Custom Apparel Startups

They are relentless – ever see a kid play a video game 100 times in a night to beat it. Will swing a bat outside for hours. Practice dance moves all morning. Don’t give up on your business.

Creatures of habit – every night it’s bath, brush teeth, read a book, bed. Ever try to take a kid out of routine? Get them to use a different sipping cup cause theirs is dirty. Do you have daily routines for business?

Resist change, but adapt quickly – you can do the same. Be conservative in your operations but when it’s time to change. Embrace it.

If they want something they ask, and ask and ask – toy, stay up late, candy. Do you do this for sales / business ?

They know how to be cute – ever see a kid put on those sweet eyes and stick out bottom lip? They know how to butter up their parents to get what they want. Do you know how to put on a smile and be a good face for your business?

They get over things – a kid can go from crying about a broken toy to laughing and playing in 5 minutes. They don’t hold grudges. However, adults can allow a single bad event to ruin their entire day … and affect their business / sales / production.

Make best friends in 5 minutes – Kid goes to a park, plays with another for 5 min. Now they are best friends. You should be personable and meet people. Remember them and be remembered.

Extremely curious – if they see something new, they want to know about it. They will just watch an ant pile for 30 min. Do you strive to seek out new ideas?

In this episode, we have an energetic discussion with Manuel Suarez. Manuel is a marketer, an entrepreneur and a Facebook Blueprint certified expert. His passion for Facebook marketing is infectious and listening to this episode might just be the catalyst to you becoming a Facebook marketing expert.

Several years ago he started a business, launching his own brand. Within a year, through his study and application of Social Media Advertising, it was a multi-million dollar company.

He has helped his clients generate over half a billion views across different channels and millions of followers!

We talk about:

– Who should market on Facebook?

– How hard is it to do?

– What are some first steps to take?

– How can you learn more?

– How much money should you spend?

– Is it right for you?

If you are planning to start an online store, this episode is a must listen. Don't make the fatal mistakes so many others do. This episode is your step-by-step guide filled with tips and tricks.

Should you go online?

Basic Steps to Opening an Online (E-commerce) Store:

Plan to change things monthly / annually. Always keep up to date and remember this is your 'store' so keep it clean, it represents your company.

Listen to this episode, follow these steps and success is around the corner!

List of eCommerce / online store/shopping cart software:

Have you ever put together furniture from Ikea or Walmart? Not following the directions... and ended up having to take off 10 pieces because you missed a vital step? It's a classic human behavior... we DONT read instructions.

Subaru of America Inc. has been struggling with this problem since it noticed consumer complaints about vehicle quality beginning to rise a few years ago.

"We scratched our heads trying to figure out why," said Joseph Barstys, manager of customer relationships. "As we further explored why, we realized it wasn't so much that things didn't work but that customers didn't know how to work" their vehicle. In fact, it turned out, 1 in 5 calls to the Subaru call center involved a question answered in the owner's manual.

Tony Sweers, the product quality engineer for Canon Information Technology Services, noted: "It appears that when a lot of people see that an 800 number is available, they find it much easier to call than to sit down and read the manual."

A poll by Gadget Helpline, a tech support hotline discovered that a full sixty-four percent of men and twenty-four percent of women calling for tech support had not even bothered to read the manual.

So now that we know people are very unlike to read the manual, watch the videos or take the training.... we need to make a case on why it's so important.

Not getting trained can lead you to a bad start. It can lead you to frustration. It

How a small business can get the most out of content marketing:

Taking good pictures and video is essential to creating good content for your website, eCommerce store or social media. In this episode, we will dive into how to create great looking (and sounding) content, without having to be a professional.

Tips:

Use a good Camera. If you want to invest you can get a great DSLR for video and pics for under $500, however, don't underestimate the power of your smartphone, it can take amazing pictures. ( we do both!)

Use good lighting. You can purchase lighting from Amazon or used on Ebay. Some directional lighting. avoid heavy shadows or TOO much light. (also phone / camera has light / exposure settings)

Use a tripod - Your hand's aren't as still as you think they are, use a tripod it will help. also can get a mini tripod for a phone for under $20

Consider the background - generally white or light color background is preferred. Ironed sheet, big white paper. also consider scenes .... park, beach, wood table, trees, people

Clean everything. The product, clean camera lens, lint brush garments

Take test shots - upload them to a computer too so you can see them BIG... not just on little camera/phone screen.

Watch out for bad audio - sometimes you don't realize audio is bad till you are all done. make sure room doesn't echo a lot, make sure people aren't talking in the background, get a directional mic if using a camera

Use post-production - if you don't have experience editing photos may be a good idea to hire someone to help you clean up pics, lighting, noise, etc.

Editing software - Gimp/Pshop for images, Camtasia/iMovie for video

When to take pics/video:

New blanks or product offerings

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Seth Gardenswartz

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Whether or not do-it-yourself solutions will do

THIS is the podcast that you have all been waiting for.. finally the answers to SO MANY questions that take place on the Custom Apparel Startups Facebook Group, on Forums all over the internet and that we get asked from our customers every day:

·        If I change the artwork by 10% I’m fine, right?

·        Should I trademark my brand name?

·        What’s the difference between a trademark and copyright?

·        How much trouble can I get into copying _______ ?

·        Can I copyright embroidery designs too?

·        Is my Brand my trademark

·        How much does doing it the right way cost?

Seth Gardenswartz from Blackgarden Law in Albuquerque, NM isn’t just any attorney.. he’s the attorney with the heart of a Marketing Guy!

During this podcast you’ll hear about Seth’s early experience with big brands and marketing in retail apparel and how he applies what he learned then to his law practice now. A practice that focuses mostly on Copy Rights and Trademarks.

The custom t-shirt business is fraught with opportunities for intellectual property theft. You need to know what to do to protect your designs, your logo and your rights AND you need to know what trouble YOU can get into if you take someone else’s work.

Don’t take anyone’s advice except an attorneys – it could cost you your business if you do.

During the program Seth talks about what he does and how he and his firm might be able to help. You can reach him at [email protected], or call 888-317-3556 .. AFTER you’ve heard this episode.

PLEASE SHARE THIS EPISODE! It applies to any business and save you and your friends thousands due to a lack of information.

The post Episode 73 – Copyrights and Trademarks in the Custom T-Shirt Business appeared first on Custom Apparel Startups.

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Mike Michalowicz

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Profit First is the first real innovation in the financial approach to small business since QuickBooks.

That software may put accounting tools at your fingertips, it does nothing for helping you manage and really UNDERSTAND the money side of your business.

We talk to people all the time about starting their custom t-shirt business. Occasionally we have hard conversations with people RUNNING them too. Conversations like:

Profit First is a book, a method, a framework that does do that – helps you really understand where your money is, where it’s going and how to generate more of it for you.

During this interview with Profit First author Mike Michalowicz we’ll take you through what the profit first system is and how to apply it to the custom t-shirt business.

Visit http://mikemichalowiscz.com

Please visit http://customapparelstartups.com for more customer apparel startups podcasts episodes!

The post Episode 72 – Profit FIRST! Interview with Mike Michalowicz appeared first on Custom Apparel Startups.

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Brett Wiebel and Mark Momborquette

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Belquette DTG Printers have been a staple in the direct to garment printing industry from the very beginning of digital garment printing. But this episode isn’t about digital direct to garment printing – it’s about small business success and the Inventor’s Mindset.

During this podcast you’ll hear Brett Wiebel and Mark Momborquette, the founders of BelQuette DTG Printers tell their story.

A story that starts with working a full-time job together in manufacturing in Cincinati, OH. Of nights and weekends spent in the basement working on their vision. A story that starts with a trip to the mall to get a little girl’s fingernails done and ends with some of the most innovative products in the custom apparel business.

And we’ll discuss how building their business with an inventor’s mindset might just make your custom t-shirt or embroidery or sign business that much better.

BelQuette recently joined forces with ColDesi and Colman and Company after both competing in the digital direct to garment printer space AND collaborating on projects and ideas. BelQuette is widely respected in high volume, production oriented DTG businesses and help outfit the biggest online custom t-shirt sellers in the world with equipment… but not JUST equipment!

The BelQuette DTG Printer duo 2 of the very few people who actually engineer and invent new technology in this space. Their approach has always been to work with customers, watch processes and examine popular products used to make custom tees and find better ways to do it.

They’ve done this in the past by inventing the first printer with modular parts for better maintenance and repair, the only really TARGETED pre treatment system… oh, and a custom fingernail printing machine.. you’ve got to listen to Mark B’s story about how that started.

We discuss how Brett and Mark’s future in BelQuette Technologies means new products coming in the future and how they will continue to work with the biggest companies in the business on a variety of unique solutions.

Learn more about BelQuette and ColDesi joining forces in this press release.

Please visit http://customapparelstartups.com for more customer apparel startups podcasts episodes!

The post Episode 71 – The Story of BelQuette and Thinking Like an Inventor appeared first on Custom Apparel Startups.

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In this episode of the CAS Podcast, learn 10 tips to get the most out of events and shows that will help you acquire new customer for your custom apparel business. These are simple yet effective techniques you can apply before, during and after events that are critically important to ensure success in the custom apparel business.

Premarketing

This is a great way to bring people to meet you and pull some business in advance. Get them to commit to visiting you, picking up their order there, etc. Advertise to your customers you will be there, post to FB event pages, make your own FB event page. If there is a list of attendees or booths…. reach out to some of them as well.

Refine Your 30-Second Pitch

At trade shows, you really only have about 30 seconds before you lose the attention of the person you’re trying to sell to. That’s why it’s critically important to nail down your 30-second elevator pitch before you arrive at the event. An effective elevator pitch will include a short description of what your product or service is and concisely detail how it can help that individual or their business.

Make Connections at the Event

You are about to be surrounded by a bunch of other business owners, many of them successful. Are all of them wearing custom apparel? They should be! Be sure all of them know you, and have your info. Also sign up for their email lists, learn about them. There may be an opportunity in the future.

Have a way to collect emails, get reviews, get followers, etc.

This is a time to get people on your email list, get people to like you on facebook, follow you on twitter, etc. You can get creative “Like me on FB and get a coupon” or give away something for free for a follow. Have an ipad or laptop out with your email for sign up. If you have MC or CC you can have one of your forms up, or your website too.

When possible, go before you attend

This is an opportunity to scope out the scene, see what type of people attend. See what booths get attention. See if there are any ideas you can ‘borrow’.

Have a way people can keep your info

Business cards are great…. but think of something else fun too… might be worth it. Can cooler, Bottle opener, etc. Think of your audience. If its businesspeople… pens and cards. If its dog lovers, a small bag of treats with your card. If its bikers.. beard combs. People love these little giveaways… even though its mostly junk trinkets, its a reason to stick your hand out and say hello.

Bundles / Upsells

A “show deal” is a great way to upsell to your customers AND gives your customers an opportunity to save money. Add a hat for only XX, Buy x Get y, This is our show promo deal. order a shirt, hat, polo, tote bag normally $120 now, $99

Offer something special, not available at the show

Not to delay sales, but to catch people that don’t see what they like from what you’re displaying. Tell non-buyers about a jacket or hat or something that you’re excited about that you didn’t have time to prep for the event. Get their information if they express any interest.

Work the crowd

Be sure to greet everyone who comes to your booth, even if you are busy. Say hello, point to cards, show email sign up, shake hands, say “i will be right with you.” Certain people can rob your time, you have to realize when someone is a “talker” .. not a “buyer.” Be friendly, wear a smile, say hello.

When its slow.. step OUT of the booth… sand in front. Have literature in your hand. Even if you just say hi to people passing buy. Have a clear message of what you DO displayed as well. Then you are standing out there, people can know to stop by if interested. This helps to have fun giveaways or an event.

Know what idea i like? Have a spinning wheel. People love to spin wheels. They can win anything from a coupon, a free ice cream sunday, to a 100% custom free t-shirt. etc etc. (This can also be a way to work with local vendors/customers (“hey i am going to be at a show, want to give me some free Ice Cream Coupons to give away on my wheel”

Post Marketing

Email people, call people. Have a post show special or coupon. Contact them after. Most people will have little-to-no follow up. You can be the best by picking up the phone, emailing people. thanking them.

Watch the END of the video below for 2 more tips that make a HUGE difference!

The post Episode 70 – Events and Shows | 10 Tips for Getting the Most from Events appeared first on Custom Apparel Startups.