If you’re just starting to get into the world of selling merch online, you’ve probably wondered how to start an audience. It is not an easy task, but it is not impossible either. Plus, we have several tips and suggestions that can give you the push you need to build an audience!
1. Find A Niche And Understand It
Before starting, it is important that you define your target audience, which will be easier after you have found a niche to work with.
By knowing your audience better, you will know what their behaviors and interests are and you will be able to make informed decisions before taking any action. Some of the tools that could be useful are Google Analytics, Google Trends, or close monitoring of different social networks.
2. Rely On Storytelling
The best way to create an audience is to get your potential clients to empathize with you. How? Through a story! Taking advantage of storytelling so that your customers can get to know you, your business, or your niche better will create a stronger bond when it comes to connecting with others and making them remember you for more reasons than your products.
3. Post Content
Sharing your products is a fundamental part of the job, but it is not the only content that will be useful to you. Newsletters with news and promotions and blog posts on related topics that may interest your potential clients, even a funny quote or meme that your audience may want to share, will be key elements to reach a broader audience. There are three factors that you should take into account:
Post Consistently
To avoid losing the interest and attention of your potential clients, you must post content regularly. This way, you will stay relevant. A good strategy is to create a posting plan or calendar that allows you to maintain a sensible pace. Just be careful not to spam!
Post On Different Platforms
When deciding which media you will share your content on, don’t just choose one or two: to expand your audience, you will also have to broaden your horizons. Of course, make sure that your audience is actually on the channel you are using. For example, you will find your older customers on Facebook and not on TikTok.
Post Different Formats
Lastly, give a try to different social media and formats, such as videos or podcasts as well as images and articles. In this way, you will cover the different interests that your followers may have and you will reach a broader audience.
4. Stay True To Your Identity
It is very tempting to get carried away by trends, but it is not always the correct answer. Although experimenting is good, don’t forget to be true to yourself and to your trade, that is, keep focus on the niche you are interested in working on. Especially if your storytelling revolves around said niche. Otherwise, your content could become confusing and even drive away your regular customers!
5. Incorporate Video Content
Nowadays, the most popular content is video, especially on social media. Creating videos that showcase your merch is a great way to reach new audiences and generate impact and engagement. They do not have to be expensive or complex productions; plus, you’ll get better with time!
6. Use Subscriptions
One way to automatically stay in touch with your audience is to work with subscriptions. For example, newsletters or notifications to share relevant content, news, sales, or promotions. Several of these means can be automated, so the actual effort is less than it appears. Be careful with the frequency, however, so as not to create spam and cause your subscribers to unsubscribe.
7. Use Social Media
We have said it several times now, but we want to insist once again: do not underestimate the power of social media. Almost everyone is there, and many use them for shopping. Having a presence on social media is essential, not only so that your store can be found faster and easier, but because it will make it more trustworthy to your potential customers.
Use Facebook Ads
One way to take advantage of social media is to use Facebook Ads, for example, to promote your posts and reach new audiences. It is not such an expensive investment and the results will undoubtedly be worth it. If you want to increase the scope and invest in ads beyond the social networks that Facebook Ads covers, we suggest you try Google Ads.
8. Learn From Your Competitors
A good practice is to study and analyze what your competitors are doing, to know which behaviors and strategies to avoid and which to imitate. Of course, always try to give your own imprint to anything you do. It’s what will make you stand out!
9. Partner With Others
The world of PODs is competitive, but teaming up with other creators can be the path to success. A good strategy is to partner with creators who have a common goal with you and can mutually benefit. You will learn from each other, have access to each other’s audiences, and even attract more attention and generate more interesting content.
10. Monitor What Is Working And What Is Not
Finally, don’t forget to monitor the size of your audience, as well as its composition and how it varies. Do you know where they come from? How many of them return to your store and how many don’t? These are some of the metrics that you should take into account, especially if you use them to track your KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). Keeping a close eye on this information will help you make better, more accurate decisions.
These are some of the suggestions we can give you so that your audience does not stop growing, but we have many more tips and suggestions that may be useful to you.
We wish you the best of success with your store!
