Is it really possible to make a living selling novelty t-shirts over the web?

I opened my first store through Spreadshirt on the 2nd of this month and have been promoting the heck out of it (Twitter, Facebook, etc.), while I'm generating traffic to the site, I'm not getting any sales.

Click to expand...

2 months? It can take over a year to build up the right audience, build your brand, get the right traffic, build consumer trust, keep a steady amount of sales and repeat buyers.

Even then, I don't think people will necessarily make a living off of selling t-shirts online by using only free marketing methods.

So, to answer your question: yes, it *is* possible to make a living from selling funny t-shirts online.

No, it's not *easy* or *common* to do so. It takes extraordinary designs coupled with extraordinary marketing and advertising. Throw in some time, luck, and relentless work ethic, and you seriously increase your chances

Your lack of sales could come from any number of issues. Not the right designs, not reaching the right people, not compelling people enough to buy.

I'd suggest reading through some of the many marketing tips that members have shared here to get some ideas of how to get your t-shirts in front of more interested buyers.

marketing tips related topics at T-Shirt Forums

http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-marketing/t20419.html

T-Shirt Marketing - T-Shirt Forums

Looking at your actual t-shirts, I would say that the lack of sales could be due to the fact that many of the designs that are there aren't orignal (spongebob graphics, sayings that have been sold on other sites, etc). So if buyers see that, they may be turned off knowing that they have seen most of your designs already in other places. They may feel that you aren't offering anything new to grab their attention (or motivate them to open their wallets)

If it's not possible then I've wasted alot of time and money building my company!
I think it's what you put into it. If you want to make a living off it then your site needs to be professional and your product needs to be quality. When I look at your site I see a very amatuer "free" site and don't think you would make enough off that. There is no brand. I think if you want to make a living-good living- then you have to build a brand and THEN promote the way you have been promoting. Your mock ups just look like you spent all of 5 minutes uploading some catchy sayings and then you are hoping people will buy.. if you want people to buy then you need to get serious and spend the money for a real website, real shirts and inventory and then put real money into marketing. Otherwise you will probably get 1-3 sales a year and if that is ok with you then by all means your site is adequate. But it seems like you are hungry for more. It takes money to make money. Save up and get a domain, get a site and start building. If you put in your due diligence, you will be rewarded. But thinking you can do what you did and make a living off it, is ill advised. If you could do that, then EVERYONE would be doing it. I've got a TON of whimisical sayings but I know that no one I know would purchase from me if my site looked liked the ones you posted. Find a site you like and then emulate that site.

Take their criticisms positively and don't get discouraged! Learn from those that have "been there done that" and move forward.

Things I would do:

1) Get your own domain and site hosting. Consolidate all designs into one site.

2) Continue you social marketing... don't let up!!!!

3) When developing your site first focus on usability. The user experience should be tops on your list. Are things easy to find and purchase? How many clicks to a conversion?... that kind of thing. Second should be the "look and feel" of the site (your brand). SOOOOO many people get these two backwards.

4) Do as GN suggested... find a site you think is killer, a leader in the space, and emulate it. There is much to be learned from your competitors.

4a) Make sure you are competitive. You prices seem on the high side for what you are offering.

5) Continue you social marketing... don't let up!!!!

6) Be prepared to wait it out. It can take well over a year to get any real love from Google or the other search engines. Organic clicks are earn.

6) Continue you social marketing... don't let up!!!!

7) Make your designs "look" more original. Make them appear to be unique. I know that's vague but it can be done. Use your (or someone else's) imagination

8) Continue you social marketing... don't let up!!!!

9) At this point you need to start testing the PPC waters. Please do your research here. The learning curve can be quite steep and expensive.

There are really so many other things you can do, and those will come to you over time, but it would be very difficult to cover them all in one post.

Good luck and don't give up!

@wrlalot thank you very much for the helpful advice, I really appreciate it.

It takes a lot for me to give up, I plan on pressing forward and making something out of this...even if it kills me.

I'm brand new to this whole thing, so I know I still have a ton to learn, and I'm thankful for people like you (and GN/Rodney) who take the time to share your wisdom and experiences with me.

What do you think is a fair price point, what is the average in your opinion?

Also, the only reason why I have different sites is because they are targeted at specific groups, so with that in mind, do you still think I should just incorporate them all into one site?

Thank you again for your time and advice.

Michael

P.S. I will for sure continue social marketing... and won't let up!!!!