Tips for Making Merch Work For You

Successful artists want their fans to remember their shows, well after the roadies have packed up and their concerts are over. They want their fans to have a great experience, a vibe they can enjoy and share with others. Selling them merch encourages fans to share their enthusiasm and it gives them something tangible to show off to friends and family. It also allows them to feel a deeper connection to their favorite artists and their music.

If you plan on taking music seriously, make merch a priority.

Start small and work up in size

Just because some artists have big-ticket items, doesn’t mean you need to start off huge. If you are on a budget, Try starting off with posters or club cards. They’re a great way to get something in fans’ hands that they can take home. Like anything in life, you have to walk before you can run. So start small and build up to items like T-shirts, tote bags or specialty hats.

Stay involved

You’ve gotten your customized merchandise, you have a gig, and it’s time to sell your stuff. Now what? As a young artist, it’s important that before or after the show, you socialize with your fans. If you meet and greet your fans, they are likely to buy something for you to sign (be prepared, always carry a Sharpie!). Successful artists do this constantly because they know the value of a “fan-to-artist connection.”

Sharing and selling merch lets your fans stay connected to you and you to them. When they’re happy with the merch you created, you’ll know your merch is working for you.