[TootsieRoll]

Hey Guys,

I need some advice. I just recently launched my website and shirts, and I have not been able to sell any. My only course of marketing thus far has been via Facebook and Twitter. I know that I need to branch out to reach my target demographic (women 18-35). Any tips on other advertising methods? I am getting samples together to send out to PR companies.

Also....

-What are some of your thoughts on my designs?
-Thoughts on the set up of my website?

I have not done an actual photo shoot yet, and I am wondering if that will be the step up I need. So far I am displaying my designs by using Photoshop. Is this not a good method?

Any tips that you guys can give me will be much appreciated! Thank you

My site: www.tootsdesign.com


*Please note all designs and content on the Toots By Tiffani Nicole website are property of the artist. Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved.

 

[Twanabee]

The site is great!!!! Nice design but I would not pay 65 bucks. You may want to re-look at your pricing.

 

[caydipop]

Congrats on your venture!

I like your site, the design is very cute. I did get stuck for a minute following the arrow that points to the tv thinking it would take me to your shirts. Once I found the shirts, I actually like the setup you have to display them. It looks like your trying to target a higher end demographic ( by pricepoint) and nothing in particular stood out that would make me want to pay $55 and up for the shirts.

Im sure the samples to PR will definitely help once you get some 'names' to wear your brand. Also try different blog sites that your demographic is in to. I haven't launched yet but my prelaunch marketing plan includes having my site linked on about 100 pages for the grand opening. Ive also been doing some giveaways on twitter and FB hoping to build a buzz before-hand and trying to link myself or find links to celebrities who will give my brand value to the public eye.

Anywho, lots of luck and keep us posted on how things pickup

 

[TootsieRoll]

The site is great!!!! Nice design but I would not pay 65 bucks. You may want to re-look at your pricing.

My target is a higher end demographic, like Wildfox and Lauren Moshi.

www.wildfoxcouture.com

www.laurenmoshi.com

Honestly I don't see design wise how Wildfox can charge so much for their designs, as they are very basic, however they have a large celeb following which explains the price.

Lauren Moshi's designs are more detailed.

What t-shirt would you pay $65 or more for? Are you even a consumer that would pay that for any shirt??

 

[Leg cramps]

Toots,
Love the site very cool.I really like the about page with the girl and the moving smoke!I think you can lower the prices too a bit.why not try 25?good luck!

 

[TootsieRoll]

Toots,
Love the site very cool.I really like the about page with the girl and the moving smoke!I think you can lower the prices too a bit.why not try 25?good luck!

Thank you

Lowering the price is really not an option, as I would not make any profit. The shirts that I use to print on are high quality and not cheap. I get the feeling my prices are my biggest issue, but I feel like it is because I am not reaching the demographic that would pay $65 and up for a t-shirt. As a designer just starting out do I lower the quality of my brand for a sale?

 

[caydipop]

IMO I understand wanting to start geared towards a high end demo and not wanting to cut yourself short from the beginning. The average consumer in todays market wont pay that price for a tshirt. Your high end demo will pay that price but its a matter of establishing yourself as something 'to be desired' or as the next 'it' item. The problem to me with that approach is to be very careful of becoming a trend.

My approach for my line is to start off with a more mid priced line of t's and use the profit from that to launch my higher end boutique. I've also run into the issue of quality of tshirts vs price to sell because I want to offer something better than average but I also don't want to have an office full of clothes I cant sell because their priced to high.

Are you in Cali? I would think its time to really get in the streets and find personal stylist, personal shoppers, retailers, set-stylist, etc who can get your shirts in the right hands. Hard part with this is you will be giving away a good bit of free product.

 

[TootsieRoll]

IMO I understand wanting to start geared towards a high end demo and not wanting to cut yourself short from the beginning. The average consumer in todays market wont pay that price for a tshirt. Your high end demo will pay that price but its a matter of establishing yourself as something 'to be desired' or as the next 'it' item. The problem to me with that approach is to be very careful of becoming a trend.

My approach for my line is to start off with a more mid priced line of t's and use the profit from that to launch my higher end boutique. I've also run into the issue of quality of tshirts vs price to sell because I want to offer something better than average but I also don't want to have an office full of clothes I cant sell because their priced to high.

Are you in Cali? I would think its time to really get in the streets and find personal stylist, personal shoppers, retailers, set-stylist, etc who can get your shirts in the right hands. Hard part with this is you will be giving away a good bit of free product.

Hey CaydiPop yes I am in Cali. I realize a big part of being a high end designer is getting your product in celebrity and stylist hands. I actually worked previously in PR so I know a good bit of info on that side. In order to prevent yourself from just becoming a trend you have to always be evolving and putting out new and interesting product.

 

[Twanabee]

There is nothing wrong with aiming high and your designs are well done. But from a marketing point of view which I have over 35 years of, you start low and aim high. not the other way around. You have to build on your core base and when you have a following, you can raise your price. We all have to meet our costs and make a buck but to get started, I lost money for a while until I built that customer base. I would be giving away garments to get my name out. JMHO

 

[caydipop]

PR history is like gold nowadays! Please feel free to send any suggestions my way too. Im about a month from launch but am trying to make sure I cover all my basis

 

[TootsieRoll]

There is nothing wrong with aiming high and your designs are well done. But from a marketing point of view which I have over 35 years of, you start low and aim high. not the other way around. You have to build on your core base and when you have a following, you can raise your price. We all have to meet our costs and make a buck but to get started, I lost money for a while until I built that customer base. I would be giving away garments to get my name out. JMHO

Actually if you have over 35 years of marketing experience I appreciate your advice. The thing though about starting lower with my price is that my designs are printed on high quality shirts. If I sold a shirt for $25-$35 I would make absolutely nothing, after printing. Also how does that sit with the consumer when you start out on the cheaper end then raise the price? Doesn't that cheapen the overall appeal of the brand?

 

[TootsieRoll]

PR history is like gold nowadays! Please feel free to send any suggestions my way too. Im about a month from launch but am trying to make sure I cover all my basis

Indeed!

A suggestion for you would be to have a more experienced graphic designer make your logo. Right now it is very amateurish. I am speaking from a graphic designers perspective, which I am as well.

 

[royster13]

It does not matter what stuff costs.......The market will set your selling price.....If you are over priced for your market, then you will not make sales.....And it seems you are overpriced for the market you are reaching.....

 

[TootsieRoll]

It does not matter what stuff costs.......The market will set your selling price.....If you are over priced for your market, then you will not make sales.....And it seems you are overpriced for the market you are reaching.....

Right, which is why I am trying to reach my target market. My facebook friends are not my target market, which is why I am not selling, as my marketing as been limited to Facebook.

 

[Twanabee]

Tootsie: (if you don't mind me calling you that) I know of no clothing designer that started out selling their product at a high price because it costs them more. Most of the high end designers lost money at first. This is nothing against your passion or designs. It's just the way business works. Most of the high end designers will tell you they started out as "starving artists". It does not cheapen your work to offer it at a lower cost to begin with. Look at it this way...if you sign and number your work just think of what a Norman Rockwell print sells for now.

 

[TootsieRoll]

Tootsie: (if you don't mind me calling you that) I know of no clothing designer that started out selling their product at a high price because it costs them more. Most of the high end designers lost money at first. This is nothing against your passion or designs. It's just the way business works. Most of the high end designers will tell you they started out as "starving artists". It does not cheapen your work to offer it at a lower cost to begin with. Look at it this way...if you sign and number your work just think of what a Norman Rockwell print sells for now.

I agree, it just burns to have to sell at a low price and not make a profit off of something you are investing in. But, I guess you do have to start somewhere. I can't find anything about how the designers I listed (Lauren Moshi, Wildfox) got started. It seems out of no where I started seeing their designs and the prices were always at a high end.

 

[Twanabee]

You mentioned sending samples to PR people. This is a good move. You can get great reviews for your designs by doing this and belive me they will give you their honest opinion. Take it from there. I don't know what your costs are to produce your garments but take a hard look at them and rethink your selling price. Remember...what you think your product is worth may not be what everyone else thinks.

 

[johnbol1]

Ther are people out there who want to pay high end prices for limited designs and originality but you need to get that first sale, but you dont hve to drop your prices if you dont want, just dont take a knee jerk reaction, If you want to sell cheaper , create a cheaper range and keep your high end as high end.
Hey give Ms Hilton or Beckham, a bell or send them one and explain who you are with a link to site etc,


Imagine!!.....you never know.
keep goin and Good luck to TOOTS
John

Give me a man that tries and fails than a man that never tries at all.

 

[TootsieRoll]

You mentioned sending samples to PR people. This is a good move. You can get great reviews for your designs by doing this and belive me they will give you their honest opinion. Take it from there. I don't know what your costs are to produce your garments but take a hard look at them and rethink your selling price. Remember...what you think your product is worth may not be what everyone else thinks.

It's just a matter of reaching my demographic, which I haven't done. Also the PR will put me in that range. All it takes is for 1 or 2 celebs to be spotted in your garment, and it can launch a frenzy for it. Of course that depends on who wears it too

 

[Twanabee]

You are right...not sure if right now you want Paris Hilton to be wearing one of your designs as she goes to court. Or...maybe that's a good thing.