Adding Apparel Products to your YouTube or Podcasting Business

I have a very curated list of my own favorite YouTubers and podcasters that I follow. I subscribe and like their content and I’ll support them any way that I can because they offer such valuable or entertaining material. One of my favorite YouTube personalities recently had to issue a statement about their merch not being sized correctly and it was kinda cringey so I want to make sure this is avoidable for everyone else.

Branded merchandise has become a popular avenue for additional revenue streams. This makes total sense.

Personally speaking, I’d love to feel like I’m part of a club that has a niche group of supporters by wearing that swag, but as an apparel professional I am wary. Not of the people I follow, but of the product quality. I just know that I would buy it, but then it would probably hang in my closet unworn. Now I can tell you exactly why I would not wear that product but your average customer, who you are relying on repping your brand by wearing your merch, more than likely cannot, so the hoodie or tee that they purchased goes unworn. Yes, the purchase is important, but the free advertising…that’s where it is at!

I get it, as a YouTuber or Podcasters you are already an expert in what you do, and having to know apparel manufacturing process inside and out is a tall order, but I’m here to help!

If you are looking to add branded merchandise to your channel or are looking to improve on what you currently have, I’m going to give you the shortlist on things to consider.

1: Only use one-stop shopping fullfillment companies to test the waters

If something seems too easy- there is probably a catch. These companies that deliver merch to you with very little effort on your part seem like the perfect solution to your already busy schedule. But the problem is that decisions are being made without you. Decisions like fabric quality, fit, logo placement, printing style, maybe even colors. You may be fine with this, but in the long term, your customers will not be.

As your product line grows, you will need to be more involved. But don’t hyperventilate yet over one more task to add to your to-do list. If you are getting started, look into this option to test the waters to see if your customers want to buy what you are offering. But just make sure you aren’t dealing with minimum quantities that are so large that you’ll be selling them forever.

2: Sizing

You don’t need to be an expert on sizing but you do need to have a standard. To avoid any questions by potential customers about what sizes to choose you need to have a size chart on your website. Make sure to ask whoever your manufacturer/supplier is for a size chart that corresponds to the garments that you are ordering. This should be a standard chart that specifies BODY measurements for chest, waist and hip circumferences. A customer can look at a chart to see what their body circumference align to in terms of the sizes you offer. There is no standard for “small”, “medium”, “large”, etc.. You will find that mediums can vary from one brand to the other so don’t count on your medium to be an actual medium to you.

Want to know more about size charts? ——> click here to read more

3: Test out a sample

You should be able to order a sample from any fullfillment company that you are considering. When you get this sample don’t just look at it and say “it’s fine”. Actually wear it and wash it. You don’t want to OK a big purchase without trial to only find out that your tshirt neckline is too tight or the length is equal to a dress. You don’t want to get stuck with subpar products that you are embarrassed to sell and they end up in the landfill.

Don’t just take someones word that the garment was “pre-shrunk”. We do not know what qualifies- was the fabric preshrunk or was the garment? Also, maybe the water temp was not as hot as someone using their home machine so it didn’t shrink enough. If someone is spending $75 on one of your hoodies you do not want them to wash it once and find out that it’s one size smaller. I recommend washing in hot water and drying hot-which would be the worst case scenario that a customer can do to your product. You should know what to expect.

4: Put your logo in the right place

I gotta tell you this is my number one gripe when it comes to branded apparel- the logo placement is rarely considered. Let’s say you have a tshirt and the logo is placed in the center. This automatically draws attention to the belly. Even if someone does not have a belly, it’s not a flattering look. For females it’s the worst because we automatically look at words on someones clothing, but if it’s right below their breasts it can seem like they are being looked at inappropriately. Raise it up!

One story I have to share about logo placement fails is I had a client making leggings for women. He wanted his bright yellow logo centered on the front waistband of black leggings, just an inch or so below the belly button, where it would be front and center. However, he failed to consider that most women are self conscious about this area and even if they are not, there really shouldn’t be a visual target here.

Branded merchandise can be a very extensive topic. I’ve only just touched the surface to get you the basics. I applaud you for taking this step into growing your brand. Diversifying your business is where it is at. But just be prepared that as your merchandise offerings grow, so to will your involvement into this area. I’m only being honest because if you are not prepared, you will fail. There are too many people out there who want to tell you how “easy” it can be. I’ve done 20 years in the garment industry and I have yet to experience anything “easy”. Anything worth doing will be work. Just align your mindset accordingly.

Also, I encourage you to either hang out here on the Garmenta Blog, or check out my YouTube channel, and/or follow my Instagram to slowly understand some of what goes into product manufacturing so you have a better grasp. Some of the stuff that I talk about may not seem relevant yet, or it could be completely foreign at this point, but the day will come when you will need to be prepared. Digest it at your own pace.