Click here to get this post as a PDF and read it later!
Small businesses are unique. Whether you own a nail salon or a tech startup, your small business will have its own challenges and opportunities. With that in mind, you should choose the right merchandise for your small business. After all, what’s the point of running a small business if no one knows about it?
Not sure where to start? Keep reading to learn more about what kind of merch you should sell at your small business.
What Kind Of Merch Should You Sell At Your Small Business?
If you’re starting a small business that sells any kind of product or service, you’ll want to consider what type of merch you’ll sell. For example, let’s say you own a website that helps people lose weight. In this case, you’ll likely have a target market of dieters. And people who need your product might be in the habit of buying diet teas or shakes from their favorite brand. And because of this, you might want to sell diet teas, shakes, protein powders, and other similar items. You might have a different target market in mind if you have a different business, like a consulting firm. In this case, you might also want to sell promotional products like pens, mugs, or other similar items.
Factor In Your Target Market
Now that you know what kind of merch you want to sell at your small business, you need to factor in your target market. This will help you decide what kind of merch to sell. As well as how much to charge. Depending on your business, your target market might be broad or specific. And while you don’t want to be so specific that you don’t sell anything, you want to be clear about your target market to make decisions that help your business succeed. This includes pricing your merch and deciding which print methods are best for your niche.
Look For Benefits Before Looking At Price Point
Next, you must look for your product’s benefits before considering the price. This will help you determine the price point for your merch in a better way than simply considering the cost of production. You do this by considering your customers’ benefits from your product. In each case, you could look for other benefits for your target market, like helping people reduce their disease risk. Or improve their energy levels. By looking for these benefits, you can start to figure out the best way to price your merch and other similar items.
Know What Prints And Materials Are Out There
You also need to know the types of prints and materials available for your niche. With this in mind, you’ll want to know what paints and inks are available for your niche. And the cost and availability of your materials. You might also want to check with your supplier and see what other items they carry. This could include small business cards or other similar items. So, while you don’t want to be too specific with your niche, you also don’t want to make assumptions. Luckily, many resources are available to help you learn more about printing. This includes sites that offer printable templates, articles, and industry publications.
Don’t Forget About Shipping Costs
Next, you need to consider shipping costs for your products. This might mean charging a flat rate for shipping. Or calculating shipping costs per item. Again, you don’t want to be too specific with your shipping costs. But you do want to consider each item’s weight. If you sell pens, for example, you might want to look at shipping costs for each pen separately. Or charge a flat rate for shipping. This will help you balance the cost of shipping with the actual costs of shipping your pens. This might mean that your pens are heavy enough that they cost more to ship than others.
What Is The Difference Between Branding And Merch?
Finally, you need to understand the difference between branding and merch. This will help you decide how to best use your brand and logo. Let’s say, for example, you own a tech startup and want to sell t-shirts with your logo on them. However, you don’t want to just sell any old t-shirt. Instead, you want to sell t-shirts that feature your logo in a way that reflects your brand. Because your brand can define your career.
Conclusion
Choosing the right merch for your small business can be a challenge. However, once you decide, it’s essential to ensure that your merch sells well. By following these tips, you’ll be able to select the best merch for your small business and sell it to your target market.
