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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 truth is that our finest moments are most likely to 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! New web site updates: more classifieds have been posted since last month, along with new donation requests. Also, our Media Links page has been updated. The Platinum section of the web site, although rich with content, has not been updated in quite awhile. I am working on bringing that up-to-date after the publication of the Industry report (estimated for late May). I hope you enjoy this latest issue! Please feel free to stay in touch with any questions, comments, or suggestions you might have. See you next time! Sincerely, Sue DiFranco,
Founder Some products/services that are marketing digital scrapbooking to younger creatives: CondeNet has developed an online service specifically for teen girls called Flip, featuring the "Flipbook," which the company describes as "customizable, multimedia scrapbooks/zines/journals that girls make and share." Users can upload their own photos, songs, and videos as well as choose from a large collection of stickers, wallpaper, animations, and music that Flip provides them. They can also draw, write, add a sound track, rotate and size elements, add pages, and even choose page transitions. "Flip
combines social networking with online scrapbooking, and it's clearly
an addictive mix," Comic Book Creator is a software that allows users to import their photos and create a custom-made comic book featuring themselves. “You can essentially make scrapbooks, comic books, yearbooks and we find a lot of youth in the education market putting it together for book reports,” Kevin Donovan, President of Comic Creator, said. Of course, this fun take on scrapbooking isn't necessarily just aimed at the youth market. With the success of the "Spiderman," "Superman," and "Batman" series of movies, this product has mass appeal. Seriously, who doesn't want to be a comic book hero? As for the business/marketing aspect to this, it's a possible thought for retailers and/or custom scrapbook artists that want to add another revenue stream. Set yourself apart from the crowd! Check it
out at http://www.mycomicbookcreator.com
.
Actor Kevin Bacon decided to use his "Six Degrees" party game fame to raise money for charities. So, he created a web site that allows celebrities to name their favorite charity, and asks the public to donate. He also made it possible for anyone to create a charity fundraising badge and post it on their blog, asking the public to donate to their favorite charity. At the end of the challenge on March 31, the six badges that have the most number of donations will get a matching grant from Kevin Bacon. Scrapbooking Superstar Ali Edwards posted a badge on her blog to raise money for Autism Speaks, a group that raises awareness, funds research, and helps families with autism. As of this writing, Ali has raised more than $12,000 with nearly 500 donations. She is currently ranked as one of the top ten badges. If she makes it into the top six by March 31, Mr. Bacon will match her donation. All I can say is, you go girl! That's using your scrap-celeb power for good! Check out:
Almost half
of the nation's 23 million businesses are operated out of the home, according
to Homestead.com, a San Francisco Bay Area-based provider of Web site-building software and Internet commerce solutions, recently compiled a list of the top home-based businesses: debt collection, background checks, specialized coaching, garage organizing, children's arts education, and scrapbooking. Census figures show that 56 percent of home-based businesses are run by women. One concept I see that has appeal to both younger and older scrapbook enthusiasts is the trend of products featuring skulls, flames, etc. Although some have called this into question as to just how many people would use these designs, I personally have to admit I think it's fabulous! On a business perspective, I believe these products will appeal to more people than one immediately thinks of (younger boys who scrap, and the family and friends who scrap them).
This new addition of scrapbooking products also provides an opportunity to market to a fresh set of potential scrapbook enthusiasts. Many retailers
may look at a product line and think, "Oh, my customers would never
want this!" (Which may or may not be the case - never assume you
know everything about But think of the potential customers you could be reaching! Let's face it, many people still have a skewed view of "scrapbooking." They still assume it's a bunch of middle-aged white women scrapbooking their babies' births using pastel pink paper and flower stickers. To be able to reach out to specific groups of people - and offer them something tangible that means something in their life - well, that's what spreading the joy of scrapbooking is all about. Sure, we're not talking about a huge demographic here. It's not like you're going to see an immense rise in sales from the (potentially) few who got turned on to scrapbooking because you introduced them to products such as these (and others). But if it helps get more customers in your door (something independent retailers need to do), then why not? Some ideas: Look to see what groups/organizations are located in your area. Ask if you can leave flyers or (better yet) speak about scrapbooking at a group meeting. Try to team
up with a store like Hot Topic (although this may be difficult, as they
are a corporate chain.) Are there independent record stores nearby? What
about teen activity centers? There are also several "punk craft shows"
across the country (I kid you not - I Don't forget, custom scrapbook artists can also benefit, as it simply adds more versatility in the types of pages you can create for your clients. A few resources: http://www.junkitz.com http://www.magisticalmemories.com http://www.creativeimaginations.us 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.
I have to share one of many letters I have received from men who have read my article on introducing men to scrapbooking. I think everyone will find it insightful and eye-opening, and may help pave the way toward even more diversity in the industry: Hi Sue, To read that
article: Read about
our full-length book: 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. Scrapbooking
Media Links 2007 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. "I want to say than you for your wonderful book. I received my copy a month ago and I read the entire book the day it arrived in my mail. I have been referring back to it ever since! I wish that I had this book when I first started my scrapbooking business about a year ago. "I was
amazed by all the information in this book and I'm so thankful I ordered
it. There are other books out there regarding going into the scrapbooking
business and I have to admit http://www.funfactspublishing.com/professional_scrapbooking.htm
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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Teen girls have been embracing the skull theme for quite awhile now, and
will probably continue to do so even after its trendiness has passed.
(And don't tell me Hot Topic-shopping girls don't scrap! They're
some of the most creative of them all. How exciting to finally find scrapbook
materials that fit them.)