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Mar 23, 2009
Mar 20, 2009
Marketing Moments
It's a sad fact that many stores in the scrapbook industry have closed this year. I keep hearing about more and more. Many of them were operating at the edge of their income even in the best of times and had no room in their bottom line for any sort of bump in the road.
There are probably many factors beyond just finances that have contributed to this. Marketing your business in the best of times is so important, but marketing it at times like this is vital. Actually, marketing your business ALL THE TIME is what helps you through thick and thin.
A smaller store near my house just quietly closed up. Aside from a plain quarterly email (which really isn't enough contact), I never heard anything FROM them or ABOUT them - yet, they were just 2 miles from my house. I suspect that being tucked back off the road in a strip mall blocked from view by other stores and next to a barber shop was part of their problem. No one knew they were there and they didn't go out of their way to tell people they were.
Marketing is tricky for most people because it takes more time than money. Time and money are two things that many small business owners lack. So, advertising, which takes more money than time is just as unlikely to happen as marketing is.
Small businesses need marketing ideas that are uncomplicated and easy to find. One good new source for these is the new PMA Marketing Moments website. This idea was actually my brainchild and PMA has taken it on and created a site for the entire photo and memory industry. These little sound bites take less than 90 seconds to listen to and they will hopefully spark some ideas in you to help you market your business. Many times, marketing is merely an off-shoot of something you're already doing in your business. You just need to aim at a different crowd (potential customers) instead of aiming your effort at current customers.
Another good place to gather marketing ideas is ScrapBiz. We talk about marketing a lot because it's the life-blood of our business members. For instance, National Scrapbook Day is coming up May 2. At ScrapBiz, the theme we suggest for our members for that day is "Sweet Memories" - a day of chocolate and scrapping. Along with that comes ideas for games, treats and activities. Most business owners want that - a plan that is ready-made that they can draw on so they don't have to invent the wheel themselves.
Find other businesses that you can network with to create marketing ideas and plans. There aren't very many resources left directly targeted at our industry. Interestingly, many retailers I have spoken to say that the biggest loss for our industry when Scrapbook Retailer magazine ceased publication was the 2 month marketing idea calendar they had in every issue.
Marketing - it's something we all know we must do but that time and money thing gets in the way. Yet, it can be our very downfall in the end.
There are probably many factors beyond just finances that have contributed to this. Marketing your business in the best of times is so important, but marketing it at times like this is vital. Actually, marketing your business ALL THE TIME is what helps you through thick and thin.
A smaller store near my house just quietly closed up. Aside from a plain quarterly email (which really isn't enough contact), I never heard anything FROM them or ABOUT them - yet, they were just 2 miles from my house. I suspect that being tucked back off the road in a strip mall blocked from view by other stores and next to a barber shop was part of their problem. No one knew they were there and they didn't go out of their way to tell people they were.
Marketing is tricky for most people because it takes more time than money. Time and money are two things that many small business owners lack. So, advertising, which takes more money than time is just as unlikely to happen as marketing is.
Small businesses need marketing ideas that are uncomplicated and easy to find. One good new source for these is the new PMA Marketing Moments website. This idea was actually my brainchild and PMA has taken it on and created a site for the entire photo and memory industry. These little sound bites take less than 90 seconds to listen to and they will hopefully spark some ideas in you to help you market your business. Many times, marketing is merely an off-shoot of something you're already doing in your business. You just need to aim at a different crowd (potential customers) instead of aiming your effort at current customers.
Another good place to gather marketing ideas is ScrapBiz. We talk about marketing a lot because it's the life-blood of our business members. For instance, National Scrapbook Day is coming up May 2. At ScrapBiz, the theme we suggest for our members for that day is "Sweet Memories" - a day of chocolate and scrapping. Along with that comes ideas for games, treats and activities. Most business owners want that - a plan that is ready-made that they can draw on so they don't have to invent the wheel themselves.
Find other businesses that you can network with to create marketing ideas and plans. There aren't very many resources left directly targeted at our industry. Interestingly, many retailers I have spoken to say that the biggest loss for our industry when Scrapbook Retailer magazine ceased publication was the 2 month marketing idea calendar they had in every issue.
Marketing - it's something we all know we must do but that time and money thing gets in the way. Yet, it can be our very downfall in the end.
Mar 14, 2009
Business is business until it gets personal
I have an RSS feed coming into the ScrapBiz members-only site from Seth Godin's blog. He's one of my favorite business guru's. His post the other day really made a good point (although I missed it the first read-through) LINK. We have a very personal business as scrapbook retailers. Most of us are also friends or at least very friendly with our customers if we have face to face contact with them. It IS true that those who know you best will protect you and do much for you vs. the casual, anonymous person who doesn't know you. It's much easier to rant against Micheal's than it is your local scrapbook store if you frequently shop there and know the owner. We tend to give people we know personally a "pass" at times when it comes to their foibles (to a point).
But, I also maintain that you can take the personal relationship a bit to far and it can come back and bite you as many "scrap celebrities" in our industry have found out. There are people and groups willing to use any bit of information against you if they get something in their craw about you.
Therefore, here is my cardinal rule of getting personal in business. Never say anything that would emotionally wound you if it got thrown back in your face in a mocking or "mean girl" kind of way. That means, it's okay to talk about how lame your computer or gardening skills are. Or, how you don't like cats or can't stand pizza. If someone mocked you for those "qualities", who cares? But, what if you dump your soul about your fertility problems or weight issues? If people turned on you about those topics, it would cut like a knife and hurt very bad. There are plenty of people ready and willing to do that - especially on the internet where anonymity is acceptable.
Therefore, be careful about what you tell people - especially in blog posts or on message boards. "Copy and paste" can spread your information and the attending "mean girl" comments far and wide. A friend of mine has a 6th grade daughter who learned this the hard way - she dumped about a friend in a text message and guess where it ended up? And guess what happened to her? She ended up crying in her room for days over what happened. It was a very hard lesson.
Be friends with your customers and share with them, but also, be careful about WHAT you share. Some will care and want to help, some won't care and be turned off by your personal information and a small percentage will "file" it away and use it against you in the future.
My second rule is to grow a tough skin because no matter what you do, there will always be people who disagree - and that's okay.
But, I also maintain that you can take the personal relationship a bit to far and it can come back and bite you as many "scrap celebrities" in our industry have found out. There are people and groups willing to use any bit of information against you if they get something in their craw about you.
Therefore, here is my cardinal rule of getting personal in business. Never say anything that would emotionally wound you if it got thrown back in your face in a mocking or "mean girl" kind of way. That means, it's okay to talk about how lame your computer or gardening skills are. Or, how you don't like cats or can't stand pizza. If someone mocked you for those "qualities", who cares? But, what if you dump your soul about your fertility problems or weight issues? If people turned on you about those topics, it would cut like a knife and hurt very bad. There are plenty of people ready and willing to do that - especially on the internet where anonymity is acceptable.
Therefore, be careful about what you tell people - especially in blog posts or on message boards. "Copy and paste" can spread your information and the attending "mean girl" comments far and wide. A friend of mine has a 6th grade daughter who learned this the hard way - she dumped about a friend in a text message and guess where it ended up? And guess what happened to her? She ended up crying in her room for days over what happened. It was a very hard lesson.
Be friends with your customers and share with them, but also, be careful about WHAT you share. Some will care and want to help, some won't care and be turned off by your personal information and a small percentage will "file" it away and use it against you in the future.
My second rule is to grow a tough skin because no matter what you do, there will always be people who disagree - and that's okay.
Mar 13, 2009
Photo Books and {not vs} Scrapbooks
I ran across and interesting press release the other day about photo book manufacturer RPI. They are actually in my area and a couple of years ago, I had the pleasure of touring their new facility and learning how the books are made from the printing of the pages right on through to the packaging of the completed books. It was fascinating.
This PRESS RELEASE was interesting and speaks to the rising popularity of photo books. Who wouldn't want 60% annual growth?! According to research done by the Photo Marketing Association, 10% of U.S. households have made custom photo gifts and books. At the end of 2008, it was supposed to be a $389 million dollar a year industry. With the growth that RPI is experiencing, I would say it got there and more. According to that press release, growth in the photo book industry is expected to exceed 25% compounded annually for the next 5 years. Those are some pretty impressive stats!
So what does that mean to scrapbooking? Who knows really. I believe it's already had an impact. Many traditionalists will continue doing what they are doing, but many who have never scrapbooked (like men) will be found at the photo book sites making hard bound books and not scrapbooks with their photos. With photos being largely digital these days, many chose to print them for the first time on the pages of a photo books. It's not a situation where it's photo books VS. scrapbooks and it's not even an "either/or" for most people. I think over time many scrapbookers will do BOTH depending on their need, time, etc.
Photo books were the HOT item and PMA this month. There were tons of companies pitching machines and services for making these books. Some were intended for home use and some were intended for companies like RPI who make tons of these. It was fascinating to watch the demos. And, there was no shortage of people watching. It's obviously something on everyone's mind.
So, that brings me to the photo at the top of the page. It's me, my friend, Karen Crisp of F+W Publications and Rocket Life President, Daniel Kaye, listening to him do a demonstration of the Rocket Life software for Karen. It was so fun to listen to him demonstrate his "baby" for us! It reminded me of why I partnered with them to bring PhotoBookBiz to the industry! It's a great program with great products run by great people and offers retailers great features!!! And, it's only $49 annually to be part of the program and get your own unique store.
Features of the PhotoBookBiz program include:
It's probably one of the easiest businesses to set up and get going on. Within minutes of paying for your site, you will have your link. Set your prices, add your logo and start sharing your link!
You can place your link on your exisiting business website and add photo books and custom products very quickly to tap into the growing popularity of them. Or, you can purchase a website template from PhotoBookBiz at a discounted price. Then all you need is a fun domain and a place to host the site.
PhotoBookBiz is a great opportunity to take advantage of this explosive new way to share your memories.
This PRESS RELEASE was interesting and speaks to the rising popularity of photo books. Who wouldn't want 60% annual growth?! According to research done by the Photo Marketing Association, 10% of U.S. households have made custom photo gifts and books. At the end of 2008, it was supposed to be a $389 million dollar a year industry. With the growth that RPI is experiencing, I would say it got there and more. According to that press release, growth in the photo book industry is expected to exceed 25% compounded annually for the next 5 years. Those are some pretty impressive stats!
So what does that mean to scrapbooking? Who knows really. I believe it's already had an impact. Many traditionalists will continue doing what they are doing, but many who have never scrapbooked (like men) will be found at the photo book sites making hard bound books and not scrapbooks with their photos. With photos being largely digital these days, many chose to print them for the first time on the pages of a photo books. It's not a situation where it's photo books VS. scrapbooks and it's not even an "either/or" for most people. I think over time many scrapbookers will do BOTH depending on their need, time, etc.
Photo books were the HOT item and PMA this month. There were tons of companies pitching machines and services for making these books. Some were intended for home use and some were intended for companies like RPI who make tons of these. It was fascinating to watch the demos. And, there was no shortage of people watching. It's obviously something on everyone's mind.
So, that brings me to the photo at the top of the page. It's me, my friend, Karen Crisp of F+W Publications and Rocket Life President, Daniel Kaye, listening to him do a demonstration of the Rocket Life software for Karen. It was so fun to listen to him demonstrate his "baby" for us! It reminded me of why I partnered with them to bring PhotoBookBiz to the industry! It's a great program with great products run by great people and offers retailers great features!!! And, it's only $49 annually to be part of the program and get your own unique store.
Features of the PhotoBookBiz program include:
- Your own unique Rocket Life software platform
- Your own private brand - YOUR logo goes on the products and packaging
- You set your own prices above wholesale
- Rocket Life provides customer service contacts for customers during the creative process
- Rocket Life processes credit cards FOR YOU
- Rocket Life collects and pays the sales tax
- Rocket Life drop-ships the orders right to your customers
- More books sizes and styles than just about any other program out there
- Average 20% commission on products (some higher, some lower and depending on your price)
It's probably one of the easiest businesses to set up and get going on. Within minutes of paying for your site, you will have your link. Set your prices, add your logo and start sharing your link!
You can place your link on your exisiting business website and add photo books and custom products very quickly to tap into the growing popularity of them. Or, you can purchase a website template from PhotoBookBiz at a discounted price. Then all you need is a fun domain and a place to host the site.
PhotoBookBiz is a great opportunity to take advantage of this explosive new way to share your memories.
Mar 12, 2009
Yours, Mine or Ours?
With the aforementioned closing of I Remember When, I have been once again reminded of WHY I started ScrapBiz in 2002. It was not only my experience with IRW at the time, but past experiences that caused me to be gun shy about the "Your business until we take it from you" model.
The short version of my time with IRW is that they essentially shut down for 2 months and told us to wait. There were some personal things going on at headquarters and the decision was to NOT place any orders for weeks and weeks. I had white cardstock and black pens on order for about 6 weeks. The "story" was that the supplier was out of those. Later, I found out who the supplier was, recounted the story and got a hearty laugh out of the customer service rep. It had NOTHING to do with them not having those two basic supplies and EVERYTHING to do with IRW not paying their bills.
The other issue was that they stopped printing catalogs. I got 6 and then could get no more. How can you have parties when you don't have catalogs? I believe it was like 18 months until the catalogs finally arrived and I was long gone by then.
I kept wondering just who's business this really was? They said it was mine, but they treated it like theirs. Poor planning on their part DID create a crisis on mine. My customers just wanted their orders! I spent nearly every penny I got from customers at Michaels buying products to fulfill orders. Then, I realized that IRW was nothing more than a poor wholesaler (with a really rotten discount) and I went looking for my own source of supplies. And, that is how ScrapBiz started.
A similar situation happened several years earlier. My husband and I were sales agents for Xerox. The business was all ours - hiring, firing, sales, location, etc. That was until we had built it up to something great and wanted to sell it. Xerox said, "Nope, it's not REALLY your business. If you want out, we'll just assign another agent to your territory. You get nothing." We had to "Lawyer-up" for the fight and they backed down and allowed us to sell. We were the first Xerox sales agents to EVER sell their business. Of course, Xerox reserved the right to approve the new agent, but we sold it to an employee who already knew their system so they couldn't reasonably say, "No". But, that was our first go-round in the "Who's business is this anyway" game.
Some I Remember When consultants have indicated that the sharks are circling. They're getting, "Oh, I'm sorry you lost your business. JOIN US TODAY" messages from other consultants in the few remaining direct sales companies in the industry. I hope they will approach those messages with extreme amounts of caution. Do you really want to dive back into that pool?? Do you REALLY want to build something up only to possibly have it yanked out from underneath you again? Do you REALLY want the drama that comes with asking an innocent question about shipping on the consultant boards and getting slammed for being "negative"? Do you REALLY want to deal with all the shipping and policy changes that really only benefit the home office?
I've been quite critical of direct sales companies in the industry for many years because I believe they lead many women down the wrong path. They teach them poor business principles - like recruiting. It GREATLY benefits the company, but hurts the consultant. They dangle big rewards in front of them but the truth is that 97% of direct sales people never earn positive cash flow. They have fantastic conventions every year but really, did you even EARN as much as it costs you to go to the convention? I think most consultants lose more than they made when they fork over all the costs of going to the "rah-rah" party.
So, from all my experiences, I set up ScrapBiz the way I did ON PURPOSE. If ScrapBiz were to close tomorrow (which it won't), not one of my members would lose their business. I love that fact! It's not my business or even OUR business, it's THEIR business. Of course, I'll expect a proper period of mourning - LOL! But, after that, they'll just keep on doing what they love!
Maybe it's time to strike out on your own and join ScrapBiz.
The short version of my time with IRW is that they essentially shut down for 2 months and told us to wait. There were some personal things going on at headquarters and the decision was to NOT place any orders for weeks and weeks. I had white cardstock and black pens on order for about 6 weeks. The "story" was that the supplier was out of those. Later, I found out who the supplier was, recounted the story and got a hearty laugh out of the customer service rep. It had NOTHING to do with them not having those two basic supplies and EVERYTHING to do with IRW not paying their bills.
The other issue was that they stopped printing catalogs. I got 6 and then could get no more. How can you have parties when you don't have catalogs? I believe it was like 18 months until the catalogs finally arrived and I was long gone by then.
I kept wondering just who's business this really was? They said it was mine, but they treated it like theirs. Poor planning on their part DID create a crisis on mine. My customers just wanted their orders! I spent nearly every penny I got from customers at Michaels buying products to fulfill orders. Then, I realized that IRW was nothing more than a poor wholesaler (with a really rotten discount) and I went looking for my own source of supplies. And, that is how ScrapBiz started.
A similar situation happened several years earlier. My husband and I were sales agents for Xerox. The business was all ours - hiring, firing, sales, location, etc. That was until we had built it up to something great and wanted to sell it. Xerox said, "Nope, it's not REALLY your business. If you want out, we'll just assign another agent to your territory. You get nothing." We had to "Lawyer-up" for the fight and they backed down and allowed us to sell. We were the first Xerox sales agents to EVER sell their business. Of course, Xerox reserved the right to approve the new agent, but we sold it to an employee who already knew their system so they couldn't reasonably say, "No". But, that was our first go-round in the "Who's business is this anyway" game.
Some I Remember When consultants have indicated that the sharks are circling. They're getting, "Oh, I'm sorry you lost your business. JOIN US TODAY" messages from other consultants in the few remaining direct sales companies in the industry. I hope they will approach those messages with extreme amounts of caution. Do you really want to dive back into that pool?? Do you REALLY want to build something up only to possibly have it yanked out from underneath you again? Do you REALLY want the drama that comes with asking an innocent question about shipping on the consultant boards and getting slammed for being "negative"? Do you REALLY want to deal with all the shipping and policy changes that really only benefit the home office?
I've been quite critical of direct sales companies in the industry for many years because I believe they lead many women down the wrong path. They teach them poor business principles - like recruiting. It GREATLY benefits the company, but hurts the consultant. They dangle big rewards in front of them but the truth is that 97% of direct sales people never earn positive cash flow. They have fantastic conventions every year but really, did you even EARN as much as it costs you to go to the convention? I think most consultants lose more than they made when they fork over all the costs of going to the "rah-rah" party.
So, from all my experiences, I set up ScrapBiz the way I did ON PURPOSE. If ScrapBiz were to close tomorrow (which it won't), not one of my members would lose their business. I love that fact! It's not my business or even OUR business, it's THEIR business. Of course, I'll expect a proper period of mourning - LOL! But, after that, they'll just keep on doing what they love!
Maybe it's time to strike out on your own and join ScrapBiz.
Mar 11, 2009
Don't Blame the Economy - we were hurting before that....
I Remember When, the direct sales company that ScrapBiz grew out of in 2002, quietly shut it's doors a couple of days ago. It went without the drama usually associated with the demise of the industry's direct sales companies (Scrap in a Snap, Leaving Prints and TLC all went down in scandalous flames). But, the company was not without it's troubles through the years. According to wholesalers I have worked with for many years, paying bills was often a problem. Still, many consultants are now left without a business. Which was part of my beef with these companies in the first place. It's not really YOUR business - if they close, you close.
But, that's not my point here. My point is that many are blaming the economy. That may have had SOMETHING to do with it - as in it was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. But, the scrapbook industry has been in trouble for more than just this past 18 months that we've been in a recession. So, the economy can't be totally blamed.
Some of the business members at ScrapBiz report that their customers don't seem to know there's a recession going on. They are still buying like crazy. Others are reporting only slight declines in business or that business is flat. Both aren't bad given the tough economy.
Our real problems started years ago and the economy was the final straw for some. The problems are simple but the answers are complex. I just taught a class at PMA that covered part of the reasons why the industry has suffered the last few years.
But, that's not my point here. My point is that many are blaming the economy. That may have had SOMETHING to do with it - as in it was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. But, the scrapbook industry has been in trouble for more than just this past 18 months that we've been in a recession. So, the economy can't be totally blamed.
Some of the business members at ScrapBiz report that their customers don't seem to know there's a recession going on. They are still buying like crazy. Others are reporting only slight declines in business or that business is flat. Both aren't bad given the tough economy.
Our real problems started years ago and the economy was the final straw for some. The problems are simple but the answers are complex. I just taught a class at PMA that covered part of the reasons why the industry has suffered the last few years.
- Consider what a scrapbook store looked like in 1999 - paper, albums, adhesives, embellishments, tools. Then, consider what the scrapbook store of 2009 looks like - paper albums, adhesives, embellishments, tools.
- Consider the changes in home technology since then: digital cameras, photo printers, faster computers, better scanners, photo books, color printers, wide format printers.
The problem here is clear - scrapbook stores failed to keep up with the evolution of technology and what it meant to memory preservationists. The new tech brought new possibilities for taking photos and preserving memories and stores ignored it all but customers didn't.
- Consider the scrappers of 1999 - pretty much those who did and those who didn't. Scrapping was pretty much just ONE type of activity
- Consider the variety of scrappers in 2009 - hybrid, traditional, card makers, paper crafters, digi scrappers, photo book makers, etc.
The problem here is once again that retailers failed to adapt. We have SO MANY types of customers in our industry and yet, most stores cater to ONLY the traditional scrapper. You can't shut out a large percentage of potential customers and thrive. I seriously get amused when a store owner will look me in the face and say, with all seriousness, "I don't have ANY customers interested in digital scrapping." Well, you DID have those people and they already left. And, you DO have some who are dabbling in it or thinking about it and are in danger of leaving the traditional industry. What you're saying is that you don't offer anything to those people so they don't come in.
And finally, knowing that some will drop out over time (or maybe we didn't have the business sense to know that) and that the average life-cycle of a craft is 7 years, we did NOTHING to invite in new scrappers to replace those who left either because they got bored or changed their style.
Struggle, struggle, struggle.... now, add a bad economy on top of that and it means death for many retailers.
That's not to say that you should be all things to all people. But, if you know you have a strong position as a traditional retailer, then you need to market the heck out of that angle and scratch and claw for every traditional customer you can find. You can't sit back and wonder where everyone went and then blame the economy. If you add tech to your store, then you need to like-wise market heavily the fact that you are a 21st Century Scrapbook Store and you want to invite your former customers back to see what you've got.
Either way it's not going to be easy. But, it CAN be done.
And finally, knowing that some will drop out over time (or maybe we didn't have the business sense to know that) and that the average life-cycle of a craft is 7 years, we did NOTHING to invite in new scrappers to replace those who left either because they got bored or changed their style.
Struggle, struggle, struggle.... now, add a bad economy on top of that and it means death for many retailers.
That's not to say that you should be all things to all people. But, if you know you have a strong position as a traditional retailer, then you need to market the heck out of that angle and scratch and claw for every traditional customer you can find. You can't sit back and wonder where everyone went and then blame the economy. If you add tech to your store, then you need to like-wise market heavily the fact that you are a 21st Century Scrapbook Store and you want to invite your former customers back to see what you've got.
Either way it's not going to be easy. But, it CAN be done.
Mar 9, 2009
A Monday Laugh
This came from Twitter via CraftCritique. This made me laugh so hard that I nearly spit my water on the computer screen.
Mar 4, 2009
Unibind Photo Book Creator
I love the Unibind Photo Book Creator. One of the best parts about it is the covers - they are totally meant to be altered. It's a true hybrid project!
Check out these covers - Unibind had some scrapbook industry people alter them - they were wickedly cute! How fun - customers can make a photo book using either digital or traditional pages and then alter the heck out of the cover!
Hybrid scrapbooking is where it's AT!
Check out these covers - Unibind had some scrapbook industry people alter them - they were wickedly cute! How fun - customers can make a photo book using either digital or traditional pages and then alter the heck out of the cover!
Hybrid scrapbooking is where it's AT!
Mar 3, 2009
Virtual PMA Tour for Scrapbook Retailers
Here's the online version of my PMA show floor tour for those of you not lucky enough to have joined us this morning. It was a GREAT tour - I enjoyed meeting the great women who joined us!
Braggables - they were at CHA- cute, nice quality photo bags. Everyone was really impressed with the quality of these bags!
Brooke International - This Kodak scanner will BLOW YOU AWAY - it scans a mixed stack of photos lightning fast and you can fix them easily in their software. Everyone was so impressed with the speed of this machine.
Goosie Cards - these are kind of fun if you did them like mini scrapbook pages. Customized flash cards - they'd be fun on a colorful ring and maybe embellished a bit. They are heavy duty -laminated to be loved and wiped off.
Jill-E camera Bags - Lots of "ooooohhhhhs" and "aaaaahhhhs" and "I want THAT ONE" going on. These are high fashion camera bags that look like purses! I love, love, love these bags and will be the owner of one before the month is out (if I don't win one at the luncheon they are very graciously sponsoring!)
Neil Enterprises: The site isn't exciting but I have been playing with a big box of stuff they sent me to alter. Most of it has to be done with digital scrapbooking, but some works well for hybrid. I've had a lot of fun making up samples for them. Once you put your thinking cap on, you will get really excited about this company!
Rocket Life - I love this company so much that I signed up to be a distributor and for $49, you can become a reseller through ScrapBiz HERE. I finally got my hands on the new lay flat and art leather books - OH. MY. HECK! Those are beautiful books. The pages are heavy like cardboard and the bindings are STUNNING. The laminated cover on the art leather/lay flat books glistens because it's printed on a metallic background. If you're a professional photographer, you would really benefit from from using Rocket Life to make books for your clients.
Sawgrass Technologies - They have a system that will allow retailers to make custom gift products IN HOUSE. The have a really nice ink system to use with printers and heat presses to make vivid and long-lasting t-shirts, bookmarks, etc. We were really impressed with their system
Unibind: Their photo book creator is cool because you can bind nearly any type of paper including sheet protectors in it and their covers are meant to be altered. Everyone was very impressed with the durability and strength of the bond to the pages. They just released a new cover that has a sound chip in it so you can record a message with your book - COOL!
We did an unscheduled stop at a booth that had lamps that you slipped a 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 photo into and the photo glowed. We discussed all the possibilities - photos, small scrapbook pages, etc. The guys in the booth were very excited. I can't remember the name, but I'll pick it up and post it here when I go back in a while. EDITED: Here's the link: Photo Light Frames
We also stopped at the Lucidiom booth and did a quick run-down of what they offer in the way of photo kiosks. They are about the only photo kiosks who understand and embrace the scrapbook industry. BTW - they were just purchased by Noritsu who manufactures scanners.
Braggables - they were at CHA- cute, nice quality photo bags. Everyone was really impressed with the quality of these bags!
Brooke International - This Kodak scanner will BLOW YOU AWAY - it scans a mixed stack of photos lightning fast and you can fix them easily in their software. Everyone was so impressed with the speed of this machine.
Goosie Cards - these are kind of fun if you did them like mini scrapbook pages. Customized flash cards - they'd be fun on a colorful ring and maybe embellished a bit. They are heavy duty -laminated to be loved and wiped off.
Jill-E camera Bags - Lots of "ooooohhhhhs" and "aaaaahhhhs" and "I want THAT ONE" going on. These are high fashion camera bags that look like purses! I love, love, love these bags and will be the owner of one before the month is out (if I don't win one at the luncheon they are very graciously sponsoring!)
Neil Enterprises: The site isn't exciting but I have been playing with a big box of stuff they sent me to alter. Most of it has to be done with digital scrapbooking, but some works well for hybrid. I've had a lot of fun making up samples for them. Once you put your thinking cap on, you will get really excited about this company!
Rocket Life - I love this company so much that I signed up to be a distributor and for $49, you can become a reseller through ScrapBiz HERE. I finally got my hands on the new lay flat and art leather books - OH. MY. HECK! Those are beautiful books. The pages are heavy like cardboard and the bindings are STUNNING. The laminated cover on the art leather/lay flat books glistens because it's printed on a metallic background. If you're a professional photographer, you would really benefit from from using Rocket Life to make books for your clients.
Sawgrass Technologies - They have a system that will allow retailers to make custom gift products IN HOUSE. The have a really nice ink system to use with printers and heat presses to make vivid and long-lasting t-shirts, bookmarks, etc. We were really impressed with their system
Unibind: Their photo book creator is cool because you can bind nearly any type of paper including sheet protectors in it and their covers are meant to be altered. Everyone was very impressed with the durability and strength of the bond to the pages. They just released a new cover that has a sound chip in it so you can record a message with your book - COOL!
We did an unscheduled stop at a booth that had lamps that you slipped a 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 photo into and the photo glowed. We discussed all the possibilities - photos, small scrapbook pages, etc. The guys in the booth were very excited. I can't remember the name, but I'll pick it up and post it here when I go back in a while. EDITED: Here's the link: Photo Light Frames
We also stopped at the Lucidiom booth and did a quick run-down of what they offer in the way of photo kiosks. They are about the only photo kiosks who understand and embrace the scrapbook industry. BTW - they were just purchased by Noritsu who manufactures scanners.
Mar 2, 2009
PMA Day 1 (sort of)
I arrived at PMA this afternoon. Well, really, I arrived in Las Vegas. There isn't much going on today that I needed to be involved in.
As soon as I got checked in to the Hilton, I walked over to the trade show floor and got in via Sheila with the PSRO. I had my map in hand and, dodging forklifts and cherry pickers, I wandered around for about half an hour doing my "tour". It was kind of fun - like getting into Disneyland before anyone else! Not everything was set up, but I at least found the companies on my tour.
So, bright and early in the morning, I'll be navigating the trade show floor with 11 people discovering all sorts of fun goodies! I'll post the list of companies next week when I get back so you can see what we discovered at PMA!
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