Promote shirts with unique design features to niche markets.
Successfully starting your own shirt brand can be a challenge. As a new business in a competitive industry, you need to find your niche to get noticed by shoppers. After you know the types of shirts, you want to sell, decide on a target customer base. You may choose, for example, to sell shirts to women, men or children -- or further specialize in areas such as women's plus sizes or teen fashion. Read and watch fashion media to stay informed about current fashion trends, and the types of shirts your target customers want to buy.
Instructions
1. Create several shirt designs to launch your product line. Make samples of the designs you plan to offer. If you don't know sew, look for a tailor in your community to make sample shirts based on your designs. You can find individuals who offer tailoring services through area fabric and dry cleaning stores, or in your community yellow pages.
2. Join a fashion-focused group in your local area, or online. Give your samples to shoppers in your group for review and feedback. Write a survey or checklist for reviewers. Ask reviewers to comment about whether they like your designs and how much they would pay for them. Use the feedback to modify and improve your shirts.
3. Read supplier directories in fashion publications or websites to find a manufacturer to make your designs. Contact manufacturers to ask for information about minimum order sizes, delivery times and for a price quote. Compare several quotes from manufacturers who can deliver your order at a price that you can sell to your customers for a profit.
4. Apply for a taxpayer identification number and decide on a business entity for your brand. Most start-ups choose to operate as a partnership or a corporation. Consult with an attorney who specializes in small business start-ups, to help you decide on the best structure for your business. Open business bank account, and apply for a merchant processing account so that you can accept credit card payments from customers.
5. Create an attractive website for your company featuring your shirts. Take pictures of your merchandise and upload them to the website. Write engaging content that clearly describes your shirts and what makes them unique. Add a shopping cart to your website if you plan to sell your shirts directly to customers.
6. Contact area boutiques and online stores about carrying your designs if you want to distribute your shirts through other retailers. Exhibit your line at a fashion industry trade show when your budget permits it, to attract larger retail buyers for your shirts. You can also attend special seminars at trade shows to get industry specific information about sourcing and trends.
7. Send a press release to fashion magazines and blogs announcing your new brand. Purchase affordable advertising space on one or more fashion blogs. Communicate with your target customers through social media daily to establish name recognition for your brand.
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