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Guide to Using CafePress for Offline Retail Selling
Go Offline with Your CafePress Merchandise
By R. Jean Roth
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Highly Useful
6.3
out of 10
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You have your CafePress shop up and running. People are buying and some may even ask "where can I buy your products offline?" Are the gears turning but not sure where to drive you to yet? (This guide is under construction)
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
The Switchboards - Indie Women's Business Community
Site and wonderful forum for women in indie business, especially the creative businesses. While a great deal of it is handicrafts-oriented, there is tons of great information for all businesses. Great place to hear about street fairs, shows, blogs, advertising opportunities, and you'll find supportive members who value support, sharing and teamwork over competition.
I recommend: The Switchboards
CafePress
Have a few products in mind but leery of investing in silkscreening? Or maybe you want to expand to full-color digital printing and sell at shows or fairs? Have you tried CafePress yet?
I recommend: CafePress
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Start small, start local, just to get the hang of it. We all feel shy in the beginning. Get a friend to help out for emotional support, to man the booth when you need a break, and to hopefully help with the crowds ;)
- Check an event out first when feasible. This is especially true when you are considering a shopping event that costs $200-300 plus to rent a booth space. Some such events are not held that often; in that case try to find out from other vendors how the event usually is. (Another good reason to find helpful online groups and forums.)
- Find out if you need a business license and/or a resellers permit. Some fairs and markets require them. In California, a resellers permit is available from the State Board of Equalization (https://efile.boe.ca.gov/boewebservices/verification.jsp?action=SALES) , and business licenses are city-based.
- Make your display appealing. View it from a few yards away. What catches your eye? What seems to get lost? Consider investing in a vinyl name banner and some ways to hang a few shirts. Some people use hangers or manniquins or garment racks, othes use stackable shelves or closet organizers.
- Recommended supplies to have on hand: business cards and more business cards placed where people can easily take them; pens, marker pen, sales/invoice book (2 or 3 copy type), stapler, clipboard or journal if you have a sign-up sheet, another clipboard if you need to take credt card information, credit card supplies if applicable; calculator, cash box or pouch (many people wear aprons with pockets); bags for trash; drinking water; hat and sunscreen if outside; adhesive roller to remove lint from dark garments (especially if you live with pets). Don't forget change!!!
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Recommended Solution Providers | Back to top |
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The most cost-effective way for you to sell your CafePress products offline is to buy them in bulk when possible. As with screen printing, you must buy the minimum number of one type of product , ie, 15 white tees. However, unlike screen printing, with CafePress you can get different designs on the products. CP also does not charge for printing on multiple locations, nor do they charge per color. Its a great way get an assortment and see what your customers go for.
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Best Sites to Learn More | Back to top |
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Although it was written for craftsters, there is tons of good info here about what to anticipate when you try your first sale or street market.
One very point is to know what to expect and what sort of customers and vendors are expected. Be honest with yourself -- does your style fit? Because if not, you might end up wasting time and money.
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Best Blogs and Forums | Back to top |
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Supportive, warm and resourceful forum for woman-owned indie and DIY businesses -- forum areas include PR, web issues, money matters, legal issues, resources, meetups, how to balance work and life,, bartering, and more.
Huge site for all types of event listings. You might find some local shopping events, flea or street markets and other types of sales here.
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