<h2>Episode 203 - How to Compete in a Crowded DTF Market</h2><h3>Intro: The Shop Struggle</h3><ul><li>DTF is booming and more businesses are jumping in.<ul><li>DTF is much easier than older methods like screen printing.</li><li>Barrier to entry is lower with 'production friendly' equipment under $15k.</li><li>Full-Digital Apparel that looks, feels and washes great is 'easy' to make.</li></ul></li><li>If you're feeling squeezed on price, overwhelmed by competition, or stuck on how to grow this episode is for you.</li></ul><h3>Why It Feels Crowded</h3><ul><li>Custom t-shirt businesses are more common than even just a decade ago.</li><li>People have a 'friend' or 'cousin' with a cricut.</li><li>Customer expectations are all over the place a "Why is this shirt $30 when the guy down the street sells it for $15?".</li><li>Social media makes everyone look busy, even if they aren't making money.</li></ul><h3>The Good News</h3><ul><li>Just because everyone's cousin makes shirts, doesnt mean they are good at it.</li><li>Most 'side-hustlers' give up or cannot deliver.</li><li>The business isnt 'easy' so YOU putting in the work will be around when others won't.</li><li>The barrier to entry to be profitable is still high enough that its not for everyone.</li><li>You can still produce a high-quality custom logo apparel for the same price or cheaper than stores sell blank apparel.</li></ul><h3>Avoid Common Traps</h3><ul><li>Racing to the bottom on price.<ul><li>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."</li></ul></li><li>Undercharging because they don't know how to break down costs and margins.<ul><li>Know your numbers!</li><li>Consider other costs - website, accounting software, credit card fees.</li></ul></li><li>No Systems in place to make sure your business runs well<ul><li>No workflows</li><li>No pricing structure</li><li>No Schedules</li><li>No delegation</li><li>No CRM</li></ul></li><li>Trying to do it all: artwork, printing, packaging, selling - without delegation or efficiency.</li></ul><h3>Competing the Smart Way</h3><ul><li>Find Your Differentiator: Custom designs? Rush jobs? Better garments? Customer service? Find 1-3 core differentiators and talk about them all the time.</li><li>Find Your Niche What is your ideal customer or product? Push towards that and spend less time trying to compete beyond.</li><li>Charge What You're Worth: Because of the above, you can (and should) charge more than others.</li><li>Tighten Production: Tips to streamline (pre-press setups, batching jobs, designated work zones).<ul><li>Less mistakes</li><li>Faster delivery</li><li>Less waste</li></ul></li><li>Customer Experience<ul><li>Personal delivery</li><li>Handwritten thank yous</li><li>Reorder reminders</li><li>Birthday / Anniversary</li></ul></li></ul><h3>Growing in a Crowded Space</h3><ul><li>Don't be Amazon / Walmart You can't beat the lowest price, but you can offer the best experience / quality.<ul><li>People will want to buy from YOU / Your Business... because you are not the big business.</li></ul></li><li>Get Referrals Working<ul><li>Script for asking for referrals</li><li>Remind people again</li><li>Give/Get program</li></ul></li><li>Leverage What You Already Have<ul><li>Upsells / bundled product</li></ul></li><li>Be the best on the block<ul><li>You would be surprised on how many people havent truly mastered their craft, be a master. Experiment, practice, play, learn.</li></ul></li><li>Invest in an Efficiency (repeat): Set goals for single efficiencies you can invest in (even if it's small.)<ul><li>Additional heat presses</li><li>Accounting software</li><li>CRM</li><li>Ecom Store</li></ul></li></ul><h3>Final Thoughts: There's Still Room!</h3><ul><li>You don't need to be the best at everything, just the most dialed-in for your customers.</li><li>Think efficient and excellent, not big and chaotic.<ul><li>You don't need to be the master of an entire catalog of products, just be fantastic at a handful.</li></ul></li><li>If you are struggling to compete with lower priced competitors, consider changing how to are getting your business or what you sell.<ul><li>Only offer premium quality apparel</li><li>Look for a niche or type of customer that is going to be less price concerned.</li><li>Purchase apparel from the 'cheap' competition to see how you can offer a better product (and sell against that.)</li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>Challenge: What's one thing you can fix in your pricing or workflow this week?</strong></p>


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