It takes a lot to survive on tour but an overlooked aspect is merchandising, both as a survival tactic (gotta have money if you want to eat) and as a promotional tool. The following contribution is an excellent stab at covering the basics.

    Here’s why you (being a first time visitor on a tour) need merchandise: Someone comes to a show you’ve booked in a place you don’t normally play. It could well be to see another band. It is also possible that they have heard your band on a compilation with good distribution. Maybe they have even stumbled across your web site and heard some sound clips, and want to hear more. In all of these cases, the people at the show are going to take home an impression of your band. It is up to you to make sure that it lasts, because before long, they may only recognize your name again.

Advice:
Sell stuff cheap, so your name is sure to stay once you have left

   Even if your profits are cut into, you have bought yourself a return audience the next time you come through…and that next time you come you will be playing for not only them, but everyone they played your CD for who wants to get more of your merchandise.

Bring T-Shirts and stickers!

   Why specifically T-shirts and stickers? T-shirts and stickers are good examples of things that a lot of people see, even though one was sold. Stickers are obvious examples of this. You can put them everywhere, and the purpose is so that people see them, and begin to recognize your name. Stickers are very inexpensive.,

   As for T-shirts, they go a long way. I must see a couple hundred people a day just walking around. Even better, there are some people I see all the time. If I wear a certain shirt, I am a walking advertisement. People are bound to ask about the shirt. Further, as a merchandise item, shirts indicate fanship probably better than any other item. Its because people think shirts are expensive, and you must really have liked a band to be wearing their shirt. Shirts are not, however, as expensive to get as people think if you are a band. Buying T-shirts can be expensive, unless you know where to go. The best place to look is other bands who know of good deals. These good deals usually come in the form of “irregulars.” These are perfectly good shirts with a few threads out of order, so the T-shirt companies get rid of them CHEAP. To save you some time, I will include my email address – I have a good relationship with a company that gets rid of these shirts. It’s dedbydon@hotmail.com. Buying your T-shirts cheap will allow you to sell them cheaper, which will help you sell more, which will earn you better/more exposure for less money!

Compliments from greg.