Start a Scrapbook Store

CHA CHA CHA

admin — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 18:39:13 +0000

The Craft & Hobby Association summer 2008 trade show is coming up July 18-20 in Rosemont, Illinois. While the event covers a wide range of crafts, from general crafts to fabric (this year’s theme is Kids Crafting), the scrapbooking industry will be out in full force.

Besides the obvious opportunity to see and order new products, store owners can network and attend various business-boosting events as well as hear speakers on topics ranging from finance to how the digital era is impacting scrapbooking and other crafts. Specific to the scrapbooking industry, the executive editor of Scrapbooking Retailer magazine, Beth Mauro, will join Memory Makers magazine executive editor Beth Williams will speak, as will Renee Pearson, who is affiliated with Creating Keepsakes’ Digital Scrapbooking Magazine. Wendy Smedley of Simple Scrapbooks will also speak.

Not all scrapbook store owners attend both CHA shows (CHA West is typically held in Anaheim in January), but many do. If you go, be on the lookout for show specials and up-and-coming trends, and be sure to read our article on scrapbooking retailer trade show tips.

Networking with CHA Members Online

admin — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:33:35 +0000

If you’re the only scrapbook store owner in your region, or the others aren’t really the collaborating type, you might want to check out the new forums on the Craft and Hobby Association Member Networking web site. You have to be a CHA member, but if you are you can join in on a variety of discussion forums and learn about business building and networking, or get a heads up on new products and trade show news. The forum is at www.craftandhobby.org.

Building Your Scrapbook Store Mailing List

admin — Wed, 28 May 2008 00:58:54 +0000

It’s always a good idea to know how to reach your customers in case you want to send out some targeted direct-mail advertisements, distribute a printed or e-mail newsletter or invite them to store crops. Nowadays, people may be wary of sharing their street addresses or e-mail contact info for fear of being inundated with unwanted communications. Encourage customers to sign up for your mailing list by making it part of a drawing or other promotion. (For example, everyone who signs up during a specified one-month period gets their name put in a bowl for a prize drawing. Or, every 100th newsletter recipient gets a bonus, high-value coupon.) Of course, use this information judiciously and don’t “spam” your patrons with lots of unwanted e-mail or share their personal contact information with other businesses.

National Scrapbooking Day and Your Store

admin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:43:54 +0000

Retail scrapbook stores across the United States are gearing up for National Scrapbooking Day, which falls on the first Saturday in May. In 2008, that’s May 3. The event was started in 1994 by Creative Memories, but since then many scrapbook supply manufacturers, publications and retail stores have gotten involved. There’s even an effort to get the “holiday” included on official national lists. You don’t want to be left out of this great marketing opportunity, and chance to spread the word about scrapbooking to people who have yet to explore the hobby. Mention National Scrapbooking Day in your store’s newsletter, or on your Web site. Consider offering a special coupon good only on that day, or have a storewide sale. Even better, host a grand National Scrapbooking Day crop. Some product manufacturers plan on donating supplies for stores to include in prize packs, so don’t miss out on this potential bonus. Read on for more about hosting crops at your retail store. And happy National Scrapbooking Day!

For the Perplexed Shopper: Gift Certificates!

admin — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 04:22:52 +0000

Come holiday season, scrapbook stores usually have a fair amount of two types of people: picky scrapbook enthusiasts and confused gift-seekers. Solve both problems by offering store gift certificates.
In an earlier blog, I mentioned holiday wish lists. Well, besides listing specific scrapbook supplies they would like to find in their stocking, give customers the option of checking “gift certificate.”
Offer gift certificates in a wide range of denominations. Spend a little time designing a custom certificate, or have someone do it for you. Make sure your store logo is on there, as well as other pertinent information such as address, phone number and expiration date (if any).

Time for a Holiday Wish List

admin — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 04:22:08 +0000

Want to help out your customers and their families and boost Christmas sales at the same time? How about a holiday wish list?
Just make up a simple template with space for customer’s name and the product they’d love to receive come Christmas, Hannukah, etc. Print out several copies, snap them into a clipboard and voila!
Your customers can drop the hint to loved ones that they’ve listed a few faves, or when shoppers who aren’t scrapbook-savvy stumble in looking overwhelmed, direct them to the wish list. Consider having a “guy’s night” when you invite husbands and significant others to shop. You could even offer a discount on items bought off of a customer’s wish list.

Turn Black Friday in Your Favor

admin — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 02:06:28 +0000

The shopping day that heralds the start of the holiday season, “Black Friday,” has increasingly become the domain of chain retailers, who whip shoppers into a frenzy by offering select “deals” and open their doors at 6 a.m. or even earlier on the day after Thanksgiving. You can compete with Black Friday, and similarly with “Cyber Monday” (The first Monday after Thanksgiving, when a great deal of holiday shopping is conducted online). Plan for an after-Thanksgiving Day sale of your own! Add an element that’s different from your usual sales, such as honoring a chain craft store’s 40-percent off coupon.