Discuss the fun task of marketing a t-shirt shop. Where to advertise, link building, word of mouth, press releases, search engine marketing, keyword advertising, magazines, etc.
My blog is up and running. I am trying to spread the word, but I know it will take time though. Do most people literally stumble upon blogs?
A blog is just like a website and a website is just like a business.
You have to market and advertise all of them to get customers (or readers).
I agree with Jasonda that you need to find the newspapers, magazines, blogs, search terms, forums that your target customer reads and get your ads in front of them in varied and creative ways.
What do forward thinking people read? Where do they shop? What do the watch on TV?
Link exchange is a great way to promote your website. Find relevant websites that also target your market and exchange links - you should find your traffic increase considerably.
I think that this is an interesting option for me to explore. I have already reviewed a few of the links that you mentioned. I have never even heard of these sites before! Excellent advise.
Link exchange is a great way to promote your website. Find relevant websites that also target your market and exchange links - you should find your traffic increase considerably.
Do I send an e-mail to the website or blog and ask to exchange links with them? I'm not sure how this process works, and I don't want to rub anyone the wrong way.
Do I send an e-mail to the website or blog and ask to exchange links with them? I'm not sure how this process works, and I don't want to rub anyone the wrong way.
I'm just speaking from my own experience, but people send me link requests all the time and it doesn't rub me the wrong way.
When you email them, just explain the reasons you think a reciprocal link would be beneficial to you both. Show them where they will be listed on your website and go ahead and provide your information (website URL, display name, and description). Ask them to provide the same if they are interested.
^^^ I'm glad to hear that! I will have to find some websites and blogs to exchange links with. Does anyone have any suggestions (sites or blogs)? I have a few in mind.
Word of mouth is always good! But getting the word out at college campus' is what I'm also trying to do now. It's not that easy when a college is not in your area, you know! Any suggestions?
Word of mouth is always good! But getting the word out at college campus' is what I'm also trying to do now. It's not that easy when a college is not in your area, you know! Any suggestions?
What if you advertise on Craig's list or in the college's newspaper that you are looking for students to form 'street teams' to spread the word about your new line? Have them hand out flyers and/or stickers and pay them with shirts instead of money. [Unless you can afford to pay them with money because I'm sure college students could use it ...]
What if you advertise on Craig's list or in the college's newspaper that you are looking for students to form 'street teams' to spread the word about your new line? Have them hand out flyers and/or stickers and pay them with shirts instead of money. [Unless you can afford to pay them with money because I'm sure college students could use it ...]
Now that's an idea that I have NEVER thought of! I'm going to look into this further.
Now that's an idea that I have NEVER thought of! I'm going to look into this further.
I don't know if you have a Myspace site, or maybe Myspace isn't "forward thinking enough" (lol), but I see this stuff done a lot. Bands put out bulletins or adds to their friends list looking for people to form street teams, hand out fliers, spread the word, etc. when they come to town. I don't see why you couldn't utilize this kind of street campaign. If you have a Myspace site, you could use your Myspace friends- maybe they would do it in exchange for a free shirt!
^^ The myspace thing is so over done. I think the craigslist or something like that is a better option, but I can't rule out anything. Street teams are a great idea!
^^ The myspace thing is so over done. I think the craigslist or something like that is a better option, but I can't rule out anything. Street teams are a great idea!
I almost suggested MySpace, but then I realized that if they come to your page they'll probably already be looking at your shirts and therefore will already be exposed to your brand. But (assuming you have a MySpace page) it wouldn't hurt to send out a bulletin or leave messages just to make people aware of what you are trying to do.
MySpace groups were once a good avenue to reach your target market, but the last time I looked it was just teeny boppers posting 'Would you sleep with the person who posted above you?' LOL. WTF?
I totally agree that MySpace is overdone, but I have had some sales from it so I wouldn't rule it out completely.
Re: Where to find forward thinking customers? 
