I will be leaving Spreadshirt at the end of next week. Thanks for the last seven years! I’ve had a great time – I learned a lot and I hope I was able to give something back, too.
If you don’t know me: I was the Brand Communications Director. My team does the catalogs, TV spots, newsletters, social media channels (like this blog), and organizes events and campaigns for customers and partners.
Of course I don’t want to leave without a small gift: so I thought I’d do an AMA (ask me anything) session here on this blog.
Send me your questions in the comment section below or to twitter @ami – until Monday next week (28th of January) .. so I will have enough time to google the answer 
Ask me anything about the Spreadshirt universe, like new product listings, old products, what it is like to work here, or questions about advertising, marketing and communications – and make this a great goodbye gift!
Kristina
Dave
Temple
Hi,
I am new to spreadshirt and i would like to know how to promote my spreadshirt shop to a lot of people so i could get some sale. I’ve read the spreadshirt pages on this topic but i feel its not enough. I’ve opened up a facebook page and promoted via vingler.com but still not able to get some sale. PLEASE HELP!!! If i can’t make any then i’ll moving on from this….
Hi! Sorry you are leaving! I am new to Spreadshirt as well. I am getting a lot of views on my page but, no sales. Does it just take time? Or are my products not trendy enough?
I do promote on Twitter too! @CupofCoffeeCafe
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Joanne
Thanks Andreas,
I also have a question: I have noticed that US sales go much much slower than EU sales, despite having designs featured at the frontpage. I guess my designs are too European to fit the American taste. So I was wondering, what are design topics and themes that sell really well on the US marketplace (or is the US a better market for shops and the US marketplace doesn’t sell so well compaired to for example the .DE or .CO.UK marketplaces?
Cheers!
Thank you ami and best wishes in the future. Ive been working at my shops for several years and Im making some progress now.
I have one question and a favor to ask.
What are the top three most effective things you have seen shop owners do to build their brands?
Would you ask the appropriate person there to make some step by step videos on how to build a shop using the API?
Mahalo,
Brant
Thanks for your question, Brian.
In General: First of all, define your niche and your audience. What is your motivation to run a shop? Depending on your concept and your target audience, research (relevant) people and players in the scene (e.g. via Twitter, Blogs etc.). Ask them for feedback, connect with them and try to improve your messaging, and your t-shirt shop. Do the basics: like improving the product descriptions, SEO etc.
It is very necessary however, to focus first on your motivation and what you want to achieve and how your story/shop/design is different from other shops .. you’ll need to learn, improve and iterate — before you spread the word.
We’ve asked a range of successful partners to give us their insights in a guest post series – check it out here:
http://blog.spreadshirt.net/us/category/guest-posts/
A bit more specific for you: Opening a facebook page is a good start, and I think you show a lot of creativity .. but you probably need to focus more on a specific group OR style OR message. ask your friends for feedback (e.g. if they would buy a shirt) and see what they’ll respond .. this can help you to find the right messages to spread the word.
also, since your shop is still quite “standard” you can try to add your designs to the marketplace to get an idea what people like and see what works.
good luck!
ami.)
@Joe
Q. What are design topics and themes that sell really well on the US marketplace compared to .DE or .CO.UK marketplaces?
While I don’t have the “secret sauce” for excellent sales in the US (sry!), I can give you a few insights:
First of all, in the US there are a lot more people interested in Digital Direct. Then, customers are more interested to buy “readymade” items (e.g. in the marketplace), which means you should prepare products for the marketplace. Topics and themes are usually the same as for other countries: a lot of (niche) hobbies, general interests like music, or special interest like local shows, entertainment and news. It also helps if you have your niche and your *very own style*!
@Joanne:
Q. I am getting a lot of views on my page but, no sales. Does it just take time? Or are my products not trendy enough?
If you are getting views, but no sales — that often means you’ll have to work on your products (or your expectations – depending on what “a lot of” means). To be honest, after looking at your shop, you can definitely improve on designs .. e.g. avoid screenshots (they don’t come out nicely and are hard to read) … maybe try instead adding designs from our gallery (-> account -> create products -> choose design -> more designs) and also avoid “text only” shirts. you can also ask your customers for their ideas to see what they would love to wear!
@ Brant:
Q What are the top three most effective things you have seen shop owners do to build their brands?
Thanks, very good question!!
Know your audience: Define your niche and your concept. How many people are out there who like your topic and would buy a shirt with this content? Do I fulfill their needs (in term of the content, design quality, etc.)? Is there something i can do better than other existing players in this area? Ask your friends, connect to potential key people, players etc. and ask for (honest) feedback.
Be passionate about your topic. If you are convinced and passionate about the topic and the designs, it’s easier to sell – since you are thinking exactly the same way as your customers. Relevant news and (design/marketing) ideas will “fly” to you since you are interested in the topic anyway. Also, it’s easier to reach out to key players, if they feel you talk their talk and know what’s going on. Plus, if you are passionate you will be able to find and distribute relevant content for your target group.
Be consistent and true to yourself. Jeff Bezos once said “Be stubborn on vision, and flexible on details.” If you are on to something big, you will be able to sort out how to use the best content for each channel independently. No matter if you use Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter – go fishing where the fish are, but keep it going and treat every channel and audience in “their” specific way (e.g. avoid “hard” selling if people e.g. just want to connect). Over time you’ll be able to see if you get enough feedback and response and if it makes sense to invest more time or if you need to try something different.
Q. Would you ask the appropriate person there to make some step by step videos on how to build a shop using the API?
A. Yes, will do!