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Starting Online T-Shirt Sales - Info Needed

by OptedIn
11 replies
Greetings,

I am recently retired and find myself with way too much time on my hands and apparently my ambition well has not, yet, run completely dry.

I have dabbled in many things over the years before finding my path and following it until the exit ramp to retirement beckoned. One thing I always wanted to do was have an online t-shirt shop.

I know that there are many ways to do this, but I was hoping I could get some suggestions from folks that are currently doing it so I could determine which route might be best for me, based upon the following:

1. I don't know if I should build my own site, (I am fluent in WordPress and Woo Commerce as well as having my own server with managed WP hosting), or use one of the services that currently exist.

2. I do not believe in the term, 'passive income,' but I would like as close to a set-it and forget it system as possible. What I mean is, I should not have to get involved in any fulfillment chores, so I'm guessing that only leaves the service route. I might not be totally opposed to shipping t-shirts, though. USPS will pick-up at my door - so it can't be that bad. Hell, I shipped live tropical fish all over the world for years. lol

I do want to be able to have mini-stores (sections) for specific niches as opposed to a giant hodgepodge of shirts that cover a wide gamut of interests, all lumped together.

Gee now that I'm starting to think about this, I might like to to a full range of items like possibly mugs, - wait - NO - there I go, again. Always looking to start something simple, just for fun and immediately it takes over my brain and I begin to see the limitless possibilities. No - just t-shirts will do, thank you very much.

3. Perhaps someone could recommend an excellent course or WSO. I am no where near as concerned with the income potential as I am the challenge, implementation and use of my brain from the site and shirt design standpoint, going forward. If it even almost pays its own way, I will be more than happy. If it winds-up costing me a few bucks every month - it's cheaper than therapy!

I am serious and ready to take action, so your so your investment in a wee-bit of time to point me in the right direction will not be wasted.

Yes, I Googled it. Information overload. Besides, all the smart people are here, correct? Are you reading this, Kurt???

Thank you.
#info #needed #online #sales #starting #tshirt
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Meaney
    A blogger called Benny Hsu made around $100k in 5 months from selling t-shirts, and I've had a smaller amount of success with my own t-shirts.

    Benny Hsu wasn't an overnight success (who is, really?), he built up a massive following first and printed T-shirts with a phrase that resonated deeply with them.

    1. Build an audience first, or advertise the crap outta your t-shirts. Personally, I would always build on your own land - hosting that you own and control (self hosted wp), with the buy button linking to whichever fulfilment service you choose.

    2. Use sites like CafePress, TeeSpring, etc.

    3. I really don't think you need one, its simple and you're intelligent enough to figure it out in a few mins.

    Some things I've learned:

    Avoid general / broad designs that you think will appeal to everyone. Get ultra-niche.

    Find out what most people in your niche thinks or believes, and sum it up with a catchy phrase for your design. Alternatively, find out what they hate and attack it in the same way.
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    • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
      Originally Posted by Michael Meaney View Post

      A blogger called Benny Hsu made around $100k in 5 months from selling t-shirts, and I've had a smaller amount of success with my own t-shirts.
      That's great and I'm certainly not turning my nose up at money, but I don't need money. I'm old. I won't be able to spend the money I have before I die. I need something to do that I haven't done before.

      Benny Hsu wasn't an overnight success (who is, really?), he built up a massive following first and printed T-shirts with a phrase that resonated deeply with them.
      Makes, sense.

      1. Build an audience first, or advertise the crap outta your t-shirts. Personally, I would always build on your own land - hosting that you own and control (self hosted wp), with the buy button linking to whichever fulfilment service you choose.
      Yes, I loathe being at the mercy of others. Learned that the hard way.

      2. Use sites like CafePress, TeeSpring, etc.
      Will check those out.

      3. I really don't think you need one, its simple and you're intelligent enough to figure it out in a few mins.
      That's funny. I'm one head bump away from being classified as a potted plant. (Stole that from someone, but can't remember who). :-)

      Some things I've learned:

      Avoid general / broad designs that you think will appeal to everyone. Get ultra-niche.
      That's what I have in mind.

      Find out what most people in your niche thinks or believes, and sum it up with a catchy phrase for your design. Alternatively, find out what they hate and attack it in the same way.
      I'm loaded with original catch phrases. This all looks, doable.

      Thank you, Michael.
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      "He not busy being born, is busy dying." - Bob Dylan • "I vibe with the light-dark point. Heavy." - Words that Bob Dylan wishes he had written.

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  • Profile picture of the author IGotMine
    Perhaps someone could recommend an excellent course or WSO.
    https://www.warriorforum.com/warrior...tes-watch.html

    I sell them on Ebay.
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    • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
      Originally Posted by IGotMine View Post

      That looks great, but I'm thinking I want 'original content.' I don't mind competition, but if you have dozens of people selling the same shirts, it winds up being a race to the bottom, price wise.

      I may not be focused on the money, but I'm already involved in a charitable project. Not looking for another one. :-)

      Thank you for your input.
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      "He not busy being born, is busy dying." - Bob Dylan • "I vibe with the light-dark point. Heavy." - Words that Bob Dylan wishes he had written.

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    • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
      Originally Posted by IGotMine View Post

      OK. I watched the video. Looks like a pretty cool deal. One person in the thread that actually purchased and left some details shows absolutely no activity on his Facebook page and the website is offline. Not very encouraging.

      Yes, I realize that means nothing, as he might have done absolutely nothing, but still.

      Another confusing point was the video said the price was $497 bit the WSO is for $47 and it doesn't appear that anything has been left out after the price reduction. I'm thinking that those folks that paid $497 at happy about that.

      Seriously, for that price how could you not give that a whirl?

      Not looking for you to divulge any data about selling t-shirts on eBay, but if you had to do it over again, would you?

      I'm thinking of using a domain name that I have been paying for for 20 years that I only used briefly, for a project that crashed and burned. OyBay.com. You hear it once and you never forget it. lol

      Thanks for the suggestion. It seems to cover all my bases and I can just add my original creations individually, over time, as each one is designed.

      Cheers.
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      "He not busy being born, is busy dying." - Bob Dylan • "I vibe with the light-dark point. Heavy." - Words that Bob Dylan wishes he had written.

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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    I'd be looking for a tshirt fulfillment service because most of them do hand holding and walk you through everything you need to know.

    The other 99% is all about you, designs and finding the buyer traffic source/s.
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    • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
      Originally Posted by yukon View Post

      I'd be looking for a tshirt fulfillment service because most of them do hand holding and walk you through everything you need to know.

      The other 99% is all about you, designs and finding the buyer traffic source/s.
      Yeah. The WSO has all of that supplied. There's a few things about it that I don't like, such as everything being lumped under 'products,' without any delineation. Have written support to see about getting that sorted.

      If the fulfillment center he recommends doesn't suit my needs, I'll look around.

      Thank you for your input. Cheers.
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      "He not busy being born, is busy dying." - Bob Dylan • "I vibe with the light-dark point. Heavy." - Words that Bob Dylan wishes he had written.

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  • Profile picture of the author SiteNameSales
    Lots of good advice here. So many possibilities. Want to take it to the next level? Visit T-Shirt Forums....
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    Borrow my Business!...
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    • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
      Originally Posted by SiteNameSales View Post

      Lots of good advice here. So many possibilities. Want to take it to the next level?
      No - but thanks for the info. :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author dylansmith22
    You can also promote your starting online T-shirt on the platform called Phlanx.
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    • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
      Originally Posted by dylansmith22 View Post

      You can also promote your starting online T-shirt on the platform called Phlanx.
      One of thousands on marketing platforms that exist. Why would you singe-out, that one? Just curious, is all.
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