Episode 203 - How to Compete in a Crowded DTF MarketIntro: The Shop Struggle* DTF is booming and more businesses are jumping in. + DTF is much easier than older methods like screen printing. + Barrier to entry is lower with 'production friendly' equipment under $15k. + Full-Digital Apparel that looks, feels and washes great is 'easy' to make. * If you're feeling squeezed on price, overwhelmed by competition, or stuck on how to grow this episode is for you.

Why It Feels Crowded* Custom t-shirt businesses are more common than even just a decade ago. * People have a 'friend' or 'cousin' with a cricut. * Customer expectations are all over the place a "Why is this shirt $30 when the guy down the street sells it for $15?". * Social media makes everyone look busy, even if they aren't making money.

The Good News* Just because everyone's cousin makes shirts, doesnt mean they are good at it. * Most 'side-hustlers' give up or cannot deliver. * The business isnt 'easy' so YOU putting in the work will be around when others won't. * The barrier to entry to be profitable is still high enough that its not for everyone. * You can still produce a high-quality custom logo apparel for the same price or cheaper than stores sell blank apparel.

Avoid Common Traps* Racing to the bottom on price. + You will NEVER be the cheapest. "There is hardly anything in this world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper." * Undercharging because they don't know how to break down costs and margins. + Know your numbers! + Consider other costs - website, accounting software, credit card fees. * No Systems in place to make sure your business runs well + No workflows + No pricing structure + No Schedules + No delegation + No CRM * Trying to do it all: artwork, printing, packaging, selling - without delegation or efficiency.

Competing the Smart Way* Find Your Differentiator: Custom designs? Rush jobs? Better garments? Customer service? Find 1-3 core differentiators and talk about them all the time. * Find Your Niche What is your ideal customer or product? Push towards that and spend less time trying to compete beyond. * Charge What You're Worth: Because of the above, you can (and should) charge more than others. * Tighten Production: Tips to streamline (pre-press setups, batching jobs, designated work zones). + Less mistakes + Faster delivery + Less waste * Customer Experience + Personal delivery + Handwritten thank yous + Reorder reminders + Birthday / Anniversary

Growing in a Crowded Space* Don't be Amazon / Walmart You can't beat the lowest price, but you can offer the best experience / quality. + People will want to buy from YOU / Your Business... because you are not the big business. * Get Referrals Working + Script for asking for referrals + Remind people again + Give/Get program * Leverage What You Already Have + Upsells / bundled product * Be the best on the block + You would be surprised on how many people havent truly mastered their craft, be a master. Experiment, practice, play, learn. * Invest in an Efficiency (repeat): Set goals for single efficiencies you can invest in (even if it's small.) + Additional heat presses + Accounting software + CRM + Ecom Store

Final Thoughts: There's Still Room!* You don't need to be the best at everything, just the most dialed-in for your customers. * Think efficient and excellent, not big and chaotic. + You don't need to be the master of an entire catalog of products, just be fantastic at a handful. * If you are struggling to compete with lower priced competitors, consider changing how to are getting your business or what you sell. + Only offer premium quality apparel + Look for a niche or type of customer that is going to be less price concerned. + Purchase apparel from the 'cheap' competition to see how you can offer a better product (and sell against that.)

Challenge: What's one thing you can fix in your pricing or workflow this week?