I’m starting this out by writing my #1 message in bold so that no one misses it.
DO NOT DESIGN MERCH AND GO TO A TSHIRT SHOP AND BUY A BUNCH OF INVENTORY!
Please don’t make this mistake. I’ve done it so many times that I have the goodwill receipts to prove it. Believe me, you do not want the inventory and sales problems that come with owning this process on your own.
Here’s how I suggest you run your Merch Shop:
Use Printful! This is a print-on-demand company that allows you to create the merch designs on their site using the online editor. The print-on-demand model does just that, prints the product once it’s ordered. Printful has hundreds of product manufacturers that will print your sold products and white label the packaging with your company branding. This allows you to have zero inventory, which means zero product waste for unsold items. Of course, for this service, your profit on the items is cut a bit, but you can realistically make $5-$7 per t-shirt minimum, without ever touching ANY of the products.
Record a 60-second Ad promoting your Merch and Dynamically insert it into your episodes. The best way to get the revenue machine working is to promote all of your different revenue streams collaboratively. Creating a funny bit that relates to your merch or reminding your listeners that you have a limited quantity of a certain product can go a long way.
Give away Merch at Live Events. Merch giveaways are the literal gifts that keep on giving. You give away the merch in exchange for newsletter signups or podcast reviews and the winner keeps wearing the merch and bringing more people your way. People want to buy gear for the shows they love. Concerts have profited off this concept for years. Empower your fans to spread the love.
Buy Some Samples and ROCK YOUR MERCH! Be your own #1 fan and get conversations started about your podcast. Wearing your merch out will also help you to understand what designs people like and would buy. Oftentimes, when I’m wearing my merch people, will ask me, “does that come in blue?” or “does that design come on a coffee cup?” that gives me an opportunity to add the desired design or get some direct feedback.
Want To Chat? Hey@TrindiMediaGroup.com
