The Stitchwear Designer's Guide to Self-Promotion and Earning What You Deserve

It's time the world recognizes the incredible value you bring to the table…but that begins with you recognizing the value that YOU bring to the table. Today, we're diving into the empowering realm of advocating for your worth and making sure you get the compensation you rightfully deserve. It's not just about asking; it's about confidently knowing that you’re worth it.

Before we jump into the art of asking for what you're worth, let's talk about confidence. Your designs aren't just garments; they are hours upon hours of your time made with your passion for your craft. Embrace the uniqueness you bring to your stitches. Reflect on your skills, your creative vision, and all that has gone into perfecting your craft. When you believe in your abilities, others will too.

Understanding your worth is a crucial step in the self-promotion journey. So often as creatives, we limit who we reach out to because we don’t believe that we are “good enough” to interact with a particular brand or company. You may have heard of this under the term “imposter syndrome”.

Make a list of what value you add and keep it handy for quick reference in ways you can collaborate, work with brands and grow.

There is no better way to beat imposter syndrome then to remind yourself of your value and keep yourself surrounded by those who see your value.

Begin by considering your skills and experience as a designer and how they add value to others. Then before you create a list of potential brand partners, research what other designers they are working with. When looking to connect with a brand for sponsorships search through their tagged photos on social media and look for the designers who have tagged them and used the #sponsored or #ad tags in their captions. 

How do your analytics stack up to theirs? How does their experience stack up to yours? What do they do well in their marketing efforts and what lessons can you take from those learnings. AND pay attention to the common threads between these creators. Are they active on one social channel over another? Do they use a common technique in their work?

While there will always be creators who are further along than you are in your design journey you will also find creators who are at the beginning of the process and who are actively working with those brands. Find a creator who aligns with your metrics and analyze what they are nailing and how you can apply that to your approach in a unique way.

As you do this, be mindful you are doing research so take care not to compare. You are on a fact finding mission for tips working for others that you can incorporate into your own business model. It is not comparing.

Now comes the part where confidence takes center stage. Asking for your worth can be nerve-wracking, but trust us, you've got this! 

Clearly articulate the value you bring to the table and why you are worth every penny. Come to them prepared with a one-sheeter (tear sheet) that includes your metrics and highlights the values you know are important to them based on the learnings from your research. 

Confidence is contagious, and when you exude it, brands will be more likely to see the value in your work. It's okay to step outside your comfort zone and ask for what you deserve. Remember, you're not just asking for money; you're asking for recognition of your skill, time, and creativity. 

When presenting your rates, be firm yet approachable. Highlight the uniqueness of your designs and the dedication you pour into each creation. 

Don't undersell yourself and know what your bottom line is. You would be SHOCKED by how many doors can open for you if you simply ask…and are prepared. 

That answer might sound easy…money. But it’s important to think about your relationship with a brand as a long-term one, not a short-term one. How can you get the most out of your partnership? 

If yarn support is the goal and you plan to promote that item once it’s live on your Selling Channels how can you make money off of all of the sales that you are creating for that brand?

Affiliate marketing is an easy way to ensure that you’re earning from the traffic that you’re driving to a brand. Additionally, knowing how much traffic you are driving gives you more data to stand on when it’s time to renegotiate. 

If you are planning to post that product on your website, adding ads to that post is an additional passive revenue stream that can live on long after you have moved on to the next release. 

If you only received yarn support and are looking to grow with a brand down the line, you can create trackable links through Bitly for your patterns. That way the next time you talk with the brand you will have data to back up your next ask.

Surround yourself with a community of fellow stitchwear designers. Share experiences, swap tips, and cheer each other on. While many designers are reluctant to share their experience with brands publicly, they may be more open than you would expect to have an honest conversation with you if you ask for advice and come to the conversation from a respectful place. 

Having a support system that boosts your confidence and provides insights into navigating the world of self-promotion and fair compensation is KEY to making sure we all succeed. 

But remember, one day you will be the experienced maker. It’s important to share it forward when a newbie comes to you for advice.

Ok, so you’ve done it! You’re getting equitable pay for the work you’re creating. But this is only the beginning of that relationship. New designers are going up every day and they are just as eager as you were to get their foot in the door. 

You can remain in the door by following through on what you promise to bring to the table. Be responsive over email and become the one they know they can rely on. At the end of the day, creator managers at major brands are overworked. They will choose to pay a creator whom they know they can rely on vs not pay a creator who may or may not come through for them. 

Your reliability is an asset to them and that asset is valuable. 

Remain consistent, and you will remain in the room. We believe in you makers! Sign up for our newsletter for more helpful tips to help in your design process.