Idea

It does not matter if you are a popular content creator, podcaster, a youtuber or you want to create your own merch brand, your merch needs to be unique and creative not only that you can set yourself apart but merch can be worn on daily by your customers and fans.

• Idea: Take notes, use a sketchblock or a digital alternative to draw and write your idea down. Explore different varations and paths so you can pick the best ones.
• Inspiration: Get inspiration from:
  Trends: Go to Instagram and Youtube for current trends
  Artists: Check out Artist Communities and Websites
  Brands: Check big brand online shops for their best selling products
  other Merch: see what others are producing and selling
  

Research & Plan

This is one of the most important phases and also where you should stay motivated. Don't strive for perfection at this point. Iteration and learning is important. Even after dropping merch and sales, there will be changes to designs, your texts, brand and merch.

• USP: Niche, Trends,
  
• Brand: Name: Research
  Online: Domain, E-Mail, Website
  Design: Logo
  Products:
  
• Marketing: Keyword research: Amazon Search Results, Amazon Product Reviews,
• Budget: Costs: Production, Taxes, Shipping,
  Selling: Pricing
  

Creative Design

There are two main ways to create design for your merch. Either you can create the design yourself or somebody else can create the design, mockups, logos, photos for you.

• DIY:
  Advantage: Lower Costs, More Control, Custom Designs, Personal touch
  Disadvantage: Scaling, Time consuming, Quality depends on your skill ,
  : Affinity, Photoshop
• Outsource: UpWork, Fiverr,
• Photography: placeit

Production

Find where and what kind of merch can be manufactured.

• On-demand:
  Advantage: Low entry costs, Disadvantage: Lower Margin
• Mass Production:
  

Sell

• Online Store: Shopify, Big Commerce
• Marketplace: Amazon, Etsy,
• Merch Stores: Merch by Amazon, Redbubble, Cafe Press, Teespring, Spreadshirt

• Fulfillment
• Do it yourself:
• 3rd Party:
• All-in-One:

Marketing & Optimization

• Rechnungs vorlage (muster)