How Zoodraws Uses Merch to Connect With Fans & Celebrate Conservation
Brian Ahern is the creator of Zoodraws, a wildly factual comic series that blends education, conservation, and humor. What started as a creative outlet has grown into a thriving social presence, and a merch line that lets his fans carry the message even further.
Why He Started Selling Merch
For Brian, merch wasn't just about business. It was a creative urge that also turned into a meaningful way to engage with fans.
"For me merch was something that I just wanted to see in the world for myself, like I wanted to make this shirt. But really for a fan engagement. I think that a lot of people said, hey, this would be great as a t-shirt or can I have this as a hat?"
His Advice for What to Design
"I would say just make what your followers are enjoying. Don't look at other designers as much. Just really say “my followers respond to this, I think that they would like to see it on apparel” … and ya know, just go for it."
Promoting Merch Without the Cringe
Brian balances promotion with entertainment, treating it like just another form of content creation.
"People following my account would expect to see promotional material, just because that's how most creators earn a living. I'd incorporate like a fun little video or a fun little intro into it, rather than just being like, here's a new shirt."
Have fans ever reacted negatively to your frequent merch promotion?
"Honestly, no, no, no one's ever been like… “that again?” If they do show that they've seen it before, they'll say like, 'Oh I love this one!' or 'When it comes around, it's my favorite- I still find it's funny' and that's really encouraging."
Why He Prefers Dashery Over Marketplaces like Etsy
"Dashery allows me to have my own storefront, so instead of people going to another site and seeing all the other artists, they stay on that site and can scroll through my catalog rather than just showing the whole Internet to them all at once."
On Dashery’s Creator-Controlled Earnings & Sales
Brian loves that Dashery gives him full control over his pricing, margins, and sales promotions.
"if I make a sale for a shirt for like $22, I get more than half of that, and that's great for me."
"I like the ability to make your own promotions. Because with my comic, like pretty much every day in the calendar year is a day set aside for conservation. So I can make my own sales specific to celebrate how bats are pollinators or how Tasmanian devils have returned to Australia.”
Quick Merch Turnarounds for Topical Content
"I think I started like 9 a.m. that morning when it happened. I already had a t-shirt out on Dashery, sort of poking fun at the fact that we're tariffing penguins and that sold like really well. Cause I was able to jump on the moment. If I was doing my own fulfillment, I just wouldn't be able to keep up."
Ready to Share Your Message and Your Merch?
Whether you're making comics, videos, or something else entirely, Dashery makes it easy to turn your audience’s love into wearable impact.
