Moved my breakdown in here so it's not culturing up the other one. Might as well make this a let it all out, tell me your fail stories post. Get the tissues kiddos. My lack of sales has made me a cranky pants. Limited edition check Free shipping check. Signed original artwork check sexy models not check pimped site not check packaging not check Promotion check -It was linked up for a week with a discount code at Cameesa -<a href="http://www.dandyid.org/id/quakerninja">Defiantly not just on Emptees.</a> I did several all night cluster fuck whorefest -American Apparel check -SEO up the ass check But enough of my bitching and moaning. The point is that I thought that I had done it right. So All of the checks are a waste because I don't have a pimped site, nice boxes, and sexy models? So anyone so inclined to click a link was greeted with a no name fucktard, and left immediately I guess. Listen to me, I'm being such a cry baby. I don't get it. I see a lot of shitty shirts that fly off the shelfs. What's the deal? In my case I didn't want to pay xxx$$ for a custom site for just one shirt. That seems to be the nail in the coffin. With my sales history I also didn't want to spend money to get more designs printed and have more boxes of fail on my hands. I would have had 4 shirts but I got a bad printer and well you know how that went. I have my doubts that even if they had been printed good and I did have a pro site, I would still have a box of fail of my hands. It's not a matter of people not having the money, it's a big internet and I hit every nook and cranny I could find of it. You can have the post back, I have had this on my chest for a while, I guess I just got to suck it up again. Long way of saying I just wanted to fit in I guess and had all the wrong reasons for getting any shirts printed in the first place. I'm 30 years old live with my mom and dad make 6,000 a year at the day job, hours are lame, I don't get enough clients to pay for rent's so I can't quit, I can't make a website so I can't get a desk job in any art related field. Wow I am a loser. Well better get to work making something of myself before I'm dust and bones I guess. I don't want to hear how good I am or anything encouraging. I know I'm ace. Just got a case of the boo hoos today. Onward and upward. Anyone else want to let all out? Come on sweet cheeks I saved you a shoulder. 2009-10-11T15:16:06-04:00 96 2009-10-09T14:49:58-04:00 true 0 86771 false false 1271 506 1 2009-11-21T01:33:46-05:00 1722 Newman I am going to respond to this with a nice lengthy post as soon as I have time, plus chat with ya over the weekend. I'm here to help you, you got serious talent that I think is just waiting to be leveraged. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T14:51:55-04:00 2793101 11937 2009-10-09T14:51:55-04:00 what kinda job do you have that pays 6000/yr? 86771 Post 2009-10-09T14:55:08-04:00 2793121 7920 2009-10-09T14:55:08-04:00 I would venture to say that it is neither you nor your product that is the problem. It is your process. Dont try to sell water to a man drowning in the ocean, sell water to the man dying of thirst in the desert. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T14:58:16-04:00 2793171 11245 2009-10-09T14:58:16-04:00 we need to make the cock book.. it wont be a fail.. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T14:59:18-04:00 2793181 2870 2009-10-09T14:59:18-04:00 Thanks Jud I know you have faith it me. It's not a plee for pity of any kind, I just feel in a rut, it happens sometimes. I am an usher for the Portland Center for the Preforming Arts, It's a great job other then the pay and hours, good boss, great co workers, I get to see ballet, opera, the symphony and all that. I got me a resumé and a good education so I'm sure I can get a better job easier then I think, just got to get out and wow someone. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:02:54-04:00 2793231 506 2009-10-09T15:02:54-04:00 I'm in sort of the same boat as you. I'm trying to start my own little brand and don't have the money to invest in any of the good stuff, ie, website, big cartel, software, etc. The difference is I don't have a job. Still looking. I live with my wife and kid, the wife works and is the only breadwinner. I don't have anything to sell but I'm working on it. I have been waiting for four and a half months for my business advisor to sort out some funding and so far he's done diddly squat. It's tough trying to get into business with no capital. I'm still hopeful I can make a go of things. I don't want to be the next Johnny Cupcakes, I just want to make some cash to help support my family. It's definately tough times for us little guys sometimes. Hope things pick up for all of us. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:04:09-04:00 2793241 28701 2009-10-09T15:04:38-04:00 The main thing I gathered from this is you wanted to sell tees...but maybe you should focus on selling your BRAND. Totally understandable if you don't want to take the risk but to kick it up a notch maybe you have to. I sound like a broken record but the website isn't just for e-commerce...its a touchpoint for your brand, an opportunity to engage your customer, to remind them what you brand is all about. You very well could have cool shirts but a company with "less cool" shirts and a better brand development will most likely gain more loyal customers than someone just slinging tees. You can do it...but there is always risk & money that has to be spent with any business endeavor. Chin up sweetcakes. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:05:12-04:00 2793261 9002 2009-10-09T15:05:33-04:00 sorry to hear this dude. as for the not having the sexy website issue, have you tried learning how to create one yourself? it doesnt have to be fancy, off the wall concepts with crazy things flying around the screen. you've shown in your illustration work that you know how to make things look pretty, and you understand design fundamentals. so the only thing you need to learn is how to physically create a website, which isnt as complicated as you may have thought. with the amount of tutorials up there im sure you could get one up and running in no time at all. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:08:22-04:00 2793271 2337 2009-10-09T15:08:22-04:00 <blockquote><cite>hansparker said:</cite> I would venture to say that it is neither you nor your product that is the problem. It is your process. Dont try to sell water to a man drowning in the ocean, sell water to the man dying of thirst in the desert.</blockquote> Good point, I'm an over thinker type. I'm sure the answer showed up somewhere in my analytical hairball, I just didn't see it, or ignored it. Probably the last one if I'm being honest. <blockquote><cite>Killer Napkins said:</cite> we need to make the cock book.. it wont be a fail..</blockquote> True, I get the big picture plan B is to do something to prove some sort of worth to myself again. I found the thing about leveling up is that the higher you go the harder it get's. I think Ray had it right, I just need to draw some fucking tee shirts er something. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:08:33-04:00 2793281 506 2009-10-09T15:08:33-04:00 Newman, this has been an ongoing thing for you. I really feel bad, because you are a good guy with talent. Unfortunately, and I think you, Nick and I talked about this a while ago, your style of illustration isn't "in" right now. You shouldn't change who you are or what you do in any way, shape, or form just to make a buck. You're just struggling to find your niche, but when you do things will improve. Also, it's good to get stuff off your chest sometimes. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:10:07-04:00 2793291 2961 2009-10-09T15:10:07-04:00 <blockquote><cite>Oo Lori oO said:</cite> The main thing I gathered from this is you wanted to sell tees...but maybe you should focus on selling your BRAND. Totally understandable if you don't want to take the risk but to kick it up a notch maybe you have to. I sound like a broken record but the website isn't just for e-commerce...its a touchpoint for your brand, an opportunity to engage your customer, to remind them what you brand is all about. You very well could have cool shirts but a company with "less cool" shirts and a better brand development will most likely gain more loyal customers than someone just slinging tees. You can do it...but there is always risk & money that has to be spent with any business endeavor. Chin up sweetcakes.</blockquote> Most eloquently said 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:10:10-04:00 2793301 11245 2009-10-09T15:10:10-04:00 If I fell in a barrel of tits I'd come out sucking my thumb. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:17:58-04:00 2793351 28701 2009-10-09T15:17:58-04:00 <blockquote><cite>lmt337 said:</cite> If I fell in a barrel of tits I'd come out sucking my thumb.</blockquote> hah! I'm using that tonight...i dunno how but i'm gonna work it into my conversation :D 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:18:59-04:00 2793361 11937 2009-10-09T15:18:59-04:00 Thanks guys. I'll whip out the old number 2 and jot down a plan of attack. I'll beat this silly funk mark my words. I fell into the what other people are doing trap. It's good to be on par with the "competition" but there are always going to be people that are better then me at one thing or another, not there fault or mine. I temporarily lost sight of my own worth I guess. It's never been about money, all of my early art I just gave away. I've never seen any value for it, for me the joy is just making the stuff and showing it off, then trying to figure someway to make it better. The plus I sometimes get lucky and end up with something new, the down side is It's a lot of artificial self induced pressure. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:23:08-04:00 2793401 506 2009-10-09T15:23:08-04:00 heres a big ass post about how pathetic i am: i work part-time at a pizza place making minimum wage (7/hour) and i absolutely hate it. everyone there just plain sucks so i try not to talk to them at all. ive tried contacting gomerch, some local screenprinters near me, as well as a metric shit ton of freelance clients mostly through craigslist (my girlfriend sends me links nearly every day) with little to no response. i also did some spec for unbelievably low pay because i was desperate. ive done a website, menu, logo for a local restaurant and got royally burned by the owner. i also cant seem to design anything because everytime i sit down i get discouraged by how great other dudes in this field are. i am my own worst critic and i think everything i design sucks so i end up wasting a bunch of time and not accomplishing much. most of all i just dont want to make anything mediocre and shitty. my girlfriend and i just had our son and hes a handful. (good luck justin haha) between work, looking into schools, bills, housework, cooking meals for my girlfriend, practicing practicing practicing, and trying to learn as much about this as possible, im overwhelmed. also my girlfriend is a dummy and has hella credit card debt so we're trying to pay that off and manage bills on our measly incomes. cant tell you how bad it sucks to be financially dependent on your girlfriend at 25. a few years ago i let a "friend" drive my car while i was out of town for a day and he wrecked it. the guy he hit sued him and he didnt pay up. so they came after me. they want monthly payments or they'll continually suspend my license which they've done for like four years. sooo i ride my bike to work until i can afford to pay it all off. i know its a struggle, but i also know that most of the issues i have are in my own mind, so its up to me to fix them. its definitely tough but it'll be worth it when i can be proud of where i am because of how hard i fought to get there. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:23:21-04:00 2793421 32291 2009-10-09T15:23:21-04:00 <blockquote><cite>ShirtFight.com said:</cite> <blockquote><cite>lmt337 said:</cite> If I fell in a barrel of tits I'd come out sucking my thumb.</blockquote> hah! I'm using that tonight...i dunno how but i'm gonna work it into my conversation :D</blockquote> It's like my motto, I'm so unlucky.....feel free to use and abuse. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:23:35-04:00 2793431 28701 2009-10-09T15:23:35-04:00 <blockquote><cite>molasses4masses said:</cite> Newman, this has been an ongoing thing for you. I really feel bad, because you are a good guy with talent. Unfortunately, and I think you, Nick and I talked about this a while ago, your style of illustration isn't "in" right now. You shouldn't change who you are or what you do in any way, shape, or form just to make a buck. You're just struggling to find your niche, but when you do things will improve. </blockquote> unfortunately I think this is the case...luckily, though, whats hot in t-shirts changes up quite a bit so maybe sometime soon it will be our time (then again Van Gogh kept doing his thing and his time never came--even with a ton of people in the art world seeing his work--pretty frustrating)... I think that one-color designs will be popular as a reaction to all the cluttered (not in a bad way) designs that had been popular recently (every trend, after all, is just a reaction to the trend that preceded it)...plus, if the economy doesn't get any better companies will probably start seeking out more one-color designs... And then there's always the thing that in American culture people usually aren't buying a product they are buying what the brand tells other people about themselves...so whether or not the product is good can be irrelevant...and generally is (just look at pop anything really)... I'm pretty much in a similar boat (living with whoever has a couch, though..girlfriend/brother/friends); I used to have a cool job at a record store, but it paid shit, and then I had a nice job at a library, but it paid shit, so now I just don't work and don't eat (gotta have cigs and scotch first). We seem to be a couple of smart guys, I think we'll be fine at some point...just gotta keep thinking that... I'm still looking forward to doing a project with you, but just trying to think of something totally amazing that we can work on (been working on some competition stuff lately, even though it's pretty much a waste of time)...maybe not even a shirt...maybe some textile pattern design or something...whatever it is it will be killer... 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:24:37-04:00 2793471 33471 2009-10-09T15:25:48-04:00 I've been feeling kind of the same way about Oye. I thought I did everything right as well, but my sales haven't really been reflecting that as well as I had hoped. I've got some ok packaging though(polymailers, not customized though), and I'd like to believe I have some sexy enough models. I think my main problem is advertising. I haven't really gotten the name out there very well. I've talked to a couple bands about sponsorships, but I'm having a hard time finding ones with the kind of exposure I want, and who I feel would be an okay representative of the brand, but that also likes the style of the brand. The bands I've talked to that like the whole idea of giving back to the community and stuff prefer more conservative styled shirts, while the ones that like the style of the shirt don't really care about the whole giving back thing. And it sucks. Am I just weird for liking both? I just really need to spread the word and get Oye out there I'm hoping, so that I can actually get some solid sales. I'm taking an AfterEffects class in college, so hopefully I can get some sweet stuff up on Youtube sometime in the near future, and I'm getting some new passalong cards made, but I need to really figure out this advertising thing. Unfortunately, all the marketing classes here have too many prereqs, so I can't really take any of them until I'm a junior, or at least second-semester sophomore. Sorry for hijacking the thread Newman, but you said anyone could let it all out here, so I did. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:29:32-04:00 2793551 8092 2009-10-09T15:29:32-04:00 some of your guys need to give yourselves a break. Your beating yourself up for nothing. Skill is in the eye of the beholder...has anyone looked at the artwork for the "Life is good" product line? Not exactly Rembrandt. What it IS though is finding your niche and applying yourself and talents to it. Make your "brand" unique enough to where you are not competing with every other design that is similar to yours. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:30:47-04:00 2793571 11245 2009-10-09T15:30:47-04:00 I said this in a different thread but seriously read Brandscendence...it's a great book about building the reputation of a brand... 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:35:11-04:00 2793671 33471 2009-10-09T15:35:11-04:00 Here is just one quick example of finding your niche (and anyone is welcome to steal this idea). A bunch of you guys and gals come up with incredible artwork and designs. Why not find ways to take these skills into a more mainstream setting. If someone were to design a line of cool t-shirts that had themes of plumbers, electrictions, HVAC guys....trades people, and made them with really fun and cool graphics (like your doing now), you wouldnt be able to keep them on the shelf. A very simple marketing and PR campaign would give you a bunch of exposure and you would be in "high cotton" 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:37:05-04:00 2793681 11245 2009-10-09T15:37:05-04:00 I've been thinking about making my own line of "for sale", "no trespassing", "beware of dog" type signs...the stuff you buy at Home Depot or Wal-Mart is just so boring...might be some people out there who want something more interesting... 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:39:15-04:00 2793701 33471 2009-10-09T15:39:15-04:00 dcbeatty Quite all right man, you are all welcome to let it all out. ( that goes for all of you.) True Hans My strategy is to ignore niches, I could do realism, or a popular style but why would I that's what photos are for, or scores of other people. There is something about being able to abstract real world things and mix them up in my head and spit them out in enhanced way. I imagine Sooner or later people are going to get tired of the same old same old and want something fresh or Maybe thats not true, and people like what they like and anything that's not a part of that is ignored. I think I think to much and not enough at the same time if that's possible. I intentionally try to come up with a different way of doing things. I believe that's the best place for my own growth. I don't want to just make a poor copy of what's already out there I want to make my own niche. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:44:35-04:00 2793771 506 2009-10-09T15:48:42-04:00 Quaker, I was literally just thinking yesterday about helping you with your website situation. You should email me. AetoricDesign@gmail.com 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:49:22-04:00 2793801 12325 2009-10-09T15:49:22-04:00 <blockquote><cite>quakerninja said:</cite> dcbeatty Quite all right man, you are all welcome to let it all out. ( that goes for all of you.) True Hans My strategy is to ignore niches, I could do realism, or a popular style but why would I that's what photos are for, or scores of other people. There is something about being able to abstract real world things and mix them up in my head and spit them out in enhanced way. I imagine Sooner or later people are going to get tired of the same old same old and want something fresh or Maybe thats not true, and people like what they like and anything that's not a part of that is ignored. I think I think to much and not enough at the same time if that's possible. I intentionally try to come up with a different way of doing things. I believe that's the best place for my own growth. I don't want to just make a poor copy of what's already out there I want to make my own niche.</blockquote> If it makes you feel any better, I like that design you did and posted in that one color metal band thread. I just think the detail would be wasted on a shirt. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:49:51-04:00 2793811 2961 2009-10-09T15:49:51-04:00 <blockquote><cite>AetoricDesign said:</cite> Quaker, I was literally just thinking yesterday about helping you with your website situation. You should email me. AetoricDesign@gmail.com</blockquote> thats what i like to see. dudes helping dudes. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:50:40-04:00 2793821 32291 2009-10-09T15:50:40-04:00 I have a KILLER idea for you man - I mean this is GOLDEN PORNSHIRTS just have your site loaded with photos of nekkid chicks folding shirts, hanging them on clotheslines, fucking in them, sitting on them etc. etc. ANd then all you have to do is fill the orders bro - they will roll in like a tidalwave 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:51:21-04:00 2793841 7336 2009-10-09T15:51:21-04:00 <blockquote><cite>mikedot said:</cite> <blockquote><cite>AetoricDesign said:</cite> Quaker, I was literally just thinking yesterday about helping you with your website situation. You should email me. AetoricDesign@gmail.com</blockquote> thats what i like to see. dudes helping dudes.</blockquote> I think the giant wave of bitter assholery around here has died down so much. I'm diggin' it. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:51:54-04:00 2793851 12325 2009-10-09T15:51:54-04:00 <blockquote><cite>isaboa said:</cite> I have a KILLER idea for you man - I mean this is GOLDEN PORNSHIRTS just have your site loaded with photos of nekkid chicks folding shirts, hanging them on clotheslines, fucking in them, sitting on them etc. etc. ANd then all you have to do is fill the orders bro - they will roll in like a tidalwave</blockquote> I like this...and I have a camera...let's start finding 'models'... 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:53:17-04:00 2793861 33471 2009-10-09T15:53:17-04:00 <blockquote><cite>isaboa said:</cite> I have a KILLER idea for you man - I mean this is GOLDEN PORNSHIRTS just have your site loaded with photos of nekkid chicks folding shirts, hanging them on clotheslines, fucking in them, sitting on them etc. etc. ANd then all you have to do is fill the orders bro - they will roll in like a tidalwave</blockquote> Now were talking. Hentee.com cuming soons 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:56:50-04:00 2793881 506 2009-10-09T15:56:50-04:00 just post a casting call for local models - do up a website and link it to a bunch of flyers and craigslist ads. Offer the chance to be a star, no penetration required. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:57:09-04:00 2793901 7336 2009-10-09T15:57:09-04:00 <blockquote><cite>isaboa said:</cite> Offer the chance to be a star, no penetration required.</blockquote> booooo... oh wait, that's just what you put in the ad...I get it... 86771 Post 2009-10-09T15:58:17-04:00 2793911 33471 2009-10-09T15:58:17-04:00 <blockquote><cite>mikedot said:</cite> heres a big ass post about how pathetic i am: i work part-time at a pizza place making minimum wage (7/hour) and i absolutely hate it. everyone there just plain sucks so i try not to talk to them at all. ive tried contacting gomerch, some local screenprinters near me, as well as a metric shit ton of freelance clients mostly through craigslist (my girlfriend sends me links nearly every day) with little to no response. i also did some spec for unbelievably low pay because i was desperate. ive done a website, menu, logo for a local restaurant and got royally burned by the owner. i also cant seem to design anything because everytime i sit down i get discouraged by how great other dudes in this field are. i am my own worst critic and i think everything i design sucks so i end up wasting a bunch of time and not accomplishing much. most of all i just dont want to make anything mediocre and shitty. my girlfriend and i just had our son and hes a handful. (good luck justin haha) between work, looking into schools, bills, housework, cooking meals for my girlfriend, practicing practicing practicing, and trying to learn as much about this as possible, im overwhelmed. also my girlfriend is a dummy and has hella credit card debt so we're trying to pay that off and manage bills on our measly incomes. cant tell you how bad it sucks to be financially dependent on your girlfriend at 25. a few years ago i let a "friend" drive my car while i was out of town for a day and he wrecked it. the guy he hit sued him and he didnt pay up. so they came after me. they want monthly payments or they'll continually suspend my license which they've done for like four years. sooo i ride my bike to work until i can afford to pay it all off. i know its a struggle, but i also know that most of the issues i have are in my own mind, so its up to me to fix them. its definitely tough but it'll be worth it when i can be proud of where i am because of how hard i fought to get there.</blockquote> Hope things start looking up soon for you, good to see you have ambition. I also get discouraged by other awesome artists, especially on this site, but there are a lot of worse one's too. Good luck to you brother. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T16:09:32-04:00 2794071 28701 2009-10-09T16:09:32-04:00 <blockquote><cite>mikedot said:</cite> thats what i like to see. dudes humping dudes.</blockquote> If you say so, man... 86771 Post 2009-10-09T16:10:51-04:00 2794101 2961 2009-10-09T16:12:00-04:00 Ok here it goes Newmie (and this applies to all you other startup clothing lines that are struggling) Sorry in advance if this stuff comes across harsh...I'm just really passionate about helping other people. Ask Adam at I AM THE TREND about how intense I get when I get on a roll :D Step 1 - What's your focus? You need to have a theme/brand/focus before anything else. What are you going to sell? Who are you going to sell to? What consistency will you have to tie it all together into a solid brand? You can start with one shirt and that's great...you can tie that into the look and feel of your website (we'll get to that in step 2). Maybe you are more of a fine print guy rather than t-shirts. But you have to at the very least know what direction you want to go in before you start. Reality Check - I'm looking at http://quakerninja.bigcartel.com/ ignore the site for a second, let's look at the one shirt you have. It's not even your design, and you are a kick ass artist. I look at that shirt and I go "Ok this guy is selling some random shirt, and I'm not overly excited about it..." and I close the browser. How to Remedy - Look at your style and go with its strengths. You do amazing one color designs that look fantastic on shirts. I mean, that zombie owl one is unbelievable. All you need is one fucking kick ass shirt to start the thing going. A one color print on a white shirt is cheap. Don't worry about AA, use a good Anvil instead it's fine. Step 2 - You gotta SHOWCASE that shit! Online stores can suck, especially if you use Big Cartel's default setup. There's only 2 things any ecommerce site should be concerned with: Making the product as attractive as possible, and making it dead easy to purchase. Big, sexy photos. BIG SEXY PHOTOS. It's made such a huge difference on my site. FAIR PRICES and CHEAP SHIPPING! No one cares about free shipping, just make it cheap. And again, your site and products should all visibly tie into your brand. Reality Check - http://quakerninja.bigcartel.com/ is not attractive. The thumbnail is a tiny 175px × 164px...you can't even see the design. You're forcing me to click on it, which takes me to a page where the image is 300px × 281px, which is microscopic for a product image. And don't say "ya but if you click on it, it gets bigger". No one will click because the don't have the urge to. They can't make out the thumbnail so they have to make a judgement call as to whether or not they care enough to click...and they won't, trust me. Solution - redo the site. BIG SEXY PHOTOS (can I say this enough?) I redid the front page of ShirtFight, and while I admit it's not the greatest site ever made, I did it by fumbling through. Don't be afraid to try it, you might just learn something (and find another revenue stream to use with clients). Find a site that you like the format of and copy the layout (not the style, but the framework of where items are located on the page). Use your skills to make crazy great banners and nav buttons. Make the whole site black and white, it would be so awesome and tie right into your brand Step 3 - Market that shit! Posting on a couple of websites and "SEO" isnt gonna do it, you need eyeballs brother. Wanna know the easiest way to market your shirts? MAKE A SHIRT WORTH TALKING ABOUT! Knuckle Collision flew off the shelves because it's a great shirt and got picked up on a lot of blogs, The Awesomer, etc. Get that kick ass shirt/poster/whatever, send a very nice personal email to all the blogs and sites that would want to know about it... This is advanced but get your Twitter and Facebook accounts working for you. Start off by not trying to sell to people, just be you on there. Give people reason to listen to you and follow you. Ustream your sketches more, people love that stuff...you're trying to build a following which is more important longterm than trying to sell a shirt. Lastly, you gotta get out there and sell face-to-face. It takes work and it can suck at times, but it really sells shirts. Look at Seibei and The Printed Mind...both of those cats use festivals as a marketing avenue. Not only can you sell a couple thousand bucks worth of shirts in a weekend, but you can give out tons of business cards, get people on your mailing list, and just overall get to know about this awesome new brand Quakerninja. It's 3 simple yet powerful steps brother. They are simple but not easy...every one of them requires either elbow grease or brain grease. But you've got serious talent, which is really the foundation of creating a great line. (sorry for harshness and wordiness hehe) 86771 Post 2009-10-09T16:54:07-04:00 2794581 11937 2009-10-09T16:54:07-04:00 Shirtfight....great post!!!! 86771 Post 2009-10-09T17:00:12-04:00 2794671 11245 2009-10-09T17:00:12-04:00 <blockquote><cite>mikedot said:</cite> heres a big ass post about how pathetic i am: i work part-time at a pizza place making minimum wage (7/hour) and i absolutely hate it. everyone there just plain sucks so i try not to talk to them at all. ive tried contacting gomerch, some local screenprinters near me, as well as a metric shit ton of freelance clients mostly through craigslist (my girlfriend sends me links nearly every day) with little to no response. i also did some spec for unbelievably low pay because i was desperate. ive done a website, menu, logo for a local restaurant and got royally burned by the owner. i also cant seem to design anything because everytime i sit down i get discouraged by how great other dudes in this field are. i am my own worst critic and i think everything i design sucks so i end up wasting a bunch of time and not accomplishing much. most of all i just dont want to make anything mediocre and shitty. my girlfriend and i just had our son and hes a handful. (good luck justin haha) between work, looking into schools, bills, housework, cooking meals for my girlfriend, practicing practicing practicing, and trying to learn as much about this as possible, im overwhelmed. also my girlfriend is a dummy and has hella credit card debt so we're trying to pay that off and manage bills on our measly incomes. cant tell you how bad it sucks to be financially dependent on your girlfriend at 25. a few years ago i let a "friend" drive my car while i was out of town for a day and he wrecked it. the guy he hit sued him and he didnt pay up. so they came after me. they want monthly payments or they'll continually suspend my license which they've done for like four years. sooo i ride my bike to work until i can afford to pay it all off. i know its a struggle, but i also know that most of the issues i have are in my own mind, so its up to me to fix them. its definitely tough but it'll be worth it when i can be proud of where i am because of how hard i fought to get there.</blockquote> I would just file for bankruptcy...everyone's doing it these days...it's cool... 86771 Post 2009-10-09T17:08:48-04:00 2794771 33471 2009-10-09T17:08:48-04:00 <blockquote><cite>quakerninja said:</cite> <blockquote><cite>isaboa said:</cite> I have a KILLER idea for you man - I mean this is GOLDEN PORNSHIRTS just have your site loaded with photos of nekkid chicks folding shirts, hanging them on clotheslines, fucking in them, sitting on them etc. etc. ANd then all you have to do is fill the orders bro - they will roll in like a tidalwave</blockquote> Now were talking. Hentee.com cuming soons</blockquote> need an investor? sounds like a solid prospect 86771 Post 2009-10-09T17:10:51-04:00 2794781 33601 2009-10-09T17:10:51-04:00 <blockquote>I would just file for bankruptcy...everyone's doing it these days...it's cool...</blockquote> She is actually. hah! 86771 Post 2009-10-09T17:17:08-04:00 2794851 32291 2009-10-09T17:17:08-04:00 I appreciate it Jud thank you. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T17:17:11-04:00 2794861 506 2009-10-09T17:17:11-04:00 <blockquote><cite>quakerninja said:</cite> I appreciate it Jud thank you.</blockquote> You're welcome brother...as usual my post wasn't nearly as organized as I wanted, but at least it gives you a starting place. I think a lot of folks struggle with how to sell a million shirts, when in reality it's more about conversion rates. You should strive for a 1-2% conversion rate (unique visitors to sales). It doesn't matter if you have 100 visitors a week or a million, the math scales. Once you get that down you can start asking the next level of questions...how do i get more than 100 visitors a week to my site. :) 86771 Post 2009-10-09T17:23:50-04:00 2794921 11937 2009-10-09T17:23:50-04:00 OH DUDE!! I just got the best tagline "every single shirt's been fucked in" charge $80 bucks a pop 86771 Post 2009-10-09T17:23:59-04:00 2794931 7336 2009-10-09T17:23:59-04:00 <blockquote><cite>isaboa said:</cite> OH DUDE!! I just got the best tagline "every single shirt's been fucked in" charge $80 bucks a pop</blockquote> HAHA that reminds me of my trip to japan, there was a vending machine full of used panties, and it included a photo of the girl who wore them. They were going for something like $50-80 each. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T17:25:33-04:00 2794941 11937 2009-10-09T17:25:33-04:00 SEE!?!?!?! this is GOLDEN just lay out all the shirts on a pallet and film a couple chicks banging on them then the rest is freaking glory and cash 86771 Post 2009-10-09T17:28:00-04:00 2794981 7336 2009-10-09T17:28:00-04:00 <blockquote><cite>ShirtFight.com said:</cite> <blockquote><cite>isaboa said:</cite> OH DUDE!! I just got the best tagline "every single shirt's been fucked in" charge $80 bucks a pop</blockquote> HAHA that reminds me of my trip to japan, there was a vending machine full of used panties, and it included a photo of the girl who wore them. They were going for something like $50-80 each.</blockquote> i gotta get my ass to japan 86771 Post 2009-10-09T17:36:18-04:00 2795051 32291 2009-10-09T17:36:18-04:00 Judd, throw that crap up in the resources section. That's some advice I wish I'd seen a while ago. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T17:40:11-04:00 2795071 8092 2009-10-09T17:40:11-04:00 The only way to make real money in this world is: 1)Steal it( or become a politician) 2)Forge/print it yourself. 3)Crime. 4)Wait for a rich relative to die. But saying that the top 5 all time selling t-shirts have been very very simple ideas.So chin up old bean and press on. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T17:51:51-04:00 2795121 12032 2009-10-09T17:51:51-04:00 daniel, it takes some balls to post something like this and let it out in the open. sometimes you do just have to get things off your chest. i have a big shoulder for you too buddy! side note: are you really attending UH? I saw it at the bottom of your dandyid. let me know. <blockquote><cite>dcbeatty said:</cite> Judd, throw that crap up in the resources section. That's some advice I wish I'd seen a while ago.</blockquote> agreed! 86771 Post 2009-10-09T18:12:22-04:00 2795351 2861 2009-10-09T18:12:58-04:00 I feel ya Newman... but hang in there buddy. good things come to those who wait 86771 Post 2009-10-09T18:23:28-04:00 2795441 1217 2009-10-09T18:23:28-04:00 <blockquote>I don’t want to hear how good I am or anything encouraging...</blockquote> Still gonna do it: You have a specific style also known as "unique". Above all: You're an artist which for me is almost like being a rockstar. If you haven't already, don't just stick with the tshirts/clothing. Your style could be used in so many sorts of media so look for other opportunities if you haven't already. But i guess you've figured that out already. Personally i think you rock cause you have a unique style and i aint just sayin' that. I thought this is the right moment to say it cause that's just how i think about it. It is what it is. Here's my little boo-hoo moment: I'm 33. Married, 2 kids. One is 5 (almost6), the other 2. Not going into details but i messed up BIG TIME. What happened next? Got cut off of electricity and lost our house. If it couldn't get any worse, i lost my job and now i'm livin at my in-laws. Yeah you heard it: MY IN-FRIGGING-LAWS! Lol. All this happened in 1 years and i only shed a tear once. I felt guilty towards my kids -and still do- but i aint letting the negativity take over my life cause that helps nobody. Instead i'm trying to see the good sides of the situation, how difficult that may be at most of the times. My wife has an irregular job but atleast we don't have to pay that much of a rent. Me? Now that i'm at home with the kids, i got lots of time on my hands to focus on my freelancing and getting my clothingline going, like many of you. I'm holding on to that positive vibe every freaking day and it really pays off. I feel like i'm moving forward although we're in this situation. Being in this situation has made me achieve more than i could have when i was still working for my boss, mainly due to the lack of time. Recently i have designed my own website and i'm waiting for several quotes from different companies who will eventually code the site with Prestashop. The fact that i can graphically design my own site, saves me money. Atleast that's what i hope. In the meantime i'm doing all sorts of things: - Just designing, doodling, drawing and sketching the clothing. Starting with tees. - Getting the marketing ready: businesscards, stickers and the lookbook. - Looking for freelance jobs or other (temporary) jobs. Livin at my in-laws also gives me the freedom to get a part-time job. - In the end, almost all of my humble income goes to the business. My wife's income goes to food, clothing, housing etcetera... But having these steps laid out before me, gives me a boost to keep on going. I'm 33. I knew i wanted to get into design when i was 14. At 16 i got into the wrong crowd and before you knew it i was all sorts of illegal stuff and did my time in the end. Never did any drugs though :P After all of that i was getting shitty jobs and i lost my interest for design cause i was depressed for years. At 26 i decided i'd stop ignoring my dreams and stop feeling bad about myself. I started learning Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign. I read books about typography, (web)design and other geeky stuff. I'm still not makin tons of money with graphic design but i've had several jobs as a graphic designer and i've had many recommendations, even by designers i looked up to. I don't have a degree in graphic design but the fact that people contact me for a logo, newsletter, poster, brochure or any kind of design, gives me the confidence to say that i am a graphic designer. So the next step for me is my clothingline which is an outlet for my illustrationskills, amongst other things. I don't know if i'm gonna make it with this. I do know that i'm trying and i know how i want it to be. I'm my own art-director in this, i have complete control over it and this freedom gives me so much power. It's been a hell of a ride uptill now and i know this great journey isn't over yet. That's it for my long boo-hoo post. Next! 86771 Post 2009-10-09T18:40:19-04:00 2795571 46601 2009-10-09T18:40:19-04:00 The harder I work the luckier I am. Common saying but it's true if you put in the work you will get the sales Newman. Do you have google analytics up. If not do this now. It might not be your site at all but the traffic. Conversions are usually really low like around 1% so you need to get 100 visitors for each sale. SEO is nothing if you don't have the page rank and are going after keywords that a lot of people are trying to get. Just work on getting traffic to your site. Contact blogs forums get your link everywhere, and monitor your google analytics. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T19:05:01-04:00 2795771 1219 2009-10-09T19:05:01-04:00 <blockquote><cite>mikedot said:</cite> heres a big ass post about how pathetic i am: i work part-time at a pizza place making minimum wage (7/hour) and i absolutely hate it. everyone there just plain sucks so i try not to talk to them at all. ive tried contacting gomerch, some local screenprinters near me, as well as a metric shit ton of freelance clients mostly through craigslist (my girlfriend sends me links nearly every day) with little to no response. i also did some spec for unbelievably low pay because i was desperate. ive done a website, menu, logo for a local restaurant and got royally burned by the owner. i also cant seem to design anything because everytime i sit down i get discouraged by how great other dudes in this field are. i am my own worst critic and i think everything i design sucks so i end up wasting a bunch of time and not accomplishing much. most of all i just dont want to make anything mediocre and shitty. my girlfriend and i just had our son and hes a handful. (good luck justin haha) between work, looking into schools, bills, housework, cooking meals for my girlfriend, practicing practicing practicing, and trying to learn as much about this as possible, im overwhelmed. also my girlfriend is a dummy and has hella credit card debt so we're trying to pay that off and manage bills on our measly incomes. cant tell you how bad it sucks to be financially dependent on your girlfriend at 25. a few years ago i let a "friend" drive my car while i was out of town for a day and he wrecked it. the guy he hit sued him and he didnt pay up. so they came after me. they want monthly payments or they'll continually suspend my license which they've done for like four years. sooo i ride my bike to work until i can afford to pay it all off. i know its a struggle, but i also know that most of the issues i have are in my own mind, so its up to me to fix them. its definitely tough but it'll be worth it when i can be proud of where i am because of how hard i fought to get there.</blockquote> thanks for the shout out haha as for the art stuff, just keep practicing and hustling. my first couple years designing, i had a hard time getting clients, but i stuck it out and kept my head up and kept working hard and it paid off. now i work for around 10 merch companies and get a ton of work. just keep on truckin and eventually it will pay off. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T19:36:04-04:00 2796021 178 2009-10-09T19:36:04-04:00 Very great post guys, im happy that im not the only guy with these problems. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T19:46:47-04:00 2796171 2608 2009-10-09T19:46:47-04:00 <blockquote><cite>quakerninja said:</cite> I see a lot of shitty shirts that fly off the shelfs. What’s the deal?</blockquote> shelves* sorry, had to do it 86771 Post 2009-10-09T19:52:59-04:00 2796191 9857 2009-10-09T19:53:52-04:00 6000 a year? you could stack shelfs for more! what do you do? 86771 Post 2009-10-09T20:11:57-04:00 2796321 13581 2009-10-09T20:11:57-04:00 <blockquote><cite>a thousand eyes design said:</cite> 6000 a year? you could stack shelfs for more! what do you do?</blockquote> quakerninja said about 5 hours agoQuote Thanks Jud I know you have faith it me. It’s not a plee for pity of any kind, I just feel in a rut, it happens sometimes. I am an usher for the Portland Center for the Preforming Arts, It’s a great job other then the pay and hours, good boss, great co workers, I get to see ballet, opera, the symphony and all that. I got me a resumé and a good education so I’m sure I can get a better job easier then I think, just got to get out and wow someone. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T20:18:36-04:00 2796361 65121 2009-10-09T20:18:36-04:00 <blockquote><cite>DanielAndHisArt said:</cite> <blockquote><cite>a thousand eyes design said:</cite> 6000 a year? you could stack shelfs for more! what do you do?</blockquote> quakerninja said about 5 hours agoQuote Thanks Jud I know you have faith it me. It’s not a plee for pity of any kind, I just feel in a rut, it happens sometimes. I am an usher for the Portland Center for the Preforming Arts, It’s a great job other then the pay and hours, good boss, great co workers, I get to see ballet, opera, the symphony and all that. I got me a resumé and a good education so I’m sure I can get a better job easier then I think, just got to get out and wow someone.</blockquote> You really need to work on the quoting thing. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T20:25:32-04:00 2796461 2961 2009-10-09T20:25:32-04:00 <blockquote><cite>molasses4masses said:</cite> <blockquote><cite>DanielAndHisArt said:</cite> <blockquote><cite>a thousand eyes design said:</cite> 6000 a year? you could stack shelfs for more! what do you do?</blockquote> quakerninja said about 5 hours agoQuote Thanks Jud I know you have faith it me. It’s not a plee for pity of any kind, I just feel in a rut, it happens sometimes. I am an usher for the Portland Center for the Preforming Arts, It’s a great job other then the pay and hours, good boss, great co workers, I get to see ballet, opera, the symphony and all that. I got me a resumé and a good education so I’m sure I can get a better job easier then I think, just got to get out and wow someone.</blockquote> You really need to work on the quoting thing.</blockquote> i didnt want to quote it. thanks though cool guy:) 86771 Post 2009-10-09T20:44:41-04:00 2796541 65121 2009-10-09T20:44:54-04:00 i'm in a similar situation. i've got a pretty decent site done (well, I think it's decent), about 4 designs, a logo, but no promo materials and no money to print any of the tees. I'm also having second thoughts about the designs I have and think I may go in a slightly different direction than I had originally intended. I would've had some money to print designs but my car needing major repairs and my wife not having steady employment kinda threw a monkey wrench into everything. I guess I could technically print tees right now as I got a nice fat bonus last month, but the wife wants to save $10k for our baby fund. In the meantime, i'm still paying $10 per month for my big cartel site which is going to waste. but fuggit, i'm gonna continue to bide my time and wait til the right time rather than bury myself in debt to make my dream come true. I suspect that the recession, not to mention that gazillion other aspiring t-shirt company wannabes trying to get in the game has something to do with lack of sales. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T20:46:53-04:00 2796551 12224 2009-10-09T20:49:13-04:00 here's the thing Quaker. I think a lot of times, sales are directly in correlation to marketing. I have literally seen some of the shittiest brands/designs get way more press than I ever have. Why? Because they pay for it. Think demographics. Why does GK have such huge exposure? Because they can afford to pay bands thousands of dollars to do signings at warped, they can pay for a full page spread in every single AP that comes out. Are their shirts the best thing I've ever seen? Not even close. But 14 year olds seem to think so. You might have the coolest shit around...but I don't think thats enough for the buyers at large. I think the market is so saturated by custom bullshit (i.e. stickers, buttons, custom mailers, boxes etc. etc.) that the actual product has been lost. What are people looking at more nowadays? It's mostly, "I ordered this awesome shirt, but look at all this free shit I got! Posters, stickers, custom mailers, custom boxes, blah blah blah." I mean, who cares about that shit really? Are you going to keep your custom poly mail bag and display it like some sort of trophy? Didn't think so. I mean, I'm for free shit. But if it's the deciding factor between buying a product or not, I think its total bullshit. It all comes down to branding I think. I have a small brand myself that I run with a friend. We hardly have any exposure because we can't afford advertising right now. In my opinion, our shirts are of a lot greater quality than a lot of brands that get famous by paying for branding. Its the sad reality. Retail is essentially a popularity contest. "Who are you wearing" is a major question, even if you're at some local shitty metal show. Its not that you think a particular Drop Dead design rules because Shantz did it (because most kids buying it aren't going to care who designed it), it's that Drop Dead is owned by Oli Sykes who has a reputation in the industry. Would anyone care about Drop Dead if it wasn't run by Oli Sykes? Maybe, but it would be tougher for them to run it and make it big than it probably was for him. I dunno, just my two cents. End drunken rant. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T21:11:41-04:00 2796691 1541 2009-10-09T21:11:41-04:00 <blockquote><cite>Sol Amstutz said:</cite> here's the thing Quaker. I think a lot of times, sales are directly in correlation to marketing. I have literally seen some of the shittiest brands/designs get way more press than I ever have. Why? Because they pay for it. Think demographics. Why does GK have such huge exposure? Because they can afford to pay bands thousands of dollars to do signings at warped, they can pay for a full page spread in every single AP that comes out. Are their shirts the best thing I've ever seen? Not even close. But 14 year olds seem to think so. You might have the coolest shit around...but I don't think thats enough for the buyers at large. I think the market is so saturated by custom bullshit (i.e. stickers, buttons, custom mailers, boxes etc. etc.) that the actual product has been lost. What are people looking at more nowadays? It's mostly, "I ordered this awesome shirt, but look at all this free shit I got! Posters, stickers, custom mailers, custom boxes, blah blah blah." I mean, who cares about that shit really? Are you going to keep your custom poly mail bag and display it like some sort of trophy? Didn't think so. I mean, I'm for free shit. But if it's the deciding factor between buying a product or not, I think its total bullshit. It all comes down to branding I think. I have a small brand myself that I run with a friend. We hardly have any exposure because we can't afford advertising right now. In my opinion, our shirts are of a lot greater quality than a lot of brands that get famous by paying for branding. Its the sad reality. Retail is essentially a popularity contest. "Who are you wearing" is a major question, even if you're at some local shitty metal show. Its not that you think a particular Drop Dead design rules because Shantz did it (because most kids buying it aren't going to care who designed it), it's that Drop Dead is owned by Oli Sykes who has a reputation in the industry. Would anyone care about Drop Dead if it wasn't run by Oli Sykes? Maybe, but it would be tougher for them to run it and make it big than it probably was for him. I dunno, just my two cents. End drunken rant.</blockquote> You started off real good...it is ALL about MARKETING....you were right on the money....but then you fell into the trap saying that they PAY for it....some of the best marketing campaigns and branding efforts are done with no or little money. This is the one thing that you can do for your product line that your hustling and being savvy can pay off big time. With modern technology and good ole fashion promotion....anyone can build a great brand You can do very easy things that can make your line cool and compete with brands that have big time money. Cant afford custom printed boxes? buy a case of plain poly bags and take a saturday morning with your buddy, get some rubber stamps, some ink and make a bunch of HAND PAINTED BAGS! 86771 Post 2009-10-09T21:41:56-04:00 2797021 11245 2009-10-09T21:44:36-04:00 <blockquote><cite>ShirtFight.com said:</cite>Step 1 - What's your focus? Step 2 - You gotta SHOWCASE that shit! Step 3 - Market that shit! </blockquote> Agreed, At the company i work for, we have about 30 staff total and these guys do around $600k - $1M a month in sales (during the buying period), online i think 40k Some of our designs are pretty average, these do not drive sales, but our position in the market and the ideas behind our brand identity make our public feel i guess related/represented/associated with us. Good products are important but they don't push sales. IDENTITY is so crucial, and should cary through clearly and consistantly through everything that you do. -Concept? -Are you filling a gap in the market place? -Is your product of quality and desirable? -Themes emotions? -Association? (sport, art music, culture, politics whatever!) MARKETING is very important to, it's never as easy as just showing someone a product and instantly having them throw money at it, you have to give them a reason to want it, and make them aware of your brand/product but not be turned off by you trying to force a sale upon them. -Networking -Advertising -Is your identity clearly reflected in your marketing -Are you just doing the same marketing shit as everyone else, and is your Brand being lost amongst the clutter? -Don't just try sell a product, people hate being told what to buy, just get their fucking attention, make them feel excited and they'll sell your product to themselves. And as equally as important TIME & MONEY MANAGEMENT, i'm great with time management but money scares the shit out of me, but money flow is what keeps your business alive and if you can't handle it your dead. -Feasibility? a cool product, marketing plan is awesome but if it's not going to drive sales and help pay for it's self try something new. -Money stats are really helpful to get you excited on a project and help drive the other parts of the business. Quaker you do have great talent, i hope you feel better soon, maybe find some mates who are into branding, marketing and finance, and start to develop some ideas. which brings me to my final point HARD WORK & PLANNING! It's pretty fucking simple but very, very important. 86771 Post 2009-10-09T22:56:25-04:00 2797461 8690 2009-10-09T22:59:09-04:00 riseordie, what company do you work for that is doing that great volume in sales? website? 86771 Post 2009-10-09T23:47:05-04:00 2797591 11245 2009-10-09T23:47:05-04:00 Are you in PDX? I have a few girls I've talked to about modeling tshirts I might be able to hook you up? What level of big cartel do you have? I can help you with adding a background and such. 86771 Post 2009-10-10T00:34:19-04:00 2797931 67921 2009-10-10T00:34:19-04:00 this whole thread should be in the resources section... 86771 Post 2009-10-10T01:14:35-04:00 2798101 33471 2009-10-10T01:14:35-04:00 Balls g. you gotta take MAD risks. sex sells. remember that. sexy models need to be in everyone's check list. :D i'm sure you have some cute friends willing to rock out some of your hawt hawt shirts. 86771 Post 2009-10-10T01:16:18-04:00 2798131 10321 2009-10-10T01:16:18-04:00 <blockquote><cite>hansparker said:</cite> riseordie, what company do you work for that is doing that great volume in sales? website?</blockquote> Mate now that i've read what i wrote i really shouldn't be giving some of this information, could get in trouble so i'm apprehensive to share. I just can't help but get caught up in some of these threads cause there are a lot of talented people on this site who have great moral values, which i love. I hate seeing talented artists suffering in a cut throat business world. 86771 Post 2009-10-10T01:39:03-04:00 2798231 8690 2009-10-10T01:40:41-04:00 Mr Ninja, I've said for a long time that we need to see Quakerninja t-shirts be by you! 86771 Post 2009-10-10T01:43:00-04:00 2798241 3005 2009-10-10T01:43:00-04:00 <blockquote><cite>Ameeee said:</cite> Mr Ninja, I've said for a long time that we need to see Quakerninja t-shirts be by you!</blockquote> Yep, That´s the concept right there. Produce your one colours in mass and think of a way to do them pick and mix style. The customer can chose the shirt colour and ink colour within reason and get Aubrey to do them digitally. 86771 Post 2009-10-10T03:24:27-04:00 2798641 2879 2009-10-10T03:24:27-04:00 Some great suggestions already on here so I don't have to go into too much detail but I was in your same boat at one point with Assault. Jon Kruse is right on the conversion rate and the whole, "the harder I work the luckier I am" Some SEO here and there on a store isn't going to help. Jud is right--you need eyeballs on that store. A store is one of the hardest things to push to people. It's limited in it's content and it is what it is--a store. I always tell everyone... BLOG BLOG BLOG Start writing, find your audience, give back to the community, how can you become "press" worthy? Have you looked into contacting local newspapers? They do interviews and stories all the time on people like you. I happen to like your illustration style, just because it's not "in" for some people doesn't mean there isn't an audience out there for it. Find out who likes your clothes and market to them. Read Seth Godin books, any/all of them. Market to the talkers, the 10% of people who love your brand so much they're dying to tell others. Utilize word of mouth marketing, it's the best kind. Examples of WOM worthy stores: Lintyfresh (he gives candy/buttons tons of free stuff with his shirts) Johnny Cupcakes (it's fucking cupcakes, wtf, but it makes people talk) Start writing hand written letters in your orders thanking people. Give them mix CDs of your favorite music. People talk for the wierdest reasons, the sooner you can identify who likes your brand and who buys it, and whos willing to talk about it, the better off you'll be. 5-7 years of hard work is what it takes. 86771 Post 2009-10-10T11:26:37-04:00 2801201 7615 2009-10-10T11:26:37-04:00 also i never seem to hear of your t-shirt(s) the only time i can remember is when you was talking about your bad prints. you need to push it! 86771 Post 2009-10-10T11:40:53-04:00 2801341 13581 2009-10-10T11:40:53-04:00 <blockquote><cite>gaunty said:</cite> <blockquote><cite>Ameeee said:</cite> Mr Ninja, I've said for a long time that we need to see Quakerninja t-shirts be by you!</blockquote> Yep, That´s the concept right there. Produce your one colours in mass and think of a way to do them pick and mix style. The customer can chose the shirt colour and ink colour within reason and get Aubrey to do them digitally.</blockquote> Do that! I want to see Quakerninja brand t-shirts designed by the ninja himself. 86771 Post 2009-10-10T11:53:59-04:00 2801501 7093 2009-10-10T11:53:59-04:00 the reason you aren't selling anything is because you aren't selling anything. you aren't selling yourself as a brand, an artist, an entity, anything. it is just a minimal bigcartel shop with one shirt, no domain, no backstory, no blog, no myspace, no twitter. is there even a brand name? can it really be called "quakerninja" if that is your online name, but the only shirt is by csj89? models = who gives a shit, who gives a fuck. i've never had models. shirts need to be able to sell themselves on some level. you have to make people care before they buy. 86771 Post 2009-10-10T11:58:11-04:00 2801551 14 2009-10-10T11:58:11-04:00 also, you are obviously talented, but your art style frankly isn't "in" you are bordering on some strange mayan / totem pile type stuff, but i don't think kids / t-shirt connoisseurs are going to be into it all. i never want to encourage people to sacrifice their style for the sake of making sales, but you are going to have a hard time selling stuff that caters to a small minority in an already overcrowded marketplace. 86771 Post 2009-10-10T12:05:14-04:00 2801661 14 2009-10-10T12:05:14-04:00 <blockquote><cite>dobi said:</cite> also, you are obviously talented, but your art style frankly isn't "in" you are bordering on some strange mayan / totem pile type stuff, but i don't think kids / t-shirt connoisseurs are going to be into it all. i never want to encourage people to sacrifice their style for the sake of making sales, but you are going to have a hard time selling stuff that caters to a small minority in an already overcrowded marketplace.</blockquote> Dobi, maybe instead of changing his "style" (change to the same look as every other zombie design?) he needs to change who he is marketing to. If his style is mayan/indian look...maybe he should be developing a really cool southwestern feel of a line. Trendy western look....he is trying to sell water to a drowning man...instead, sell water to a man dying of thirst in the desert....he could be the only one doing hip western designs and OWN that market 86771 Post 2009-10-10T12:13:12-04:00 2801751 11245 2009-10-10T12:13:12-04:00 yeah, but good luck marketing to that market. they want these. <img src="http://www.printmeonline.co.uk/ekmps/shops/alfiemann/images/three-wolf-moon-childs-zoo-shirt-by-the-mountain-1283-p.jpg" /> 86771 Post 2009-10-10T12:14:59-04:00 2801771 14 2009-10-10T12:14:59-04:00 AHHH Dobi....that is where you are wrong!...Why should he put tons of effort trying to "copy" the style of every other design on this website and then not have the resources to compete? He is setting himself up for failure. If you want to create a brand of carbonated sodas with no money, no resources, no customers...you dont make a coca-cola carbon copy....you make a jones soda!...See your falling in the same trap as he is thinking that the sample like you posted is the only thing that people in that market are interested in. Some of the artwork pieces created by southwestern artist are some of the most creative stuff around. My point is a simple one, dont try to build your brand by copying everybody else, recognize your skills and find your own niche where YOUR product is the trend setter that OTHERS are wanting to copy. 86771 Post 2009-10-10T12:43:32-04:00 2802121 11245 2009-10-10T12:43:32-04:00 You need to contact more high-end boutique shops, They prefer a much cleaner/black and white arty style. 86771 Post 2009-10-10T12:45:28-04:00 2802141 35211 2009-10-10T12:45:28-04:00 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4ytJ5sHVg4 86771 Post 2009-10-10T12:59:58-04:00 2802221 11245 2009-10-10T12:59:58-04:00 <blockquote><cite>hansparker said:</cite> AHHH Dobi....that is where you are wrong!...Why should he put tons of effort trying to "copy" the style of every other design on this website and then not have the resources to compete? He is setting himself up for failure. If you want to create a brand of carbonated sodas with no money, no resources, no customers...you dont make a coca-cola carbon copy....you make a jones soda!...See your falling in the same trap as he is thinking that the sample like you posted is the only thing that people in that market are interested in. Some of the artwork pieces created by southwestern artist are some of the most creative stuff around. My point is a simple one, dont try to build your brand by copying everybody else, recognize your skills and find your own niche where YOUR product is the trend setter that OTHERS are wanting to copy.</blockquote> i don't think the people i mentioned are really scouring the internet for designer t-shirts. they are probably drooling over the $4 shirts at walmart. 86771 Post 2009-10-10T13:15:54-04:00 2802401 14 2009-10-10T13:15:54-04:00 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ0ol6dgNGg&feature=player_profilepage# This is a great video that is along the same topic of this posting 86771 Post 2009-10-10T13:26:30-04:00 2802471 11245 2009-10-10T13:26:30-04:00 <blockquote><cite>dobi said:</cite> <blockquote><cite>hansparker said:</cite> AHHH Dobi....that is where you are wrong!...Why should he put tons of effort trying to "copy" the style of every other design on this website and then not have the resources to compete? He is setting himself up for failure. If you want to create a brand of carbonated sodas with no money, no resources, no customers...you dont make a coca-cola carbon copy....you make a jones soda!...See your falling in the same trap as he is thinking that the sample like you posted is the only thing that people in that market are interested in. Some of the artwork pieces created by southwestern artist are some of the most creative stuff around. My point is a simple one, dont try to build your brand by copying everybody else, recognize your skills and find your own niche where YOUR product is the trend setter that OTHERS are wanting to copy.</blockquote> i don't think the people i mentioned are really scouring the internet for designer t-shirts. they are probably drooling over the $4 shirts at walmart.</blockquote> Dobi, you seem to have missed to point of my point, He needs to find his niche and not just copy what you do. If he has a particular look and feel to his design, he needs to find the audience that that appeals to. Your product is only marketable to a narrow niche market. If you can approach that market with a product that they will buy and you can be profitable in your efforts...Great! But the several people that have posted their personal stories on here would be well suited to take a small step back and evaluate what their market potential is and sell to those people. This doesnt have anything to do with your silly wolf t-shirt example. I responded to your saying his designs were "Mayan" looking and somehow implied that that is bad and unmarketable. Its not bad ...just perhaps targeted to the wrong demographic. 86771 Post 2009-10-10T13:35:21-04:00 2802541 11245 2009-10-10T13:35:21-04:00 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43y48bPdO0s 86771 Post 2009-10-10T13:43:35-04:00 2802671 11245 2009-10-10T13:43:35-04:00 Both of you have good points. I wen't to school for fine art, so I was never really comfortable as a "designer". I think the people I should be after are art collectors and galleries. I'm going to start moving in a more wall decor, art print, original inks and block print direction and see how that goes. Thanks again for all the good advise. 86771 Post 2009-10-10T14:11:28-04:00 2802971 506 2009-10-10T14:11:28-04:00 <blockquote><cite>quakerninja said:</cite> Both of you have good points. I wen't to school for fine art, so I was never really comfortable as a "designer". I think the people I should be after are art collectors and galleries. I'm going to start moving in a more wall decor, art print, original inks and block print direction and see how that goes. Thanks again for all the good advise.</blockquote> I always thought your art was better suited to art prints and maybe even paintings. 86771 Post 2009-10-10T15:39:41-04:00 2803611 7093 2009-10-10T15:39:41-04:00 When I made the decision to get involved in the t-shirt industry it was because I believed that t-shirts could be a way to incorporate fine art culture into pop culture...to progress fine art and to progress culture--literally making wearable fine art in far-reaching aspirations to broaden culture by moving art more towards pop culture once again. I thought there would be a market, but unfortunately the market isn't quite what I believed it would be. I still believe the market can be created but that there will need to be some way to make fine art tees relevant to the consumer...haven't figured that out yet, but I think myself or someone else will there is an answer. I just hope you continue to do some t-shirts, qn, as you're a valuable member to the community. 86771 Post 2009-10-11T04:53:17-04:00 2808311 33471 2009-10-11T04:53:17-04:00 From what i have read, i do think that product shots are very important. You don't need to have hot models, just professional looking pictures. I mean look at Johnny Cupcakes pictures they are just normal people not models(most of them). Costumers like to see at least how the t-shirt looks being wear and how well its the printing. Also keeping the costumer informed its very important, as you have only one t-shirt printed it could be hard to play with that but you can do it. Also i think you are doing something wrong about the advertise, because the first time that i saw your "brand" was when the whole printing went wrong. Sorry to mention "brand" but i think a brand cant only have one t-shirt for sale, you have to give the costumer more options. And as Dobi said its your brand called Quakerninja, how is that represented in the t-shirt? And to finish my recommendations you have to be aware that you are starting, you cant cover all the costs of making a brand look crisp, all the things like package, goodies, boxes,etc give you an extra to stand out but they are not the main product you are selling and what you have to be really worried about. Look at this link, some tips from HaHa Press: http://tinyurl.com/yamsxjx 86771 Post 2009-10-11T06:01:12-04:00 2808371 6279 2009-10-11T06:09:49-04:00 <blockquote><cite>ShirtFight.com said:</cite> HAHA that reminds me of my trip to japan, there was a vending machine full of used panties, and it included a photo of the girl who wore them. They were going for something like $50-80 each.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_X89CbcY2Y">Mail Order panties</a> 86771 Post 2009-10-11T10:19:17-04:00 2809391 8981 2009-10-11T10:19:17-04:00 <blockquote><cite>deadhippo said:</cite> <blockquote><cite>ShirtFight.com said:</cite> HAHA that reminds me of my trip to japan, there was a vending machine full of used panties, and it included a photo of the girl who wore them. They were going for something like $50-80 each.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_X89CbcY2Y">Mail Order panties</a></blockquote> that is too funny...probably true...but very funny 86771 Post 2009-10-11T10:24:56-04:00 2809441 11245 2009-10-11T10:24:56-04:00 While we are on the subject, I happen to live in Japan, and if anyone is interested in buying panties worn by a hairy-assed Irish guy (who lives in Japan) I can probably hook you up. 86771 Post 2009-10-11T10:28:33-04:00 2809461 8981 2009-10-11T10:28:33-04:00 Instead of focusing your time on emptees and t-shirt sites. Look up art shows and gallaries in your area. I have a friend who finds all these weird underground spots wear artists get together and showcase their work. She has gained a pretty decent following and i think even made a grand in one night. 86771 Post 2009-10-11T13:08:46-04:00 2810761 62451 2009-10-11T13:08:46-04:00 <blockquote><cite>XxSLIPxX said:</cite> Instead of focusing your time on emptees and t-shirt sites. Look up art shows and gallaries in your area. I have a friend who finds all these weird underground spots wear artists get together and showcase their work. She has gained a pretty decent following and i think even made a grand in one night.</blockquote> Great idea...maybe he could even develop a product line that could be sold through the art shops and gift shops. Postcards, small frameable, numbered prints... www.paulbrent.com This guy is a multi-miilionare from producing watercolor art pieces of beach scenes. 90% of his revenues comes from posters, shirts, numbered lithographs, small frameable prints, licensing of images for home decor products. 86771 Post 2009-10-11T14:12:47-04:00 2811421 11245 2009-10-11T14:12:47-04:00 hmm on second thought home decor looks really gay. I do like the variety of subjects, that's something I could do better. I like what Dobi is doing with the commissioned portraits, would people be interested in getting quakerninjafied. I also like what Godmachine is doing with posters too. and I like what Kyle has with a shit ton of work to show off. So I need to increase my body of works, do something other then just faces, and show it off in a neat way with big buyable pictures, and do more mainstreamy things just to pay bills. That should keep me busy for a while. 86771 Post 2009-10-11T14:41:16-04:00 2811591 506 2009-10-11T14:41:16-04:00 quaker, your right...some of the home decor pieces could be described as somewhat "gay" but it would freak you out how much of that stuff he sells every year. Little ole ladies redecorating their beach condos eat that stuff up. 86771 Post 2009-10-11T14:46:08-04:00 2811661 11245 2009-10-11T14:46:08-04:00 <blockquote><cite>Sol Amstutz said:</cite> here's the thing Quaker. I think a lot of times, sales are directly in correlation to marketing. I have literally seen some of the shittiest brands/designs get way more press than I ever have. Why? Because they pay for it. Think demographics. Why does GK have such huge exposure? Because they can afford to pay bands thousands of dollars to do signings at warped, they can pay for a full page spread in every single AP that comes out. Are their shirts the best thing I've ever seen? Not even close. But 14 year olds seem to think so. You might have the coolest shit around...but I don't think thats enough for the buyers at large. I think the market is so saturated by custom bullshit (i.e. stickers, buttons, custom mailers, boxes etc. etc.) that the actual product has been lost. What are people looking at more nowadays? It's mostly, "I ordered this awesome shirt, but look at all this free shit I got! Posters, stickers, custom mailers, custom boxes, blah blah blah." I mean, who cares about that shit really? Are you going to keep your custom poly mail bag and display it like some sort of trophy? Didn't think so. I mean, I'm for free shit. But if it's the deciding factor between buying a product or not, I think its total bullshit. It all comes down to branding I think. I have a small brand myself that I run with a friend. We hardly have any exposure because we can't afford advertising right now. In my opinion, our shirts are of a lot greater quality than a lot of brands that get famous by paying for branding. Its the sad reality. Retail is essentially a popularity contest. "Who are you wearing" is a major question, even if you're at some local shitty metal show. Its not that you think a particular Drop Dead design rules because Shantz did it (because most kids buying it aren't going to care who designed it), it's that Drop Dead is owned by Oli Sykes who has a reputation in the industry. Would anyone care about Drop Dead if it wasn't run by Oli Sykes? Maybe, but it would be tougher for them to run it and make it big than it probably was for him. I dunno, just my two cents. End drunken rant.</blockquote> GK does not pay thousands of dollars to bands to do signings at warped tour. If you paid attention you would see them shelling out a decent amount of cash to getting custom ez-ups designed for bands and also put their logo in their to. Your putting down Glamour Kills but they have their own market and niche, something you probably aren't a part of. So many people have copied their style and I think that says a lot about the company. Also Mark started at the same spot as you. He didn't have tons of money to pay for ads on MTV or AP magazine in the beginning. We all started from the same spot and you just have to find your own way and complaining about a company like Glamour Kills that has worked their way up to the top isn't going to help. Pay for advertising? Do you realize that this is the best time to spread your product through the internet. There is so much free press out there for the taking. Twitter, facebook, myspace, SEO, blogs, you have so much stuff to use and it's free. 86771 Post 2009-10-11T15:11:45-04:00 2811751 1219 2009-10-11T15:11:45-04:00 i keep thinking of a design for you to do for miles to go. it will come to me at some point but ive always loved your style personally. when it hits me youll be getting an email 86771 Post 2009-10-11T15:16:06-04:00 2811821 1271 2009-10-11T15:16:06-04:00