Well, here we go…off to the Big Show, the summer gift show at AmericasMart in Atlanta. Admittedly, I’m a bit curious about the next few days and how they’ll play out. In January, we were all looking each other in the eye for the first time since the market nose dived into oblivion. It only took 24 hours for the collective :::sigh::: to be heard across the three block campus as everyone recognized they were in this thing together.
Now, six months later-—to the day-—everyone’s had time to adjust to doing business differently. [click here to continue…]
Yet another one that stunned me. Read about it here.
Since NSS, I’ve heard a handful of vendors (try to ) justify their direct-to-consumer sales and Tiny Prints or Shutterfly participation with the argument that retailers really don’t mind, as long as they sell at the same price point as stores.
This falls soundly in the “Huh???” column of my book [click here to continue…]
As you know from my previous blog post, the final buzz from the National Stationery Show was unquestionably positive, with vendors and retailers alike returning home happier than expected.
Thankfully, BookExpo-—the book industry equivalent of NSS that just wrapped up at the Javits last weekend-—mirrored much of the same. Vendors agreed while buyer headcount was down, the quality was up. Buyers felt that while exhibitors were fewer, they were more willing to work with them in partnership.
Which proves a point I’ve made with a number of industry folks the past six months. [click here to continue…]
One of the upsides to a really successful viral campaign is that everyone wants to jump on board and share the love. That’s great, and is the very root of what makes The 3/50 Project tick.
The downside is that, sometimes, the enthusiasm outpaces the process. And believe me, with TM and copyright protected material, there’s process.
Vendors, please know how much I appreciate your desire to help spread the word by way of creative promotions. You have the ears of a lot of great business owners, and your support is welcome. That said, if you want to use The 3/50 Project name in the promotion, you need to get permission first, in writing, since that’s a licensing issue. [click here to continue…]
I’ll be the first to raise my hand when it comes to endorsing the concept of “permission based marketing.” Bottom line is that you simply don’t add someone’s email address to a mailing list unless they provide it to you for that purpose.
Which is why I’m a bit steamed over the fact my personal inbox was hit with sales pitches yesterday. The first couple, I unsubscribed using the links provided, then sent a note to the vendors explaining why I’d done so, asking that they please not use that address. By the time the third fourth one appeared, however, the pattern surfaced. Marzipan, Evy Jacob, Fin + Roe, and Hen and Barley–the three four that sent uninvited e-blasts–shared a booth…and reps. [click here to continue…]
Hey there folks-—Heather van Breda, owner of Real Card Studio just upped the ante for vendors supporting The 3/50 Project with a verrrrry clever promotion on her blog:
So here’s the giveaway: Reply with the name of three local independent businesses you’re going to support this month. On April 30, 2009 I’ll choose from random 1 person for every 25 unique respondents (maximum of 10 prizes), and send you a free 3/50 Project shopping tote!
Think that’s tasty enough? Ah, but it’s not. Our quick-thinking letterpress maven added another layer to the contest: [click here to continue…]
Well, it’s done. William Arthur, arguably one of the three largest personalized paper lines, launched their online store last week, selling direct to consumers.
Unlike the Crane’s site, the current iteration focuses soley on selling their branded items. Don’t get too excited, though; there online buyers were trolling the aisles at NYIGF this winter in search of product to add to their online store.
The entire line appears to be available (having not gone item by item by item through several hundred pages to verify each and every one)…including Vera Wang, that required retailers to invest in a high buy-in to get the line, including a hefty selection of pricey boxed goods. [click here to continue…]
