{"id":35687,"date":"2022-06-12T08:37:38","date_gmt":"2022-06-12T08:37:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/?p=35687"},"modified":"2023-04-20T08:45:50","modified_gmt":"2023-04-20T08:45:50","slug":"5-merch-mistakes-first-timers-make-and-how-to-avoid-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/5-merch-mistakes-first-timers-make-and-how-to-avoid-them\/","title":{"rendered":"5 merch mistakes first-timers make and how to avoid them"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Music is NOT the only important element in the success of any musician. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The path to a successful music career is a long and winding road that will wear you and your wallet down. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thankfully, with band merch releases, a lot of musicians get by (and even earn big bucks from it so long as they are selling well.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now before we get high, a word of warning: It can be scary and worrisome to release <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/top-10-best-starter-merchandise-for-indie-bands\/\">merchandise<\/a><\/strong>, especially if you\u2019ve never done it before. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ther<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">e are a lot of things to consider and a lot of money at risk.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To help you prepare your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/7-valuable-tips-to-choose-the-best-custom-merchandise-for-bands\/\"><strong>custom band merch<\/strong><\/a>, we\u2019ll enumerate five common mistakes that are done by people who\u2019re releasing merch for the first time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> And, of course, we\u2019ll be giving you tips on how to avoid them.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69fa35bd06965\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69fa35bd06965\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/5-merch-mistakes-first-timers-make-and-how-to-avoid-them\/#1-playing-down-the-importance-of-planning\" >#1. PLAYING DOWN THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/5-merch-mistakes-first-timers-make-and-how-to-avoid-them\/#2-thinking-too-big\" >#2. THINKING TOO BIG<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/5-merch-mistakes-first-timers-make-and-how-to-avoid-them\/#3-releasing-merch-at-the-wrong-time\" >#3. RELEASING MERCH AT THE WRONG TIME<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/5-merch-mistakes-first-timers-make-and-how-to-avoid-them\/#4-only-focusing-on-your-merch\" >#4. ONLY FOCUSING ON YOUR MERCH<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/5-merch-mistakes-first-timers-make-and-how-to-avoid-them\/#5-having-insufficient-capital\" >#5. HAVING INSUFFICIENT CAPITAL<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1-playing-down-the-importance-of-planning\"><\/span><b>#1. PLAYING DOWN THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35738\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/FamilyPlan_Overhead.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/FamilyPlan_Overhead.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/FamilyPlan_Overhead-300x176.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/FamilyPlan_Overhead-768x452.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In everything you do, planning is always of great importance, especially if it involves money. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Winging it and just going with the flow is such a risky thing to do if you\u2019re planning on releasing a merch. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure that you come prepared when you start with the process or you will be missing a lot of things.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>WHAT YOU\u2019LL BE MISSING:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Budget Plan<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35689\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Budget-Plan.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"413\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Budgeting is one of the most important steps of releasing a merch for the first time. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since you haven\u2019t tried releasing before, you really don\u2019t have an accurate total cost that you can prepare for. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Without a budget plan, prepare to be surprised with the costs both for production and other trivial things.<\/span><b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Plan for the Manufacturing<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35690\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Plan-for-the-Manufacturing.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another important part of releasing merch is the manufacturing. Without the manufacturing, you won\u2019t have any merch to sell. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If there\u2019s no plan, you\u2019ll be disorganized when going through and communicating with your manufacturer.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Concrete Plan for Marketing<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35692\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Concrete-Plan-for-Marketing.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"181\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/band-merch-marketing-strategies\/\">Marketing<\/a><\/strong> plays a vital part in the success of your merch. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So having no concrete plan on how you will be promoting your merch will surely lead to a failed release. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People might find your ads irrelevant when targeted on people who are not interested or they may be discouraged due to the visuals they see.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><b>HOW TO AVOID THIS MISTAKE:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Do Some Research<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35695\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Do-Some-Research-1.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"336\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First things, first. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have to do some research on how to do the different stages of planning. Like how you should do it\u00a0 or what are the steps in budgeting. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also research possible manufacturing companies and how to engage with fans and customers.<\/span><b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ask for Help<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35696\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Ask-for-Help.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"324\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aside from researching, asking help from fellow artists or businesspeople you know is a good thing. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With their help and guidance, you will surely grasp how to do things on your own more easily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>_________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2-thinking-too-big\"><\/span><b>#2. THINKING TOO BIG<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35697\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/THINKING-TOO-BIG.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you didn\u2019t do any planning beforehand, it will be more likely that you think start too big with releasing your merchandise. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since you don\u2019t have any concrete plan to follow, you wouldn\u2019t have thought far into the future and just get on with it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because if you did plan, you would know that going big without any experience in releasing merch would be high-risk. If you did start too big for a first time release there will be grave consequences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>CONSEQUENCES:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Excessive Stocks<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35698\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Excessive-Stocks.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because you thought too big, you will end up ordering more than you can sell, which results in unsold merch items.<\/span><b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Wasted Money<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35699\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Wasted-Money.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"291\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These excessive stocks are a big blow to your pocket, especially when there are tens or hundreds of unsold merch. This is because, you\u2019ve already or will be paying for them and you won\u2019t profit from it.<\/span><b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Unspecified Market<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35700\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Unspecified-Market-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Unspecified-Market-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Unspecified-Market-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Unspecified-Market-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Unspecified-Market.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thinking too big can also result in this because you\u2019ll surely be thinking of catering too a lot of people, instead of focusing on a smaller group of them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><b>HOW TO AVOID THIS MISTAKE:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Be Specific<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35701\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/BE-SPECIFIC.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"227\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/BE-SPECIFIC.jpg 571w, https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/BE-SPECIFIC-300x113.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the planning stage, you have to remember to identify and specify your target market. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With this, you will be able to know an estimated number of buyers, which will help you order the right number of merch as well as save money.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>_________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3-releasing-merch-at-the-wrong-time\"><\/span><b>#3. RELEASING MERCH AT THE WRONG TIME<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35702\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/RELEASING-MERCH-AT-THE-WRONG-TIME.gif\" alt=\"tips how to avoid merch mistakes\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is a perfect timing of when you should release your merchandise and you have to remember that. If you do it at the wrong time, then you will surely suffer financial losses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>HOW TO AVOID:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Identify When the Merch is Sought Out or Used<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35703\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Identify-When-the-Merch-is-Sought-Out-or-Used.gif\" alt=\"tips how to avoid merch mistakes\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are four seasons and 12 months in a year and some of these celebrate things where people need to buy something for it, maybe a gift or clothing to wear. <a href=\"https:\/\/swaggin.com\/adult-heavy-blend-8-oz-5050-hood\"><strong>Let\u2019s take hoodies<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> For me, the best time to sell them would be when it\u2019s already fall or winter, since they\u2019re for the cold season.<\/span><b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Take Customers Pay Days into Account<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35704\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Take-Customers-Pay-Days-into-Account.gif\" alt=\"tips how to avoid merch mistakes\" width=\"600\" height=\"326\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should also remember that there are times of the month where most people are on a tight budget and times where they have some extra to spend. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, I\u2019m talking about the dark days in the middle of the previous and next pay day, and pay day itself.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s best if you do release around people\u2019s payday or near it.<\/span><b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Know Your Financial Limits<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35705\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Be-Specific.gif\" alt=\"tips how to avoid merch mistakes\" width=\"600\" height=\"398\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Money is an essential part in releasing your merchandise. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have to know and be prepared for your financial limits and the problems you\u2019ll be facing because of it. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Or you can avoid it all together by deciding to do it another time, when you\u2019re already more stable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>_________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4-only-focusing-on-your-merch\"><\/span><b>#4. ONLY FOCUSING ON YOUR MERCH<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35706\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/ONLY-FOCUSING-ON-YOUR-MERCH.gif\" alt=\"tips how to avoid merch mistakes\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember that in order for you to have a successful merch release, you will have to assess and focus on all factors. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you only focus on your merch, you will surely have a hard time releasing, promoting, and selling them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><b>HOW TO AVOID THIS MISTAKE:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To avoid it, you have to focus on each aspect. Give all of them some of your time and attention. Yes, it could be quite taxing, but I assure you it will all be worth it in the end.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>_________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5-having-insufficient-capital\"><\/span><b>#5. HAVING INSUFFICIENT CAPITAL<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35708\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/HAVING-INSUFFICIENT-CAPITAL.jpg\" alt=\"tips how to avoid merch mistakes\" width=\"600\" height=\"249\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/HAVING-INSUFFICIENT-CAPITAL.jpg 727w, https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/HAVING-INSUFFICIENT-CAPITAL-300x125.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insufficient capital may not be a common mistake for a lot of those who\u2019re selling them, but for first timers, this can be a huge one.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><b>HOW TO AVOID THIS MISTAKE:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you even begin the manufacturing of your merch, it would be best to plan your budget. This is why planning is such an important step. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With planning your budget, you get to anticipate how much you\u2019ll be spending and thus help you gain or save capital for it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are a lot more <strong>mistakes that first time merch<\/strong> releasers have made, but these are five of them that you must avoid at all cost. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that you know them, I hope you do well on your merch release. Remember to always plan things ahead and we&#8217;re here to help you every step of the way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>_________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b><i>James Hill<\/i><\/b><i>\u00a0is a veteran of the music industry. He first worked at Warner Reprise Records then later joined Interscope\/ Geffen Records where he managed producers and songwriters and got his first platinum record for Keyshia Cole\u2019s The Way It Is. He is now helping indie artists with branding and manufacturing through his company\u00a0<\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"follow noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><span class=\"s1\"><b><i>Unified Manufacturing<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/a><i>, a CD\/DVD\/vinyl and merch company in LA.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Music is NOT the only important element in the success of any musician. The path to a successful music career is a long and winding road that will wear you and your wallet down. Thankfully, with band merch releases, a lot of musicians get by (and even earn big bucks from it so long as [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":35710,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,27,18,17,25,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35687","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-artist-tips","category-custom-band-merch","category-custom-merch","category-film-music-marketing","category-graphic-design","category-packaging-design"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v18.2.1 (Yoast SEO v18.4.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>5 merch mistakes first-timers make and how to avoid them - UnifiedManufacturing<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Music is NOT the only important element in the success of any musician. 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