As a band or music artist, merchandise can be a major source of income. Not only do t-shirts, hats, and other items give fans a way to show their support, but they can also help to supplement your music sales. If you’re looking to sell more merch, here are some tips to help you out:
Offer a variety of options
One of the key factors in selling more merch is offering a variety of options to appeal to a wider audience. This can include offering t-shirts in different sizes and styles, such as unisex, fitted, or women’s cuts. You can also offer different colors or designs to give fans more choices.
In addition to t-shirts, consider offering other types of merchandise such as hats, stickers, and even non-clothing items like tote bags or phone cases. By offering a range of options, you increase the chances that you’ll have something for everyone.
Another way to offer variety is to release new merchandise on a regular basis. This can help to keep things fresh and exciting for fans, and give them a reason to continue checking back to see what’s new. You can also consider offering limited edition items, which can create a sense of urgency and encourage fans to purchase before they’re gone.
By offering a variety of high-quality merchandise options, you’ll be able to appeal to a wider audience and increase your sales.
Make sure your merch is high quality
One of the most important factors in selling more merch is making sure that the items you offer are high quality. No one wants to spend money on a poorly made t-shirt that will fall apart after just a few wears. Investing in high-quality merchandise not only ensures that your fans will be happy with their purchases, but it can also help to build your brand’s reputation and encourage repeat business.
To ensure that your merchandise is high quality, you should consider the following factors:
- Material: Choose materials that are durable and comfortable to wear, such as cotton or polyester blends. Avoid materials that are prone to shrinking or fading, as this can lead to unhappy customers.
- Printing: Make sure that the printing on your merchandise is clear and durable. Avoid using low-quality printing methods that are prone to fading or peeling.
- Fit: If you’re offering clothing items, make sure that they fit well and are true to size. This can help to ensure that your fans will be satisfied with their purchases and want to wear your merchandise.
By investing in high-quality merchandise, you’ll be able to increase customer satisfaction and encourage repeat business.
Promote your merch
Promoting your merchandise is an important part of increasing sales. There are a number of ways that you can promote your merchandise to reach a wider audience:
- Mention it during shows: Make sure to mention your merchandise during your shows, and encourage fans to check it out. You can also offer special discounts or bundle deals to encourage sales.
- Use social media: Utilize social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to promote your merchandise. You can post photos of your merchandise and offer special discounts or promotions to followers.
- Have a dedicated section on your website: Make sure to have a dedicated section on your website for merchandise. You can include photos, prices, and information on how to purchase.
- Offer special discounts or bundle deals: Consider offering special discounts or bundle deals to encourage sales. You can offer a discount code to use on your website, or offer a free item with the purchase of certain merchandise.
By promoting your merchandise consistently, you’ll be able to reach a wider audience and increase sales. Don’t be afraid to get creative and think outside the box – the more unique and exciting your promotions are, the more likely fans will be to purchase your merchandise.
Make your merch visible
If you’re selling merchandise at shows, it’s important to make it easy for fans to see and access. Here are some tips to make your merchandise visible:
- Set up a table at the front of the venue: Consider setting up a table at the front of the venue where fans can easily see and access your merchandise. You can have someone manning the table to help with sales and answer any questions.
- Hire a merch person: Consider hiring a merch person to walk around with a bag of items for sale. This can be a great way to make your merchandise more visible and accessible to fans.
- Use display stands: If you have a limited amount of space at your shows, consider using display stands to showcase your merchandise. This can help to make your items more visible without taking up too much space.
By making your merchandise visible and easily accessible, you’ll be more likely to increase sales and reach a wider audience.
Consider offering pre-orders
Offering pre-orders for your merchandise can be a great way to generate excitement and ensure that you have enough product to meet demand. Here are some tips for offering pre-orders:
- Announce the pre-order in advance: Make sure to announce your pre-order well in advance, so that fans have time to plan and purchase. You can announce it on social media, on your website, and during shows.
- Offer special perks for pre-orders: Consider offering special perks for fans who pre-order your merchandise. This could include discounts, exclusive items, or early access to merchandise.
- Have a deadline for pre-orders: Set a deadline for pre-orders to ensure that you have enough time to produce the merchandise and have it ready for your fans.
- Communicate with your fans: Make sure to communicate with your fans throughout the pre-order process. Keep them updated on when the merchandise will be ready and when they can expect to receive their orders.
By offering pre-orders, you’ll be able to generate excitement and ensure that you have enough product to meet demand. This can be especially useful if you’re going on tour or releasing a new album, as it can help to build anticipation and drive sales.
Collaborate with other artists or brands
Collaborating with other artists or brands can be a great way to sell more merchandise and reach a wider audience. Here are some tips for collaborating:
- Choose a compatible artist or brand: Look for an artist or brand that is complementary to your style and audience. This will help to ensure that the collaboration makes sense and will be appealing to your fans.
- Co-brand items: Consider co-branding items with the other artist or brand. This could include t-shirts, hats, or other merchandise with both of your logos or designs.
- Create a limited edition line: You can also consider creating a limited edition line of merchandise in collaboration with the other artist or brand. This can create a sense of exclusivity and encourage fans to purchase before the items are gone.
- Promote the collaboration: Make sure to promote the collaboration on social media and during shows. You can also consider offering special discounts or bundle deals to encourage sales.
By collaborating with other artists or brands, you’ll be able to reach a wider audience and increase your sales. Collaborations can be a fun and creative way to offer unique merchandise options to your fans.
Host merchandise giveaways
Hosting merchandise giveaways on social media can be a great way to generate buzz and encourage sales. To host a giveaway, you can ask fans to follow your page, share a post, or tag a friend to enter the contest. You can offer a prize such as a free t-shirt or other item of merchandise to the winner. Make sure to set a deadline for the giveaway and announce the winner when the contest is over.
In addition to generating buzz and increasing sales, merchandise giveaways can also be a great way to build your social media following and engage with your fans. By offering a chance to win free merchandise, you’ll be able to attract new followers and keep your existing followers engaged. Make sure to promote the giveaway on all of your social media platforms and consider offering multiple chances to enter, such as by sharing the giveaway on multiple platforms or tagging multiple friends. By hosting regular merchandise giveaways, you’ll be able to increase your social media presence and drive sales.
By following these tips, you can sell more merch and generate additional income as a band or music artist. Don’t be afraid to get creative and think outside the box – the more unique and exciting your merchandise options are, the more likely fans will be to purchase them. So, these are some of the best tips to sell more merch and boost your income as a music artist.