Updates!

Hey kids!

Been busy working on LOTS of new stuff for you guys! I'm working on a BIGGER, BETTER merch menu! It'll have a lot more resources on it, so that's something to look forward to! Also got quite a few more merch 101 lessons coming your way. Again, if there is anything in particular you'd like to learn about please feel free to comment or send an email and I will do my best to get it up there as soon as I can.

I am also going to start putting together customized merch kits for bands as I've gotten a great response about those but people are a little weary of doing it themselves. So basically if you want a merch kit put together all professional-like you can come to me and I'll hook you up, as they say.

Anyways, thanks for checking out the blog. See ya soon!

xo
Ella

Calling all bands! Calling all bands!

I have an AMAZING idea for a t-shirt, but I need a band or artist who is willing to do it! The reason I need a specific band is because I'll be using the band member's faces on the t-shirt. 

It's a REALLY rad idea, so if you are up for it, I'll even cut the design price in HALF for you! Only $75 smackeroos! (it's usually $150! - dur!)

It'd be cool if the band had 3 to 5 members, but the shirt will work no matter how many members the band has. 

Come onnn, you know you want to! ;)

Here's a hint: What do Suge Knight, Paris Hilton and Hugh Grant have in common?

Merch 101: Merch Kits

Lesson 5: How to Make a Great Merch Kit

To run a successful merch table there are standard supplies that everybody needs, but the better stocked you are the better things are going to run. Here is a breakdown of some of the things that are essential to an organized and efficient merch system.

 

Organization

Plastic Storage Bins

These heavy plastic packing containers often come with snapping lids and dividers. The better quality the container (i.e. thicker plastic, snapping lids, handles) the easier load in, set up and tear down will be. These containers make packing and travelling much easier as they aren’t as susceptible to weather (rain will break down cardboard) and can be easily packed and stored.

Depending on the amount of merch and the size of the bins you should be able to store most of your merchandise into these bins. Now, these are better used on small to mid-level bands as high level bands quite often go through merch so fast and have so much to sell it wouldn’t be prudent to use a bin like this for t-shirts, though it may be for smaller merchandise like bandanas, belt buckles, etc. that are heavier or are more expensive. Also note that if you use heavy duty storage bins they can double as step-stools and chairs when a venue lacks that sort of stuff!

Smaller "Merch Kit" Container

A smaller container to hold all of the stuff that will make up your "merch kit" is essential. Something that clasps shut and has a handle is ideal but any plastic container will do. This will carry all of your day-to-day merch essentials which we will discuss below, so organization is key. Things that often work well are professional make-up boxes as they have lots of compartments and are easy to organize.

Merch Kit

Grid Panel
A grid panel is a metal grid that you can attach to or hang up on the wall to clip up t-shirts and other sellable product so that fans can see the product clearly. Often mid-size and smaller venues don't have anything to attach product to, so to look professional you can bring your own panel for display purposes.

Butterfly Clips
These little clips help attach t-shirts to your display or hang up posters/pictures/cd's etc. They come in a wide range of sizes and come in very handy for a lot of things. 

Flash Cards

Flash cards are a great way to display what sizes you have available if you have a lot of stock in various sizing ranges. Write the style name and the size range on the flash card and as you sell out of styles you can cross them out. This will help for when people ask what sizes you have. You will often still get the same questions but at least you have a reference to point to when the venue is loud!  I usually attach these right to the t-shirts or wall underneath the t-shirts with straight pins or thumb tacks, tape also works.

Printed Merch Pricing
A sheet with each individual item for sale and it's cost comes in pretty handy when you have a long lineup for merch! These are good to put up all over your merch area so lots of people can see them!

Clear Plastic Picture Frame Stands
To display your merch price lists on the merch table these picture frame stands can be helpful. Usually they are plastic and come in an 8.5" x 11" size for regular sheets of paper.

Binder - Sell Sheets / Inventory List
Your binder is a very important part of your merch! It keeps records of sales at each show so you can track how well your sales are doing. You can also keep settlement sheets from venues when you have to give some of your profits to the house and it also comes in handy for keeping track of inventory for when you need to order more. This way you know which sizes and items you sell out of first, thus making it easier to know which sizes to order more of next time!

Plastic CD Stands
You know when grandma's have decorated plates displayed allover their little houses and some are standing up on a shelf or a mantle? Usually they are propped up with a plate display stand of some kind. These can usually be purchased at dollar stores and come in really handy for displaying CD's and books!

Other "Supplies": 
Stapler / Staples
Sharpies (ALWAYS a necessity!)
Mechanical Pencils
Pens
Pencil Case
Thumb Tacks
Duct Tape / Electrical Tape / Masking Tape / Scotch Tape (Any kind of tape is helpful!)
Hangers (For displaying tees when you don't have a grid panel!)
Lighter
Scissors
1-Hole Punch
Ruler
Measuring Tape
Note Pad (for making notes when working or writing down information you may need later!)
Plastic Carry Bags (people won't ask for bags often but when they do it'll be handy to have them!)
Small Hammer / Nails

All of these items will come in handy when setting up your merch area. Keep in mind that the neater your area is and the more you do to customize it, the more professional it will look and professionalism is important! 

Strong Enough To Break - The Documentary

I have been a part of the music industry for a few years now and have met some amazing people in that little amount of time. I spend a lot of time talking about merch because that is my job and what I love doing, and although it is a major part of the music industry as we know it there are many other facets of it to be looked at. One of the bands who have inspired me the most musically and professionally is Hanson (http://www.hanson.net) . Not only are they the #1 most profitable band in merchandising (Seriously! I know!) and holders of literally dozens of more music-related world records (#1 Independent Album Worldwide, #1 album in the most countries consecutively, etc.) but they also spend a lot of time doing charity work on behalf of the AIDS Crisis in Africa (http://www.takethewalk.net) as well as promoting their own music.

 

A topic of interest where Hanson is concerned is the making of their 3^rd Studio Album, Underneath, and the trials and tribulations it took for them to get it out to their fans. They started filming a documentary to showcase the ins and outs of making a record and ended up documenting the breakdown of their relationship with their record label and subsequent move to producing their music independently. Strong Enough To Break (the documentary) has been added to the curriculum of many entertainment business programs in college-level schools throughout North America because it provides an interior view of what happens when a capitalist regime takes over an existing record label and starts to put pressure on its own artists. It’s incredibly thought provoking and a really great picture for anybody interested in pursuing a career in the mainstream market to watch. You can download 13 consecutive episodes for free in Podcasts on iTunes (http://www.itunes.com). The documentary is called “Strong Enough To Break” and is produced by Hanson and directed by Ashley Greyson.

 

I know what you’re thinking! Hanson? That band from 11 years ago? MMMBop? How could that teach me ANYTHING about the music industry?? Well, in some cases it’s not that great to sign the first record deal that comes your way and hope for the best. Building a career that lasts over a long span of time and has ups and downs will benefit a band or artist a lot more in the longrun than the 15 minutes of fame most artists experience today. Hanson has been lucky to maintain a strong fan base throughout their entire career (more than 15 years!) which has allowed them to continue touring and making records, own their own record label and make a lot more money than you could ever dream of! Not only that, but they control their own career and are able to make decisions based on the values that are important to them. It’s a hard road to follow and somehow a band as understated as Hanson has managed to out-last and out-succeed most of the artists that were generated from that “era”.

 

Anyways, check it out, it really is both informative and entertaining! 

It's Make-over time!!!

Hiya Kids!

So I decided the site needed a bit of a re-do, something to spruce it up! Did a bit of work over the last few hours, so let me know what you think!
If you didn't notice everything I write about on the site is open for comments, so I'd always love to hear your opinions! I would especially love to know what you think of the new re-design, so let me know!

Things have been going awesome lately and there is a lot of exciting stuff in development right now. I'm always coming up with more new ideas to make things easier on my clients and I can't wait to share some of the new ones with ya!

I'll do a new merch 101 in a couple of days, so if you are looking forward to that stay tuned! And of course, if you have any ideas for things you'd like to learn about, Merch 101-styles, please feel free to drop a comment or shoot me an email!

I can't believe I've already hit 400 page views, I know they can't all be from me and my family, so I am glad that I am getting some readers! Thanks so much for stopping by to check out what I do, I hope that you find my site interesting and educational!

If you have a blog I'd love to do a link exchange so hit me up in the comments with your blog name and I'll be sure to publish it!

Look forward to hearing your thoughts! Thanks so much!!!

Love Ella
XOXO