What is the best way to start marketing a new clothing line and business?

Answer 1

First of all, determine where you want your business marketed (i'm assuming locally).

Plan a fashion show, drop off flyers at coffee shops. Also have posters made and ask local businesses (ie. small boutiques, hair/nail salons, record stores, etc) if you can hang a poster in their store. Contact your local paper to have a small blurb written about the show before it happens. Hire at least one photographer to be at the show to take pictures, then use the pictures for an article in a local paper AFTER the show as well. And then create a website where you can use those pictures to advertise your new line (including where the items can be purchased, whether online, at a local boutique, or your own store). At the fashion show, make sure you have a guest book or form to pass around for people to be on your mailing list. Email or mail flyers to these people about upcoming sales or promotions, and possibly offer them discounts as a "preferred customer" (if you have that capability, depending on where your clothing is sold).

Also keep an eye out for other local fashion shows which would include other local designers....such as charity fashion shows. Once your clothing line is more established, contact magazines (the PR department) to have samples of your clothing sent to be used in their fashion sections (preferably magazines that your customer would read)

Answer 2

The clothing industry, as you can well imagine, is a very competitive one. To succeed takes knowledge, patience, talent and a bit of luck. As far as the knowledge bit goes, I found some sources that will assist you further.

Associations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have about the clothing industry as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

There's nothing quite like research – the more you know about the clothing industry, the better. There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Also, here are some book titles that may interest you:

* The Official Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Clothing Line by Jay Arrington,
* The Business of Fashion: Designing, Manufacturing, and Marketing by Leslie Davis Burns
* Fashion for Profit (Revised Edition with Retail Chapter) by Frances Harder
* The Fashion Designer Survival Guide: An Insider's Look at Starting and Running Your Own Fashion Business by Mary Gehlhar

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 3

You'll have to know more about business than design for opening your own shop. You really should take a business course in college and even manage a retail store before you take on such a venture. I see to many good shops go down the drain due to lack of education. I would like to recommend that you put clothing and shoes under one roof (especially shoes that accomodate high insteps)

Answer 4

first you need a target group, then find out the best ways to reach this group of people...

example: women ages 21-35 (women magazines, tv, radio, websites)

Answer 5

Its a very good idea to start this buisness. Now a days its really very good earning in this field .

Answer 6

i don't know that this is the BEST way, but i would start by putting them on eBay, so people could get to know your company's name and products.

Answer 7

Get unsigned artists and bands to wear your clothing.
http://www.threadless.com/sightings

Answer 8

Wearing them yourself is the best promotion you can get.

Answer 9

you must have target group and target area
then promote it through search engine or email group

Answer 10

find out what people want.