Discuss the process of getting your t-shirt line into brick and mortar stores and selling offline. Topics include industry tradeshows, events, line sheets, sales reps and other retailing tips and advice.
First of all, I just wanted to say this is a great forum. I have been reading for a while now...and I finally hit a big road bump.
I have worked for over a year developing my designs, building my catalog and establishing my manufacturers.
I researched and dug up about 25 stores in the bay area that my shirts would fit well in (in my opinion). Now I thought I would just call and set up an appointments with the buyers/owner of the stores. Man was I wrong...I got 0 appointments and 20+ email addresses. Now I took my time and formulated a very through e-mail, and a nice image. (I couldn't possibly send my whole catalog.) So far its been about a week, and I got 1 response.
I'm really getting worried that my year of preparation is going down the drain. I use to be a telemarketer, so I'm sure it wasn't the way I asked on the calls.
I really want a appointment because I'm passionate about my designs and want to introduce my art to them in person. How can I get a hold of them?
Please does anyone know any tricks/tips to get in touch with buyers? Any feedback is welcome. (I know about the tradeshows, but I don't have that kind of founds right now.)
what kind of stores?? if you are going for the big names...I am afraid you may be disappointed. The buyers get 100s of cold calls, emails etc trying to get a spot. Most of the buyers of the bigger stores will not want to work with a one man show...because of the lack of track record and the question of ability to produce the volume needed...say several thousand. I would suggest you start at the bottom and work up rather than the top and work down.. build a following locally if you can, Right now you are an unknown quality...so start building an image. Try some of the one line shops like cafe press..how about listing on ebay/craigs list...anything to get your images out there.
Hey thanks for the reply Charles. I'm definitely not trying to find the big guys, these 25 stores are all local, independently owned clothing stores. But I will look into cafepress.
If they are local, I would take a few samples around to them to see, and leave a look book type of brochure. It is always more of an impact on a small shop to meet someone personally, then sending an email. I know with myself I am likely to just delete a email, but I will give someone the time if they make the effort to show me they have something I might want.
Hey thanks for the reply Charles. I'm definitely not trying to find the big guys, these 25 stores are all local, independently owned clothing stores. But I will look into cafepress.
Would you be willing to part with one of your tees?? If the answer is yes and you really want to get their attention then send them a shirt with your information. A call can get brushed off.. A letter sits on a desk.. an email goes unanswered.. ahh but having a large envelope with a shirt that is your product and your catalog gets looked at.. They have the actual product to evaluate.. I don't know your cost. I actually made a bunch of tees and with my cost sheet went up into the gold country and just walked in and told them who i was and said i would like to leave this with your as a gift and for your to evaluate if it could work in your shop. Out of 10 stores I landed 3.. if your up in the Auburn sometime stop by the Old Court House and see my tees and tote bags.. They are in their souvenir shop.
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Hey guys thanks for the reply, I definitely like those suggestions. I will visit these stores in person. I think I will leave them with my catalog, how does that sound Badalu?
my two cents may not count yet since I haven't gone store to store but we have taken our shirts to local groups and shown them the quality and feel and gotten sales.
If you can part with the shirts maybe you can take a few and SHOW to them at least. Sometimes pictures don't "pop" or make a lasting impression like the real thing. And if the owners are women, they like to touch, and hold it up, ya know, girl stuff.
Hi. Don't know if they are available in cotton, but with my sublimation tees, there are actually mini tees available, which are designed to be sent out as samples to buyers. It's a novel idea and gets people's attention.
On a promotional aspect, have a few coasters, or pens made up. Put them in a padded bag with your catalogue and price list. Phone calls are forgotten after a few minutes, but a promotional item is likely to be around their office for a while.
I tend to loathe sales people, so have no phone number on my site, my enquiries always have a 000 number put in the form field and my phone is on permanent answerphone. It is virtually impossible for sellers to contact me. My business is run online, so I can do that. What you have to appreciate with buyers, is they have endless calls from people selling insurance, health care, computers, stationery, the list goes on.
It's a question of you targetting the buyers with something that is likely to be of use to them. If your items do not fit in with what they are already selling, that may put you at a significant disadvantage.
Making something is relatively easy. Selling it is the hard part.
Hey guys thanks for the reply, I definitely like those suggestions. I will visit these stores in person. I think I will leave them with my catalog, how does that sound Badalu?
I think Lou was saying that catalogs can get overlooked like many other pieces of paper.
If you leave them with an actual *t-shirt*, you have a better chance of getting their attention.
Trouble getting hold of buyers 
