have the same design. and also, how to market my site so everyone can see it.
Obviously, my target market is T-shirt Manufacturers and I have a plan to email all the sales reps in the industry (which know me and my art very well) and they will probably be up in arms about this and this idea will either blow the industry upside down or be a big giant fail again...but that's as far as I've gotten.

BTW: this idea is something I generally would hold a secret..but I just don't care anymore....I have nothing to lose...i'm broke and I'm tired of being under the hand of the industry...Ive been in it for so long, thats it's all I know...and I know it well. ]]> T-Shirt Marketing aggrovated http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t101938.html http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t101923.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:40:28 GMT Here is a link to a page that gives you a free tool that tweets on autopilot for you.

Twitter Buzz

I don't know if there are other or better services, but someone can post if they know of any.

I haven't tried it yet, I'm just getting used to my new Twitter Account (OneCustomShirt).

Dennis Graves ]]> T-Shirt Marketing Dennis Graves http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t101923.html http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t101590.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:22:07 GMT Hi! Just looking for some tips on using twitter to help market your business. If anyone has any useful information that would be wonderful! I am new to tweeting and not sure exactly how I should be using twitter. Thanks! Laura Hi!

Just looking for some tips on using twitter to help market your business. If anyone has any useful information that would be wonderful! I am new to tweeting and not sure exactly how I should be using twitter.

Thanks!

Laura
]]> T-Shirt Marketing LMCTees http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t101590.html http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t101548.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:46:18 GMT I've been thinking about this for quite some time now. I'm at the point right now, where I gotta choose 5-6 designs (or even less) for my onlineshop.

Since this is the startup of my brand, I can't really afford more variety at the beginning.

But like I've read here a couple of times, I think it would look much more professional to have more than just 5 designs in my shop.

So what if I just announce the release of another shirt-collection on top of my current designs, and preview some of these shirt's designs in my shop?
- It would help me to fill my shop with stuff earlier than by only putting in, what is already available.

What do you think of regular collection releases and especially of previewing them in the shop? Is there anything bad from the customer perspective, I just didn't consider? ]]> T-Shirt Marketing marcmarcmarc http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t101548.html http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t101432.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:46:02 GMT Hello everyone, I need to decide on a name for my tshirt store. What do you think of these two options (http://selltshirtsonline.wordpress.com/2009/11/10/taking-the-plunge-what-to-call-it/)? *As part of my branding process,* I asked a few friends what they liked/didn’t like about ordering custom... Hello everyone,

I need to decide on a name for my tshirt store. What do you think of these two options?

As part of my branding process, I asked a few friends what they liked/didn’t like about ordering custom t-shirts. Here what they are:

• Prices upfront
• Good selection but not too many to overwhelm me
• Tell me what colors and sizes are available
• Give me some inspiration!
• Make it easy to order online
• Let me see what it looks like on the t-shirt
• Tell me how long it will take upfront
• Have a phone and/or email I can contact you on
• Tell me where you are – a physical address
• shirts that are comfy to wear and don’t shrink
• Give you a cheap price since you’re ordering online and doing the work!
• Good quality prints that wont fade after one wash

Cheers,

Kristi
selltshirtsonline.wordpress.com ]]> T-Shirt Marketing kristimck http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t101432.html http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t101277.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:45:19 GMT I have been reading the marketing threads about blogging for your business.

Hmmmmm. I would love to blog. This would give me an excuse to do so, but I am newer than a newbie -- I haven't even started business yet.

I have a caved in garage ceiling -- caused by a leak that requires the repair of an upstairs balcony we hate. Since we have to spend the money to repair the balcony we hate, we're going to turn it into a home office instead. Since we're turning it to a home office, I decided we really should start a home-based business. After bouncing around several ideas, I've decided on a t-shirt business.

I have plenty to blog about with all of this home remodeling, planning, and starting a new business; but I'm thinking that I should probably present a more professional view to potential clients than how new and unsure I am in all of this....

What do you think? Interesting blog material or too much information on how green I am? And does blogging about it really increase business?

I appreciate your thoughts. ]]> T-Shirt Marketing leapoffaith http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t101277.html http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t101155.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:09:14 GMT Hi Gang I created a website on websdotcom and I was hoping to get some feedback on my site. I also added my business to google. is there anything else I can do to drum up some business these days. My site is penworkdesigns . webs . com I would appreciate input. Hi Gang
I created a website on websdotcom and I was hoping to get some feedback on my site. I also added my business to google. is there anything else I can do to drum up some business these days. My site is penworkdesigns . webs . com I would appreciate input. ]]> T-Shirt Marketing penwork http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t101155.html http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t101133.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:39:24 GMT Hi guys, im fairly new to the forum but have spent a while now reading through some of the cool tips and tricks on here and I have learnt alot. Well its not time I gave some tips myself! Although I have a fairly new t-shirt business, I have learnt alot on one specific issue and that is the... Hi guys, im fairly new to the forum but have spent a while now reading through some of the cool tips and tricks on here and I have learnt alot.

Well its not time I gave some tips myself!

Although I have a fairly new t-shirt business, I have learnt alot on one specific issue and that is the brand!

Initially when we started we got over excited made amazing colourful designs and thought that nothing could go wrong, we had loads of them and we were confident this was it, but when put up for review and given to my close personal friend who is also my manufacturer he totally dismissed them. Why? Because they were just a bunch of random graphics with no thought or meaning behind them. Now dont get me wrong, I know this is not important for all t-shirt companies, for example, funny tees, they are all different but with an actual clothing label that is trying to group a specific message across it is very important to link them in some way or another. What I mean by this is hen someone looks at your tshirt they can say oh that is an "X" tshirt.

Without this, you will fail in the long run, take it from me, iv been there. You may sell like hot cakes at the start but when the hype dies down, it will rapidly.

The key to success is having a constant hook, a background story, a meaning to entise the customer to want to be part of this brand and attatch themselves to it.

I know this all may sound very deep but psychology is an important matter and it is amzing how a strong historical brand background can help you succeed in the long run.

So to summarise my advice:

1. When you bring out a range, try to look at them as an outsider and think, do these look like they all came from the same label? Could I tell they are the same family without looking at the label?

2. Publish a story, an about us page on your website, or right a little story on the tags if you use them to describe the t-shirt.

3. Stay true to your brand, dont go off-track, obviously you will always go down slightly different roads but try and keep your brand identity.

I guarantee if you follow just some of these steps you will be more succesful with your t-shirt business!

We are trying to do that now, all our designs are different, they may not be the most amazing design to look at, but they are unique, they link, they have a great story, people can relate and they are of great quality.

We may be seen as stubborn but we dont want to become a slave of the ever growing major retail junkie industry, we are being true to ourselves, this way we know things may take off slowly, but once people get interest, they will be interested for life, as they are wearing something that they know all about and that relates to them!

I even studied colour psychology within my degree of depth perception and 3D vision and the effect it has on the brain and emotions, sad but very useful.

Take from this what you will but I just thought id give you my opinion!

Good luck!

Jamie ]]> T-Shirt Marketing OffYaRocker.com http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t101133.html http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t101074.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:40:50 GMT If this is against the rules, please delete.

But I thought it'd be cool to get everyones Twitter account so we can follow each other and see how we each do things.

Mines @MadMotoClothing

post yours up! ]]> T-Shirt Marketing madmoto http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t101074.html