Today...is a great day!

Today...I posted a challenge of sorts on the NSA forums. I encourage participation from every market segment!

Let's create the ultimate scrapbooking web site!

It would have a community organized by...
It would have valuable resources like...a comprehensive, accurate LSS locator and mapping function!
It would be highly functional and do the most amazing things, like...tell me when a certain product has arrived at my LSS

It would be pretty to look at, and in the most appealing color combinations like...Scott would not dare change
I would visit it every day because...I could cutomize it to display everything I needed to know about scrapbooking in one place
and it would provide the latest information about...what's in the magazines

It would network me with...manufacturers who need local representatives, demonstrators and instructors
and feed me information about...money-making opportunities

and it would not...spam me with offers or announcements I really don't care about
and would never...insult the way I scrap

but most of all,
it would move me to...scrap and scrap often and openly
and make me feel...satisfied

I would love to hear what you want!

ETP!

Labels: IMHO, matchmaking, pudding

Today...the industry prepares for National Scrapbooking Day. Craftrends noted NSD in their news headlines. CNA provided a press release template for retailers. Here are more tips to make the most of our special day:

• Send press releases to local media, especially television network affiliates, and add the words "photo opportunity" or "remote feature" to the release. This will alert them to a visual event that they can cover instead of just a news event. Follow up with a phone call.

• Contact local community calendars, usually in suburban weekly newspapers, for free mention of your NSD event.

• Have a tool-focused, round-robin make-n-take project for your NSD crop. For example, build a one-page layout documenting the NSD event. For the first make-n-take, use the Crop-A-Dile to punch a hole in plastic drinking cups. Create a name tag (again, use the Crop-A-Dile to punch the hole and set the eyelet) and tie to the drinking cup. Continue with the second make-in-take by using a die cutting machine to cut a title for a layout. For the third make-n-take, break for a group photo. Demonstrate a compact photo printer and print copies of the group photo for each participant. For the fourth make-n-take session, demonstrate a technique that's new to the group, like machine stitching. Pass around pieces of cardstock for participants to sign as journaling to mark who was there. For the final make-n-take, assemble the layout and add the tag.

• Take pre-orders of the tools used in the make-n-takes. Alert customers that certain products will be highlighted at your NSD event. Have them stop by to try out the tools. Offer a discount on pre-orders (or pre-pays) and have the tools on hand for sale.

• If customers can't come for an all-day crop, invite them to an open house. Schedule make-n-takes for croppers and visitors, so everyone has the chance to do the projects.

• Make sure your event is posted on the NSA calendar! It's free, and the calendar is one of the most viewed pages of the NSA site. Scrappers are looking for crops to attend. Let them know how your store supports NSD.

Today...I got a call from a newspaperin Illinois wanting to know more about NSD, the NSA and if there were any NSD events in her area. Guess where I looked for that information!

ETP!

Labels: NSD, pudding, retail tips, trade magazines

Today...I realized how long it's been since I blogged. So sorry. I have thoughts in my head that I think would make good blog posts, but somehow they never make it to the computer. I shall try harder.

So this is the thought that came to me today, and I immediately wrote it on my white board. I'll share it with you:



ETP!

Labels: About the ING, IMHO

Today...I drove home to Houston after spending Easter weekend with family. On the ride through Waco, TX, I had the urge to visit the local scrapbooking store. I had one consumer magazine with me, but it listed only four stores in Texas and none in Waco. So I pulled off the interstate, into the parking lot of a dry cleaners, and fired up the laptop. Amazingly, I got a strong internet connection and went straight to the NSA Store Locator. A quick search showed me that Crop-Paper-Scissors was just a bit further south.

I was looking for two things specifically: a skull and crossbones stamp and Rangers' Distress Ink refill in old paper. On Saturday, I had searched three box stores and a chain scrapbooking store with no luck. But Crop-Paper-Scissors had an extensive display of Distress Ink products, including refills, so soon I was doing the happy dance.

Independent retailers are an enthusiast's best friend. If you're enthusiastic about scrapbooking, please support your local retailer!

ETP!

Labels: consumer magazines, IMHO