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.
If so, will you share your ideas. I was thinking about hading out fliers or doing a mailer at a couple of the local Universities. It seems like they do a lot of shirts for a lot of events.
Back in the early 90's I marketed exclusively to Greeks. We would hold open houses at the shop (especially for the sororities) a month or so before RUSH. We'd show them samples of all the different types of products we could do for them and give each girl a small gift (keychain or some other trinket) with their letters. We'd also have pizza, sodas, cookies or whatever. We generally would get tons of sales from this and they would come back when they had different events during the year.
Definitely get in touch with them at LEAST a month before Rush. Check the website at the school to see when that is. Or Greek Week is another big time when organizations will need shirts, etc.
Definitely a great idea. I live at a university right now and i can tell you firsthand that you would always have business working with the Greeks! Posting fliers around campus would probably be the best way of getting to them.
My original plan was to market to Black Greeks. I am a member of a Black Greek organization. I'm not sure how other organizations are, but most of the Black ones want you to apply for permission from the organization before using their specific letters such as the letters alpha phi alpha (my organization). or any specific graphics, (like our crest). Unfortunately, this request for permission usually includes applying (and paying, including members), for a trade agreement. Not to say don't do it, just make sure you go through the proper channels. I would certainly ask members of the organization first. However, since it is local, the chapters in question my not have a problem with it. I don't believe my organization has "intellectual property" police, but out of respect for my organization, I decided not to push things until I have determined if it is financially feasible to purchase the permission. Best of luck to you anyway.
I am also a member of a national fraternity and it is to my understanding that since we (as screenprinters) are not selling retail shirts we can print whatever logo they desire since they are coming to us to get something printed for them and are simply paying us for our services.
If you wanted to sell Greek merchandise without taking orders then you would need to obtain licensing for the Greek products that you intend to "stock".
Location: from detroit... now in lodi, jersey for a bit....pick me up
Posts: 564
Thanks: 6
Thanked 20 Times in 15 Posts
Re: Does anyone market to Greek organiztions?
i still dont see how you can register greek letters....... maybe a certain "style" of the greek letter.... but what if i did an phi kappa theta image of just a different rendition of greek-like letters..... its just the letter and nothing that says "phi kappa theta"......
b
__________________ www.237am.com with featured artists in the blog and other creative things that happens in my life like breakdancing, robottin', welding stuff and supporting the detroit cultures in hip hop, techno, electro, house, etc..........
Both Marty & LaTonya are correct. When I was doing shirts for greek organizations, particularly black greeks, I only printed their letters, crests, etc. for custom orders. We sold licensed paraphernalia (pins, mugs, stickers, etc.) in the retail store that we purchased wholesale from vendors who were already licensed and had permission from each organization.
Both Marty & LaTonya are correct. When I was doing shirts for greek organizations, particularly black greeks, I only printed their letters, crests, etc. for custom orders. We sold licensed paraphernalia (pins, mugs, stickers, etc.) in the retail store that we purchased wholesale from vendors who were already licensed and had permission from each organization.
Hope that helps.
Frat,
Just piggy-backing on the above: As long as you have an indemnity clause for CUSTOM orders that states you assume that the CUSTOMER has obtained the proper permissions from said organization to reproduce their trademarked properties, then you're free to make custom orders.
Everything else is a crap-shoot without a license from each org. Of the 9 major Black Greek orgs, I only pay for my A-Phi-A license ($500/year). The "stock items" from other orgs that I post on my website are a result of PREVIOUS custom orders. So, it's a tiny loophole that (crossing my fingers) I haven't been called on to cease & desist.
I am also a member of a national fraternity and it is to my understanding that since we (as screenprinters) are not selling retail shirts we can print whatever logo they desire since they are coming to us to get something printed for them and are simply paying us for our services.
If you wanted to sell Greek merchandise without taking orders then you would need to obtain licensing for the Greek products that you intend to "stock".
I believe you are correct in that case, but the individual in question may want to make sure they are covered.
I print custom orders for Delta, Zeta, Masons, and Eastern Star. I only supply products for a certain chapter not the entire organization. I am an auuthorized liscensee with all of the organizations and I fulfill most of my orders every year for there annual convention. This kinda fell into my lap as my sister is a Delta, my Mother is a Zeta, my oldest Sister & Mother is a Eastern Star, and my cousin is a Mason. So basically I print the shirts for there particular chapters each year but I do not stock there merchandise even though I have permission to do so. As of late, I am not doing too much screen printing as most are wanting embroidered items. For the Zeta convention in Las Vegas this year, I made screen printed transfers, took my heat press, blanks, as well as items for my embroidery machine & set up a booth at the host hotel. 70% of the business I made was embroidery. Only the young heads wanted screen printed items maybe beecause they were cheaper but for the most part embroidered jackets, button up & polo shirts, and messenger bags were the biggest hit.
When you buy licensed products, there are no royalties owed on the resale. And, all licensed products have already been approved and meet quality standards. Just look for the Greek Licensed Product seal (attached) when buying products. And, make sure you ask “are all items that contain the Greek marks for the groups listed below officially licensed?” When you buy officially licensed products, you don’t have to worry about us knocking on your door someday asking for you to sign license agreements and pay royalties.
If you are producing custom items (including screen printing and embroidery) or having items produced for you that contain our clients’ Greek marks, unless you are using an officially licensed company to produce these items, you will need to become licensed to sell those custom items. Chapter members are not authorized to grant commercial reproduction of their organization’s registered trademarks, including but not limited to their names, Greek letters, crests/coat of arms, etc. Come talk to us at the show and we’ll walk you through the process. We trust you’ll find our process as simple as possible and our staff very helpful.
Here is a recent comment we received from a newly licensed vendor: “Just wanted to let you know I received the welcome package and agreements. Thanks for all your help. This was a much easier process than licensing with some small universities and the CLC-thanks.”
Please let us know if you have any questions about licensing, or if you want to confirm a company is licensed.
Sincerely,
Dan, Melissa, Don, Derek, Bruce, Brenda, Elaine and Kerri
i am a licensed greek dealer doing heat-press/screen-printing/embroidery and have worked with melissa and greek licensing for years. they are easy to work with and very professional. you DO have to be licensed and pay a licensing fee per group (alpha gamma delta, delta tau delta etc.) - AND pay a "royalty fee" for each printed garment (.085%). you must include this fee in your quote and pass the charge on to the customer. BUT, all groups do not yet have licensing in place. you should get the list of chapters at your school(s) and contact greek licensing to see if you can print any without the license agreement -most of the divine 9 do not have a licensing agreement, yet.
it is very frustrating to give quotes to a greek group only to be beat in price by a non-licensed printer. the chapters don't usually care as much if it's legal as they care about the price - and being able to put whtever subject matter they want on the shirt. that's another issue - approval is needed from greek licensing (affinity marketing) for all decorations. simple greek letters is easy and pre-approved. but, when you get questionable content about drinking, sex, drugs etc. they will not be approved. that is usually when the local chapter goes to a non-licensed printer who will print whatever. it is a serious sore-spot with we licensed dealers.
Does anyone market to Greek organiztions? 
