10 Ways to Make Your Print on Demand Business a Success
Looking to start your own print on demand business? Making it big as an online retailer selling t-shirts isn’t easy, but it can be done if you put in the hard work, learn from other entrepreneurs’ mistakes, and build on what they’ve already learned. If you follow these 10 steps, you’ll be well on your way to making a profitable profit of your own print on demand business!
1) Identify your target market
While print-on-demand can help you sell almost anything, it’s vital that you start by creating a product that resonates with your target market. If you haven’t done so already, narrow down who your target market is and then find out more about their wants and needs. By focusing on what matters most to your customers, you can ensure your business succeeds. Here are some questions to ask yourself: What do my customers want? How can I provide them with products they need? What does my customer base look like? Where do they live? What do they value? How old are they? Are there any commonalities between them that I could capitalize on in terms of messaging or design? The answers will tell you how best to approach your POD business.
2) Create a plan
To start a print-on-demand business, you will need to come up with some sort of plan for how you are going to generate profit. Whether you are offering products or services, there are many different methods for doing so. However, you should have some idea of what your approach is before getting started in order to minimize your risk and create something that is both profitable and sustainable. A good place to start when creating a POD business plan is with an overview of your current situation. You may already be running another type of small business, or you may be looking for additional work opportunities; either way, it’s important to understand where you are coming from before moving forward. If you don’t already own a physical storefront location where customers can visit and buy items directly from you, then starting an online shop is probably your best bet.
3) Create your brand
Whether you’re trying to get your publishing business off of the ground or starting up an art printing business, there are certain steps that must be taken in order for you to create a brand. The easiest way to do this is by coming up with a name and logo for your business. Trademarks can also be important, especially if you plan on using any images or catchphrases as part of your brand identity. It’s also crucial to have a good understanding of how colors, fonts, and imagery will play into your branding efforts. Finally, once you have all of these things figured out, it’s time to get creative! By creating custom designs and illustrations that suit your brand, you will help set yourself apart from other businesses in your industry.
4) Use cost-effective marketing tools
Print-on-demand marketing is an effective way to market your products and services. Many entrepreneurs feel that print-on-demand marketing doesn’t have as much of an impact as other forms of advertising. This is only true if you don’t use tools that are proven for success. Leverage a marketing team if you need help, or attend training seminars or conferences where you can learn more about printing, publishing and designing books, brochures and flyers that effectively market your business at cost-effective prices. These will be less expensive than hiring employees who aren’t familiar with your brand and its goals. Also, make sure you check out online sites like Facebook and Twitter; these social media platforms allow you to reach millions of people at little to no cost. These are two great ways to gain visibility for your brand without breaking your budget.
5) Invest in Digital Marketing
Although print on demand is an amazingly low-cost (and time-saving) alternative to traditional manufacturing, when you’re starting out, it can be hard to drum up business. One way to improve your chances of getting customers is by investing in digital marketing. This includes advertising with Google AdWords, Facebook Ads and so forth—but what you spend will depend upon your budget and overall goals. It’s important to keep in mind that most of these types of ads are pay-per-click (PPC), which means you only pay if someone clicks through to your website. If no one does, then you don’t pay anything! However, if someone does click through and makes a purchase, then your cost per acquisition (CPA) could be high depending on how much money you bid for each click.
6) Create an Email List
Email marketing is one of the best ways to stay in touch with customers. Research by MarketingSherpa found that email campaigns can generate an average of $41 in revenue for every $1 spent. But before you collect anyone’s email address, make sure your website has opt-in boxes and well-written content for people who want more information about your products or services. Include contact info such as phone numbers and mailing addresses so people can easily follow up with you if they have questions. And be sure to provide incentives for signing up—maybe even free samples or coupons. Once you have a list of interested contacts, send them regular updates about new products and special offers. You can also use social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to promote your business—but remember that these are public forums where anything you post is visible to everyone, not just your followers.
7) Provide Excellent Customer Service
Running an online business isn’t easy. In fact, it’s downright hard. There are hundreds of things that need to be done every day, from simple tasks like emailing customers and posting updates on social media, to more complex (and time-consuming) processes like promoting your products and handling difficult customer complaints. For new ecommerce merchants, one of the best ways to increase your chances of success is by providing excellent customer service. Not only will you build trust with potential buyers, but you’ll also be able to quickly address any issues or concerns they might have before they can become serious problems. And, at least in theory, happy customers will tell their friends about their positive experiences—which can help boost sales even further.
8) Provide Fast Turnaround Times
On demand is one of the biggest benefits of print-on-demand services. Customers don’t have to wait weeks or months for their books, calendars, and other products they order. One downside, however, is that customers may be put off by slow turnaround times (typically 1–2 weeks), so make sure you inform them as soon as possible about how long it will take for their book to get from your computer into their hands. This way you can build trust with prospective customers. If your product doesn’t meet these quick turnaround times, consider setting up a separate business specifically for fast production. Offer free shipping: While not always practical if you sell in bulk, offering free shipping can entice customers to buy more than they otherwise would—and more often than not, once someone has ordered from you once, he or she will likely return again and again. Provide top-notch customer service: A good reputation for customer service leads people to trust your brand—and keeps them coming back.
9) Network with Other POD Services
POD services are happy to talk about their experiences and share what has worked for them. If you’re setting up your own print-on-demand business, contact printing companies that offer similar services. Not only will they be happy to give you advice, but they may also be able to point you in some useful directions as far as suppliers and customers are concerned. This can save you time and money in getting started.
10) Offer Great Design Services
Customers who come to your site looking for print services will quickly realize that you’re not Amazon—and, if you don’t offer great design services, they won’t be back. Focus your attention on providing customers with a great design experience so that they have no reason not to reorder from you. And remember: first impressions are everything! Good design makes repeat customers almost inevitable.
