Fashion merchandising is not just for fashion brands. Any company, in fact, can add its own fashion merchandise to its line-up. Done right, this merchandise range can increase revenue and word-of-mouth marketing. Fashion brands do this by offering their big-logo pieces. Everyone will need to create their own custom range of products from scratch.
To help make your first merchandising line a hit, not a flop, use these top tips.
Be Picky About Your Supplier
You won’t be establishing the full fashion supply chain for your merchandising line. It’s simply too big of an undertaking for something you’re trying to use as a way to supplement income. The good news is that there are brands ready to take that supply chain hassle out of the equation. You can get your logo and artwork printed or even embroidered on their ready-made pieces. This way, you can streamline production, all while enjoying quality results with minimal quality control.
Anthem Branding, for example, offers top-notch products that can be customized in multiple ways. Their golf hats, for example, can be directly embroidered. Their sun hats can have your patch sewn on and a colorful underbrim to really make your pieces stand out.
Get an Artist to Create Custom Art
The logo alone isn’t enough. The brands big enough that their logo is the draw will also be the brands that need their own supply chain and production, meaning their products are custom-made. Even with those brands, their best-selling pieces are the ones that go above and beyond.
You need to really think of your merchandise as its own draw. People will actively buy and wear your merchandise, even if they’ve never heard of your brand before, just because they like the look of the shirt that you offer.
That’s why you’ll want to hire artists near you to create your collection. You can partner with one artist per print and create a series of custom, limited-run collections that keep your fans coming back for more. It’s the same concept behind the best band t-shirts.
How to Market Your Merchandise
Marketing your merchandise is another problem that many businesses have. You don’t want to be too pushy. Instead, show your customers how amazing your products are. Have all of your front-facing staff wear your merchandise as part of their uniform. Let them go all out and make it their own. Some may wear the shirt loose; others may tuck it in. Some may wear the golf hat, others the sun hat. Let them mix and match products so that they show their personality. This is essentially a free way of showing your customers just how many ways they can style your merchandise.
Don’t Forget to Sell Online
You’ll also want to market your store and brand online with photos of your staff wearing your merchandise. Be creative and have fun with it. Tag those products if you can so that your followers can quickly check out and buy their favorite pieces.