The online storeowner revolution is in full swing.
In 2017, an estimated 1.66 billion people worldwide purchase goods online. During the same year, global e-retail sales amounted to 2.3 trillion U.S. dollars and projections show a growth of up to 4.48 trillion U.S. dollars by 2021.
That is serious cash waiting to be had.
The biggest reason for the jump in ecommerce is the ease in which it takes to get set up. However, just because it’s easy to start, doesn’t mean it’s easy to be successful.
The best way to make consistent month-over-month profit is with strategic social media marketing and reliable print on demand production.
How to Start
The easiest and most cost-effective way to sell online is through a Shopify store. Customizing the look and setup of your store is as simple as selecting features that have already been developed and optimized for user experience and SEO.
The next thing to do is to find a reliable print on demand app that automates the making and delivery of your products. Gooten’s Shopify App allows you to upload your designs to create new products, and processes each sold item directly into production for delivery.
On demand production means you don’t have to carry inventory or manage a costly warehouse. This frees up your time to concentrate on your online marketing and creating campaigns that connect with your following.
For brands who know how to engage their followers and build an audience, it’s easier to hit the floor running to generate sales. Here are 4 great ways you can leverage on demand products through your social media channels.=
Contests and Giveaways
Most of the thrill of a contest is the sheer joy in being part of the excitement, tagging a friend, joining together in the hopes of winning something FREE. Your giveaway is the icing on the cake of fun.
Of course, you want to make sure what you giveaway is something of high quality, cleverly designed, and whether it’s a tote bag or a phone case, the item needs to be of use or benefit to the winner. Nobody wants junk, even if it’s free. The $20 or so it costs for you to build excitement amongst your audience is worth the investment.
Holidays (Real and Otherwise)
Did you have a good Siblings Day this year? How was your Pi Day on a scale of 1 to 3.14159265359?
Christmas and Cyber Monday aren’t the only ecommerce holiday opportunities out there. There is pretty much a day for everything! So do your research ahead of time, and start planning fun online promotions around the plethora of ecommerce holidays available. Make sure your designs reflect the spirit of the special day you’re targeting.
What’s Trending Now
As mentioned, one of the great perks of on demand production is not having to sink money into inventory that wastes away and drains your profits. Storing and selling products online gives you the opportunity to test and create new designs as often as you like. This is especially useful when it comes to capitalizing on the latest fad, viral sensation, popular show on Netflix, Jonas Brother, or whatever is taking hold in pop culture.
Use a tool like Google Trends to discover what search trends are happening. Or research popular hashtags on Instagram and Twitter to see what conversations are prevailing online. This will inspire the products you choose to sell, and how you create your designs or word art.
You Doing You
The thing people love the most about you – is you! That isn’t just guidance counselor talk either, it’s the actual truth. You developing and building out your own unique brand through social media is the best thing you can do to separate yourself from the competition.
What are your catch phrases? What is your design aesthetic like? How do the products you promote and the way you promote them tie into your overall messaging and tone?
The tools to taking advantage of on demand production are out there. By capitalizing on the right opportunities and showcasing your unique brand, you can eventually build a humming online business nearly capable of running itself.
Frank Jackson is the Senior Content Manager for Gooten, an ecommerce solution for print on demand and dropshipping. Visit www.gooten.com to learn more about how you can start creating new products and generating online sales today.