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After awarding two US partners with MOO MiniCard packs in Monday’s post, we thought it’d be a good idea to write about using flyers to promote your shop. Our Spreaducation pages have covered how to create products for your shop and market it online. Most of the tips on how to market your online shop are, well, using online marketing. This is where many of your customers will be found and where online marketing methods will bring them directly into your shop without them having to leave the online sphere.

On the other hand, there is the fact that we (hopefully still!) spend most of our time offline. This is where an offline promotion can catch the attention of customers in the “real” world and bring them to the online one. When we say “offline promotion”, it is less about taking out a full page ad or standing out on the street and forcing a flyer into the hands of every passerby. We are thinking more about targeted use of flyers and stickers. We asked some of our partners in the European forum about their experiences using flyers - and we’d like to hear your opinion here, too! Here are a few highlights we collected from our partner’s experiences:

1. Flyer Layout
Once you have come up with a concept, the next thing to consider is the flyer’s layout. Christbear’s opinion: It’s important that the flyer’s info is conveyed quickly while still making sure the flyer will be pocketed.

The less advertising found on the front the better. A nice picture, a funny saying and always put the site’s address in small font at the bottom right (so it doesn’t get in the way). These are the flyers (or postcards) which I pocket, pin up on my fridge or set down on my desk for a couple of days. And these are the only flyers which I turn over and take a look at the other side.

2. Format and Printing
Quality over quantity: look for a good printer (we’ve had great experience with MOO), rather than worrying about the price. People will think twice about throwing away a high-quality flyer. And vice-versa – if a flyer looks like it was copied onto recycled paper, it is very likely to end up back in the recycling bin.

Popgarten shared the same opinion: continue reading ‘Five Fantastic Flyer Tips! Market your Online Shop Offline’

So sorry if you had trouble joining us for the SpreadX on Socail Media today - we had some audio troubles and it looks like Twitter has had some troubles today too. (I guess we picked the wrong day to talk about social media :))

One of the things that I think is key to understanding and working with social media is understadning RSS - i highly reccomend the video RSS in Plain English by the Common Craft folks.  We watched it again this morning and discussed.  Deb who also works here at Spreadshirt found this video from the folks at Common Craft on Social Media - which is a really way of looking at social media.  I have been working on blogs and social media here at Spreadshirt for a few years now and I had never thought of explaining it this way.

What websites/videos have helped you to understand social media?  What social media tools have you used to help you with your Spreadshirt shop?

Spreadu-what? Spreaducation is a new area on our site where we have gathered information for shop partners about setting up shop, creating products and marketing your shop. Some of you might recognize parts of the texts from our marketing special last December, but we’ve refined, revamped, renovated and relocated it all.

Where might I find this fantastic stuff? It has moved out of the user area and can be found under the tab “Sell”, open to all. You will also find our new edition “Shop Partner Stories” with testimonials from some of our shop partners.

What’s in it for me? We think there is something for everyone in these pages. Beginners can find tips on how to set-up your shop and find your target group. Those who already have a shop and some ideas but are stuck at the designing phase can pick up some info on creating products. Experienced users can take a look at our marketing tips or see what other partners have done by reading the Shop Partner Stories.

Enjoy and happy learning!

But wait, dear Shop Partners, that’s not all …
There is also a brand new addition to our webinar series – Spreadshirt Vectors 101! If you have participated in our Bootcamp Webinar series, this would be your next logical step towards your doctorate in Spreadshirt. Vectors 101 will provide you with live and interactive instruction on how to create and use vector designs for a Spreadshirt shop. Sign up for one of the webinars and brush up on your vector skills!

Check out this great video from a CNN ireporter - it is an interview with Gary Vanerchuck - who is a popular blogger and top Twitter user - about using twitter.  We are using twitter more and more every day here at Spreadshirt - you can follow us @Spreadshirtcom.  

Have you used Twitter to sell t-shirts? Please share your success stories!

Are you using Twitter? Leave a comment with your twitter name so we can follow you!

Problogger has a post today that lists 10 ways to find readers for your blog.  The list the basics, like adding a link to your email signature.  I think that these ideas would also be helpful for promoting your shop.

I especailly like the idea of adding a background image on Twitter.  What have you found has been helpful in finding new customers for your shop? continue reading ‘Finding New Customers for Your Shop’

Image by Marco Wessel via Flickr

Over the weekend ProBlogger ran a little experiment where for 48 hours anyone who wanted to was allowed to post a 140 character elevator pitch about their blog in the comments section of the post.  I think this is a really cool idea and that we should try it for t-shirts - so leave a comment and tell us about your shirt shop in 140 characters or less.  You don’t have to be a Spreadshirt shop partner - I think this will be a neat way to check out some other shirt shops.

ProBlogger just posted a follow up about the whole experiment - check out some of Darren’s picks for best elevator pick - I think they are pretty clever.

• Are your beans for the birds? Learn about eco-friendly, sustainable coffee, and how your morning cup can change the world. - Coffee and Conversation
• Mom-101. I don’t know what I’m doing either - Mom 101
• I’m in a band called Linkin Park. For insight into the business and culture of music, plus updates on my band and art, visit me - Mike Shinoda
• We are the TOP shed blog! Good Looking Sheds - Built To Last. Almost everyone needs a shed! We happen to think so - Idaho Wood Sheds Blog
• You’ve just been sued for statements made on your blog. What do you do? How do you prevent it? Read the California Defamation Law Blog - California Defamation Law Blog
• About a lioness travelling with a big kangaroo round the world. Right now, we are feeding at a watering hole called Tokyo - Lioness in Japan
• My readers have called me both a hero and a straight laced prude. You decide - Maw Books
• A budget fashionista’s hints, tips, tricks and trends for effortless style; because most of us could look better for less. - The Style PA
• Some chubby math: A Fat man + various meats x bacon - vegetarianism = one funny and entertaining food blog - Eating Cleveland
• Does this triathlon make my a** look fat? Running, swimming and biking at 51. Why couldn’t I take up knitting, like normal old people?! - Run Mom Run

continue reading ‘Tell us about your shirts in 140 Characters or Less’

This weeks issue of T-magazine has a feature on t-shirts with maps on the shirts. I really like the one with the New York subway map on it. I recently saw a man wearing this shirt in a small town that was far far away from New York City.

This gives me the perfect opportunity you about or t-shirt shop map! I have been working on a big bad google map of Spreadshirt shops that sell t-shirts about a place. If your shirts are local - I want to put you on the map! More info about the t-shirt map here.

T-Magazine even has a YouTube clip of a map tank top. I thought I would share a favorite map video - this is from the episode of Friends where Joey says he needs to get into his map. When I open a map I often think of Joey saying this.

Even better - I found 2 other blog posts that reference this scene from Friends here and here! Glad to know I am not the only one who thinks of getting into maps.

I love blogging - for me blogging has been an incredible way to share stories, promote causes and sell t-shirts.

T-shirt Magazine has a great post from Anthony Marsh of  http://www.popularthreadz.com and  http://www.teebiz.com about getting started with a blog for your t-shirt shop.  Check out his post -  Get your designs seen by creating a blog for some great tips on getting started.

I also wanted to point out this great video that Glenda Watson Hyatt put together.  I think I first found this video from a tweet on twitter.  But lots of other people have blogged about it in the past week too.   The video is less than 3 minutes long and does a great job showing the power of blogging.

I have posted about some of the past ThisNext contests before. ThisNext is a social network centered around shopping - you can easily submit things you would like to buy - including shirts from your Spreadshirt shop to the ThisNext site and you can keep track of things you would like to buy. It is a pretty easy way to share you t-shirts with a new audience.

Since Halloween is near - less than 2 months away - they have launched a Halloween contest - just submit your favorite Halloween items and add the tag “TN Halloween” the more items you submit - the more chances you have to win. The prize is a $300 gift certificate to Spirit Halloween stores.

I just submitted my favorite Zombie design to the ThisNext site, check out my recommendation here.

More Halloween blog posts…

• You Still Have Time To Get Your Halloween Flowers
• Halloween Time is Here!
• 3D Screaming Skull Cover: Dress Your PS3 Up for Halloween [PS3]
• Brando USB Pumpkin Lights are Actually Cubicle-Worthy