[tskid]

For those of you who don't know, I started a clothing company back in june/july that sells workout apparel. I am looking at menshealth.com to advertise but i want to use a few more places online and perhaps several different forms of advertising. Can you guys give me solid suggestions that have either worked for you or someone else in the past?

 

[EnMartian]

Are you making workout gear aimed only at men, or is it aimed at women too? Who is your gear for, people who work out seriously, or those who work out occasionally and just want something that comfortable? Is your gear aimed at younger people who might like gear that's a bit more revealing, or is it aimed at older people who might not be as ready to show off their bodies?

These kind of questions will help you decide where and how to advertise. You have to figure out where your target market is and then make sure your advertising and information shows up in those places.

 

[tskid]

I sell both items for working out and for casual wear. It seems almost anyone will buy at least a hoodie even if they don't workout. Mostly younger people tend to appreciate the clothing although older men and women who do workout buy clothing.

 

[marcuz29]

Just a question.. how much do we needed to be able to start up a printing business for shirts? where do we market it?

 

[EnMartian]

Have you tried MySpace? You can connect with younger people there. What about weight loss or workout forums? You would have to spend time posting, but that might be a good source of new customers. There are certainly a lot of fitness and muscle magazines out there, they might be a good place to look. There are also a lot of weight loss and fitness blogs around. Find a couple you really like and which look like they have a lot of followers (based on comments) and contact them. Ask if they'll review your gear if you send them a sample.

You might also contact some of the trainers and staff at local gyms and ask them if they would wear your stuff. You will have to give away some free product, but if you give it away to the right people, it should generate some sales.

 

[jkruse]

Have you tried MySpace? You can connect with younger people there. What about weight loss or workout forums? You would have to spend time posting, but that might be a good source of new customers. There are certainly a lot of fitness and muscle magazines out there, they might be a good place to look. There are also a lot of weight loss and fitness blogs around. Find a couple you really like and which look like they have a lot of followers (based on comments) and contact them. Ask if they'll review your gear if you send them a sample.

You might also contact some of the trainers and staff at local gyms and ask them if they would wear your stuff. You will have to give away some free product, but if you give it away to the right people, it should generate some sales.

Great idea.

 

[Robert H]

There are some great threads about marketing already posted in the forums. You should check em out.

http://www.t-shirtforums.com/tags/marketing/

 

[Rodney]

For those of you who don't know, I started a clothing company back in june/july that sells workout apparel. I am looking at menshealth.com to advertise but i want to use a few more places online and perhaps several different forms of advertising. Can you guys give me solid suggestions that have either worked for you or someone else in the past?

I would hold off on the Men's Health magazine advertising and instead spend that money on marketing your website online.

From what I've read here (and experienced myself), magazine ads don't convert very well. If you have a large marketing budget, and magazines is just part of the overall marketing pie, then by all means, add that slice in. But if you have a tighter marketing budget, I think you would get more effective advertising online where your potential customers can take a direct action (click and visit your website to buy).

For a health/gym related line I would suggest finding top ranked gym/health blogs/forums/newsletters in google. Contact those sites to see what type of advertising options they have available.

You may also be able to find smaller (but still popular) health sites to sponsor (like a contest or something) in exchange for exposure.

Once you get in the mindset of "getting your ads and products in front of your most targeted customer", the opportunities out there really start to fall into place.