Episode 203 – How to Compete in a Crowded DTF Market
This Episode
Marc Vila
customapparelstartups.com
CAS Podcast
ColDesi
You Will Learn
How to deal with customer expectationsTraps to avoidUnderstanding your nicheHow to compete the smart wayResources & Links
ColDesi DTF PrintersBuy DTF Printers and Supplies onlineEpisode 203 – How to Compete in a Crowded DTF Market
Intro: The Shop Struggle
DTF is booming and more businesses are jumping in.DTF is much easier than older methods like screen printing.Barrier to entry is lower with 'production friendly' equipment under $15k.Full-Digital Apparel that looks, feels and washes great is 'easy' to make.If you're feeling squeezed on price, overwhelmed by competition, or stuck on how to grow this episode is for you.Why It Feels Crowded
Custom t-shirt businesses are more common than even just a decade ago.People have a 'friend' or 'cousin' with a cricut.Customer expectations are all over the place a "Why is this shirt $30 when the guy down the street sells it for $15?".Social media makes everyone look busy, even if they aren't making money.The Good News
Just because everyone's cousin makes shirts, doesnt mean they are good at it.Most 'side-hustlers' give up or cannot deliver.The business isnt 'easy' so YOU putting in the work will be around when others won't.The barrier to entry to be profitable is still high enough that its not for everyone.You can still produce a high-quality custom logo apparel for the same price or cheaper than stores sell blank apparel.Avoid Common Traps
Racing to the bottom on price.You will NEVER be the cheapest. "There is hardly anything in this world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper."Undercharging because they don't know how to break down costs and margins.Know your numbers!Consider other costs – website, accounting software, credit card fees.No Systems in place to make sure your business runs wellNo workflowsNo pricing structure No SchedulesNo delegationNo CRMTrying to do it all: artwork, printing, packaging, selling – without delegation or efficiency.Competing the Smart Way
Find Your Differentiator: Custom designs? Rush jobs? Better garments? Customer service? Find 1-3 core differentiators and talk about them all the time.Find Your Niche What is your ideal customer or product? Push towards that and spend less time trying to compete beyond.Charge What You're Worth: Because of the above, you can (and should) charge more than others.Tighten Production: Tips to streamline (pre-press setups, batching jobs, designated work zones).Less mistakesFaster deliveryLess wasteCustomer ExperiencePersonal deliveryHandwritten thank yousReorder remindersBirthday / AnniversaryGrowing in a Crowded Space
Don't be Amazon / Walmart You can't beat the lowest price, but you can offer the best experience / quality.People will want to buy from YOU / Your Business… because you are not the big business.Get Referrals WorkingScript for asking for referralsRemind people againGive/Get programLeverage What You Already HaveUpsells / bundled productBe the best on the blockYou would be surprised on how many people havent truly mastered their craft, be a master. Experiment, practice, play, learn.Invest in an Efficiency (repeat): Set goals for single efficiencies you can invest in (even if it's small.)Additional heat pressesAccounting softwareCRMEcom StoreFinal Thoughts: There's Still Room!
You don't need to be the best at everything, just the most dialed-in for your customers.Think efficient and excellent, not big and chaotic.You don't need to be the master of an entire catalog of products, just be fantastic at a handful.If you are struggling to compete with lower priced competitors, consider changing how to are getting your business or what you sell.Only offer premium quality apparelLook for a niche or type of customer that is going to be less price concerned.Purchase apparel from the 'cheap' competition to see how you can offer a better product (and sell against that.)Challenge: What's one thing you can fix in your pricing or workflow this week?
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