July 2, 2025 • 8 mins
Explore the power of niche markets in the T-shirt design industry with Mo and Mark. Discover how targeting specific customer segments with creative designs can boost visibility and customer loyalty. Learn from real-world examples and expert insights on leveraging trends and collaborations.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Let's just get right into it,Mark-what do you think makes niche markets
(00:04):
such a game-changer in T-shirt design?
Like, why are we even talking about this?
Well,
I think it's because niches let you focus.
Instead of trying to sell to everyone,
you're dialing in on a specific group,
and that focus lets you get reallycreative about solving their unique
needs.
Plus, they're willing to spend morebecause they feel like you get them,
(00:25):
understand them,and can offer what others don't.
Right.
And you know, I I feel like niche marketsare where the gold is.
Like, you're not just slapping a smileyface on a blank tee and hoping
someone buys it.
You're creating something that speaksdirectly to,
I don't know, maybe Star Wars fansor...cat enthusiasts.
Exactly.
(00:48):
And it's not just pop culturestuff-hobbies,
social causes.
Those areas are huge.
Think about how many people identify withthings like hiking,
woodworking,or even being part of a specific fandom.
And then,there's that emotional aspect too.
People connect with designs that feelpersonal.
Hah,
yeah, like these T-shirts that say,
(01:10):
"My cat is my boss" or "Powered by Coffeeand Chaos." People eat that
up because it's so specific to them,
right?
Right.
And often, those very specific audiencesform communities,
both online and offline.
That's a goldmine for designers becausecommunities can spread the word
faster than broad marketing efforts evercould.
Oh,
(01:32):
for sure.
You get one passionate customer and bam!
They're recommending you to everyone intheir Facebook group or Reddit
thread-word-of-mouth gold.
But here's the catch-niche successdoesn't happen
by accident.
You've gotta research.
Like, really dig in and figure out whatyour audience loves,
what they hate, what's missing in theirlife that a T-shirt design could
(01:53):
fill.
Ugh, market research.
It's not sexy, but it's non-negotiable.
I mean, we all wanna skip to the fun partof making cool designs,
but you gotta do the homework first.
So, where do you start, Mark?
Honestly?
The easiest starting point is socialmedia.
There are hashtags, niche pages,
influencers-you can learn so much fromjust lurking and paying attention
(02:16):
to what people are talking about.
Then you build from there.
That's such a great point.
And another thing I always tellpeople-don't be afraid to go
hyper-specific.
Like, yeah, "dog lovers" is a huge niche,
but what about, I don't know, Poodle moms?
Or people who compete in dog agility?
The smaller, the better sometimes.
Yeah,
(02:36):
and the more specific your designs,
the harder it is for big brands to swoopin and compete with you.
That's the beauty of niches-they'retailor-made for small brands to succeed.
So,
speaking of niches and standing out,
trends.
Designs that are kinda making waves rightnow-I mean,
sometimes they overlap with niche ideas,
but other times they come out of leftfield,
(02:58):
right?
What's catching your eye, Mark?
Oh,
for sure.
One thing I've noticed is this shift backto minimalism,
but with a twist.
Like, super simple phrases or graphics,
but they're layered with hidden meaningsthat spark a double-take.
It's subtle, but it hooks you.
Hah,
yeah, like those cryptic,almost coded designs?
(03:20):
I saw one the other day that just said,
"This is my marketing strategy," and Iwas like,
"Wait, what?" It's super meta but cool.
Exactly.
And some of the trends are tied to tech,
too.
Like, augmented reality designs arestarting to pop up.
You scan the shirt with your phone,
and boom-interactive content.
(03:40):
It's bold and innovative,but still niche enough to stand out.
Ooh,
that's wild.
Something like that could totally blow up.
You get the tech crowd,the fashion crowd-it's a win-win.
And speaking of blowing up,can we talk about how artists are tapping
into micro-trends?
(04:00):
Like, not just seasonal fashion,
but, you know, thoseblink-and-you-miss-it cultural moments?
Yeah,
like memes or viral events-things thathave a super short shelf life
but are massive when they hit.
Designers who can act fast and ride thosewaves are cleaning up.
(04:22):
But you have to strike fast and quick.
Totally,
but it takes guts.
I mean, you've gotta risk putting timeand money into something that
could, what, just...fizzle out tomorrow?
It's not for everyone.
No, it's definitely a gamble.
But then again,some people thrive off that adrenaline.
It's like they're always looking for thenext big thing,
while others stick to broader,
(04:43):
evergreen designs.
Both can work-it just depends on yourstyle and your audience.
For sure.
And honestly, I kind of had to figurethat out the hard way when I started
dabbling in fashion retail.
Balancing retail and corporate sales is abeast in itself,
but staying ahead of trends?
That's a whole different game.
I can imagine.
You don't exactly have the luxury ofmissing trends.
(05:06):
The second you lose the pulse,
it's already moved on, right?
Exactly,
and it's intimidating as hell.
But one thing I always leaned on was mycorporate sales background-like,
keeping meticulous tabs on what's working,
what's not, who's buying what.
It's not just about being creative.
You've gotta be strategic too.
That's a killer combo,
(05:29):
though-having the sales mindset and thecreativity to chase trends.
Not everyone has the patience for both,
but when you get it right?
Game over.
So speaking of strategy and stayingrelevant,
visibility and branding are key playersin the game.
Everyone wants to nail it,especially on social media-but what's your
(05:49):
take on getting it right, Mark?
Social media,
hands down,is the most accessible tool we have now.
I mean,it levels the playing field in a way.
You don't need a huge budget to make asplash-you just need strategy.
Platforms like Instagram, TikTok,
and even YouTube for behind-the-scenescontent are great for showcasing
(06:10):
your personality and building thatconnection with your audience.
Totally.
But, you know, I I see people makingrookie mistakes all the time,
like trying to be on every platforminstead of dominating one or two.
It's exhausting, and honestly,
it backfires.
Oh, absolutely.
You gotta know where your audience hangsout.
If your niche lives on Reddit orPinterest,
(06:33):
why are you wasting hours posting dancevideos on TikTok,
right?
Focus your energy where it matters.
Right.
And circling back to niches-it's not justabout being present on social
media but engaging those communities.
Collaborations are key.
Influencers, brand partners, or evenlocal groups-they're like amplifiers
(06:55):
for your brand.
Exactly.
For example, we worked with a cyclingclub here in Erie when we were
starting out-it wasn't anything fancy.
Just some tees with their logo and a fewcustom designs.
But the members loved them,and soon enough,
their friends started asking where theycould get one.
Word-of-mouth,
(07:16):
baby!
It's unbeatable.
And you didn't just gain customers,
Mark; you built trust in your brand.
That's what people don't get-it's notabout the quick sale.
It's about that connection.
Yeah,
exactly.
And let's be honest here-branding doesn'thave to mean some flashy logo
or over-the-top designs.
It's about consistency and showing up.
If people trust you, they'll come back,
(07:38):
and they'll keep spreading the word.
Yup.
It's the snowball effect-you nail thatvisibility and trust,
and suddenly, those niche communities aredoing the heavy lifting for
you.
But some folks are probably wondering-howdo you even start if you're
listening right now,trying to build from scratch,
like you did?
Honestly?
(07:59):
Start small.
My first setup was literally in thebasement-a few designs for a few
customers.
But I treated every order like it wasmassive.
Every package went out looking polished,
every customer got a thank-you.
That became my foundation,and it built from there.
Love that.
No shortcuts, just grit and consistency.
And speaking of building somethingamazing,
(08:21):
don't forget-if you're ready to take theleap and need help with production,
Mark, tell 'em what they've gotta do.
Just head over to contract-dtg.
com
and get a quote.
Whether it's a small order or wholesale,
we'll help you make it happen.
And on that note,
that's all for today, folks.
Keep those designs fresh, keep hustling,
and we'll catch you next time on Talkin'Shirt!
Let's just get right into it,Mark-what do you think makes niche markets
(00:04):
such a game-changer in T-shirt design?
Like, why are we even talking about this?
Well,
I think it's because niches let you focus.
Instead of trying to sell to everyone,
you're dialing in on a specific group,
and that focus lets you get reallycreative about solving their unique
needs.
Plus, they're willing to spend morebecause they feel like you get them,
(00:25):
understand them,and can offer what others don't.
Right.
And you know, I I feel like niche marketsare where the gold is.
Like, you're not just slapping a smileyface on a blank tee and hoping
someone buys it.
You're creating something that speaksdirectly to,
I don't know, maybe Star Wars fansor...cat enthusiasts.
Exactly.
(00:48):
And it's not just pop culturestuff-hobbies,
social causes.
Those areas are huge.
Think about how many people identify withthings like hiking,
woodworking,or even being part of a specific fandom.
And then,there's that emotional aspect too.
People connect with designs that feelpersonal.
Hah,
yeah, like these T-shirts that say,
(01:10):
"My cat is my boss" or "Powered by Coffeeand Chaos." People eat that
up because it's so specific to them,
right?
Right.
And often, those very specific audiencesform communities,
both online and offline.
That's a goldmine for designers becausecommunities can spread the word
faster than broad marketing efforts evercould.
Oh,
(01:32):
for sure.
You get one passionate customer and bam!
They're recommending you to everyone intheir Facebook group or Reddit
thread-word-of-mouth gold.
But here's the catch-niche successdoesn't happen
by accident.
You've gotta research.
Like, really dig in and figure out whatyour audience loves,
what they hate, what's missing in theirlife that a T-shirt design could
(01:53):
fill.
Ugh, market research.
It's not sexy, but it's non-negotiable.
I mean, we all wanna skip to the fun partof making cool designs,
but you gotta do the homework first.
So, where do you start, Mark?
Honestly?
The easiest starting point is socialmedia.
There are hashtags, niche pages,
influencers-you can learn so much fromjust lurking and paying attention
(02:16):
to what people are talking about.
Then you build from there.
That's such a great point.
And another thing I always tellpeople-don't be afraid to go
hyper-specific.
Like, yeah, "dog lovers" is a huge niche,
but what about, I don't know, Poodle moms?
Or people who compete in dog agility?
The smaller, the better sometimes.
Yeah,
(02:36):
and the more specific your designs,
the harder it is for big brands to swoopin and compete with you.
That's the beauty of niches-they'retailor-made for small brands to succeed.
So,
speaking of niches and standing out,
trends.
Designs that are kinda making waves rightnow-I mean,
sometimes they overlap with niche ideas,
but other times they come out of leftfield,
(02:58):
right?
What's catching your eye, Mark?
Oh,
for sure.
One thing I've noticed is this shift backto minimalism,
but with a twist.
Like, super simple phrases or graphics,
but they're layered with hidden meaningsthat spark a double-take.
It's subtle, but it hooks you.
Hah,
yeah, like those cryptic,almost coded designs?
(03:20):
I saw one the other day that just said,
"This is my marketing strategy," and Iwas like,
"Wait, what?" It's super meta but cool.
Exactly.
And some of the trends are tied to tech,
too.
Like, augmented reality designs arestarting to pop up.
You scan the shirt with your phone,
and boom-interactive content.
(03:40):
It's bold and innovative,but still niche enough to stand out.
Ooh,
that's wild.
Something like that could totally blow up.
You get the tech crowd,the fashion crowd-it's a win-win.
And speaking of blowing up,can we talk about how artists are tapping
into micro-trends?
(04:00):
Like, not just seasonal fashion,
but, you know, thoseblink-and-you-miss-it cultural moments?
Yeah,
like memes or viral events-things thathave a super short shelf life
but are massive when they hit.
Designers who can act fast and ride thosewaves are cleaning up.
(04:22):
But you have to strike fast and quick.
Totally,
but it takes guts.
I mean, you've gotta risk putting timeand money into something that
could, what, just...fizzle out tomorrow?
It's not for everyone.
No, it's definitely a gamble.
But then again,some people thrive off that adrenaline.
It's like they're always looking for thenext big thing,
while others stick to broader,
(04:43):
evergreen designs.
Both can work-it just depends on yourstyle and your audience.
For sure.
And honestly, I kind of had to figurethat out the hard way when I started
dabbling in fashion retail.
Balancing retail and corporate sales is abeast in itself,
but staying ahead of trends?
That's a whole different game.
I can imagine.
You don't exactly have the luxury ofmissing trends.
(05:06):
The second you lose the pulse,
it's already moved on, right?
Exactly,
and it's intimidating as hell.
But one thing I always leaned on was mycorporate sales background-like,
keeping meticulous tabs on what's working,
what's not, who's buying what.
It's not just about being creative.
You've gotta be strategic too.
That's a killer combo,
(05:29):
though-having the sales mindset and thecreativity to chase trends.
Not everyone has the patience for both,
but when you get it right?
Game over.
So speaking of strategy and stayingrelevant,
visibility and branding are key playersin the game.
Everyone wants to nail it,especially on social media-but what's your
(05:49):
take on getting it right, Mark?
Social media,
hands down,is the most accessible tool we have now.
I mean,it levels the playing field in a way.
You don't need a huge budget to make asplash-you just need strategy.
Platforms like Instagram, TikTok,
and even YouTube for behind-the-scenescontent are great for showcasing
(06:10):
your personality and building thatconnection with your audience.
Totally.
But, you know, I I see people makingrookie mistakes all the time,
like trying to be on every platforminstead of dominating one or two.
It's exhausting, and honestly,
it backfires.
Oh, absolutely.
You gotta know where your audience hangsout.
If your niche lives on Reddit orPinterest,
(06:33):
why are you wasting hours posting dancevideos on TikTok,
right?
Focus your energy where it matters.
Right.
And circling back to niches-it's not justabout being present on social
media but engaging those communities.
Collaborations are key.
Influencers, brand partners, or evenlocal groups-they're like amplifiers
(06:55):
for your brand.
Exactly.
For example, we worked with a cyclingclub here in Erie when we were
starting out-it wasn't anything fancy.
Just some tees with their logo and a fewcustom designs.
But the members loved them,and soon enough,
their friends started asking where theycould get one.
Word-of-mouth,
(07:16):
baby!
It's unbeatable.
And you didn't just gain customers,
Mark; you built trust in your brand.
That's what people don't get-it's notabout the quick sale.
It's about that connection.
Yeah,
exactly.
And let's be honest here-branding doesn'thave to mean some flashy logo
or over-the-top designs.
It's about consistency and showing up.
If people trust you, they'll come back,
(07:38):
and they'll keep spreading the word.
Yup.
It's the snowball effect-you nail thatvisibility and trust,
and suddenly, those niche communities aredoing the heavy lifting for
you.
But some folks are probably wondering-howdo you even start if you're
listening right now,trying to build from scratch,
like you did?
Honestly?
(07:59):
Start small.
My first setup was literally in thebasement-a few designs for a few
customers.
But I treated every order like it wasmassive.
Every package went out looking polished,
every customer got a thank-you.
That became my foundation,and it built from there.
Love that.
No shortcuts, just grit and consistency.
And speaking of building somethingamazing,
(08:21):
don't forget-if you're ready to take theleap and need help with production,
Mark, tell 'em what they've gotta do.
Just head over to contract-dtg.
com
and get a quote.
Whether it's a small order or wholesale,
we'll help you make it happen.
And on that note,
that's all for today, folks.
Keep those designs fresh, keep hustling,
and we'll catch you next time on Talkin'Shirt!
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.