Looking for a side gig that’ll warm not just your wallet but also your customers? Selling custom hoodies might just be your ticket for that. Once the chill sets in, the demand for these snuggly garments skyrockets. Hoodie sales are already rising. So why not capitalize on some entrepreneurship opportunities and explore how you can cash in big?
Why Hoodies?
Hoodies are the Swiss Army knives of the clothing world. They’re comfy, can be layered in a lot of ways, and everyone just loves owning a few (or a lot). Besides, hoodies have a universal appeal and a reputation for selling well any time of the year. The garment simply does not go out of style. But the best thing about hoodies that makes them a perfect side hustle item is the customization potential. You can find the wackiest designs on hoodies these days, more than t-shirts. And finally, they can be sold at pretty high markups for serious profit.
No Arts Degree Required To Customize Hoodies
Don’t sweat it if you can’t draw a straight line – creating awesome hoodie designs is easier than you think. Here are a few pointers.
- Brainstorm ideas: What’s trending? What do YOU love?
- Keep it simple at first: Sometimes, less is more (and easier to print)
- Use online tools: Canva and similar sites make design a breeze
- Test your designs: Get feedback before you commit to production
Hoodies Come In Many Styles
You just need to settle down on one or a few. I recommend starting with the classic pullovers. But if you want to go a little further with creative customizations, there are other styles you can check out.
- Zip-up hoodies: For those who like options (and easy outfit changes)
- Cropped hoodies: Fashion-forward and great for layering
- Oversized hoodies: All the rage now
Offering a variety can help you catch different types of customers. You can source them all at surprisingly low per-piece prices if you buy them bulk from a reliable supplier. You should absolutely get wholesale hooded sweatshirts in bulk if you want to minimize the spend and maximize the returns.
Making Them Buyable Strategically
You’ve got the goods. But to sell them, you are going to need to be a little strategic, even if this is just a side hustle. A lot of people do this, and you have to stand out. Here are a couple of tried-and-true selling strategies.
- Online marketplaces: Etsy, Amazon Handmade, or your own Shopify store
- Social media: Instagram, Reddit, and TikTok can get you to pop in your market
- Consignment shops: Let local stores do some selling for you
Because this is a side hustle, you have room to go liberal without netting considerable losses. Offer bundle deals or loyalty discounts to retain customers and encourage positive word of mouth. Apart from that, you can market the hoodies through micro-influencers for a good start. Always follow up with your customers after selling a piece, and see if you can get a picture of the customer wearing your merch. If you play your cards right, this side hustle might even grow into a full-time gig that can make you thousands of dollars in profits every day.
Speaking of profits…
Don’t Sell Yourself Short
Figuring out prices can be trickier because there are others doing the same thing you are doing with custom hoodies, with just as much liberty in pricing as you do. But a little number crunching and research should put you on a decent spot.
- Calculate your costs (materials, time, overhead)
- Source blank hoodies from trusted suppliers that offer the best pricing
- Research competitor prices
- Factor in your unique value (killer designs, quality, etc.)
- Charge what you’re worth
If your prices make you a little nervous, you’re probably on the right track.
Customer Service Is How You Grow Super Fast
Great service is the secret ingredient to growing fast, no matter who says otherwise. Great service is how one-time buyers become regulars and endorsers. Keep these tips in mind.
- People want their hoodies yesterday, so try to deliver as fast as possible
- Never neglect to update customers on their order status
- Gather feedback, and thank them on your social media pages
- Send a cute thank-you note along with the order so they feel gratified to have supported your little venture
What They Don’t Tell You
Because the garment is so hugely popular, the design game keeps changing. If you want to not get overshadowed by other products, you should be looking into a couple of things like:
- Trending designs and styles
- Stand-out customization ideas
- Networking opportunities with other sellers
- Top influencers in the niche and what they’re promoting
- Current cheapest source in the market (the prices keep changing among suppliers)
- Backup customization resources
Who knows? Your winter side hustle might just snowball into something big this year. Provided your dish with some creativity, elbow grease, and a little business savvy.
Good luck.
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