Seven essential print on demand marketing strategies to drive sales

If you're looking to elevate your POD game or just starting out and eager to get it right from the get-go, you're in the perfect place. We're about to embark on a journey through some essential strategies that are surefire ways to boost your sales. From pinpointing your niche to mastering the art of SEO, there's a lot to uncover. Ready to up your POD marketing ante?

• The rise of print on demand (POD) has transformed ecommerce, allowing for customized product printing only upon order, eliminating overstock. 

• POD offers benefits such as low startup costs, no inventory management, and a platform for designers to bring creative ideas to life without major financial risks.

• With the vastness of the POD space, marketing becomes essential to stand out. It helps in identifying niche markets and amplifying presence through SEO, social media, and influencer partnerships.

• POD marketing strategy includes finding a targeted niche, leveraging social media platforms, collaborating with authentic influencers, showcasing user-generated content, and implementing SEO strategies.

If you’ve recently been hearing the buzz about print on demand (POD), you’re not alone. This industry has taken the ecommerce world by storm, and there’s a good reason for its soaring popularity. 

Print on demand is all about printing customized designs on products, but only once someone orders them. Gone are the days of massive inventory stockpiles and unsold items collecting dust. With POD, you print what you sell.

It began with books. Writers who had been sidelined by traditional publishers found their voice through POD publishing. But now, it's not just about books. From t-shirts, hoodies, and mugs, to even pillows - if you can think of it, POD platforms can likely print it.

Why the sudden popularity?

Print on demand (POD) is revolutionizing the entrepreneurial landscape with its many benefits. From offering low startup costs to eliminating the need for significant investments, it gives you the head start you need as a new entrepreneur, so you're set.

There's also the convenience of not managing inventory; instead of predicting stock, you print precisely based on customer demands. And the cherry on top? It's a haven for creativity, enabling designers to bring even their quirkiest of ideas to life without the looming threat of substantial losses. In short, POD is a game-changer for modern businesses.

The print on demand space is vast and growing with each passing day. While it's a testament to the success of this ecommerce business model, it also means you're swimming in a sea filled with fish. To make sure your products aren't just floating aimlessly, paid advertising and offline marketing strategies help you stand out in this bustling ocean.

Even the best products need a spotlight. Without marketing efforts, your POD store might as well be a hidden gem in a dense jungle. Whether it's through SEO, social media campaigns, or influencer partnerships, marketing amplifies your presence, ensuring you're seen and heard.

So you've got these fantastic designs and products ready to roll, but the big question looms—how do you get these in front of eager eyes? Follow the marketing tactics below, and you will be able to promote your custom product range to your target market the right way.

1. Find your niche

Before we throw money into ads or start any viral TikTok challenges, let's discuss the real MVP – your niche. Think of it as setting the stage before the big show.

Every product isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay! By zeroing in on a particular audience, you’re not just shotgunning your efforts; you’re taking a laser-focused approach. 

This means that the people who come across your POD products aren’t just window shopping—they're more likely to buy because your products speak to them.

2. Harness the power of social media platforms

In the modern marketing world, the power of social media is undeniable, especially for print on demand (POD) businesses. Each platform offers its unique flair, and knowing how to leverage it can be the difference between a 'like' and a 'sale.'

Let's take a peek at the big players. Instagram excels with its visual-centric approach, ideal for highlighting POD designs. Facebook, beyond social networking, boasts a robust ad system targeting diverse demographics. 

TikTok, the latest sensation, leverages concise, engaging videos to quickly amplify product visibility, and Pinterest serves as an inspiration hub, where your designs can seamlessly integrate with users' boards, enhancing organic reach.

Tailored strategies for each platform

• Instagram: Use carousel posts for product variations, engage with IG story polls, and collaborate with influencers in your niche.

• Facebook: Create a dedicated brand page, engage with community groups, and utilize the power of targeted ads. Regularly host interactive live sessions or Q&A segments to foster deeper community engagement.

• TikTok: Showcase behind-the-scenes looks, quick DIY print design tips, or fun unpacking videos to engage viewers. Make use of trending music and challenges to amplify your content's reach and virality.

• Pinterest: Pin high-quality images of your products, create themed boards, and integrate shopping links. Ensure you utilize keyword-rich descriptions to enhance searchability and direct potential customers to your POD site.

3. Collaborate with influencers

Who do modern consumers trust more? Which brands or peers and personalities do they follow? Influencers are today's digital-age celebrities who play a pivotal role in shaping consumer choices, especially in the Print on Demand (POD) domain. 

Influencers come with a ready audience. Collaborating with them is like getting an express ticket to a targeted demographic already engaged and primed to listen. For a POD business, this means immediate visibility, trust, and potential sales.

Strategy to find your influencer match

• Audience over numbers: Don't just go by follower count. Ensure the influencer's audience aligns with your brand and product style.

• Engagement metrics matter: High engagement rates—likes, comments, shares—often trump follower numbers. It means their audience is active and invested. The quality of these engagements, like reading comments, can offer insights into how receptive the audience is to product recommendations.

• Authenticity is key: Opt for influencers who have a genuine connection with their followers and consistently deliver authentic content. Influencers with genuine rapport often see higher conversion rates, as their endorsements come across as heartfelt and trustworthy.

4. Leverage user-generated content

Remember those moments when you've bought something because you saw a 'real' person use or wear it? Not an actor in a commercial, but someone like you? User-generated content is content, be it photos, videos, reviews, or even tweets, created by people who use your products. 

And here's the kicker: User-generated content is like the word of mouth of the digital age. People trust people. When customers share their love for your POD items, it serves as a genuine endorsement, instantly boosting your brand's credibility and allure.

Tips to turn customer love into marketing magic

• Feature on your website: Have a dedicated section for customer photos, reviews, or testimonials. Regularly updating this section with fresh content can boost site engagement and provide real-time social proof to potential buyers.

• Repost on social media: When customers tag you, repost their content (with permission, of course). It not only validates their effort but also serves as a testament to your product's popularity.

• Email newsletters: Showcase customer stories, photos, or reviews in your regular communications. It's a nod of appreciation and an implicit nudge for others to join the UGC parade.

5. Craft sparkling product descriptions

You've got a killer product, snapped the perfect photo, and now it's time for the words. But wait, you can't just write a plain description and expect cartloads of sales. Every product has a story; maybe it's the inspiration behind its design or the emotion it's meant to evoke. 

By infusing your description with storytelling, you're not just selling a product; you're offering an experience, a journey. Remember, people might forget what they bought, but they'll always remember how it made them feel.

Pro tips to make your descriptions pop!

• Be clear & concise: While storytelling is great, ensure your descriptions are still straightforward and easy to grasp. A concise description respects the reader's time and often results in quicker decision-making.

• Use action words: Create a vivid mental image by using dynamic verbs and adjectives. By breathing life into your descriptions, you can captivate your audience and make the product jump off the page.

• Highlight benefits over features: Sure, it's a "100% cotton tee," but why should they care? Maybe because it offers "breezy comfort even on scorching summer days." Always remember, customers buy solutions to their problems, not just products.

6. Amplify trust with reviews & testimonials

If the internet has taught us anything, it's that people love sharing their opinions. And when it comes to purchasing, others' experiences can be a guiding light, especially in the realm of online shopping. 

Reviews and testimonials are like personal recommendations from a global neighborhood. Potential buyers can't touch or try your products firsthand, so they lean heavily on others' experiences. 

A product with glowing reviews often feels like a safer bet, anchoring its trustworthiness and reducing purchase hesitation. So, harnessing reviews and testimonials can effectively make your brand stand tall and proud in a crowd!

Tips to encourage genuine reviews

• Post-purchase prompts: Send a friendly email nudge or notification asking for reviews after customers have had time to experience the product. Timing is key; strike while the experience is still fresh in their minds for more detailed and genuine feedback.

• Incentives always help: Consider offering discounts or loyalty points for genuine reviews to motivate customers. Such gestures not only encourage feedback but also foster customer loyalty and repeat business.

• Open feedback channels: Allow a space for both positive and critical feedback. It shows transparency and provides opportunities for improvement. Embracing all feedback, especially constructive criticism, can enhance your brand's image and showcase your commitment to excellence.

7. Employ SEO strategies

So you've got a stellar print on demand product, but how do you ensure it shines brightly in the vast POD space? In a word, SEO.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the art (and a bit of science) of making your online store visible to search engines. The key to unlocking SEO success? Keywords. But not just any keywords—tailored, niche-specific terms that your potential buyers are typing into search bars. 

Tools like Google's Keyword Planner or SEMrush can be your trusty compass, pointing toward relevant keywords that resonate with your audience. Alright, buckle up because we're about to embark on a crash course on SEO!

On-page & off-page SEO: Covering all bases

On-page SEO:

• Meta descriptions & titles: This is the first thing searchers see on results pages. Make it catchy, relevant, and sprinkle in those keywords! Crafting them strategically can boost your click-through rates, inviting more potential buyers to your store.

• Image optimization: Ensure images are of high quality, appropriately sized, and have relevant alt-text. Remember, search engines can't "see" images like humans can; alt-text helps them understand and rank your content.

• Internal linking: Guide visitors to related products or articles on your site. It's all about creating a seamless journey. By thoughtfully connecting relevant pages, you can enhance user engagement and increase the average time spent on your site.

Off-page SEO:

• Backlinks: Think of these as votes of confidence from other websites. Aim for quality over quantity. Relevant, high-authority backlinks not only bolster your site's reputation but also signal to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy.

• Social media: Engaging content on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest can drive traffic and enhance your site's authority. Moreover, paid ads, consistent interactions, and shares on these marketing channels amplify brand awareness, weaving a web of digital touchpoints for potential customers.

• Guest blogging: By creating content for related websites, you can tap into new audiences and build credibility. It's a two-fold win: you establish yourself as an expert in the field while also generating valuable backlinks to your POD site.

Running a print on demand (POD) business can be as exciting as that first brush of paint on canvas. However, to truly shine in this domain, you need more than just creative designs. You need a reliable partner to bring your vision to life, and that’s where Gelato steps in.

Instead of printing products halfway across the world, Gelato produces close to where your customers are. This not only reduces shipping distances and times but also leaves a smaller carbon footprint. 

In ecommerce, the quicker you deliver, the happier your customer. And happiness often translates to repeat business and positive reviews. Gelato's integrated network ensures custom products, such as t-shirts, mugs, wall art, phone cases, etc., are dispatched swiftly, leading to gleeful "It's here already!" exclamations from your clientele.

Gelato's cutting-edge print on demand platform also ensures you only produce what's ordered without worrying about excess stock and wasted resources. More than just a fulfillment platform, Gelato supercharges your POD business. With local production, speedy shipping, and the freedom of zero inventory, you can set your print on demand store apart. Sign up for Gelato today!