Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

 I have a great collection of my photos, made in greeting cards very similar to any folded card we buy in all stores for whatever occasions...

 All my cards are hand signed as of now...( I realize that if it`s getting out of hands...no punt intended !...I might not be able to sign thousands...but so far I don`t have that problem yet )

I have flowers,swans,butterflies,sunsets,vineyards,grapes...just to mention some,

...how do I get them out there ?

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in vino veritas & thanks a bunch !

Hi lasourie,

Do you have a website?  I know I say it to everyone, but people underestimate article marketing.  By having a site with your products, you can submit articles about `unique greeting cards` or something along the lines.  Submitting those to article directories allows potential customers to read about the products, get interested, and then click back to your site. 

Hi, Samantha,

Do you do article marketing as a freelance writer?

Just curious to know how "you" go about it.

Best,

Jennifer

Hi lasouri,

You may want to check out the Greeting Card Association`s website http://www.greetingcard.org/ Also, they publish a very informative print magazine http://www.greetingsmagazine.com/greetings/index.shtml in addition to an online newsletter http://www.greetingsmagazine.com/greetings/newsletter-signup .shtml

Also, I would love to see some of your samples - are you able to post any within your profile?

Hi lasouri,

You may want to check out the Greeting Card Association`s website http://www.greetingcard.org/ Also, they publish a very informative print magazine http://www.greetingsmagazine.com/greetings/index.shtml in addition to an online newsletter http://www.greetingsmagazine.com/greetings/newsletter-signup .shtml

Good luck to you!  Also, I would love to see some of your samples - are you able to post any within your profile?

 

 

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Wishing you all continued blessings and successes!
~Roshelle (aka SparkleGirl), SparklingCards.com
We provide customized cards that make your gifts shine! Also, our Wedding Day Survival Kit has been featured in America`s Bride Magazine.

Also, please check out my new venture, welcome2college.com - a FREE resource site for prospective and newly enrolled university and college students.

Hello,

I currently work at a small retail shop, and photographers regularly come in and ask to speak with us about beautiful photo cards they`ve made of our local surroundings.  Folks literally just walk up to the register and ask to speak to the buyer, which is fine with us.  Granted, I work next door to a popular tourist attraction known for its beauty, so we unfortunately get more solicitations than we can sell in our particular shop!  But this may be a way for you to get the foot in the door at some of your local establishments - if nothing else, having a local shop or two sell your cards is a great marketing tool to help you get into larger markets. 

Some of the photographers who stop by with cards are very organized, and some less so; as a buyer who`s made these decisions, here are my suggestions:
    1. Always have samples with you, and have a few extras to leave behind and sacrifice to the cause.  As complete a sample you can provide, the better: photocopies aren`t as helpful, we also want to feel the card`s texture and paper quality, see how well its constructed, and see what`s on the back of the card.  As a buyer, it`s helpful to have samples for reference and to show to my colleagues who contribute to buying decisions.
    2. Have a sheet ready to go with your contact info, basic product info, and wholesale prices.   Do not offer to fax info to us later "if you like the cards" -- that`s too much effort.  Buying is often as impulsive for retailers as it is for mall shoppers - if we decide after you`ve left that we like the cards, make it as easy as possible for us to contact you and place an order.
    3. Let hesitant retailers know that you`re not afraid of consigning cards in order to get your foot in the door.  Offer to consign a few cards to see if they sell.  If your cards are as good as you say they are, they`ll sell, and the shop will be calling you up to order more.  =)
 
I hope this helps, good luck!!!
~CAllison

I agree about approaching brick & mortar stores... pick your favorite store(s) in the town you are in & approach them first. This helps give you a little experience under your belt.

I attended the Stationary show in May this year at the Javitz Center in NYC. It was packed w/ small businesses placing orders left and right. I`ve never seen so many people actually writing orders at a trade show. If you can afford it, it would help give you alot of exposure. Just make sure your booth is special enough to lure them in from the aisles. Also, the press attends trade shows & is always looking for what`s new...a good way to do some PR.  If it`s too much to do for 2008, you might want to attend the show to see what it`s all about & exhibit in 2009.

 

I`d like to hear others` responses about T-shirt companies, but I`ll put in my experience so far. I`ve printed one shirt through CafePress and two through Spreadshirt. There are SO many ways to create T-shirts, but I`m looking for the best way to do on-demand T-shirts at this point. I`m bootstrapping a venture, and will initially pay a little more to not have to stock T-shirts. Spreadshirt allows you to set up a store and they handle everything (shirts, printing, shipping, accepting payments). Eventually I`ll get to the point where I`ll want larger margins, and will probably need to buy shirts in bulk, get them printed locally, and be prepared to ship them myself.

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Brian O`Keefe
Web Designer & Writer @ YiNZCO
Athlete & T-Shirt Guy @ STR!VE NATiON

Center56 - Do you want to buy shirts in bulk and have them printed for you and you ship them out, or do you want a print on demand type store? If you are wanting to buy shirts and print them, I`d start by looking in the phone book at your local options. I always support local and small business when I can, and they usually have much better, more personal customer service and more willing to give `tips`.

For greeting card printing, you can look in to local specialty printers in your area. Not Kinkos style, but specialty printing houses.

Like you said, you do have a lot of options. For online companies, many of them supply samples. I`d get samples, and make a list of pricing and then compare them to find the one that most closely fits your criteria.

As for building a website, if you don`t know how to do it, definitely hire somebody. You have to look professional if you want people to take you seriously. Your sales will show it!

My husband has shirts at CafePress and Zazzle. Zazzle does a much better job on black shirts. Cafepress just prints it on, and it fades off on black, but Zazzle puts a white layer on first, so it`s nice and bright. However, he sells a lot more on Cafepress by picking up browsers there.



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