Start Ups

2141 Views 6 Replies 7 Participants Last post by kenfuji, Sep 19, 2006

Tgraphics

Discussion Starter · Aug 29, 2006 (Edited)

Hi,
There seems to be many Forums members starting up new T-shirt lines.
What are the most important features of a new offering? I would say this,
be passionate about what you are doing and:

1) Graphics and Design. It's what's on the garment , that's why people are likely to buy it. Whether it's Humour or High Fashion strive to be different, make sure the artwork stands out and captures the prospective customers imagination.
2) Use the best quality garments you can afford.
3) Ensure the positioning of the Print is spot on.
4) Try and find a point of diffentiation for your offering, a niche in the market place that has been overlooked.
5) What can you add to your garments that will give them perceived added value? It may be some sort of alternative packaging or a freebie keyring.
6) Research your market before long print runs. Sample up your t-shirt, wear it yourself, get others to wear it, conduct your market research, garner feedback.You might think it's the best thing since sliced bread but others may not be so enthusiastic. Ask local retailers whether they would stock your product.
7) Test your product, wash it and wash it again. Leave it out in the sunshine, see what it look like after 10 washes.
8) Study and learn about your product, how it is constructed, what's the fabric weight, what's the knit, is the neck seam tapped. Become an expert.
9) Be realistic, don't fool yourself it's going to be an easy ride and the money will flow in. T-Shirts are no different from any other business. It's a great business to be in but requires dedication, hard work and investment in time and money.
10) This should be probably number 1. If you are serious about building a sustainable business do your business and marketing plans. This can be difficult especially if you have never done anything similar but it can be a most rewarding exercise and will make you think of things you may have overlooked.

And finally ask questions about anything you are not sure on. Forums like this are a great place to meet like minded individuals and industry experts.
Work hard be lucky and enjoy. T-shirts are a great business to be in!

Any more guys?

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m4nti

· #2 · Aug 29, 2006

Not much to add, that pretty much sums it all up. What I'd add is to number (10)

10+) Also decide beforehand if you want to work with a fulfillment service (like cafepress or printmojo) or if you want to do it yourself. If you do go with fulfillment check which company you want to work with by looking extensively on the net for reviews, research their products, learn about their payment methods, what shirts they use to print on your designs, what customers think about the company... PLAN PLAN PLAN!! It's extremely important to plan beforehand as it will give you a guideline on which to walk.
11) http://www.entrepreneur.com << learn to love it

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Rodney

· #3 · Aug 29, 2006

Nice breadkown Paul!

I would emphasize that:

1) before you print your first t-shirt (or get it printed), that you should have a clear idea WHO your target market is and HOW you plan to reach them.

Have a clear advertising and marketing plan and set some money aside for purchasing ads.

As I've said before, you can have the greatest t-shirts in the world, but without advertising and marketing, nobody will buy them because they won't know they are there.

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SlogoMogul

· #4 · Sep 12, 2006 (Edited by Moderator)

Re: Start Ups- Niche Markets Part I

Rodney said:
Nice breadkown Paul!

I would emphasize that:

1) before you print your first t-shirt (or get it printed), that you should have a clear idea WHO your target market is and HOW you plan to reach them.

Hi, I've been reading through some of the posts here about "niche markets" and I completely understand the reasons for focusing on a niche. I think the most successful t-shirt sites on the web are focused on niches which has allowed them to create loyal customers and a COMMUNITY. For instance, threadless brings together all the aspiring t-shirt designers, t-shirt hell brings together....let's just say it's probably not the nicest group of people on the net BUT it is still a HUGE community. Their mailing list is upwards of 50k. Before I started reading about "niche markets" I studied alot of t-shirt sites and it seems like so many of them try to accomodate several niche markets at the same time. I guess if you have the manpower and marketing budget to successfully market several niches at once, than maybe you can be successful. However, I think this strategy probably kills many startups. For instance, when I started my website I started with four t-shirts and thought i was targeting a niche. Later, I realized I was marketing FOUR different niches.....because the same niche that's interested in buying fishing t-shirts is not necessarily interested in buying baseball, golf, or swimming t-shirts. What I should have done in order to streamline my marketing efforts was to have the same number of shirts BUT have them in relation to the SAME sport(4 fishing t-shirts)....that would have made things FAR LESS COMPLICATED to start out. I think people think if they market to a NICHE they will lose out on profit. The reality of the situation is that focusing on a niche will SIMPLIFY your marketing efforts and most likely INCREASE your profits.....it will also give you an opportunity to form a community.

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Twinge

· #5 · Sep 13, 2006

Tgraphics said:
9) Be realistic, don't fool yourself it's going to be an easy ride and the money will flow in. T-Shirts are no different from any other business. It's a great business to be in but requires dedication, hard work and investment in time and money.

I'd just like to emphasize that one, from ah, personal experience...

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T-BOT

· #6 · Sep 13, 2006

Tgraphics said:
3) Ensure the positioning of the Print is spot on.

Any more guys?

I like that.

although everyone is shaped different and shirts also hang differently when wearing them. The positioning with the right message/design together can make the shirt a hit.

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kenfuji

· #7 · Sep 19, 2006

great thread!!

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