This Buffalo blog journals the leaps and stutters of launching, designing, advertising, marketing, promoting and, praise baby jesus, profiting from a Buffalo T-shirts company called Buffalo T-shirts. If youre interested in the process we've gone through, its all right here. Start from the archive and work your way up.
Step Right Up and Let Your Voices Be Heard. Swing over to The Voting Booth at Buffalo T-shirts and read the 3 pitches of our candidates. Do your homework and then cast your vote for your personal favorite design by clicking which one you like to see printed using the survey to the right of this post. The majority wins–maybe not in the Presidential Election–but it wins this vote. Vote Once, Vote Often! Well, maybe just vote once. Your three candidate are:
Ive been trying to keep track of any mention online of our little shop here. Most recently we were mentioned on buffalome.com and syracuse.com. Ill do my best to keep this list updated, but if anyone come across something I've missed, I'd appreciate a post to let me know. Here's where we've been mentioned so far:
Is the Rocketship 7 tee from Buffalo T-shirts a metaphor for Buffalo's future? If you say so. Actually, the idea for this shirt was formed from a childhood memory. My dad had our sailboat docked at the Marina and occasionally we'd slip up to the observation tower to fill up the gas tank prior to heading out. I always thought growing up that the tower looked like a crude spacecraft. Think Men in Black and the Worlds Fair Towers in Queens. Thats what Im talking about. But some say its a metaphor. So, okay its a metaphor. A graphic t-shirt symbolic of Buffalo's upward swing.
It’s been about 15 years since our team came out of the gate at 3-0 and their come from behind win Sunday was nothing short of inspiring. To celebrate, we’ve decided to take a-buck-a-win off each shirt. That’s $3.00 Off each shirt. Plus, buy two shirts and get free shipping. But hurry, this offer ends Wednesday, Sept 24.
Im trying out Squidoo this weekend to get traffic flowing to my website. Heres my first real, true-blue lens for one of my shirts. If you get a chance add to the Favorite Buffalo Restaurant list. CLICK HERE
The first week was a whirlwind. I didnt get much sleep as I worked on minor tweaks to the site and getting the site listed on PleaseDressMe and Teenormous, two of the bigger T-shirt search engines on the web. Great people at both places: patient, knowledgeable and all very helpful. Thanks to both! I also updated my Google Analytics to point to my new site so I can track visitors and what not. I created a sitemap through Google as well to help my listings in search engines and finally, I researched keywords to hone my tags and html text a little bit to see if I can get in the top 3 for "Buffalo T-shirts". I may need to scale back on the number of times I use my name on pages. Overkill can be seen as spam to the googlebots (er, whatever they're called). Its a learning process. The other thing Im wondering, and this will be interesting to find out, is this: Whats more appealing: a) Free shipping b) 20% off entire purchase, or c) $5.00 off per shirt Im leaning towards 20% off sounding much better. That'll probably be next months special for newsletter readers. Speaking of newsletters...I need some ideas for that. Im thinking of doing a couple lists like Top 5 wineries in the Niagara region, Top 5 pizza joints (Campiero's, 888 Main St, I can't stress it enough!) in Buffalo, maybe hint on new releases, and add tips on increasing web traffic. Who knows. There might be some opportunities for business to swap links on it too. I need a nap!
We are officially open at Buffalo T-shirts! The long awaited day has finally arrived. I uploaded the site this morning around 1am and so far, there hasnt, to my knowledge, been any hitches. Now the fun begins: the marketing. Getting people to the site-driving traffic. Online plans consist of social networking on MySpace, Facebook, MyBuffalo and Twitter. Ill publish some Squidoo lenses (one for each shirt and one for the site itself), upload images and descriptions to a few of the t-shirt search engines and continue to market our wares to expats throughout the country. Any suggestions out there would be appreciated. Affiliate marketing maybe?
As our long, sunny summer concludes I was hoping to compile a list of things people like to do and places Buffalonians enjoy visiting during our Fall season here on the shores of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Maybe a top ten of sorts. People often think we have two seasons in Buffalo: winter and winter. But for me autumn in Buffalo is one of the best of the 4, not just because the fall foliage turns a spectrum of colors or because every other Sunday you can tailgate at one of the best parks in the NFL either. It could be a simple thing like a hike through Chestnut Ridge Park to light the 'eternal' flame, or enjoying a Sabres game at JJ's (Casa Di Pizza on Elmwood Ave), or running the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. There's much to do in Buffalo during the summer months and I bet if we put our heads together, just as much to do and enjoy in the fall.
Rats ass. this wouldve been a great gig to launch the shirts but Im getting them 3 days late. In any event, if you have any time, check out this flea market in Delaware Park Sunday, Sept 7.
Big news from the Buffalo T-shirts office: I dropped off the blank shirts and the artwork to the screenprinter this morning. We are officially less than 2 weeks away from having printed shirts! In these next two weeks I plan on finalizing the website and getting the paypal system up and running so that when shirts come in, I can get them online and offer them up to the retail heavens. If you havent signed up for the mailing list, I recommend doing so now before we launch to get in on the free delivery on your first purchase and other special treats. It won't cost you anything more than giving me your email address, so youve nothing to lose. So go. Now.
A week in the saddle and I still have feeling in my ass, thats the good news. The bad news is it was way too short. After all the planning and fretting over whether I had a bike and the equipment to take me 50-70 miles/day for 7 straight–boom, its done with. We met some great people, saw some incredible sights and together with my two brothers travelled close to 400 miles over gravel trails and paved roads. The daily mileage looked like this: 53, 53, 49, 72, 49, 57, 56 (389 total miles). Greatest character was Blair at the Irish Harbor in Canajoharie, NY (image above) who filled our stomachs with meatball bomber sandwiches, pints of beer and Jamieson whiskey. Other notables: Worstest Town of them all: Medina (Depressing as all hell) Nicest 'port': Fairport, NY Best Camp: Oneida Lake Best City: Albany (puts Buffalo to shame really)Best Bike Shop: Towbath Bike, Pittsford, NY Worst Bike Shop: Dicks (in the Tonawandas) The name says it all. Check out more pictures of our trip here and here.
Image via WikipediaI am still awaiting the t-shirt blanks from American Apparel. Its been 10 days and Ive gotten no word, no tracking number. Nothing but an invoice. When will they arrive? Im desperate to get them in and make these shirts. I was hoping to have them for my Erie Canal trip-wouldve been (and still will be) a great promotional vehicle. I am packing my Buffalo T-shirt bumber stickers and plan on leaving bunches in strategic places on our stops (restaurants, taverns, bars, watering holes, beer gardens...) I really wanted to take a stash of shirts with me too (perhaps it could still happen. If I get shirts in today or tomorrow, perhaps I can find someone to bust out the logo shirts quickly. It could happen. Ive also been looking into the Buffalo Indie Market for a future venue to shop the Buffalo T-shirt wares. They seem to be getting a fair amount of press and healthy crowds and they set up once a month or so at the Pearl Street Brewery. Next step is plopping down some cash for the hem labels.
Lets get something straight, Im a designer. An art director to be more precise. I spend most of my days exploring ways to get the word out about other companies. They could be start-ups like Buffalo T-Shirts; a brilliant sporting repair company that will rock the hockey world--soon to be part of the Courtney Creative camp; or (and Im gonna drop names here so be prepared to be awed...) mom-n-pops that've been around awhile like the Bills, Toronto Blue Jays, NFL Network, DNC, Aussie Vineyards. The list might go on... Anyways I want to let (all 3 of) you know, I just purchased the t-shirt blanks for the first round. Sure did. (!) Online at 2:05am Saturday morning 2008 (fittingly The Year of the Duck-Billed Platapenys). It is awesome and utterly ridiculous I know. Essentially I just paid for 165 t-shirts. I wish Marv Levy could appear and inspire me. Wow, he just did. Go Bills. Truthfully, this is a big moment for us (meaning me). Nothing to cheer about yet, but its a good, honest and dedicated commitment.We are making something happen...as small as that is, we are making a stir somewhere and thats something. We've shook a branch. Lets see if we'll get noticed.
Image via WikipediaYep, its still on. Erie Canal. Albany to Buffalo. 50 miles a day for 8 days. 400 miles. I took my bike in to Rick's Cycle Shop at 55 Allen in Buffalo NY (ask for a free helmet with a new bike purchase) yesterday and picked it up today. It needed the 30 day tune-up for sure. The handlebars were loose, I couldn't downshift to the lowest gears (1-7), and half the other gears rubbed, skipped or derailed the chain. Plus I need to shore up my front fender. We had rigged it with a piece of leather and a twist tie but I was a bit uncomfortable that it would cause injury. They are uber fenders from Velo-Orange. So, it seems all good right now, but I need to replace my pedals (they hooked me up with a pair at Ricks) since the bearing in the platform originals had already been stripped. But Ive no grease so I have to get that tomorrow. Other than that, we need to rent a van to take us and our 3 bikes to Albany and thats about it. Anyone with a truck drivin to Albany August 17th? Hey, Ill give you a t-shirt or two, c'mon.
Image by bark via FlickrMaking a bit of a switch here and taking care of the shirt purchasing myself. Not a big deal really, it just gives me some more control over the first round of shirts. Im really excited about the printing. As a print designer, the ink on paper process is always a bit like Christmas. "Will I get what I want?" "WTF is this?" "Wrong." BTW, I remember when I first debated his jolly existence. 1980. 6th grade. St. Mary's on the Lake 1st floor. Debating the existence of Santa. I was convinced, damnit. No way did my mom cough up the bucks for toys and gifts for 5 kids. Im sorry but you dont know what youre talking about. But I Regress. I wish I could screen print these myself. That was the original plan back in April!
Finally the day is here. Artwork is complete. Shirts are selected. Final rfp is out to the screenprinter. Once I get the quote, its 50% down and off we go! Can you feel the excitement? This turned out to be quite the process. What started out as an idea for a hobby turned into a brand launch and marketing thesis-so to speak. Anyways thought I'd share the final artwork. The background colors are the shirt colors. overall I love where we are at with these. The Buffalo T-shirts logo shirts will retail for less than the other two for obvious reasons.
Im kicking around this t-shirt for the opening. Just the Buffalo T-shirts logo. Ive gotten a good response concerning the logo–people seem to like the look of it. A bit industrial, a little raw. Its got something for sure. If I'm going to build a brand, it should act like one right from the get-go. Besides that, I like the way these shirts look. I want one. So I'll print 50 of them and see what happens. Heres where you come in. Should I eliminate one of the original tees, pictured on the bflotees web site, and replace it with the Buffalo brand t-shirt? Let me know what you think. Also, what color ink/shirts do you like for the brand t-shirt: 1. cool gray/black 2. mustard/olive 3. blue on brown
UPDATE: Ive received the swatches. I am currently matches inks to the fabric. Plan to order shirts Monday from the manufacturer, American Apparel. Were inching closer, like this month!
This is a fun project on a bored Sunday afternoon. Especially if youve got blank walls with nothing to look at but plenty of activity outdoors. Turn your room into a giant camera obscura and watch the world go by upside down. Camera Obscura is also a pretty fun band out of Scotland.
Image via WikipediaWhile I have this window while my shirts are ordered and then printed I thought it would be best to make a list of the steps I need to take from here, if for no other reason than to make a post. So, here't go: 2. Photography. Can't do until I have shirts. And models. Maybe I can pay in shirts. Meet me at the marina, we'll take some shots and you get to keep the shirt and bask in short-lived online buffalo celebrity. My plan here is to shoot in the environment. The marina shirt at the marina. The windmill shirt at Steel Winds or whatever its called, the Palmers Inn shirt at the canal. yader, yader, yader. 1b. Website. With fpo images (thats 'for position only' for you novice players out there). I've started this already, got the basic wireframe put together. But Ive lots of shopping cart, paypal, order form questions that I need figuring. This is probably the next major hurdle and the top of the list. 3. Small Flyer. To flip on car windows. Im thinking rubber stamp on craft paper. Nice look and cheap. 4. Chalk. To hit the streets with the name and website around town. "Buffalo T-shirts bflotees.com". 1a. Order the labels. I forgot about this step. Thats why I make a list. This will take about 2 weeks to come in. Must order immediately.
What I have: NYS Certificate of Authority dba Shipping bags (int and ext.) Hang Tags order/invoice form Freebies Paypal account
My printer called and the swatches from American Apparel are in...FINALLY. This week we'll pick out shirt colors, place an order and wait for them to come in. Maybe 2-3 weeks away from actual printed shirts.
Hi everyone. I'm a designer in Buffalo and I'm launching a Buffalo T-shirt business. I plan on designing and selling sharp, limited-edition Buffalo Tshirts that celebrate our little city. Nothing about snow or rust though. Not that I have anything against 'em, I mean I enjoy playing hockey and going skiing. Its a great way to work the core. Thats what they say. And rust? Rusty and I have a mutual respect for each other and a working relationship. He does his thing, I do mine. I live, work and play in the city and have for more than half my life. Holy shi...thats a long time. The other half I grew up on Hamburg Beach, was into the Iron Sheik and Superfly Snucka, would do pretty much anything my older brother told me to do, often resulting in injury and was always taller than everyone I knew... until I met Andre the Giant. Talk of a small dose of humility at age 14. Oh, thats not a novelty miniature beer can in your hand. It just looks that way because you're so gy-norm
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