| Greeting cards and scrapbooking are a huge | | | | your customers. You can have a monthly or |
| industry. The US scrapbooking industry has | | | | quarterly prize. Find out how they prefer to |
| now reached $7 billion. This has happened | | | | be contacted. Either by post or email are |
| since the first modern scrapbooking store was | | | | ideal. If you want to give customers a |
| opened in 1981. In the UK every year the | | | | discount coupon to be used by a certain date |
| average person receives 55 cards. That figure | | | | this will encourage website sales and give |
| is only slightly lower in the US. | | | | publicity to your website. |
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| These are massive markets and you can become | | | | Giving details to everyone of all the |
| involved in them part time to start with and | | | | services you provide is useful because if you |
| then build it up to full time if you really | | | | are friendly people will be more likely to |
| like it. There are many different ways to | | | | contact you in future. Keep in touch by email |
| sell products and services related to | | | | with your special offers. |
| papercrafting. | | | | |
| | | | Another way to promote your business locally |
| Supplying local shops on a sale or return | | | | is to team up with non-competing crafts such |
| basis can work very well if you like | | | | as cake making and pottery painting |
| designing cards. This will mean you need to | | | | businesses to hire an inexpensive area and |
| come to an agreement with each shop on a per | | | | have a Craft Day locally. Be sure to |
| card or percentage basis. | | | | distribute flyers giving locals the |
| | | | information in plenty of time. |
| You will need to write an invoice with the | | | | |
| cards you have supplied to the shop and the | | | | Design cards to show your style and display |
| terms that have been agreed. You can return | | | | them in the library or supermarkets to find |
| every few weeks to re-stock and collect | | | | new customers. Be sure to let them know the |
| payment. It should be possible to get into a | | | | sort of paperwork projects you are prepared |
| routine. | | | | to undertake for them. |
| | | | |
| You could supply a large number of different | | | | As soon as you have happy customers ask them |
| stores in your area with cards providing you | | | | if they will provide you with a testimonial. |
| are imaginative and can find ways of | | | | This is important and can be used in your |
| designing cards that suit their style. The | | | | advertising . You must get their permission |
| important thing to remember is that a | | | | first. This is second only to personal |
| traditional shop will want traditional cards | | | | referrals for encouraging prospective |
| and a modern shop will favour very modern | | | | customers to give you a try. |
| cards. Try to design for the outlet. | | | | |
| | | | A really good idea is to start a new customer |
| A large number of people like handmade cards. | | | | relationship by pointing out that you expect |
| It is important that they are well presented | | | | them to be so delighted with the service you |
| and if you do scrapbooking as well or you are | | | | provide that they will refer you to 5 friends |
| prepared to make invitations etc be sure to | | | | as as a result. |
| have a label on the back of each to let | | | | |
| people know how to contact you. | | | | They will be reassured about the effort you |
| | | | will make for them and expect to be asked in |
| Another way to get yourself known is to have | | | | future if they know anyone else that may |
| a market stall or car boot sales. You will | | | | benefit. |
| want to bring a large variety of different | | | | |
| cards to suit all the types of people that | | | | There are companies that you can be a company |
| may be there. Have signs made beforehand with | | | | representative for but these each have |
| your prices clearly displayed. Try buy 3 get | | | | different requirements and with some you need |
| one free. Also buy 10 get 5 free. | | | | to buy a certain amount every month. Always |
| | | | understand what you are committing to before |
| To judge the best price look at what other | | | | signing up. |
| cards are selling for in your area. Price | | | | |
| yours so that they reflect the fact that they | | | | You need to have your own marketing plan that |
| are handmade but are also competitively | | | | suits your circumstances and the time you |
| priced for the area. It is also an | | | | have available. If you decide to expand your |
| opportunity of getting your name known in the | | | | business you can do that when it suits you |
| area which is an added benefit to you. | | | | and when you have the funds available. |
| | | | |
| Always have a genuine competition for your | | | | It is best to start small and not commit too |
| purchasers or anyone interested to enter. | | | | much too soon. There are a lot of online |
| Have the prize on display. This is useful for | | | | scrapbook and card making opportunities |
| collecting details for keeping in touch with | | | | available also. eBay is one. |