If your band is new to the world of merchandise, there’s a lot to take in! Not only are there tons of different styles and items, but there are also countless companies that will create customized merchandise for you.
It’s vital that you make the right choices along the way: so how do you pick the best merchandise for your band? Here’s everything you need to know!
What’s the Demographic of Your Fans?
How old are your fans? Different age groups want and can afford different things. For instance, if your fans are mostly teens, you’ll want to invest in making smaller merch like buttons, pins, and small prints.
If most of your fans are in their twenties and older, you can sell more posters, tee-shirts, and large merch of that sort. You can even sell signed albums if you press physical records (which are still extremely popular!).
How Is Popular Your Band Right Now?
How large is your fanbase? If you have a large fanbase, you probably have more buying power. This means you can afford to take risks on larger amounts of merchandise.
There are some companies that help you sell band merch by simply asking you to upload your merchandise and then paying you every time a shirt sells. They cover the work of printing, shipping, and processing orders, so all you have to do is let your fans know where to buy.
You can always go another route, but this is an awesome choice otherwise!
Consider Selling Small Batch Trials
Small batch trials are a great way to get a feel for your audience. If you mostly sell your merch at concerts and shows, consider slipping in small bonus things people can buy: and watch how people react. If you make a bunch of hats for one show and they sell out, that lets you know that’s something your fans are eager to get their hands on.
You can also do this with online sales, announcing a small batch run of goods and seeing if they sell out quickly.
You Can Run a Fan Poll to See What They’d Like
Fan polls are one of the best ways to get a clear view of what your fans want. On apps like Twitter, Instagram, and Tik Tok, you can put polls out that will let you ask your fans to pick between four different options. This will ensure that they get to have a say in what you put out and will give you a clear view of what people are interested in.
Running a poll can save you the trouble you’d have to deal with by putting out a collection of items that nobody would want to buy. Instead, you can invest in what you know they’re interested in.
Merch Is The Best Way to Make Extra Money as a Band
Beyond your music, merch is the second best way to make some dough off of your band! Not only does it give your fans a way to show they love the music, but it also helps them advertise your band: which is great for everyone!