What Print on Demand Gurus Don't Tell You - PART 2

Summary

This video script debunks common misconceptions about print on demand (POD) businesses, emphasizing their potential beyond mere side hustles. It challenges the idea of an earning cap, clarifies the difference between sales and finding a 'winner' design, and argues against the oversaturation of t-shirts. The speaker advocates for transparency in sales struggles, the importance of design quality over design creation, and the gradual approach to ad spending. The ultimate goal highlighted is organic marketing for sustainable growth and high profit margins, offering a realistic yet optimistic view of the POD industry.

Takeaways

• 📈 Print on demand is a legitimate business with no earning cap, contrary to common misconceptions.
• 💰 The speaker's business operates at a 30% profit margin, which can fluctuate based on various factors.
• 🔍 Success in print on demand is not about hitting a monthly earning limit but finding and scaling 'winner' designs that consistently sell well.
• 🚫 Focusing solely on platforms like Redbubble or TeePublic might limit growth, as they may not offer the full potential of the print on demand market.
• 🤔 The distinction between getting sales and finding a 'winner' is important; a design needs consistent high sales to be considered a winner.
• 👕 T-shirts are not oversaturated; there is still a large market for them, despite what some influencers may claim.
• 📉 Even successful businesses have bad days and months; it's part of the normal business cycle and not a sign of failure.
• 🎨 Good design is crucial for success in print on demand, but being a designer is not necessary; understanding design quality is more important.
• 🛍️ Utilizing resources like Creative Market and Creative Fabrica can help find high-quality designs without needing to create them from scratch.
• 💡 Data should drive decisions in print on demand; if a design doesn't perform well despite being liked, it might not be a good fit for the market.
• 🚀 Organic marketing is the ultimate goal for print on demand, as it can lead to a large customer base and significant profit without reliance on paid ads.

Q & A

How long has the speaker been involved in print on demand business?

The speaker has been involved in the print on demand business for 11 years.

What is the speaker's perspective on the earning potential of print on demand business?

The speaker believes that print on demand is not just a side hustle and has no earning cap, contrary to common misconceptions.

What was the speaker's profit margin in the previous month?

In the previous month, the speaker's profit margin was just over 10%, which was lower than their usual 30% due to some bumps.

What is the average salary in the US, and how does it compare to the speaker's earnings in print on demand?

The average salary in the US is $63,750, and the speaker mentions that to replace this with print on demand, one only needs to profit $537.

Why does the speaker think focusing solely on platforms like Redbubble or TeePublic might limit growth?

The speaker suggests that focusing on these platforms might limit growth because they are often promoted as side hustles, not as legitimate businesses with unlimited earning potential.

What is the difference between getting sales and finding a 'winner' according to the speaker?

According to the speaker, getting sales does not necessarily mean finding a 'winner'. A design is considered a 'winner' when it consistently sells 10 or more units per day.

What is the speaker's opinion on the saturation of the t-shirt market?

The speaker disagrees with the notion that the t-shirt market is oversaturated, arguing that the market is massive and there is still plenty of room for growth.

Why does the speaker question the transparency of some YouTubers regarding their sales?

The speaker questions the transparency because they believe that only showing the best days and months can give a warped perception of the business, as not every day in print on demand is profitable.

What is the speaker's stance on the importance of design in print on demand business?

The speaker believes that design is the most important element in print on demand, but emphasizes that one does not need to be a designer to succeed, rather they need to understand what makes a good design.

How does the speaker view the necessity of a large budget for advertising in print on demand?

The speaker refutes the idea that a large budget is necessary for advertising, suggesting that a well-researched approach with a reasonable budget can lead to finding winning designs without wasting money.

What is the speaker's ultimate goal for a print on demand business?

The speaker's ultimate goal is organic marketing, where a strong brand with a large social media following can generate significant organic traffic and sales without reliance on paid advertising.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Print on Demand: Beyond the Side Hustle Myth

The speaker dispels the myth that print on demand (POD) is merely a side hustle, emphasizing its potential as a legitimate business with no earning cap. They share their own experience, noting a profit margin of over 10% in a month, which challenges the notion that growth is limited. The speaker criticizes the focus on platforms like Redbubble and TeePublic, which may limit the perception of POD's scalability. They also highlight the importance of distinguishing between a design that merely gets sales and one that is a true 'winner,' which consistently sells well. The paragraph concludes with a critique of the oversaturation myth around t-shirts, arguing that the market is still vast and t-shirts remain a popular product.

05:02

🎨 The Importance of Design in Print on Demand

This paragraph addresses the misconception that one must be a designer to succeed in print on demand. The speaker asserts that understanding good design is more crucial than being able to create it, suggesting that even those without a design background can succeed by recognizing quality designs. They discuss the use of platforms like Creative Market and Creative Fabrica for sourcing designs and emphasize the importance of data in determining a design's success, rather than personal opinion. The speaker also touches on the fallacy that large budgets are required for effective advertising in POD, advocating for a methodical approach to finding winning designs that can be scaled for profit.

10:04

🌐 Organic Marketing: The Ultimate Goal for Print on Demand

The final paragraph discusses the ultimate goal of organic marketing in the print on demand industry. The speaker clarifies that while building a large social media following is ideal, it requires significant time and effort. They argue that once a brand has a strong social presence, it can generate organic traffic and sales, reducing reliance on paid advertising and increasing profit margins. The speaker also points out that a brand with a substantial following adds substantial value, making it an attractive asset for potential buyers. They conclude by sharing their current profit margins and the potential for increased profits through organic growth.

Keywords

💡Print on Demand

Print on Demand (POD) is a business model where products are only produced when a customer orders them, reducing the need for inventory and upfront costs. In the video, the speaker emphasizes that POD is not merely a side hustle but a legitimate business with no earning cap, contrary to common misconceptions. The speaker's own business experiences, such as achieving a $2,195 profit in a month, exemplify the potential of POD.

💡Profit Margin

Profit margin is the measure of profitability of a business, calculated as the profit earned divided by the revenue. The video discusses the fluctuation in profit margins, with the speaker mentioning a usual 30% margin that dropped to just over 10% due to unforeseen challenges, illustrating the dynamic nature of business finances in the POD industry.

💡Side Hustle

A side hustle refers to a secondary source of income outside of one's primary job. The speaker refutes the notion that POD should be confined to a side hustle, arguing that it can be scaled to replace an average salary or even become a primary business, as opposed to being limited to platforms like Redbubble or TeePublic.

💡Winners

In the context of the video, 'winners' refers to successful designs in the POD business that consistently generate sales. The speaker distinguishes between getting initial sales and identifying a true 'winner,' which is a design that sells 10 or more units per day, demonstrating the importance of recognizing and focusing on successful products for business growth.

💡Saturated Market

A saturated market is one where there is an excess supply of a product or service, leading to intense competition. The video challenges the idea that the T-shirt market is oversaturated, arguing that there is still significant room for growth and sales, as T-shirts are a universally popular product.

💡Transparency

Transparency in this video refers to the openness and honesty about the realities of running a POD business, including both successes and failures. The speaker criticizes the lack of transparency from influencers who only show their best days, which can create a distorted view of the business. The speaker advocates for sharing the full spectrum of experiences to provide a realistic perspective.

💡Designer

The term 'designer' is discussed in the context of creating visually appealing products for the POD business. The speaker asserts that while being a designer is not a prerequisite for success, understanding good design is crucial. This involves knowing the difference between effective and ineffective designs and sourcing or creating designs that resonate with customers.

💡Ads

Ads, or advertising, is a key component of marketing in the POD business. The video dispels the myth that one needs to spend a large amount of money on ads to find successful designs. Instead, the speaker suggests a more measured approach, emphasizing the importance of testing and scaling with well-researched designs to achieve a return on ad spend.

💡Organic Marketing

Organic marketing refers to promoting a business through non-paid means, such as social media engagement and search engine optimization. The speaker identifies organic marketing as the ultimate goal for a POD business, as it can lead to a steady stream of free traffic and sales, reducing reliance on paid advertising and increasing profit margins.

💡Social Media Growth

Social media growth is the increase in followers or engagement on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. In the video, the speaker highlights the importance of growing a brand's social media presence as a means to achieve organic sales and enhance the business's value, especially when considering selling the business in the future.

💡Customer Service Team

A customer service team is a group responsible for addressing customer inquiries and issues. The video mentions the establishment of a customer service team as part of scaling a POD business, indicating a transition from a small-scale operation to a more structured and professional business model.

Highlights

Print on demand is a legitimate business with no earning cap, contrary to common misconceptions.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of treating print on demand as a business rather than a side hustle.

Last month's earnings were $2,195 with a profit margin of over 10%, debunking the myth of a capped income in print on demand.

The average salary in the US is $63,750, and print on demand can replace it with a profit of just $537, showing its potential.

Many focus solely on platforms like Redbubble or TeePublic, limiting their business growth in print on demand.

The distinction between getting sales and finding a 'winner' in design is crucial for scaling the business.

Designs that consistently sell 10+ units per day are considered 'winners', essential for business growth.

The speaker challenges the notion that t-shirts are oversaturated, arguing the market is still vast.

YouTubers may not be fully transparent about their bad sales days, creating a skewed perception of the business.

The speaker admits to having bad days and months, normalizing the ups and downs in print on demand.

Designs are super important, but one doesn't need to be a designer to succeed in print on demand.

The ability to differentiate between good and bad designs is more accessible than learning to design.

Platforms like Creative Market and Creative Fabrica are used for designs, emphasizing the importance of quality over origin.

Data should dictate design success, not personal bias, as even amazing designers can have unsuccessful designs.

A common misconception is that a huge budget is needed for ads to find what works in print on demand.

The speaker argues that $11,000 is a good amount to start testing designs with ads, contrary to the belief of needing more.

Organic marketing is the ultimate end goal for print on demand, providing a sustainable source of traffic and sales.

Building a brand with a large social media following adds significant value when selling the business.

The potential for profit in print on demand is highlighted, with the possibility of doubling earnings through organic growth.

Transcripts

I've been doing print on demand for 11

years now I've had my fair share of wins

and fails for that matter and in part

one I mentioned certain things I noticed

a lot of people are talking about and

how they were all just lies not true

welcome to part two of more lies and

Hidden Truths that no one ever mentions

time to expose everything again first

things first print on demand isn't just

a side hustle it's like any other

legitimate business and should be

treated like it there isn't an earning

cap on print on demand it's not like you

hit $500 a month and it's like right box

ticked side hustle acquired no more

growth possible this doesn't happen like

that just last month we did

$2,195 usually we operate at around a

30% price profit margin last month

wasn't as good we hit a few bumps and

ended up with just over a 10% profit

margin but considering the average

salary in the US is

$63,750 that means we only need to

profit

$537 to replace the average salary not

impossible at all on the flip side for

so many it is and always will be a side

hustle because they focus solely on red

bubble or te public and that might not

be your fault it could be just what

you're being told to do too many

YouTubers are promoting those kind of

platforms where yes print on demand

would only ever be a side hustle or in

all honesty it wouldn't even tick that

box you're not earning 500 bucks on teic

or Redbubble another confusing point is

not distinguishing between getting sales

and finding a winner just because a

design gets sales it doesn't mean it's a

winner we have so many designs that got

three to five sales when we ran traffic

to them of course we thought they were

winners but only once we saw a design do

10 plus sales a day and climb

consistently did we really notice the

difference between getting sales and

actually finding a winner you want to

base your decisions on the winners not

the designs getting a couple of sales at

the end of the day we want to scale this

business and we can only really do that

with winners one of the most annoying

things I see is when people say t-shirts

are over saturated come on now be

original I genuinely wonder if those

people are saying it to keep the

competition at Bay like if there's a

YouTuber getting 100,000 views telling

you not to sell the most popular product

could there be an ulterior motive there

I don't know could he be trying to Ward

you off who knows I have no idea but if

they're genuinely trying to help you why

are they bashing t-shirts what I do know

is t-shirts are not oversaturated the

market is flipping massive and the space

for selling T-shirts is bigger than ever

before sure you can make good money

selling canvases or mugs or something

else but I don't understand why people

want to risk trying to sell a way less

popular product rather than just sell

what is proven to work we all wear

t-shirts we all have a whole bunch of

them in our wardrobe it makes sense to

sell them and following on from that

YouTubers not being fully transparent

well we all have bad days and bad months

with our sales do you see that no not

really we're in a world now where people

have to constantly impress you won't see

big influencers or teachers showing

their worst days but this ends up giving

a warped perception of the business not

every day in pod is good in fact last

month like I said earlier we had a 10%

profit margin or just over which meant

there were some really bad terrible days

in the month it happens it it's normal

if you have a bad day don't just assume

you're doing something wrong and why is

no one else struggling everyone has

struggles whether they show it or not I

recently just came out with a video

detailing the entire of last month the

sales the issues that we had the reason

why it was around a 10 to 12% profit

margin and I like making those videos

because it allows you to see reality

with print on demand rather than always

just see this amazing realistic view of

print on demand here's a really common

one we've all heard I he too many people

saying if you're not a designer you

shouldn't bother and on the flip side I

hear so many people saying nah designs

aren't that important well designs are

super important probably the most

important element and you don't need to

be a designer to succeed now I'm saying

that you might not need to be a designer

but you do need to understand the

difference between a good design and a

bad design which is much easier to learn

than actually learning how to design

once you know that finding designs is

really not that complicated we use

creative market and creative Fabrica for

a huge portion of our designs even

though I've been drawing since I could

pick up a pencil I still bu designs as

it's so much faster and they're

perfectly good to use being being able

to differentiate between a good design

and a bad design allows you to go out

there find and buy designs but make sure

that you are only buying good designs

and above all else no matter if you

think the design is good or you think

the design is bad whatever the data

shows is what people want so for example

if you think you have an amazing design

and you run a whole bunch of traffic to

it and it does terribly it gets no sales

the results are poor the design probably

wasn't good enough or it just didn't

land very well or people weren't ready

at that time to buy it so this is the

crazy thing you can be an amazing

designer and still have so many designs

not do well okay on to the next one and

this is a common misconception and I see

it in the comments of videos a lot that

is you need a huge amount of money to

sync into ads just to find what works

again this is not true you need money

yes there's no denying that I would say

you know $11,000 is a good amount which

if you put that into perspective most

businesses someone starts would cost

that amount anyway or sorry it would

cost way more than that now with those

ads it's a matter of slowly testing lots

of well researched designs to find

Winners that way you can then scale and

at which point you know you're getting a

return so you're not really throwing

money at Facebook hoping something

catches on anyone that tells me they

spent thousands and thousands on ads and

got nothing it just blows my mind like

did it not occur at any point that

something was wrong maybe you should

have paused the ads maybe you should

analyze and see what's going on like

there are many signs to say if an ad is

not doing well now I know that was

really harsh and I'm not having a go at

anyone but I just know there's a huge

amount of people that have a few bad

experiences that end up scarring the

people who haven't even tried and then

they don't want to give it a go because

of everything that they see all I want

to say with ads it's important to know

that it's a slow start to find Winners

you don't have to SN two3 $4,000 into

ads to try and find a winner and I want

to give you one last hidden truth this

will really open your eyes into the

potential of print on demand before I do

though can you smash that subscribe

button if you've liked this video or any

of my content for that matter okay here

goes organic marketing is the ultimate

end goal for print on demand there I

said it easy right just build a fan page

of 10 million people and then you'll be

rich oh if only whilst this isn't

exactly false you've got to put a huge

huge amount of time and effort into

growing a brand and it's socials to get

to the point where you're able to get a

serious amount of traffic organic

traffic that is and then that lead to

free sales but when you do it is the

ultimate goal the reason why I say it's

the ultimate goal even over selling the

business is because let's say you sell

the business right you get a whole huge

lump sum of money that's great if you

build up the socials to millions and

millions and millions then you're able

to get so many organic sales without you

having to do that much work and then at

that point you'll have a customer

service team handling all of that stuff

you'll have people in place to handle

various different things and you won't

have to rely on Facebook ads and that's

why I think it's a pretty awesome end

goal and then on top of that when you do

come to sell the business you're not

just selling a brand you're selling a

brand with a huge following which will

add so much value to that business here

is a perfect example we profit $17 to

$20 per t-shirt it's quite a lot I know

once you factor ads into it we end up

with nearer $10 and this is still great

however with enough time once our brand

socials have properly grown we'll be

getting free traffic and making pretty

much double on every sale and this is

mainly because we don't have to rely on

that paid traffic so our profit margin

is just drastically go through the roof

and that should be the end goal there's

still so many more lies and Hidden

Truths within print on demand I could go

on for hours and hours and if you could

think of any let me know in the comments

down below and of course if I have upset

anyone or triggered anyone that wasn't

the goal I'm just trying to bring a more

transparent view into the world of print

on demand