Unlike other apparel, t-shirts have stood the test of time. They are super comfortable and go with almost anything in your closet.
Over time, many entrepreneurs have ventured into the t-shirt printing business, thanks to the low start-up costs and attractive returns. As a result, the industry has now become highly competitive.
Ways to Promote Your T-Shirt Brand
Upcoming businesses have to compete against well-established firms. Consequently, these businesses need to employ creative t-shirt marketing strategies to go head-to-head with the behemoths.
This article will look at a few simple, effective, and most importantly- affordable means of marketing your business to the masses.
Global Market
Love them or hate them, t-shirts never go out of fashion, and the numbers don’t lie. In 2019, the global custom t-shirt printing market size was estimated to be worth $3.4 billion.
This popularity comes on the back of adoption by companies who use them for branding and marketing purposes. The use of customized t-shirts for branding purposes is projected to continue contributing to global market growth till 2027.
Most start-ups operate on shoestring budgets, which means, in most cases, they don’t have much money to put into marketing.
If this sounds like you, please follow these small business marketing campaign tips. You’ll soon be on your way to building your brand and selling more of your products and services.
Social media
The power of social media is undeniable. These platforms are not only a useful means of keeping in touch with friends and loved ones, but also act as a powerful platform for marketing.
Rather than engaging in conversations as a “person”, if you do so as a “business owner”, it will make it easier for clients to engage with you. As part of social responsibility, don’t forget to give back to the community. It’s an excellent means of gaining favor and building trust.
Going back to the trust factor, most customers tend to communicate with their favorite brands via social media channels, especially if they have any issues.
In-person networking
You shouldn’t just rely on social media marketing. The best approach is to have multiple means of getting your brand across the market.
Attend chamber of commerce events, meet-up events in your area, and any other “live” networking opportunities nearby.
While in attendance, avoid trying to sell your product/services. Approach each conversation with the goal of making a connection with another business owner; you can later help them with clients and vice versa.
Host your own events
Another successful means of marketing your t-shirt printing venture is by hosting your own events. Consider hosting seminars, workshops, or panels that will be useful to the community. Conduct a customer appreciation day or tie your event to a public holiday.
You can reach out to other entrepreneurs who are willing to sponsor your event, hold raffles, and give away prizes.
Small business branding and marketing works well on a personal level. Hence, give out pens, hats, notepads, and t-shirts bearing your company name and logo. These items, along with the people who use them, act as your brand ambassadors.
Blog or website
In this digital age, no business can thrive without having an online presence. This could be in the form of a website or a blog. They tell a compelling story of who you are, what you do, and more importantly, what sets you apart from your competitors.
Any effective marketing campaign starts with a blog/website. If you don’t have one, then it’s time to reconsider your approach.
Social media influencers
This is yet another effective means of building brand recognition. As the name suggests, social media influencers are individuals that command considerable influence over their followers on sites like YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat.
What makes these individuals effective is the fact that you can carry out targeted marketing. This results in higher conversion rates compared to traditional forms of marketing like newspapers, radio, and TV.
Pay per click
What’s impressive about this alternative is that it does away with the risks associated with marketing, where you pay upfront before seeing the results. With PPC, you only pay for the traffic that reaches your site.
You can also carry out targeted marketing campaigns according to demographics like location, age, device, and language.
In the end, irrespective of whichever alternative(s) you use for t-shirt marketing, what matters most is consistency.
The success of any small business marketing campaign relies heavily on their ability to deliver the brand message in a clear, compelling, and consistent way that resonates with its target customers.
