My Experience with Print on Demand (3 Months)

Summary

In this video, the creator shares their experience of selling digital products and print-on-demand items for the past six months. Initially focusing on digital products, they later introduced physical versions, which led to a dip in sales due to late order dispatches. Despite the challenges, they've made a total net revenue of $2,354.54, learning valuable lessons about the digital product space and the importance of reliable fulfillment. Sponsored by Shortform, the video also offers advice on starting a print-on-demand business, emphasizing the need for a solid product idea, quality control, and creative differentiation in a competitive market.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video creator started a digital product shop and later introduced print on demand to offer physical versions of the products.
• 📈 Initial sales were promising, with December at $182.40, January at $283, and February at $175.70, but sales declined after introducing print on demand.
• 📉 After adding print on demand, sales dropped to $395.24 in March, $255.12 in May, and no sales in June, with extra costs involved for printify services.
• 💼 The creator's main goal was to learn about the digital product and print on demand space, with a secondary goal of achieving $1,000 in passive monthly income.
• 🕒 Despite the drop in sales, the creator believes the business model is viable, especially with more time and effort invested.
• 🔧 One of the challenges faced was the loss of control over order fulfillment, leading to late orders and potential negative impacts on the shop's reputation.
• 📦 The creator suggests that print on demand is not a business plan but a fulfillment method and should not be relied upon as a shortcut to success.
• 🛍️ It's important to stand behind the product being sold, ensuring it's of high quality and offering a good customer experience.
• 🌐 Print on demand involves choosing from various print providers, and it's crucial to research and select a provider that matches quality and service expectations.
• 🚫 The creator warns against offering too many options, which can lead to customer overwhelm and potentially fewer sales due to 'analysis paralysis'.
• 🎨 The video emphasizes the importance of creativity and differentiation in a highly competitive print on demand market.

Q & A

What was the speaker's first full month of sales in their digital product shop?

The speaker's first full month of sales was in December, where they sold $182.40.

How much did the speaker sell in January and February after starting their digital product shop?

In January, the speaker sold $283, and in February, they sold $175.70.

Why did the speaker decide to offer a physical version of their digital product?

The speaker decided to offer a physical version of their digital product after validating their idea and realizing that people wanted the product, thus expanding to print on demand.

What was the impact of implementing print on demand on the speaker's sales in March?

After implementing print on demand, the speaker's sales in March were $395.24, which was a decrease from the previous months.

What are the additional costs involved with print on demand that the speaker had to consider?

The additional costs involved with print on demand included paying Printify to make and ship orders to customers who opted for physical products.

How much did the speaker pay to Printify in March, April, and May?

In March, the speaker paid $123.40, in April they paid $197.26, and in May it was $57.83 to Printify.

What was the speaker's net revenue for March, April, and May after accounting for Printify costs?

The speaker's net revenue for March was $271.46, for April it was $720.61, and for May it was $197.34 after accounting for Printify costs.

What were the speaker's two main goals when they started their shop?

The speaker's two main goals were to learn more about the digital product and print on demand space and to see if they could make $1,000 a month in passive income.

Why did the speaker feel that sales and visits to their shop fell off a cliff after two late orders?

The speaker believes that their sales and visits fell off a cliff because Etsy might have started throttling visits to their shop after two late orders, as a measure to maintain trust with customers.

What is the biggest downside the speaker discovered with print on demand?

The biggest downside the speaker discovered with print on demand is the lack of control over dispatch times, which they found to be unreliable.

What advice does the speaker give regarding the misconception that print on demand guarantees business success?

The speaker advises that print on demand is not a business plan but a fulfillment method, and success still requires a solid product idea, good marketing, and effort.

Why is it important for the speaker to order samples of their print on demand products?

Ordering samples is important for the speaker to ensure they stand behind their product and to understand the customer experience, ensuring the product's quality before selling it.

What is the 'Paradox of choice' and how did it relate to the speaker's shop?

The 'Paradox of choice' is a phenomenon where an abundance of options can lead to analysis paralysis and dissatisfaction. The speaker related this to their shop by offering too many options, which could potentially lead to customers being overwhelmed and not making a purchase.

What is the speaker's recommendation for standing out in the competitive print on demand space?

The speaker recommends getting creative and offering something different or substantially improved from what others are offering to stand out in the competitive print on demand space.

What technique does the speaker find helpful when coming up with ideas for a print on demand business?

The speaker finds it helpful to come up with a list of 10 different ideas, then pick the top three to try out one at a time, ensuring thorough consideration of each idea.