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How to Build a Community With Your Spreadshop

Shop owners can build a community with Spreadshop when they use merch as a means to connect with their audience. It makes the relationship between creator and follower, entrepreneur and supporter, even stronger.

If you want to build a community with your merch, it’s going to take more than that initial website launch. You need to have an active presence across socials. Promote your merch and give followers updates in a way that feels organic. Make the process feel like a conversation between friends instead of fans.

We’ve seen shops like Amorphia Apparel thrive thanks to consistent engagement with their customers. It’s important to ask questions and understand what people want out of your merch. You need to reflect your audience’s interests.

Building a community with merch takes putting your voice out there and being willing, no, eager, to engage with your audience. And Spreadshop is here to help!

Be Active on Socials

Being active on socials is only going to benefit your Spreadshop. And this doesn’t just apply to merch content. Having a steady social presence is a signal to potential customers that you’re connected to your followers.

People are more inclined to support you when they see you’re passionate about what you’re creating. And it’s important to get creative with how you market your merch. The format and feel is different for each platform. You typically wouldn’t post the stuff you do on Twitter to Facebook, for example. It just doesn’t translate.

Knowing your audience and where they engage online is key to building a community with merch. Gamers primarily use Twitch. If that’s your demographic, do a livestream and wear your merch. Make callouts to your shop while crushing your competition.

If your audience is on Youtube, make sure to have a consistent upload schedule and varied content. Have videos that establish the core of your channel and those that promote your brand, like merch.

Hang Out in the Comments

It’s all well and good to be posting awesome content, but you need to keep the conversation going. Responding to comments is more than just boosting engagement levels (even though that is helpful). You’ll develop a closer relationship with your followers when you take the time to chat.

This strategy may not be directly tied to merch, but it’s going to build a community. Your followers will be more inclined to support you when they can relate to you on a personal level. Wearing your merch will be a great bonus out of the relationship.

People that wear merch aren’t normally casual fans. They see something in their favorite creator that implores them to do more. Subscribing to someone’s Patreon or buying merch through their Spreadshop are community building blocks.

Post Updates on Your Shop

It’s likely that the designs and merch styles in your shop will change over time. This can be a creative change or a strategic decision, like going with the seasons.

Take advantage of the holidays and optimal shopping times by running promos on your socials. Offer discount codes and create exclusive merch. People love an excuse to get festive, especially after last year. For some, it might be spooky season. For others, it’s the “most wonderful time of the year.”

Spreadshop is always running monthly promos like FREE shipping and discount code offers. Post those across your socials to create renewed interest; everyone loves a good sale. Implementing these strategies will keep your shop fresh and allow for continued conversation.

Tease Upcoming Merch Drops

You should keep your followers and potential customers in the loop when it comes to new merch. This ties in with keeping your Spreadshop updated, but heavily relies on that community aspect.

Take photos of your merch from weird angles. Show glimpses of new designs or even something drastic like an updated logo. Tell your followers to respond in the comments to what they think the new designs will be. Make it even more interesting by offering a FREE t-shirt to the first three people to guess correctly.

This is a fun and interactive game to play with your followers. You can also do something more obvious: wearing merch in your content. Showcase your merch on Youtube or TikTok; it makes for an effective endorsement. Your followers will know that it’s something you’re proud of and eager to wear. This might be the deciding factor in their decision.

Ask For Input on Designs

Hey, whoever said you were a designer. There are ways to get FREE designs for your merch: use apps, outsource creative friends or hire a professional. But it doesn’t hurt to have some help in the development process. You want to be sure your followers will actually wear the designs, after all.

Make it easy for yourself by asking these questions on socials. Do polls on your Instagram stories. Ask people to leave a comment on your latest TikTok. Host a livestream that’s dedicated to narrowing down the new designs for your shop.

This may seem like a lot of work, but if it translates into shop sales it will have paid off. You can make things more interesting by asking followers to submit their own designs. Offer the winner the chance to be featured on your channel or be featured in other content. You’ll generate hype around your channel and build a community with your merch. Your Spreadshop and engagement scores will thank you.

Share Photos From Your Followers

If your followers share photos of themselves in your merch, the least you can do is repost them! We do a similar thing on our Instagram feed. Posting photos of actual people wearing shop owner merch is more effective than sharing stock images. It’s going to make your merch feel like a real world experience instead of something that just lives online.

Instagram is a prime target for this authentic imagery. All you see are photos and videos when you scroll your feed. This promotion will be more effective and engaging than a text post. And the extra effort will get you photos you can use for other social promotion and boost your brand exposure immensely.

It’s also going to make your followers feel good. Seeing themselves on your feed will boost their trust in you. You’re going to retain customers and attract new ones when you lead with this type of marketing.

Building a community with your merch is easy when you use the voice of your audience and their image to amplify content. Running a channel and a merch line can be an individual operation, but it doesn’t have to be. Open your Spreadshop today to start building your community!

How to Sell Merch at Comic Conventions

Selling merch at comic cons is a success when you own your brand and know your audience. Merch sellers can be all-stars on the convention floor if they implement the right strategies to showcase their merch.

Conventions are back in full swing. This gives fandom merch sellers the opportunity to market directly to their target audience. And that includes local and national conventions. New York Comic Con that happened earlier this month was a prime opportunity for merch.

Spreadshop encourages self-expression and self-promotion, which makes selling merch at comic conventions the perfect combination. For first-time sellers, it can be an overwhelming environment. That’s why we’re here to break down the best strategies to generate interest in your merch. And hopefully you’ll leave with some future customers ready to support you and your fandom merch!

Avoid Copyrighted Material

We get it. You want to rep the things you love most: Star Wars, Legend of Zelda, Lord of the Rings. Copyright turns that into a tricky situation.

These major franchises are all copyrighted works owned by an individual or company. That means logos, photos and even quotes are off limits. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be creative with merch at comic cons. There’s a way to make fandom merch that’s copyright friendly. The people at these conventions are likely big fans of these franchises. That means they know everything there is to know about that fandom. Use that to your advantage.

If someone is going to your shop because they love Star Wars as much as you do, they probably already have all the essential merch. They’re looking for something that’s unique that they wouldn’t be able to find on merch normally, let alone official merch.

Make designs that reference obscure scenes or long-debated fan theories. It’s going to set you apart and keep you out of the courtroom.

Make Your Merch an Extension of You

Merch might not be your main gig or even the main reason you’re at a comic convention. If that’s the case, your merch at comic cons should be an extension of your brand.

If you’re a comic book artist, it would make sense for you to have a logo of some kind. Create stickers using that design and consider giving them away for FREE to bring awareness to your business. This makes for a more personable option than a business card.

You can even make designs using artwork straight out of your comics. Tease future releases with unseen artwork on merch to build momentum leading up to the launch date.

For other vendors like toy collectors or cosplay prop makers, you should sell merch that’s an extension of that passion. Use insider phrases or puns that only those involved in the scene would understand. They’ll feel seen and be moved to support your business if you explore that niche interest.

Use QR Codes

Anyone with a smartphone can download a QR reader app that allows them to scan QR codes. This makes it easy for convention goers to access websites or direct links for merch at comic cons. Seeing it written out on a banner or business card doesn’t guarantee instant engagement.

Make a poster with your Spreadshop name, some brief info and a QR code that will take people to your shop. This is an instant attention grabber for anyone who sees your booth on the convention floor. You can make QR codes feel more personal by putting them on little flyers, too.

QR codes are also helpful if you run out of a particular size or style. You can direct convention goers to your shop right then and there so they don’t leave totally empty handed. This is a tactic that’s going to prove incredibly useful for other comic conventions or networking events in the future.

Have Exclusive Designs

Comic conventions are a place to create special memories. Merch at comic cons helps fans commemorate their time in style with exclusive, limited edition designs. Thanks to print on-demand, Spreadshop makes it easy for shop owners to get limited runs on designs. You can get all you need for the convention without being stuck with hundreds of t-shirts after the fact.

It’s important to tie these exclusive designs to the theme of your merch or business. You can boost your brand and still keep it connected to the overall energy of the con. That’s how you make money with your merch. You need to cash in and seek out the opportunities in front of you.

The success of these exclusive designs will help your merch. You’ll learn how to tailor options for your customers or the audience you’re targeting. Each item in your shop should have value and feel integral to your brand.

Display Your Merch

At comic conventions, having a good display at your table is essential in attracting convention goers. Your merch should be visible from every angle of the convention floor. This can be achieved with hanging racks, shelves and printed banners.

Veteran convention vendors will attest that it’s well worth the investment. No one is going to pay any notice to your merch at comic cons if it’s just arranged on a table. It’s not fair to all the hard work you put in. You should show your merch off proudly.

It’s going to help bring attention to your table and create conversations. People will feel inclined to ask questions and get to know you when they see your work on display.

Speak to Your Fandom

Merch sellers will be able to attract new customers when they stick to that original source of inspiration: fandom. If there’s a love and passion for something like a graphic novel or anime, selling merch at comic cons is going to come naturally. Fellow fans will be on board when they see you have designs that speak to fandom culture.

You want to have merch on display that’s going to make convention goers stop and take notice. These can be those exclusive designs or fun fandom things in general. Maybe someone’s not familiar with a quote or a character mashup you have on display. This is a great entry point for them to get to know you and your merch. And who knows, you might have converted someone into a lifelong fan.

Spreadshop gives people the power to express their passions and make a profit. Selling merch at comic cons allows shop owners the opportunity to connect with an interested community.

Launch your Spreadshop today to start showing your fandom some love. We’ll see you on the convention floor in no time!

5 Ways to Market Your Merch for FREE!

There are 5 ways to market your merch for FREE that will help grow your audience and boost merch sales. Marketing your merch shouldn’t be complicated if you implement the right strategies.

Social media channels like Instagram and TikTok are obvious, burgeoning spaces for marketing your Spreadshop. But you’d be surprised how many people don’t use these apps effectively. When it comes to promoting merch, shop owners miss the most obvious thing: telling people where to purchase it.

You can do this in a way that doesn’t interfere with your content, and even helps enhance it. Use link in bio tools, add QR codes into videos and create conversations. Nothing’s worse than marketing your merch without giving followers proper links, or even coupons, to draw them in.

The below-listed socials and tips will help you market your merch for FREE and spark interest in your shop.

Instagram

Instagram is an ever-changing platform that’s always tweaking their algorithm and focus. The latest hot topic on the platform: Instagram shopping. This is a great entry point for shop owners new to marketing their merch.

While Instagram has Shop ads specifically for their Shop tab, the feature itself is FREE to use. And Instagram has become a prime shopping destination for users who scroll their feed daily.

Did you know: More than 130 million users tap on an Instagram Shopping post each month! There’s an audience literally waiting in the wings for the merch you’re offering. Maybe they’re into whatever the niche of your shop is already, or you can grab their attention with seasonal merch. This feature is going to connect you with that audience and help you understand how to better market your merch.

You can still engage with your followers and direct them to buy your merch from traditional Instagram content, too. Since you can’t put clickable links in captions, direct users to your bio where they can find a one-stop link.

Use Linktree or other services to house your Spreadshop link and links to relevant socials, websites or blogs. Putting out sharable content in the form of photos and videos is one thing. Making sure those posts are actionable is another.

TikTok

We’re new to TikTok and have just started to regularly upload content, but we still think we have some helpful insights. Tik Tok is the most rapidly growing platform for content creators. And this has created a heightened demand for merch.

The easiest and most efficient way to promote your merch on Tik Tok is to link your Spreadshop in your bio. This makes for good call-backs to your merch when you mention it in content. And it also grabs the attention of anyone who visits your profile.

Make sure you’re putting out content that utilizes and promotes your merch in a way that feels true to your brand. That’s exactly what one of our brand ambassadors, Clueless Bushcraft (Tom) did. Tom filmed a Tik Tok of himself doing everyday bushcraft things while wearing his merch. He directed his followers to the link in his bio to buy merch, and even talked about upcoming merch designs.

If you don’t have the editing skills to make this kind of content, QR codes are an easy tool to add to videos. It’s an effective way of saying: “Hey, did you know I had merch?” The content itself doesn’t have to be that deep. It’s a good way to remind people of your Spreadshop.

Twitch

Another one of the 5 ways to market your merch for FREE, Twitch is a place where gamers and live streamers can build a community and launch their brand. And merch is an essential component.

The connection Twitch users have with their audience is unparalleled compared to other social channels. This gives creators an advantage when marketing their merch. They can talk to their audience about their Spreadshop in a way that’s relatable and doesn’t feel pushy.

The most efficient way to promote your merch is by wearing it in your livestreams. It’s a good practice to mention it at the end of streams and always have a link in your bio. But people would rather see what it looks on you than what they can see on your site, though.

Another great way to generate interest in your content and merch: host a giveaway! Ask people to follow you and like and comment on a particular post to be entered. It’s that simple. You’ll be creating multiple conversations at once with this tactic.

Marketing your merch for free on Twitch is all boils down to the close relationship you have with your followers. You know what they’re interested in and what they respond to, so it should come off as natural instead of money-hungry.

Youtube

Merch has been a great, additional revenue stream for content creators on Youtube since the beginning. There’s a connection creators can build with their followers on Youtube, and merch is an extension of that.

The easiest way to market your merch is, again, having that shop or one-stop link in the description bar of your videos. If you want to really get the word out, you should create a dedicated video about your merch.

Spreadshop Brand Ambassador Brian G. Johnson did just that! He did an unboxing of his merch and explained how the designs related to his brand. Johnson also gave tips to his audience on how to look at their brand differently and be inspired to make merch.

It’s also important to get input from your audience. Ask them to leave a comment about what designs they would want to wear. What style of t-shirts do they prefer? This is going to increase engagement on your channel and create excitement for any upcoming merch drops.

Podcasts

It seems like everybody and their mother has a podcast these days. It may be a crowded landscape, but there’s still the potential to stand out with merch. Podcasting in 2021 is about increasing listener engagement by selling merch tied to your podcast that listeners can’t get anywhere else.

A simple mention at the end of your podcast advising your listeners to check out your merch might be enough to get the ball rolling. Social media is also a great place for you to start advertising your merchandise. Consider creating social posts linked to your shop. Make a video of yourself wearing your merch to show it off. Even create some sort of banner advertisement to go in your cover photo.

Also be sure to include your Spreadshop, podcast and other socials in a one-stop link that lives in your bio. We really can’t enforce this marketing tactic enough! It reassures listeners to see how involved you are in your podcast. Merch proves that you’re serious about growing and finding success.

We hope these 5 ways to market your merch for FREE inspire you to implement some new strategies! Open your Spreadshop today to start marketing your merch to that target audience.

What NIL is and How it Relates to Merch

NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) is a burgeoning market for college athletes and relates to merch in more ways than one. Merch not only has the power to earn athletes money, but help set them up for future success.

Having control of your name, image and likeness is a powerful thing. College athletes have been shut out of these rights for too long. Legislation has only recently started to turn the tide in favor of college athletes.

NIL rights allow athletes to express themselves, build a brand and make a profit. College athletes are now considered a singular voice with the ability to make decisions in THEIR best interest.

Learn how Spreadshop is empowering athletes to take control of their image while saying something worthwhile!

What is NIL?

NIL gives college athletes the chance to take advantage of professional athlete opportunities. They weren’t able to endorse products or accept sponsorship deals before. Newly passed legislation will finally allow college athletes the right to earn compensation and brand themselves like the pros do.

With NIL rights, athletes decide how they want to market themselves. The college no longer holds all the cards and can stifle their voice. It’s up to these college athletes to rep what they’re passionate about.

Owning your name, image and likeness is crucial for a professional or would-be professional athlete. But what does that mean? How do you own yourself?

NIL allows students to step in the spotlight. A student athlete doing commercials for a chain restaurant, a student athlete wearing a brand’s clothing on Instagram in a sponsored post, a student athlete creating their own merch and selling it to their fans. These are all the things a student athlete can do that relate to their name and image.

NIL allows athletes to express themselves and earn some money, but at the end of the day, it’s about building a brand. The deals these athletes now can impact their professional standing for years to come. And they don’t even have to still be playing sports.

College Students Can Build Their Brand Now

What if there was a more personal and direct way for athletes to grow their brand? That’s where print on-demand merch comes in. Athletes can earn a percentage of the profits when they launch their own fashion brand through e-commerce merch sites.

Spreadshop is leading the way in the print on-demand space through official partnerships with NoCapSports and Fanword. These partnerships aim to educate student athletes and guide them as they launch merch for the first time.

Merch development is a fun and creative process, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be profitable. When you market it that right way, merch is an essential brand builder. Spreadshop is a free and easy option that creators, businesses and now athletes can use to develop their merch line. It’s valuable in helping fans new and old alike understand who you are and what you stand for.

Your brand is how people will come to identify you. The increase in NIL opportunities has signaled an emphasis on branding to build a career. College athletes no longer have to hide behind the symbols of their college – they can create their own.

Merch sets college athletes up for life-changing and money-making opportunities.

How College Athletes Are Making Money With Merch

Restaurant and car dealership deals are standard for locally renowned athletes, and are a natural entry point. But sometimes athletes just need to have complete ownership of their name. They need to be the one making the decisions.

Merch allows college athletes to market directly to their fans and create a close bond with them. It’s an engaging and interactive process that makes both parties feel represented. NIL rights allow college athletes the chance to build a merch brand. A merch brand gives athletes power and professional backing. That might sound like a lofty thing, but it means a lot in an industry associated with uncertainty and instability.

Less than 2% of college football players will go pro, so what are the options for those that don’t? NIL relates to merch in that it puts a plan in place for an athletes’ future while they’re still in school. They’ll learn how to market themselves and figure out what they have to offer, whether that’s in sports or not.

Merch is more than just promoting an athlete and their brand, though. It also helps to raise awareness of important issues.

More Than Just an Athlete

Tre Tipton has been through a lot on and off the football field. The Pitt athlete has endured depression, suicidal thoughts and serious injuries. But the love of the game helped pull him through and reignited a new purpose for him.

Tipton founded L.O.V.E. (Living Out Victoriously Everyday), a program that helps “empower, provide hope and build a community for collegiate student-athletes who are dealing with mental, emotional, and physical struggles.” Tipton wants to help other people dealing with similar experiences and break down the stigma behind mental health, especially in sports. His newly launched merch line is a great way to raise awareness.

“Adversity is a comma in the sentence of life, not a period.”

This is just one of the inspiring quotes you can find on Tipton’s merch. He’s more than just an athlete: he’s a motivator and mentor. His merch is more than just growing HIS brand. It’s about creating a community and letting other athletes know they’re not alone in their struggles.

NIL just doesn’t relate to merch in a business sense, but in a deeply personal sense, too. It has the power to boost an athlete’s brand and confidence, and create meaningful conversations.

Open your Spreadshop today to start putting your voice above the noise on the field!

Introducing SPOD: the Newest Member of the Spreadshop Family

Meet SPOD, a Spread Group brand that allows access to our network of fulfillment facilities by integrating with external shop systems.

What is SPOD?

SPOD stands for “Spreadshirt Print on Demand.” Like Spreadshop, SPOD is a Spread Group brand. Using the SPOD, you can sell your own customized products on Shopify, WooCommerce and other e-commerce platforms and benefit from the usual service and the print-on-demand expertise of Spreadshirt for your online store.

With SPOD, you as a merchant have full control over your prices, returns and communication with your customers. As soon as someone orders something from you, SPOD takes over your order fulfillment and shipping. When it comes to relating to your customers, you, your store and your brand are in the spotlight. And if you need help, SPOD support will be there to back you up.

As a SPOD merchant, you can sell your products not only in your own store, but also on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, as well as on digital marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon, eBay and Idealo. You can relax and focus on your online business while SPOD takes care of the fulfillment for you, including production and shipping.

Is SPOD for you? Give it a try and find out!

Register with Shopify (14 days free trial)
Install the free SPOD app and add your products
Done!

What are you waiting for? Download the free SPOD App now and start your business today.

SPOD vs. Spreadshop

When you run your own shop with Spreadshop, you design and market your products yourself. We take care of everything else: Customer service, shipping and returns, support, store templates and production. Spreadshop is always free for you.

SPOD merchants run their store on Shopify and are responsible for their own customers and sales channels. For example, they set the shipping method and cost, choose printing methods and much more. There are no discount promotions for SPOD merchants like there are for Spreadshop. For every order that comes through your Shopify store, merchants pay a fee to SPOD and Shopify.

Despite the differences between SPOD and Spreadshop, there are also some similarities. On both platforms you set your own customer prices and can unlock our Design Tool for your customers. Furthermore, you are always responsible for the success of your store, regardless of whether you sell through Spreadshop or SPOD. Your mission is to bring traffic to your store with targeted marketing or promotions.

How SPOD can help you build your own business

Here are some of the advantages of using SPOD to build your brand:

You have full control over your retail prices and shipping costs (you can also offer free shipping).
You control your marketing, customer service and more.
You have free access to your customer data.
You can sell print-on-demand products exclusively or offer other products in addition to your SPOD products in your Shopify store – e.g. a coffee shop that also sells specialty coffees, barista classes or accessories.

SPOD Europe vs. SPOD United States

Depending on where you want to sell your products, you can select Europe or the USA as production location in the SPOD app. If most of your customers live in the USA, set up the SPOD app for North America. Not only will we be able to deliver to them faster and in a shorter, more environmentally-friendly way, but we’ll also be able to offer a range of products tailored specifically to your region. If you want to sell in both regions, simply create two accounts and sell in Europe and the USA (including Canada and Australia) at the same time.

Your business, your way!

SPOD is the most flexible way for you to run an online store selling print-on-demand products. Simply integrate the SPOD app into your Shopify store or other e-commerce platforms. For a full list of marketplaces and shop systems that integrate with SPOD, see here. Design your own products and take the relationship you build with your customers into your own hands.

Whether SPOD or Spreadshop is the better print-on-demand provider for you depends on your goals. You can also sell through SPOD and Spreadshop at the same time or use them to complement one another.

Do you have questions about SPOD? Leave us a comment or ask us directly on Facebook.