A Creator's Guide to Selling Merch

You're a creator. You pour your heart into your content: writing, videos, art. But getting it seen and supported? That's another challenge; this is why you should use all tools available,. Merchandise offers a powerful solution: a way for fans to support you, connect with your brand directly, and for you to grow your reach.

Fans love to support creators, and merchandise allows them to do this directly, unlike ad revenue from platforms like YouTube. It also offers a way to give fans something special: a wearable, a collectible, a piece of you. Merchandise is also marketing! When fans rock your gear, they're spreading the word.

Merch isn't just for big creators. Here's how creators of all sizes leverage it:

Industry giants like Studio Ghibli, which once capped their merchandising income at a billion dollars a year, and Disney, with a staggering $4.35 billion in annual merch licensing, understand its power. But it's not just for them. Creators of all sizes are using merch to connect with fans. Take Charli D'Amelio, for example, whose merchandise sales were a primary income source early in her career. Artists like Dan Lam have also found success selling unique merch, like miniature versions of their drippy sculptures and phone cases.

Ready to start selling merch? Here's your roadmap:

1. Define Your Brand:

• Your merch is an extension of you. What's your unique identity, style, and content?
• Check out our guide on developing your creator brand.

2. Know Your Audience:

• What do your fans want? What products would they value? Don't be afraid to get niche – like Hot Ones with their line of hot sauces.

3. Create High-Quality Designs:

• Invest in designs that resonate. If you're an artist, like Dan Lam, this might mean translating your art into collectibles. If not, outsource to a professional designer.

4. Choose the Right Products:

• Balance practicality and desirability. Start small, then expand. Consider the diverse approach of artists like Camilla D Errico, who offers a variety of items, including scarves, slippers, stickers, and coloring books.
• Here are some product options:
• Apparel: T-shirts, hoodies, hats
• Accessories: Phone cases, stickers, tote bags, keychains
• Home Goods: Mugs, posters, water bottles

5. Set Up an Online Store:

• Choose a platform that handles the logistics: transactions, shipping, and customer service.
• Wallafan can help: We not only host your online store, but also offer logistics solutions like handling transactions, shipping, and customer service. Our AI assistant Wally can also help you set up your merchandising. This is included in our premium accounts, and we do not take a percentage of any of your earnings.

6. Promote Your Merch:

• Use all your channels: social media, email lists, etc.
• Engage your fans:
• Tease new releases.
• Run contests and giveaways.
• Promote limited-edition merch around events or challenges, like artist Mab Graves does with her October drawing challenge.

7. Offer Exclusives and Limited Editions:

• Create urgency and excitement! Limited runs drive sales.

8. Provide Excellent Customer Service:

• Fans expect a smooth experience. Communicate clearly, ship on time, and handle issues promptly.
• While you don't have Amazon's resources, set clear expectations and meet them.

Here are some popular sites for creating your merch:

• T-Shirts:Custom Ink
• Hats:Vistaprint
• Mugs:Printful
• Stickers:Sticker Mule
• Tote Bags:Printify
• Hoodies:Spreadshirt
• Phone Cases:Redbubble
• Posters:Zazzle
• Keychains:Alibaba
• Water Bottles:4imprint

Making merchandise is a lot of work, but it can provide long-term income and marketing results.. Following these steps, you can create a successful merch strategy that boosts your brand, connects with your fans, and generates revenue.

---Articles Referenced in this Blog---

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2019-04-13/ghibli-co-founder-toshio-suzuki-discusses-why-studio-did-not-seek-growth/.145563

https://www.wallstreetzen.com/stocks/us/nyse/dis/statistics

https://totempool.com/how-much-does-charli-d%CA%BCamelio-make/

https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/creator-brand

https://www.mightynetworks.com/resources/creator-economy-guide

https://www.google.com/search?q=https://grin.co/blog/understanding-the-creator-economy

About the Author

Nikki Lopez is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in the startup world, specializing in leveraging creative content and community building to empower content creators. Known for a strategic approach and a deep understanding of audience needs, Nikki has a proven track record of leading the development of engaging content strategies and guiding the growth of thriving communities. Her leadership focuses on fostering meaningful interactions and impactful journeys for both creators and their audiences.