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Your #1 Resource For: Starting a Successful Scrapbooking Business Growing Your Existing Scrapbook Business Insider Information on the $3 Billion+ Scrapbook Industry |
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You have arrived at the latest online issue of Scrapbook Industry News, the email newsletter
sent to scrapbooking professionals from Fun Facts
Publishing. Subscribe to Scrapbook Industry News! Fun Facts Publishing's
E-Newsletter "The times in our lives in which we feel that we have the Back issues of this publication are available online at: IN THIS ISSUE: 1.
News and Updates Please Visit This Issue's Sponsors:
Ezine
Sponsorships Hello and a warm welcome to all new subscribers! I received so many warm, inspirational, truly touching letters after the last email was sent out. I want to thank all of you for affecting me in such a positive way. I was petrified as I clicked the "send" button, but your responses turned that fear into tears (of joy, that is). Thank you! So, today is the first day of the rest of Fun Facts Publishing's life! :) Basic web site updates have been made all around, and I have added all-new Media Links, Classifieds, and Donation Requests (more details on those down below). I am currently immersed in the research and writing of the industry report, "Inside The $3+ Billion Scrapbook Industry: Research, Analysis, Forecasts, More." I am working hard to make sure it's as up-to-date as possible with all of the latest research, trends, and predictions, and I'm hoping to have it ready to be published and sent out by late spring. I hope you enjoy this latest issue! Please feel free to stay in touch with any questions, comments, or suggestions you might have. I'm grateful to (still) be a part of such an amazing industry. See you next time! Sincerely, Sue DiFranco,
Founder Some recent mentions of scrapbooking in the pop culture world: Diane Keaton Working on a Book About Scrapbooking From "The Ottawa Citizen" on February 9, 2007: "[Keaton] also writes books. She has one coming out on Spanish colonial architecture, and another on scrapbooks which she's cowriting with a friend. "Why scrapbooks? Well, it seems that Keaton is fascinated by them and has collected hundreds. "'I've noticed that scrapbooks are really people's way of visually documenting their lives and interests with things that compel them. People who aren't really artists who have a need to express themselves visually. We collected all these scrapbooks from various sources and we picked the imagery that we thought was really outstanding -- that was eye-grabbing. It's kind of poetic -- like anonymous art in a way, yet very personal.' "The
anthology will feature scrapbooks dating back 70 years. The contents will
range from children's scrapbooks, which are relatively common, to scrapbooks
that reflect one person's "'One
man had a scrapbook about what he did back in the '40s ... and it's just
bizarre. Another person had a scrapbook about fashion dos and don'ts.
We also have a great Eddie Fisher scrapbook.'" Aerosmith Fans Create Massive Scrapbook For Bassist Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton, who had spent last year recovering from throat cancer, told "Metal Hammer Magazine" on February 13, 2007: "I need to acknowledge some of the hardest of hardcore Aerosmith fans who went way above the call. "A few
months ago when I was still feeling kind of wiped out they made me a really
cool get well gift. It's a huge scrapbook where every page is a handmade
tribute to the band. Specifically each page is a get well wish done for
me to the n-th degree. The pages are full of photos and hand made graphics
that must have taken each person hours upon hours to finish. I think that's
the most moving part, thinking of how much time and effort was put into
making it. I really appreciate it and it was a nice thing to receive just
as the long gray winter "...I want everyone who participated to know that I was blown away when I opened the package and looked at it. Every page is a really nice piece of artwork and maybe someday there will be a way to display it so others can see it." Scrapbooking Featured on TV Show "The O.C." And finally,
scrapbooking was featured on a recent episode of the Fox-TV show "The
O.C.," when the character Taylor created a scrapbook and gave it
to her boyfriend Ryan.
Seitz told
GoDeKalb.com that she has been scrapbooking for ten years, and had a previous
career as a Professional Scrapbook Artist. She's currently working on
her next book, which will be part of a series of novels on scrapbooking.
Leaving Prints, the scrapbooking direct sales company started in 2002, officially went out of business at the end of 2006. There was allegedly speculation about the condition of the company for several months prior. "Official" word seemed to come in the form of a sheet of paper on the company's front door, which read, simply, "We are closed. Out of business." One former LP consultant reported that she did receive an email from the head of the company, which stated, in part: "The only thing we can do now is to clarify that indeed, despite our best efforts, even second and third efforts, Leaving Prints is going out of business. We are truly sorry things didn't work out differently. We had such good product, programs and people...It was always a pleasure working with you and virtually all Leaving Prints Instructors. We know you have great personal potential. We wish you our best." The letter went on to say, "This email site will soon be taken down. Please accept this as our final communication out. If you need to contact us, please do so in writing at..." In other news, on January 17, 2007, a new direct sales company featuring scrapbook products was announced. My Creative Life is a new business currently in Pre-Launch, with plans on launching officially April 1, 2007. We'll bring
you more news on this development as it unfolds.
It's no surprise
that scrapbook enthusiasts can be a bit obsessive when it comes to their
favorite pasttime. And part of the fun of scrapbooking is, of course,
the shopping. Naturally, "The Montana Great Falls Tribune" recently profiled several women who include "Visit Scrapbook Stores" in their Traveling To-Do List. These women, who represent only a fraction of the potential Traveling Scrapbook Shoppers out there, admit to taking time to research what stores will be located around their destination. They sometimes take that research one step further, figuring out how best to maximize their time at the store by studying the store's events and classes schedule, and planning their visit around that. The paper also quoted Charmaine Barker, owner of The Memory Trail, who said several out-of-town scrappers sign up for classes, especially during the summer and fall when the weather is good for traveling. She offers three to four classes a month, and out-of-towners keep an eye on her schedule via her Web site. It's a smart idea to remember the Traveling Scrappers when retailers are planning their marketing/advertising campaigns. Sure, your main source of income is from local residents, but attracting out-of-town visitors can help boost sales for two main reasons. One, those who are on vacation tend to spend more money (on everything) than local shoppers with a budget; and two, scrapbookers talk! If someone has a positive experience at your store, she/he will probably mention it on one of the scrapbooking message boards and forums. And when someone posts the question, "I'm traveling to [fill in the blank]. Are there any good scrapbook stores around there?", your satisfied out-of-town visitors will probably chime in with a positive response. There are
several guides to scrapbook stores available today, both in print form
and online. It's a good idea to check in with them and get your own store
listed. Some are paid listings, but depending on your budget, you might
find it's worth it to attract not only out-of-town visitors, but even
those who live nearby who might not know you're around. Here's a quick
list: Scrapbook
Store Finder Scrapbook
Shops - MapMuse.com Scrapbooking.com
Magazine Most of the
consumer scrapbook magazines also include listings If there
are any others not listed here, just send me an email and let me
Do you have a business tip or article you'd like to share? You will receive a $25 credit for our products for every article or tip we choose to use, along with your byline and contact information. Send yours
in to this email address: info@funfactspublishing.com.
How do you turn your scrapbook products from a "nice to have" to a "need to have"? Promote them as gifts! Every month your customers need to find great gifts, for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, Mother's day, Christmas, and so on. Gifts are Good Business Popularity of gift albums is increasing. In the Craftrends and Creating Keepsakes Scrapbooking in America 2004 report, 39% of scrapbookers indicated that they make gift albums, as compared to a quarter of scrapbookers in 2001. Before they put on their party hats and reach for the mini hotdogs customers need to find not only gifts, but also gift cards, bags and tags. Customers who buy gifts become salespeople. When customers make gifts for their friends and family they are marketing your products and potentially introducing new customers. Picture what happens at a bridal shower as the bride opens her gifts. All the guests sit around her oohing and aahing as she offers a demonstration of your products! Gifts translate
to repeat sales. Chances are the customer attending one bridal or baby
shower this month, is attending several more this year. Friends tend to
experience milestone events at the same time. Recently I had two girls
buy three of my Let-Me-Tell-You Bride-to-Be books at the same time. Both
friends were getting married, as was a third friend and they felt it wasn't
right to make a book for one themselves without having one for her! Designate an area in your store for gift displays. During the month leading up to each holiday, display relevant product with examples of finished albums, pages, cards, tags and other creative gifts. Keep a wedding, baby and birthday gift display year round, and focus on these gifting occasions during non-holiday months. Make it easy. The trick with gifts is that people generally have a deadline, imposing time constraints. They also worry more about the esthetics and whether the product will look nice enough to be given as a gift. Offer classes, step-by-step instructions and pre-made kits that reduce time and stress. Make it communal. Encouraging your customers to include other friends and family in the album-making process will help them create a more special gift, while also serving to widen your customer base even further. I received an email this month from a mother who had been asked to collaborate on a Bride-to-Be book at a shower. The mother, having discovered easy gift scrapbooking through Bride-to-Be, now wanted to buy one for her own daughter's wedding. There's
a gift reason for every season: January:
Birthdays
Do you have a business tip or article you'd like to share? You will receive a $25 credit for our products for every article or tip we choose to use, along with your byline and contact information. Send yours
in to this email address: info@funfactspublishing.com.
Scrapbooking has certainly caught the attention of the media. Though many newspapers are still fascinated by the fact that this such a large and growing industry, some have already covered that subject long ago and are now exploring other facets of scrapbooking. Check out
the new additions, both in regional and national media, by
clicking here. New Classifieds
Posted Our Classifieds section features scrapbook business owners who are looking for help. If you're looking to sell or buy used fixtures and equipment, find a buyer for your store, or hire an instructor, this is the place for you! We offer
this resource as a place for you to connect with your peers in the industry. Connections:
Event Organizers' Donation Requests These can be excellent marketing opportunities for manufacturers! Check out the latest listings here.
Our "In The ScrapLight" section showcases the success stories of scrapbooking business owners from all areas of the industry. You'll learn start-up advice, marketing tips, resources, and much more, from these scrapbooking entrepreneurs. Be sure and read each profile, even if it's not your area of the industry - you never know what piece of advice you may pick up!
Established in 1998, Fun Facts Publishing's mission is to help present and future scrapbook entrepreneurs succeed by providing them with solid information and inspiration. We offer a variety of books and reports, along with an informative Web site, http://www.funfactspublishing.com. We also publish this E-newsletter, "Scrapbook Industry News," currently going out to more than 10,000 subscribers. Please visit our Web site to learn more. Fun Facts Publishing
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