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Perhaps you’ve been thinking about it for a while but have never actually started selling your own merch. Maybe you want some extra cash on the side but don’t know where to start or how to get going.
Whatever the reason is, help is available. In this post, you’ll learn everything you need to know about starting a gaming merchandise business, what kind of products will sell best, and why selling gaming merch is an excellent idea.
If you’re ready to take the plunge into the world of online merchandising, keep reading to learn more.
What’s Gaming Merchandise
Gaming merchandising (merch) is the practice of creating and selling items that are related to video games. These include t-shirts, mugs, posters, bags, mousepads, hats, hoodies, and more. The most common types of items created using a merch maker and sold in this way include:
- Clothing like t-shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts;
- Accessories such as mugs, mouse pads, stickers, and the like;
- Collectible posters, plush toys, figures, and posters;
- And other items related to video games and gaming culture.
The main difference between traditional and gaming merchandising is that the latter involves selling items directly related to video games. It means you won’t be selling anything that isn’t explicitly made for gamers.
Why Gaming Merchandise Is The Next Big Thing
Now that you know a thing or two about gaming merchandise, here are the best reasons why selling some is the next big thing:
- It’s Easy To Sell Your Designs Online
One of the perks of selling your designs online is that they’re easy to sell. You only need a computer, a willingness to learn, and a reliable internet connection.
Once you’ve designed your first item, you can upload it to online sites for selling unique goods. Most sites don’t require you to pay anything to open an account. You only pay when someone purchases your product.
You can also try Direct To Consumer (DTC) strategies wherein you reach out directly to consumers and ask them to buy your products. This method asks for a bit more work than just uploading your designs to websites, but it does allow you to make money without having to rely on third parties like retailers.
Luckily, you can learn on DTC marketing online and find out how it works for your niche.
- You Don’t Need Special Skills Or Experience
Good news: anyone can learn how to design their own merch. Bad news: most people aren’t willing to spend the time needed to become proficient at graphic design.
However, many practical resources can help you improve your design skills. For example, you may be able to take free classes offered by local community colleges. You can also look for tutorials online that teach you how to use specific programs. Or, you may use tools that allow you to use pre-designed templates when creating merch.
- There’s A Lot Of Money To Be Made
The gaming market generated over $198USD billion in revenue in 2021 and is expected to hit $300USD billion by 2027. This figure includes everything related to video game sales, such as consoles, accessories, software, and hardware.
And while this number doesn’t include all of the money generated by selling gaming merchandise, it does represent a significant amount of potential profit. If you can sell enough of your designs, you could make a lot of money.
1. How Much Can I Make?
If you want to start making money off your designs, you should consider starting small. After all, you don’t want to invest too much money in something that won’t generate income. So, before starting, think about how much money you’d like to earn each month. Then, create a budget that allows you to achieve that goal.
If you’re selling your designs on your website, you’ll need to set up an e-commerce store that allows you to sell products directly to customers. Once you’ve created your store, you’ll need to find ways to promote your business. One way to do this is by creating a Facebook page to help you connect with others selling gaming merchandise.
2. Gamers Are Becoming More Social
Gamers used to spend their free time playing video games alone. But now, many people play with friends online thanks to social media platforms. As a result, they’re spending less time watching TV and more time interacting with other people through social media.
Game enthusiasts and professionals love sharing pictures of themselves wearing their favorite gaming gear or just collecting cool collectibles, making them ideal customers for any type of merch you create. So, if you create something cool enough, they’ll share it with their followers. It makes them feel part of a larger group of people who enjoy the same hobby.
3. People Love To Support Their Favorite Characters
Many gamers enjoy supporting their favorite characters. They buy clothing featuring these characters because they believe that wearing their clothes makes them look like the character they love.
And if a gamer sees another person wearing similar clothing, they might be inspired to follow suit. This phenomenon has made the fashion world interested in the gaming industry’s success. Many designers have started designing items specifically for gamers, including T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, jackets, hats, and bags.
4. You Have More Control Over Your Business
When you run your own merch business, you’re responsible for every aspect of its operations. You decide what types of products you offer, where you sell them, and how much you charge for them. This setup gives you complete control over your business.
Final Thoughts
Selling gaming merch isn’t easy. But the right mindset and a well-thought-out plan can turn your hobby into a profitable career and send you well on your journey to becoming a successful gaming merch seller. Start today and watch how exciting it is to see your profits grow.
