Direct Marketing - How to Get Your Clothing Line Picked Up
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Getting a clothing line picked up by a retailer is usually a sign that a designer has finally hit the big time. But before you embark on this journey toward a career as a professional designer, understand that the clothing industry is very competitive. You must set yourself apart from other designers in the most favorable way possible.
1
Contact your state's business bureau or secretary of state's office to form an official business. Get any licensing required for clothing manufacturers or sellers in your area. Retailers want to know that you're an established operation that can handle a retail relationship professionally.
2
Identify retailers that you believe carry items similar to your designs. For instance, if you make edgy summer clothing for men you might create a list of local and national surf shops to contact. Take a browse through their stores to see what they sell.
3
Isolate the most unique, new and fresh designs in your portfolio that fit the profile of the retailers on your list. If you want the retailer to pick up your entire line, they need to see your best stuff. They can then pick and choose from the rest of your portfolio of designs.
4
Prepare top quality design samples that will truly "wow" the owners of these stores. Spend the money on the best materials and seamstresses available that you need to create the finished clothing pieces.
5
Present your suggested retail prices to the prospective retailer for each piece of clothing in the line. Negotiate a fair discount rate with the retailer that gives you a sufficient profit for each sale.
6
Schedule in-person meetings with prospective retailers to show off your designs. Provide retailers with a marketing plan and a written proposal containing all of the details regarding the line in addition to an in-person presentation.
Tags:
Direct Marketing, Marketing
1
Contact your state's business bureau or secretary of state's office to form an official business. Get any licensing required for clothing manufacturers or sellers in your area. Retailers want to know that you're an established operation that can handle a retail relationship professionally.
2
Identify retailers that you believe carry items similar to your designs. For instance, if you make edgy summer clothing for men you might create a list of local and national surf shops to contact. Take a browse through their stores to see what they sell.
3
Isolate the most unique, new and fresh designs in your portfolio that fit the profile of the retailers on your list. If you want the retailer to pick up your entire line, they need to see your best stuff. They can then pick and choose from the rest of your portfolio of designs.
4
Prepare top quality design samples that will truly "wow" the owners of these stores. Spend the money on the best materials and seamstresses available that you need to create the finished clothing pieces.
5
Present your suggested retail prices to the prospective retailer for each piece of clothing in the line. Negotiate a fair discount rate with the retailer that gives you a sufficient profit for each sale.
6
Schedule in-person meetings with prospective retailers to show off your designs. Provide retailers with a marketing plan and a written proposal containing all of the details regarding the line in addition to an in-person presentation.
