How RedCowTees got started
Introduce your Etsy shop and tell us your story. How did you begin and decide on what to sell on Etsy, and how do you create your products?
Hi, I’m Richard from RedCowTees. We create and sell T-shirts, focusing on pop culture and geeky chic designs to hopefully raise a smile. I opened our Etsy store in late 2017 and have really enjoyed the Etsy experience, especially chatting with our wonderful customers. RedCowTees takes inspiration for our products from all around us: science, music, politics, nature, and funny memes.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
Oh hard question - it’s like being asked to pick your favorite offspring! I love the Figs Diagram tee - as anyone who has ever opened a science book will relate to this.
Mansfield Park is another fave - the classic literature / Jurassic Park mash-up that you never knew you needed.
As a fan of The Good Place, Holy Mother Forking Shirt Balls always makes me smile : )
Getting sales on Etsy
How long did it take for you to earn your first sale and how do you currently attract customers to your Etsy shop?
RedCowTees was really lucky and got our first sale two days after we opened the store. I think opening in the run-up to Christmas really helped, as this is always our busiest time of the year. to attract customers, we make sure to keep adding new designs, run regular sales and promotions, and use social media channels to share our designs. We also focus on delivering top -notch customer service, which really helps with getting repeat customers.
Managing RedCowTees
How do you manage your shop? Are you running solo or do you have any team members? What tools or services do you use to run your shop and how do you handle fulfillment?
It is just myself who looks after the RedCowTees store; most of my time is spent on designs and customer service. We use Printful for shipping, stocking, and fulfillment. The dropshipping model works well for us, as most of our customers are in the US and Canada.
The future of RedCowTees
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
My goals for RedCowTees are to keep doing what we are doing while it is still fun and people are enjoying our designs. In 2023, I am hoping to expand our range beyond T-shirts, looking at hats, stickers, patches, and posters.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
Do your research before you launch your shop; the best shops have a strong community around a specific niche. Ideally, this would be something that you already have an interest in, as that makes everything so much easier when selecting the right products and finding your audience. Also spend time on product key words; search is your friend!
Double-check your price points and make sure you are making a profit. In the early days, I didn’t account for all the fees and set some of my prices too low.
Patience is also important; sales will grow over time, but it can take a while to get the word out and build your audience.
Engage with your audience and other Etsy stores; strong customer service is key. Always respond to messages quickly, especially if there is a problem. I have found that chatting with customers has really helped with building an audience and repeat sales. Also, this can give you ideas for new products and designs.
RedCowTees
You'll look great in our t-shirts
