Fabric, Fit and Fun: How to Sell a GREAT T-shirt

I'll be the first to admit that this industry has completely ruined me for shopping. More and more frequently my friends will say things like, "Look at this cute tote bag," and I'll look at the tag on the inside to see who made it. Recently, while on a cruise, my husband got me a Sangria that came in a souvenir cup which he, very sweetly, gave me permission to look to see who made it. Heck, the sunglasses I bought in retail I could have gotten from Hit for free!

That being said, there is something that will make me drop any amount of money. If you put the logo of Northern Illinois University or my beloved Huskies on something, I will pay for it-especially when it comes to a T-shirt. There is something comforting about a T-shirt with the logo of my alma mater that gives me warm fuzzies. Maybe it's the memories of bad dorm food, great friends and never enough social gatherings that make me feel like I'm a kid again.

So, here I am, every year, standing in the middle of the NIU's Village Commons Bookstore, deciding which items I'll go with this year. There are racks and racks of T-shirts, sweatshirts, polos, etc. Some are ladies' cut, some unisex, all different colors and decorations. And I'm not just buying for me-we have to get something for our godson, and, of course, something for the dog. It's quite a process. So, what makes one item better than another? Why would I choose certain things over others? And what the heck does this have to do with promotional sales?

It's simple. By knowing what makes me, someone who is in the industry and knows so much about decoration and pricing, spend $25 on a shirt, I know how to help my customers create apparel that will be unique, impactful and loved by all end-users.