Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:07:39 — 61.9MB)

Please find some links and notes from the 2 Regular Guys Podcast. Terry and Aaron talk about finding business and keeping your pipeline full is one of the most difficult tasks we see small businesses struggle with and we are passionate about helping you overcome that challenge. Back in February and again in March we started this conversation about niche market and finding the right one for you. We’ll wrap up with Part 3 today, sharing with you some new techniques to find your own niche and just hopefully get your creativity and excitement flowing when it comes to finding new business.

Other Items:

Discover Niche Markets

What kind of business is each of us really in? A service for the most part, albeit a creative service. But what are we really selling? Happiness, being a part of something, pride, accomplishment, etc.

In February we discussed:
Thinking like an entrepreneur.
Who has the most expendable income?
If you do good work, business will build upon business will build upon business.
People will pay a premium for what they’re passionate about. Create a niche market based on people’s passions.
Take it on the road.
Commemorate the adventures of a lifetime.
Find a niche that’s totally outside the box.
Find a niche that allows for a series of repeat orders.
Find a unique approach to a traditional market.
It’s not always the price. Make it easy for your customer to buy from you. “I’ll take care of everything!”
Combine your own interests and passions with your garment decoration business.
Help your customer to market their product and you take care of the details.

In April we discussed:
At every activity, with every event, you should think, “I should do shirts!”
Create a successful concept then promote the idea of it to your target market.
Is there a niche market that’s underserved, or improperly served?
Create a niche from your own experiences.
An idea doesn’t have to be unique, you just have to do it better.
Create a market where no market existed before.
Find that secret approach that no one else has discovered about your unique niche.
Show someone their logo or image on a product and they have trouble saying no.

Part Three of our Discover Niche Markets Series

Go into your niche market with the attitude that you OWN this market.
Create a niche that you can duplicate, duplicate, duplicate.
- Example: Cedar Point printer
Find a niche that has the potential of growth.
- Example: Class reunions every 5 years
Think about how you want to (or need to) be paid, and determine if your niche ideas match that criterion.
- Example: ROTC programs
Get through the door by offering a unique product or a product for a special event.
- Example: Campus bookstores… blackouts, whiteouts, etc.
There are underserved markets around us hungry for decorators doing quality work and keeping their promises!
- Example: Rock bands
Understand who the buyer really is.
- Example: Golf tournaments
Partner with people who have related products or services, who can help you while you help them.
- Example: Screen printers, embroiderers, sublimators… Look even further out too – Promotional Products
Find a niche where you can invest yourself. Give back while you sell your product to support your own cause or passion.
- Example: The cause
You be the warehouse and distributor, and let your customer do what they do best.
- Example: Lawn care, garages, car washes…
When searching out your own niche, understand that people want to belong. They want to be seen as a member or associated with a group or an activity.
- Example: Gyms and personal trainers
Sit down and make a list of 20 unique concepts or places for selling garments. Don’t stop until you write 20 ideas, without judging the quality of your list.

Trade Shows

ISS Nashville May 19-21
NBM Indianapolis June 2-4
ASI Chicago July 13-14
IPIC Vegas July 11-14
NBM Long Beach July 14-16
Embroidery Mart Nashville Aug 5-6
NBM Baltimore Aug 18-20

Other News/Events

Complete Screen Printing Business Course – Atlas Screen Supply in Chicago – May 14-15

Terry’s Books

Screen Printing: A Practical Guide to Starting Your Own T-Shirt Business Just $4.95 as an e-book.

Direct to Garment: A Practical Guide to Starting Your Own T-Shirt Business Just $4.95 as an e-book.

Scheduling and Estimating Production Time for Garment Screen Printing Just $2.99 as an e-book

This show is brought to you for a full hour by: Equipment Zone, with 20 years experience selling garment printing equipment nationwide. Equipment Zone offers the new Epson F2000 SureColor direct-to-garment printer, their own VelociJet-XL DTG printer, and the all new SpeedTreater-TX automatic pretreat machine with a full 16”x24” pretreat area. Introductory price is $3,995. Equipment Zone also carries a full line of DTG inks and supplies. Go to EquipmentZone.com

This show is for the listeners so please make sure to ask us some questions or give us some topics you would like us to discuss. Also, if you have any event or upcoming items related to our industry that you would like us to bring up on the show, please contact us via our Facebook Page. Also, make sure to interact/follow us on Twitter or Google +. You can also find information over at our YouTube Page.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:34 — 55.5MB)

It’s Valentine’s Day, and we’re feeling the love—for this industry, for our businesses, and for all of you! This week, we’re not only sharing what we love about the garment and product decorating world, but we’re also kicking off Season 13 of the 2 Regular Guys Podcast! From the creativity and innovation to the incredible community that makes this industry special, we’re celebrating everything that keeps us coming back week after week. But this show isn’t just about us—we want to hear from you! Join us live and share what you love about your business, your craft, and this amazing industry. Let’s start the next chapter of 2RG with appreciation, positivity, and a whole lot of passion!

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