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.
Hi Guys,
I have been abscent for a while, mainly due to a recent spell of ill health
This has forced me to close my retail shop and take everything home, this is where I will now be working from.
For the last 10-11 days I have dipped my toe into the murky waters of eBay. This has been with reletive success but not the cheapest way of selling shirts, those fees soon mount up!
I have my own site up and running but this is slow even at the prices I sell at
What other options should I consider? One benefit of working from home is that I can focus without interuption !
Have any of you tried eBid.net? As I have heard different opinions.
Your thoughts please.
Ebay for shirts and stuff.......eh, some folks have luck most don't though. I sell a few things (not shirts/apparel) there but they're niche products and really just help keep me busy in between orders locally.
I tried ebay but as you said very expensive way of selling and to be honest i gave it up because it was just taking too much time for little money.
Lee
Hi Lee,
I had a little look on your website and see that you concentrate your efforts on the promotional side of things. Does this pay? I have a mate who does this local to me who tells me that this market is becomming more 'Cut-throat'.
I feel a little like 'a rabbit in the headlights' at the moment as with my retail shop I was used to my customers comming to me now i've got to go out and find them Now just to find the best way to do this!
The benefit of working from home is that you do lose that huge 'Overhead' i'm hoping this will ease the pressure on me as I believe this is what caused my sudden illness.
I know I am asking quite some question here, how to go about getting more business that is, as it is pretty much asking you guys the secret to your success! It' just a little guidance I need really!
Hi. It is entirely feasible to work completely from home. I trade via the Internet and through local(ish) shows, so having separate business premises is totally pointless for me. Only downside to working from home can be the isolation, plus your loft space quickly gets filled up with stock. You really find yourslves using every nook and cranny, but with a little thought, it works out ok.
Some traders 'appear' to do very well on EBay, but when you look closely, they often have thousands of listings. Every listing on EBay costs you money, whether the item actually sells or not. EBay is the only one that is always in a 'win win' situation. Only thing you can really do to minimise your costs, is to aim at niche markets.
Having your own site is of course an option, but you need to find a way of getting folks to come and have a look at your site. Depending on your products, that could be selective mailshots, giving out flyers, advertising freebies, or networking at business groups.
Illness isn't an end, it's just an opportunity to change the way you live and work. Good luck.
Hi Phil, yes it pays but there is a lot of competition out there.
I used to quote cheap for a job or ask what prices the customer had already been quoted and undercut it, but found i was turning into the 'busy fool' and it also left me knowwhere to go in terms of further discounts or if there was a problem that cost me sort out. These type of customer usually always want more as well and tend to give you the run around for not much money.
Charge a decent amount and if they go elsewhere then they go. Charge what you are worth, sell your service and provide excellent quality goods.
Contact local pubs for sports team polos etc, contact local small businesses for uniforms, contact card shops to supply hen night t-shirts etc, get your name on yell.com. The smaller business will appriciate the personal service and the fact you can supply small amounts.
Working from home is great, no overheads etc but it does take over the house if you let it! The 0845 number i have as well connects to my mobile so i can receive calls wherever, i'm not tied to the house.
I an also trying to start my own clothing label, it's taking time but when i get there I hope it will give me a better income.
Thanks again Lee,
As I said above, I feel a little like a rabbit in the headlights at the moment, not knowing really which way I want to take this.
Should I concentrate on getting the website going?
Again as said above, trying eBay but the costs are mounting up!
Should I go around local clubs and businesses touting what I do?
I'm even considering trying local markets to get myself in front of the people without the costs and commitment of a retail shop.
First though I thought I would put my dilemma on here and I am glad I did as I appear to be getting some guidance
Keep it comming guys, i'm a man in need!
If you can sell bulk orders on Ebay by offering the customer's artwork on the shirt you can make a few bucks but that too has it's problems. I did the single shirt deal for a month or so but it was hit and miss and you're right, those fees add up. I do some larger orders on ebay and always set the price at .99 or 1.00 and just charge a lot for the shipping, saves me some $ on the fees. I work out of home too and found that the key is to get up early and hit the street handing out cards and meeting people. It sucks but it's necessary. It sucks so much that I want a store front.
If you can sell bulk orders on Ebay by offering the customer's artwork on the shirt you can make a few bucks but that too has it's problems. I did the single shirt deal for a month or so but it was hit and miss and you're right, those fees add up. I do some larger orders on ebay and always set the price at .99 or 1.00 and just charge a lot for the shipping, saves me some $ on the fees. I work out of home too and found that the key is to get up early and hit the street handing out cards and meeting people. It sucks but it's necessary. It sucks so much that I want a store front.
Don't do it, it'll kill ya! Or at least give the store front thing a LOT of thought before commiting!
Overheads are many my friend!
Phil you could try markets, they are a good way to make money on the day and it would also promote your website (put up a banner while you are there). Ebay fees, paypal and the competition mean it's just too much for the money you get back.
I got some work from pubs, one landlord ordered 30 polos at £8 each for his darts and pool teams. I sent a sample to a gym and they ordered quite a few hoodies/t-shirts for staff and the customers started to ask for the same stuff but personalised. Thay ran a competition and whoever lifted the weight specified got a 'bench press club' t-shirt. Try nurseries and play groups, anywhere that wears t-shirts/polos as uniform.
Contact local signmakers and offer your service to provide uniform to their customers and they get a percentage. They make a bit extra for doing nothing.
Promote your site, i do think your prices are too cheap, might put people off. There is a fine line between too cheap and too expensive. Do you have many sales yet?
There are a lot of things to consider when opening a store. If you can find an affordable place with a market for your product, you provide that market with quality products at an affordable price, and you have a good marketing plan you'll get business. I started from home and am going to move the business up to the next notch with a store. Starting from home for the first year or two is a good way to learn some lessons and get some regulars, but unless I want to be living in a mess of printing materials 24/7 for the next however many years I need a place.
Phil,
I unsuccessfully worked from home for a while, but living in the sticks proved useless. I then ran a fancy sign and garment printing busines in an expensive shopping area in the centre of Carlisle. The rent and rates were a real problem and if I'd continued I would have made myself ill. 12 months ago I cut back to a small market unit making considerable savings and at last am pleased to say that much more of my earnings belong to me and I aint working to keep the rich anymore. It was kind of slow for about 3 months but now am pleased to say that things are going really well once people have realised that I'm there. It takes time.
I wish you well.
Phil you could try markets, they are a good way to make money on the day and it would also promote your website (put up a banner while you are there). Ebay fees, paypal and the competition mean it's just too much for the money you get back.
I got some work from pubs, one landlord ordered 30 polos at £8 each for his darts and pool teams. I sent a sample to a gym and they ordered quite a few hoodies/t-shirts for staff and the customers started to ask for the same stuff but personalised. Thay ran a competition and whoever lifted the weight specified got a 'bench press club' t-shirt. Try nurseries and play groups, anywhere that wears t-shirts/polos as uniform.
Contact local signmakers and offer your service to provide uniform to their customers and they get a percentage. They make a bit extra for doing nothing.
Promote your site, i do think your prices are too cheap, might put people off. There is a fine line between too cheap and too expensive. Do you have many sales yet?
Lee
Lee,
In answer to your question, nowhere enough sales yet that I can make a living purely from the website alone.
My prices were cut to the current levels when I closed the shop and lost the overhead. But I take your points on too cheap!
Phil,
I unsuccessfully worked from home for a while, but living in the sticks proved useless. I then ran a fancy sign and garment printing busines in an expensive shopping area in the centre of Carlisle. The rent and rates were a real problem and if I'd continued I would have made myself ill. 12 months ago I cut back to a small market unit making considerable savings and at last am pleased to say that much more of my earnings belong to me and I aint working to keep the rich anymore. It was kind of slow for about 3 months but now am pleased to say that things are going really well once people have realised that I'm there. It takes time.
I wish you well.
Alan,
I'm glad you have found what is working for you.
If you don't want to clutter up your home with your business you have shown there are other options other than an expensive retail unit
I'm trying my best to segregate work from home life but it is difficult as there is only one door between them!
I'm struggling to work out which is going to be the best and most profitable market for me to attack........ this is still my number one question.
Hi Phil. Working from home has many practical benefits for a new business venture. The biggest one of these, is of course cost saving. You also probably save a couple of hours a day on commuting and getting ready for work. That time can be used far more constructively, working on new designs and finding new markets for your products.
Having taken a quick peek at your site, I do fully agree with Lee that your prices are far too low. Much of the custom made tee shirt market is all about perceived value. You wouldn't buy a hand made suit, for less than a mass produced one and your prices also need to reflect the fact that your products are custom made items. Promote on quality, rather than price.
How you market your products, does come down to what you feel comfortable doing. Some non chain clothing shops will stock items made by local suppliers. This may possibly be on a sale or return basis at first, but at least it gets your foot in the door and your designs on the street. You may find you need to diversify your product range and the shops may give suggestions on what they think would sell well.
Nationwide, there are many business groups that have free marketing advice and can give you some useful contacts in your own area.
Last edited by DREAMGLASS; July 2nd, 2008 at 11:41 PM.
Reason: Spelling (doh!)
Where do I go from here? 
now i've got to go out and find them
You really find yourslves using every nook and cranny, but with a little thought, it works out ok.
