If you have been pondering the launch of a custom merch range, think no more. Join the growing merch business before it is too late. Whether you are an influencer, podcaster, YouTuber, or have developed a large following on social media, a merch range is an ideal way to boost your brand and generate additional revenue.
Having custom merch for sale will earn you extra money but do not labor under the impression that it will not be hard work. Getting this project up and running takes planning and commitment.
Here are some tips to consider if you plan to start a custom merch range:
Be original
With so much merchandise already for sale, the competition might be challenging. However, overcome this obstacle by offering something so unique that buyers will feel compelled to purchase it. Personalised merchandise is an essential component of getting this right. Your merch needs to be original and exclusive, which means offerings that similar brands have yet to think of.
This means looking at what is already on offer from competitors and brainstorming ideas for something unique. Use your logo, catchphrase, or a joke you are well-known for and play around with it to find original custom merch ideas. While you might not get away from some standard merch products, such as T-shirts, hoodies, coffee mugs, and phone cases, find a way to make them your own. Hire only the best service like Printful, SPOD, Printify, Apliiq Dropship, Teelaunch, etc to place your order from.
Know your audience
To know what custom merch will appeal to fans, do an in-depth analysis of your target market. This requires defining your fanbase’s demographic. Understand who your followers are and what makes them tick, so you sell merch that attracts them. For example, some cooking brands might succeed with fridge magnets, but a fashion influencer will not. That is because their target audiences are from different demographics.
However, do not let your target market demographic limit you to what merch you choose. If you only target one group of people, you limit yourself from accessing the rest of the market. Your merch line could be an ideal way of attracting a new fanbase and penetrating new market sectors.
Design
A range of custom merch cannot be put together in a few hours. Much thought and planning need to go into designing your product offering. The design intended for your t-shirts, hoodies, and other merch items must be professional and eye-catching. Work with a professional designer to get it right the first time.
Do not get caught up in copyright issues by using images that do not belong to you. It might be a tempting shortcut but can land you in a world of legal troubles. If the owner of the intellectual property decides to sue, they can get a temporary injunction preventing you from selling the merch, followed by a lawsuit that could end with you paying substantial damages. This could cause catastrophic reputational damage to your brand.
Get the right manufacturer
With a design that will make people want to buy your product, source a manufacturer who will deliver your expectations. Your focus should be on quality as buyers should get what you promise them. Therefore, if you advertise a 100% cotton hoodie, it must be 100% cotton. If you do not, people will badmouth your brand online, and you could lose fans, followers, and potential merch buyers.
When choosing a manufacturer, look for one with an established reputation for service excellence. Determine whether they will produce your merch in one large batch that you must commit to or provide it on demand. The latter is the most cost-effective approach as you will not be saddled with dead stock that no one is buying.
Never forget the aim
What is your motivation for starting a merch line? While it may be about making money, this should be secondary to building your brand and connecting with followers. Your promotion efforts should reflect this. Do not force-feed them the merch. Instead, put it across as something to augment their brand experience.
Use social media and digital marketing to incorporate the merch into your brand seamlessly. This includes photos of yourself or an influencer wearing or holding the merch with a smart link that gets potential buyers to your site, where they can select items and check out in a few clicks.