|
| |
|
Profit From Being a Published Designer |
By Sue DiFranco
Copyright © 2003 Sue DiFranco/Fun Facts Publishing
Many scrapbook enthusiasts would love to have their layouts
published in a magazine, but for scrapbook entrepreneurs,
being a published designer can give you a significant boost
to business. Consider this:
 Once you've
established a "name" by being published,
you can approach manufacturers (or they might approach you
first!) about teaching for them at national conventions and
trade shows. That "name" might also unlock the door to
getting your own product ideas and designs licensed to a large
manufacturer.
Retailers can advertise the fact that they, or staff members
and instructors, are "published designers." There is much power
behind those words! Scrapbookers want to learn from the best,
and some aspire (even in their own minds) to be the best - and
what better way than to hang out with the "stars" and hope
some of it rubs off!
Professional scrapbook artists who make scrapbooks for others
can certainly use the fact that they have been published as a
draw. Include it in your marketing materials, on your Web site,
in your portfolio, etc.
So we've determined getting your layouts published is a good
business move. So how do you do it? Here are some tips:
I recommend subscribing to all six of the consumer scrapbooking
magazines, not just one or two. This gives you a chance to see the
kind of layouts each magazine prefers. Also, as members of the
industry, subscriptions to each magazine should be mandatory -
plus it's a tax write-off!
You have two options at first - scanning your layout and submitting
it through email, or making color copies and sending it in. If you
make copies to send, your costs can add up, especially if you're
submitting to multiple magazines. Email might be your best option,
as long as you have access to a scanner. (If the magazines choose to
use your layout, they'll usually ask you to send the actual layout.)
With each layout submission, you'll need to include your name, address,
phone number, email, and supply list. The supply list is important,
as magazines will not publish your layout without one. If you're
working on a layout you think you'll want to submit, keep track
of what supplies you use and the manufacturer of each one. Be as
detailed as you can!
You can submit the same layout to every magazine, but be aware that
when one magazine publishes your layout, other magazines won't use the
same one. If you decide to submit, it's also a good idea to take those
layouts off of the popular Web sites, such as ScrapJazz.com.
Magazines typically keep layouts on file and will ask for them when the
need arises for a layout like yours. You might be contacted months down
the line, so try and be patient.
Sometimes the magazines will say what types of layouts they're looking
for in advance. Check the mags and their Web sites. Remember that
most magazines are working on issues that won't be out for months, so your
Kwanzaa page may be accepted in the summer.
Just do it! I've heard from so many scrapbookers that they haven't been
published, but they "haven't submitted as much as they should." Write
it on your To-Do list! Schedule time to submit your layouts on a regular
basis. It may seem elusive, but consider that the magazines need to
fill space with as many excellent layouts as they can. So keep
submitting!
The excitement will be great the day you get the call! Be ready for
some
down time while you wait for the issue to come out, and then it's
excitement time again! You'll usually get your layout back when the
next issue of the magazine is published.
If more than one magazine chooses to publish a layout, you'll need to
tell the other magazines that unfortunately, another magazine
contacted you first.
Some magazines pay with product and others with cash. But the
opportunity to put "published designer" after your name is priceless!
Good luck!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sue
DiFranco is the founder of Fun Facts Publishing and the author of more than a
dozen books on building and marketing scrapbooking businesses and
services. To learn more about how to turn your scrapbooking
passion into profit, visit http://www.funfactspublishing.com
to read a library of FREE information and get started today! |
Note: you’re welcome to use this article as content for your web site, ezine, or
newsletter. Please make sure it remains complete and unaltered, and it MUST
include the “about the author” info at the end.
We also ask that you send a copy of your reprint to
info@funfactspublishing.com.
Thank you!
Do you have a business article you'd like to share? We're offering a free
book (up to $20) for every article that we choose to use! Send yours in to:
articles@funfactspublishing.com
Read many more free articles
here.
| |
|
