Run A T-Shirt Business On A Shoestring Budget

By Aj Camara

Low on cash? Learn how to do everything from producing to promoting your clothing line with little or no money.

Start online. It's easier to reach a world wide audience and there are plenty of free advertising methods. Online is becoming a standard for businesses.

Start with a fulfillment service. They'll handle all the small things like packaging, shipping and keeping track of orders. You can start a shop with no money and still make a profit.

Do your own designs. You can't afford to pay designers yet so just learn how to use design programs like Illustrator and Photoshop. Or you can stick to slogan tees.

Do something newsworthy. You main advertising methods are gonna consist of doing things that'll get others to write about your business.

Be in the school newspaper. You might become a local celebrity and everyone from your school will be asking about your line.

Get friends to model your shirts. Models are too expensive, but you still need them for your website to get that professional look. Just get some friends to model for you for free.

Wear your shirts and get your friends to wear them. You and your friends can be your best promotion tool. Always wear one of your shirts, especially to a big event. Wear the most catchy one to get people asking about it.

Start a blog. Talk about things your target audience would be interested in and feature your latest t-shirts every week. Get a fan base and it'll be easy to convert those visitors into customers.

Tell fellow bloggers to blog about your line. If you know anyone who owns a blog get them to write a post about your clothing line. If they have a fan base a lot of those people will be sure to check out your line.

Participate in forums and have a link to your website in your signature. Your signature is an ad space so you should make sure theres an ad for your line in it. Post hundreds of times and you have hundreds of ads on the web for free.

Promote on myspace and facebook. Create a myspace or Facebook page for your line and add friends and send comments. Get a free friend adder program for myspace and add 50 new friends a day.

Make videos for youtube. Create mini commercials for your line that'll spread virally. Make them funny or controversial to get a lot of views. Post them on your blog, myspace and Facebook too.

WHAT LOW COST METHODS ARE YOU USING?

[http://www.T-ShirtMagazine.com]

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How to Start a T-Shirt Business in 7 Easy Steps

By Josh Klinger

1. Researching trends: Know what styles are in today. It's important to know what your target market is wearing and what they want. It's true you don't want to copy all the other brands out there, but at the same time you need to understand the styles people are wearing today.

2. Come up with a catchy name: something that will stick in your customers' heads. For example, "Caked" or "Neff" both of these are extremely catchy names that will stick in customers' heads. You want them to see a design or name they like and remember it, so they can Google the name and your website will come up.

3. Create eye-popping designs: Create designs that will stick in customers' heads. Brighter colors and catchy designs will do the trick. Try printing some designs on the back of T-shirts because people look at the backs of shirts longer then at the fronts.

4. Trademark your company name: It's important to register your trademark with the USPTO, so no one else can use your name to design clothing. This is not simple and I would advise at hiring a lawyer to do it properly. Usually this could cost around $400.00-$500.00

5. Get Feedback: You will most likely have to give some shirts away for free, but that's fine, as long as you can get something out of it as well. You need to make sure, whoever you're giving the shirts out to, give you feedback on the shirt comfort, design, style. You want to hear the good and bad, because ultimately the customer is the one who is going to decide whether your T-shirt styles are something consumers are going to want.

6. Create a website: How are customers going to purchase your shirt? It's not likely that your shirts will get into stores right away, so it's important to create a website that has your products for sale on it. You want the website to be created/themed towards your target market. Put yourself in your customers' shoes and see what they would want to see.

7. Networking: Get in contact with people who can help you get your products into stores. Surround yourself with smarter people than you. Go to trade shows and meet other store owners, manufacturers, sales brokers, consultants and buyers. All these people can help you further develop your products and get them into stores.

I am the founder of "Caked"- a bakery themed clothing line. To see my "sweet" finished styles using the steps above, check out http://www.cakedshop.com.

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How to Start a T-Shirt Business Using CafePress

By Bryan Pickell

CafePress Overview

CafePress has 6.5 million members who each have their own online storefront - a webpage - where people can buy their stuff.

CafePress is popular because there are no upfront fees or manufacturing costs and basic membership is free.

Each member uploads their own customized design and then selects some, or all, of the stock merchandise for it to be made available on.

There is a very wide range of items that you put your design on, from hats, t-shirts and hoodies, tank tops, kids' clothes, clothing for pets, cards, mugs and more. Browse the site's catalogue for ideas and to preview a design on any product.

While their wholesale prices may be higher than other t-shirt printing companies, they do use American Apparel brand clothing. The key benefit is that there is no minimum product order - you can order fifty t-shirts on behalf of a group, or just one for yourself.

Because there is no minimum product order or membership fee, you can upload and offer for sale as many designs as you like without any financial risk. For a small monthly fee you can go beyond a basic shop and build a large virtual store fully stocked with your creations and branded with your colors and design.

The wholesale prices for each item are set and you determine the retail price, keeping the difference from every sale. All sales are transacted securely on CafePress' servers, and customers pay reasonable shipping costs.

Making Money

As with launching any other business, you need to determine how you will generate sales. Bulk orders offer higher profit margins and can be lucrative, especially if the shirts have been pre-sold to a group or company. Many people have developed profitable businesses selling corporate promotional items made by print-on-demand companies.

While CafePress does have a searchable online catalogue of all products in its database, there is no guarantee that many people will discover your designs this way.

How will you drive traffic to your site? Publicity and word of mouth are the fastest options, provided people know where to find your designs. Viral marketing (which is basically word of mouth online) is great for online sales because if people like what they see, they can immediately place their order with just a few clicks.

If you anticipate the majority of your sales occurring online, you might want to buy a domain name (for about $10) and then redirect it to your store's CafePress webpage. We recommend the redirect because then you can use a short, catchy www address that will be easier to publicize and remember.

If it's appropriate, we recommend letting people know where the shirt came from by incorporating a website address into the graphic. This can help your business gain momentum as more and more people comment on the shirts, some of whom will then visit your online store. Choosing good descriptive keywords for your descriptions will help the major search engines find your webpage.

CafePress also offers help, tips, and even an online community to help you learn how to more effectively design and sell your products.

Free Tips & Resources for Internet Entrepreneurs

If you want to learn how to make more money online, don't miss the free monthly ezine from How to Sell Information Online.com. Each issue features strategies, resources and advice for making money online.

Bryan Pickell
How to Sell Information Online.com
Learn how to make money doing what you love.

Do you know the top 9 reasons to become an infopreneur?
Find out here: http://www.how-to-sell-information-online.com/infopreneur-benefits.html

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Starting a T-shirt Business - Cheap Ways to Get Your T-shirt Designs Out To the Public

By Cartess A. Ross

I was on the phone with a guy from Alabama the other day, his name is Tony and we had a long conversation about different ways to get his t-shirt designs out to the general public. At the end of the call, I told him that I wish I recorded the call because it was a great freaking call!

Anyhow, Tony created some great designs, and I won't say what they are because I didn't get his permission, but he wanted to know some inexpensive ways to get it out. Because of the target group he was going after, we discussed one possible venue would be t-shirt shops in the mall... I don't know about your mall, but mine has like 2-3 t-shirt and hat type shops. He felt strongly about his designs and felt most people would buy it if they only saw it.

If you feel you have a great design, approach the shop owners directly. Why? Well, because these shops are in business to make money, and if your design does well... they make money. Now, how do you approach these guys (or ladies)... well, you do what I call "Risk Reversal". In other words, you assume all the risk, while the store owner assumes NONE! In other words, approach the store owner like this...

Sir (or Ma'am), I feel my design is what your store is missing and I'm 100% confident that if the people see these t-shirts, you'll make huge profits. I'm so confident that I'm willing to assume all the risks by letting you keep 12 of my t-shirts with no upfront monies. If they don't sell, you owe me nothing... If they sell, then you and I both win. Let me leave this here and when they sell out, call the number on my business card and I'll bring you some more.. Fair enough??? (don't say anything until they respond).

Why do I teach risk reversal? It's because it works. If you're not willing to assume any risk whatsoever, then why should the business pay you upfront money for your t-shirts and take the risk of possibly not selling a single tee?

If your design is that great, then assume the risk... they'll look at you quite differently. Keep in mind, these people are approached everyday about some type of opportunity, and it's not often that someone will come around with an "risk reversal" proposition. If the store owner makes money... then you do too!

Depending on the type of t-shirs you're selling, try a gas station. They make very little profit on gas sales, and that's why you see them selling everything from watches, to fake teeth, dvds, and more... They're trying to generate revenue. Pass the same offer to them too... they're business owners, they're out to make money just like you are.

You might get lucky because many own several gas stations.

For free tips and resources on how to start your own t-shirt business, checkout T-shirt Riches by visiting us online at http://www.tshirtriches.com

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Custom Printed Polo Shirts - Business Uniforms Made Easy

By Amin Ramjee

When you think of uniforms you probably think of private or higher-level schooling. However, business uniforms can be used as a great way to build morale throughout your company as well as a way to bring everyone together. Using custom printed polo shirts, your company can provide business uniforms for every employee, both men and women. Polo shirts can be custom printed and the options that come along with them are endless. Custom printed dress shirts can be bought in bulk in a variety of colors, sizes, and designs. Since the custom printed polo shirts will be used for business purposes, you'll want to keep them professional, classy, and representative of your company.

As business uniforms, the polo shirts your company orders should be bought in a professional color. Stray away from flashy colors and instead choose neutrals such as blacks, blues, or grays. If your company wants to make the custom printed polo shirts eye-catching, a brighter color can be used on the design that is added to the shirt. The custom printed dress shirts should not only be of a professional color, they should also somehow reflect your company. To do this, the company's logo or initials can be monogrammed onto the shirt. The monogram should be small and subtle but it should be noticeable.

In order to design and order custom printed dress shirts, your company will first want to find a company that offers high quality shirts at an affordable price. Be sure that the vendor you choose offers monogram services so that your company's logo and/or name can be stitched on each shirt. Once you have a company selected, you then want to ensure that you have a sound budget to pay for a shirt for each employee. Somehow your company will need to survey your workforce in order to determine the number of different size polo shirts that have to be ordered.

With all of the technical details in hand, your business can then place an order for the custom printed polo shirts. Once the dress shirts are ordered, designed, and delivered, they can then be handed out to your workforce. Instead of handing them out one by one, take the time to set-up a morale building activity where a majority if not all of your workforce is present. The printed polo shirts can then be given to each employee as business uniforms. You can ask employees to wear them to certain meetings or venues. Not only will this bring your workers together, it will also show to other businesses and customers that your company is tight-knit and values working together.

A company will find that by providing custom printed shirts to their workforce, employees will become much closer and willing to work with each other. With a common bind between all of the employees, they will find it a lot easier to bond and work together successfully.

If your company needs a morale boost or if you want to show your employees that you are appreciative and thankful for their work, don't hesitate to design and purchase custom printed polo shirts.

DiscountMugs, a leader in the promotional products industry, has a wide variety of Custom Printed Polo Shirts to choose from in several styles and designs. With tons of great corporate gifts to choose from like Promotional Coffee Mugs, mouse pads, portfolios, custom pens, and more, you are certain to find something to fit any corporate style. Shop DiscountMugs.com today to get yours!

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Drop Shipping T-Shirts - 4 Benefits of Drop Shipping to Your Online T-Shirt Business

By Lila J. Fowloer

Selling T-shirts online, whether customized or plain designs, requires an effective way to do inventory, test waters, save costs and list conveniently. These requirements may appear difficult to achieve at first but in the online market today, one strategy answers all the requirements. This is called drop shipping. With this process, you are bereft of time consuming processes like inventory, packing and delivery.

Here is a list of the four benefits that drop shipping provides to your Online T-Shirt business.

1. Volume Orders are Not Required

Drop shippers do not require large orders for you to start transactions. You can order from as small as one piece to as large as 3 dozens. This allows you to control your business and try out the market for trends. Moreover, It also cushions from large volume purchases that may be counterproductive to you.

2. It Eliminates Inventory Problems

Drop shipping eliminates your participation in inventory because the drop shipper does the inventory. This is beneficial mostly to beginners who are not even used to inventory processes or have not even experienced doing inventory. Moreover, you will have extra time to focus on other aspects of your business like marketing.

3. It Saves a Lot of Time

Drop shippers are called such because they accept orders and the same time pack and ship. This saves a lot of time for you. To start with, packing and shipping adds to the cost because of the logistics and manpower needed. Drop Shippers have both the manpower and logistics which does not add to the price but instead lessens it. This enables you to sell products at low rates but still earn a lot.

4. Automated Listing

Some suppliers have their own mechanized directory listings which is very convenient to your part. You only need to choose the products you want to sell and with a click of a button you are done. This is a very useful and convenient way of dong business that it almost eliminates personal interaction.

These are just a few benefits that drop shipping has. The most important thing is that you know that you are better off with drop shipping than doing it all by yourself.

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The 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Launching an Online T-Shirt Business

By Anastasia Kotis

Here are my Top 10 Tips on mistakes to avoid when launching your Online T-shirt Business.

1.Understanding your target market. Often people think they can be everything to everyone however knowing every detail about YOUR specific target market is one of the keys to success. From their age, gender, interests, friendship circles, what they read, what websites and forums they look at, what clubs they attend etc. This will come in handy when you're starting to sell your t-shirts and for target marketing.

2. Set realistic goals about what you want to achieve and the money you would like to make. T-shirt success does not usually happen overnight but rather over a few years. Be realistic with what you can achieve. For example; one goal may be print 50 t-shirts by a certain date. Another goal maybe to sell at least 25 t-shirts to stores by a certain date. Set goals by month so you keep on track and stay motivated.

3.Know when to hold and know when to fold. You have to own your mistakes. It's important that you recognize if a t-shirt is not selling, then try to sell in a different avenue such as eBay or Etsy and move on. It's not worth pushing something that's not working. Every retailer has best sellers and worst sellers and when they don't perform, they are marked down and new product is ranged.

4. Knowing how much money you should invest. In my experience, the best advice is work out an estimate of how much you think it will cost initially to start your business and then double it, as this is probably more realistic. People forget about the smaller things such as postage, shipping costs, petrol, website hosting etc. These little things add up.

5.Test your product before you start to heavily invest. This is an important one and given the current Internet opportunities that are out there, it's easily achievable. If you can make some customized t-shirts from an online website then you can see if people are liking what you are doing. Get your product in photos, organize competitions, give samples to friends to wear and use social websites to show off your t-shirt designs. There are many things you can try, to see if your style works and people like it.

6.Take your time when making important decisions. We are human and we can be impulsive and make quick decisions that may not be the right ones for us. Business is quite tough these days, people will want to rush you and will say anything to try to get you to commit so they have an order. Take your time and weigh up the pros and cons and be informed. Do your research and then make the decision - it will end up saving you time and money!

7.Some opportunities are sometimes not worth it. When you are starting out, you will come across people who will try to challenge your pricing, product and brand. For example, an online retailer may want your product but will only order it, if it's $10 less than your current wholesale cost. If you are making little or no margin on a job, it is OK to say no. In my experience, be willing in some cases to achieve a lower margin, if it means you will get more business from it. Sometimes it's a marketing exercise that is well worth the cost cutting.

8.It's OK to start small. I know myself that as soon as I get a great idea in my head you think 'that's it!' I then start going crazy and spending loads of money. You may buy a machine or other equipment that is quite expensive. Take your time, test different processes and then decide which way you want to go.

It's really important that you do some samples and see the results first before investing a lot of money into equipment and other things that may not be want you wanted after all.

9.Do your homework. If you're thinking of investing in a printing machine, then look at all the costs associated with this process. It's usually not that clear cut and you will find that there will be inks or paper for example, which cost a lot of money and you had not accounted for it.

10.You will be your own Boss! As much as this is super fantastic and you can't wait to be the boss, there are also average tasks as well. You are the only person that can answer to customer complaints and any issues that come up when running the business. It would be great to become part of a network or forum for weekly support. As a single person boss, you also have to start to know everything about anything; from taxes to sales, marketing to design, from dealing with stores and selling online. You have to be able to master and wear many hats that in my opinion can be quite challenging but also exciting.

Good Luck! http://www.tshirtdesignprofits.com

Anastasia Kotis - http://www.tshirtdesignprofits.com

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