Being a newbie (started Nov 05), but a quick grower, I am trying to figure out beyond the obvious.
I know for a FACT that Nov/Dec are the busiest times of the year.
I know that Jan is slowest or is it?
Summer last year was big, but we didn't get any momentum until May/June. I have no clue what Mar/Apr/May will bring...
Sept/Oct were relatively slower than summer.
Has anyone that has been around for a while that has a good cycle of sales. Having an advertising background we usually comp against last years sales but being so new last year it isn't comparable.
My guess is that it grows as the year goes along until summer, spikes at back to school, drops Sept/Oct, the SPIKES Nov/Dec....
Also, what percentages should advertising run. Obviously, it is based on return, but insite would help.
What percentage of people buy from the site...?
Thanks
Mike
Last edited by Solmu; February 18th, 2007 at 11:27 PM.
Reason: removed url as per forum guidelines; feel free to add it to your signature
The slow times for us in T-Shirt and mUSIC buisness RETAIL are the tail end of Feb (like now ) and Aug.
As for the Branding/Manufacturing. The last 2 weeks before x-mas are very slow.
Where to spend your advertising dollars ?
Good question. ... have you tried insentives with your existing client base and let them advertise for you via word of mouth. That works ok because you use insentives like inventory (give aways/discounts etc.) you already paid for so no need to dish out new dollars.
Thanks for the reply. We spend a bunch of $$$'s on adwords and overture. And yes, right before and after Xmas is slow. FYI - We contacted your company for plastisol and honestly we had a HORRIBLE experience. Being a newbie at with the product, I was asking a lot of questions and was basically blown off, told that people fish a lot and was asked "was I going to place and order". I tried explaining that I didn't know the product and needed to understand what i was buying. That being said, the first order from Dowling Graphics was over $15k. I thought you might want to know. If you look in your discussion boards, you will see what I am talking about. I also had several emails from someone there. All the best.
Mike
Last edited by Solmu; February 18th, 2007 at 11:31 PM.
Reason: removed url
That's news to me. We try our best but we know we can't win everyones hearts.
We do take on new newbie projects and often push the goods worldwide. This of course takes time, planning and understanding with all involved but it can not be done with everyone that contacts us. As you may already know.
I've read that an OK conversion ratio is 1%, 5% would be good. However, that's going to vary and depend on the quality of traffic you're sending to the site and how well your shirts match what they want.
I've seen some t-shirt sites covert at 15% or more.
When we first started 5 years ago we had competition in a neighboring city that took care of our entire town...with alot of hard work we pulled that business back into town.When we first started we got really slow right after Xmas...and didnt pick up until Feb.....Since we added retail a year after starting there is no slow time.Our HighSchool and youth sports in this town keep us flooded...from late August to December it is insane with the retail.How we did it was to offer stock design heat press and add accessories...just like build a bear...our hoodies started at 22.00....but by the time the customer got done they averaged 42.00 each....we are a town of 6500 people and one friday we did 3200.00 in retail alone.This year we are hoping to franchise and open 3 more locations.All in towns with small population that arent being served....school sports are a huge market.Tap in and your in for a busy year.
__________________ The Shirt Shak-TSS Grafx-TSS Sporting Goods...Gettin it done since 2001
We're never slow. Kidding yet it is very infrequent now a days. From my expierence the slow season changes every year. One year were slow in jan the next in Dec, previous too that was Feb. The market plays a roll in your slow periods for sure.
Busy Time Of The Year, Highs and Lows??? 
) and Aug. 
... have you tried insentives with your existing client base and let them advertise for you via word of mouth. That works ok because you use insentives like inventory (give aways/discounts etc.) you already paid for so no need to dish out new dollars.
