Stationary Trends seeking product submissions for their Fresh Picks section -

Are You Trend-E? Here's your chance to become a part of TrendE-News — Stationery Trends' monthly e-newsletter. Along with Industry News, each edition includes an Industry Profile, complete with photo, and an assortment of Fresh Picks.   The focus for this edition will be: Products for men   If you’re interested in submitting products for the Fresh Picks section, please send no more than 5 images (at 300 dpi) with 10-word descriptions for each via email to Abby at stonline@stationerytrendsmag.com. If selected for the issue, more information may be requested.   Fresh Picks for the September edition are due Tuesday, Aug. 21.     Email the Editor Abby Heugel stonline@stationerytrendsmag.com 616-887-9008, ext. 103

Independent We Stand

 

 

A reporter for a major news publication has approached Independent We Stand looking for entrepreneurs who have been vendors at street fairs and other outdoor summer events. They're seeking examples of lessons learned from these business opportunities – what to do and what not to do to. The entrepreneurs should be in only their second or third year of business and have some wisdom to share based on what they learned as an outdoor vendor last summer or the summer before.

Do you fit the bill or know someone else who does? Just email us at media@independentwestand.org!

 

Facebook Friday - 4 steps to a stronger Facebook page

Social networking is indisputably a global phenomenon. Its highly visible role in last year’s public uprisings around the world was only the latest example of a trend that has been steadily building for some time. A recent Forrester study of 95,000 Internet users in 18 countries showed that in addition to heavy social media usage in the U.S. and Europe, consumers in emerging markets are actually leading the world in social media usage and engagement. 

Find the rest here:

http://news.efrontier.com/rs/efrontier/images/Adobe_Going_Global_Social_World...

Facebook Friday - Marketing on Facebook

Are you ready to put your brand out in front of the 850 million people?  That's how many set of eyes you could potentially put your brand in front of on Facebook.  Incredible, isn't it?  

Here are some time-saving tips for marketing your small business on Facebook.

A. See if your personalized URL is available.

Before you launch your brand presence on Facebook, check on your personalized URL to make sure it will be available to you.  Find one that's simple and easy to remember. The shorter and simpler the better, to help people remember it. 

B. Crossposting with Ease: 

Utilize other web-based (or smartphone) services to making cross posting quicker and easier.  Logging in and out of all the  different networks these days can be time consuming and frankly, a pain.  There are several services that enable users to post once, and have their message cross posted to other networks as well.  One i like is Posterous.com  I  have our AIC network set up through Posterous; it enables any of us to send one email, and  have our message and/or photos posted to Facebook, twitter, linkedin, g+, tumblr, posterous blog, and a few more minor networks you've probably never heard of.  Quick and Easy!  Another good one that I use on my phone is HootSuite. 

C. Use social plugins:

They’re free to use and are a quick and easy way to market your brand or message through referral traffic.

D. Use Facebook Insights

Export the Facebook Insights data to an Excel spreadsheet.. Super easy to see what type of posts and media worked the best for you, which got the most response from your audience. 

E. Provide location:

Did you ever run across a Facebook page or event and find it very interesting, only to have to search and search for their location?  Do not forget that you are posting your event on the World Wide web.  World Wide.  You can go on and on about the wonderful festival you have planned, but if people have to struggle to find out the location, they probably won't.  People have super short attention spans these days, in just a few seconds you have to grab their attention and give them the bullet points they want, or they will click away. If your guest sees right away that the event is local, he'll maybe check it out for more info.  Maybe even come, spend his money, tell his friends.

F. QR Codes

Setting up a QR code for your Facebook Page is a quick, simple and effective strategy for small or large businesses to use. QR codes can be used on many marketing materials.

They are very easy to set up, simple google QR code generator, and follow the simple instructions.  

 

 

Holiday Marketing... already??

Think it’s too early to begin listing your 2012 holiday line on Etsy?

I don't think so.  Now is the time media and press publications are finalizing their print plans for this year's holiday sales. Help editors and bloggers find your holiday items  on Etsy by listing your holiday line now with clear seasonal tags.

To keep things looking in line with the current season, use Etsy’s Rearrange Your Shop tool to move these holiday items to the final pages of your shop.

More Promo Buttons/Banners Added

I've added more promo banners to our website.   Visit

 http://athensindiecraftstravaganzaa.com/promo/buttons.htm

and download the graphics you need for your Craftstravaganzaa marketing campaign. 

 

Small Business Tuesday: Strengthening your Item Descriptions

20 Questions Your Buyers are Asking 
This is a list to jump start your thinking when you write your next item description. Remember that your customer cannot see the item in person. Don’t assume that the qualities of your item are obvious to your customer or that your photos say it all. (I have seen more than one item that I couldn’t even figure out what the item WAS!). You might even consider describing your item as if you had no pictures for your customer to look at. Really make them feel like they are right there with your item.

This is not an all inclusive list and some questions may not be appropriate for all items or sellers. This list is just to get you thinking about some of the things your customer might want to know about your fabulous work.

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2010/best-of-the-etsy-forums-20-questions-your-bu...

Stationary Trends seeking product submissions for their Fresh Picks section -

Here's your chance to become a part of TrendE-News —Stationery Trends' monthly e-newsletter. Along with Industry News, each edition includes an Industry Profile, complete with photo, and an assortment of Fresh Picks.

The focus for this edition
will be: Birthday

If you’re interested in submitting products for the Fresh Picks section, please send no more than 5 images (at 300 dpi) with 10-word descriptions for each via email to Abby at stonline@stationerytrendsmag.com. If selected for the issue, more information may be requested.

Fresh Picks for the May edition are due Thursday, April 19.

http://stationerytrendsmagazine.com/

If interested in submitting your art, email the editor of Stationary Trends Magazine - Abby Heugel at stonline@stationerytrendsmag.com  or call 616-887-9008 ext. 103

A Recipe for Press™

A special offer for friends of Athens Indie Craftstravaganzaa, local author Amy Flurry would like to present a chance to buy her book, Recipe for Press, at a 20% discount. This book is a concise, information-packed volume of expertise on getting great press for your small arts-oriented business. Amy has years of experience writing and editing for many national magazines, and in her book she gives all the insider tips you need for getting your products noticed, and promoted, in all the right channels. Illustrated with beautiful photography and graphics, along with interviews from creative entrepreneurs like yourselves on how they made their passion their career. I believe this is an excellent resource for anyone interested in taking their business to the next level. I am on my second reading of this guide, and I feel like I could read it several times over and still glean new information. Plus, in purchasing this book you support a fellow local artist, which is what Craftstravganzaa is all about!


To purchase the book, just go to her website, www.recipeforpress.com, and enter aic20 in the coupon code box when prompted. It is an investment in your business that is sure to pay for itself many times over!

Marketing with your Facebook LIKE button.

Free Webinar, and while they do show you how to do reports with a product that they  have for sale, there is a lot of good info in the webinar, and you can fast forward through anything you are not interested in. 

http://www.omniture.com/offer/1175?fc=true

attachment.pdf Download this file

Twitter - Free 7 day E-Course

The great guys at handmadeology are offering their Twitter e-course, if you are interested. 

------

 For the handmade world, Twitter can be like hanging out at the water cooler.  It gives you a chance to have conversations with people who share some of your interests and offers an opportunity to broaden exposure for you and your products.

I will walk you through the steps of creating a Twitter account and using it effectively to promote your handmade business.  We will cover the following:

The breakdown of each day.

Day 1 – Getting Started

Day 2 – Building Followers

Day 3 – Getting in on the Conversation

Day 4 – The Power of the Network.

Day 5 – Tools to Help Manage your Twitter Life

2 Bonus days!

Day 6 – How to grow and nurture your Twitter following.

Day 7 – Long list of helpful links to awesome Twitter and social media marketing articles.

http://www.handmadeology.com/handmade-twitter-blueprint-free-7-day-ecourse/

New Vendors listings are being added today.

I am back from my trip to Tennessee for the Thanksgiving holiday.  While it was nice to take a quick trip home, and see family, and even get to come back on the back roads through the Smoky Mountains, I am very pleased to be back getting ready for next week's Athens Indie Craftstravaganzaa.  It is always so exciting, the rush at the last minute trying to get everything in place. 


Anyway, when I checked my email, I found lots and lots of new vendor info, so I will work diligently today to get everyone listed on the website.  I will also ask that any Craftstravaganzaa vendor who has not yet sent in their pic/link/blurb, please try to send it to me by Sunday afternoon. I'd like to wrap that part up this weekend. 


Visit our website and plan your holiday handmade shopping. 
http://www.athensindiecraftstravaganzaa.com

Promote! Promote! Promote!

Here are a few ideas to help promote the show.  We've found that each artist promoting his/her own appearance at the show works fantastically to reach the widest audience.  Let your family, friends and fans know that you will be at Craftstravaganzaa and invite them to visit for their holiday shopping. Ask them to invite their friends and family. 


==============
We have available banners and graphics for you to post on your marketing media (mailing lists, website, blogs, etsy, facebook, myspace, twitter etc) to let your fans and customers know you will be participating in Craftstravaganzaa. The banners are available on the PROMO page of our website. 
http://athensindiecraftstravaganzaa.com
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We also have fliers that can be downloaded from our website (PROMO page), please print and paste a few around your work/gym/store etc. 
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Our Twitter hashtag is #AthensCraft
Please tweet often and share our new location - 670 West Broad Street, Athens, GA. 
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Visit our event page on Facebook  
http://www.facebook.com/events/322784694403299/
and invite all your friends.   Ask them to do the same.  This is one of the quickest and easiest way to get our event in front of a lot of people.
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I'll be sharing marketing tips on the blog over the next few weeks, subscribe so you do not miss a post.  There's some neat suprises up  my sleeve. 
http://athenscraft.blogspot.com/

Best Times to List on Etsy: a decidedly UN-scientific research project

Article originally posted on Everything Etsy by Tim.

It’s a question every Etsy seller has asked themselves. It’s a subject we’ve talked about before. It’s not an easy question to answer, but the ramifications of getting it right could be huge.

Recently on the Etsy Forums, a forum thread was started with the idea that there really is no rhyme or reason to listing times. As is often the case with forums, most of the comments were from others in agreement, so there wasn’t much real discussion.

But it got me to thinking: There must be a pattern. There absolutely has to be peak times on Etsy. I wonder if we can figure them out.

So I tried…

Read on.....

It's that time people!  With about three weeks until the show, we've got plenty to do to spread the word about Craftstravaganzaa!

We've found that each artist promoting his/her own appearance at the show works fantastically to reach the widest audience.  Let your family, friends and fans know that you will be at Craftstravaganzaa and invite them to visit for their holiday shopping. Ask them to invite their friends and family.

We have banners and graphics for you to post on your marketing media (mailing lists, website, blogs, etsy, facebook, myspace, twitter etc) to let your fans and customers know you will be participating in Craftstravaganzaa. The banners are available on the AIC website, check the FORMS page.

We also have fliers that can be downloaded from our website (FORMS page), please print and paste a few around your work/gym/store etc.  (these too will be available by the end of this weekend)

Our Twitter hashtag is #Craftstravaganzaa

Visit  our Facebook Event page  and click the SELECT GUESTS TO INVITE link upper left and invite all your friends.   Ask them to do  the same. 

If you have any more ideas how we can share our event with as  many guests as possible,  please leave your ideas in a comment. 

Are You Trend-E?

Stationery Trends — the resource for greeting cards, gifts and all things stationery — has recently launched TrendE-News, a monthly e-newsletter delivered directly to your inbox. Along with Industry News, each edition includes an Industry Profile, complete with photo, and an assortment of Fresh Picks. 

Here's your chance to become a part of TrendE-News.

If you're interested in submitting products for the Fresh Picks section, please send no more than 5 images (at 72 dpi) with 10-word descriptions for each via email to Abby at stonline@stationerytrendsmag.com. If selected for the issue, further information may be requested.

The focus for this issue will be: Wedding

Fresh Picks for the May issue are due by Friday, April 22.

Submit your products to IndieFixx Galleria

The Indie Fixx Galleria is an online showcase of handmade, indie-made & vintage goods. Think of it as an 'indie mall' featuring a juried mix of designers & boutiques to provide a curated shopping experience.

The Indie Fixx Galleria is a showcase of handmade & indie (independently-made) goods. Think of it as an ‘indie mall’ featuring a juried mix of indie designers, crafters, artists & indie boutiques that carry indie-made goods. And now vintage goods too!


Periodically throughout the year, IndieFixx puts together a new Galleria around a theme to provide a curated shopping experience, just like at ‘the mall’, but only featuring hand-made, independently made and vintage goods.

To apply to be a part of the Galleria: Use the Apply Now button below or email your url or 2-3 product images. There are a limited number of spots open each go round.

Criteria used in judging applicants include: product originality, quality of product, quality of photography, type of products, shopping experience and shop & product appeal among other attributes. The goal of the Galleria is promote the individual participating shops and indie shopping in general. IndieFixx aims to provide a new venue for shops to publicize their products while encouraging shoppers to expand their shopping horizons and support small independent businesses as opposed to big mega-chains. There are no actual products available for sale at the Galleria; instead it is only a showcase of goods offered by the participating shops.

Crochet Today Magazine Jewelry Challenge Accepting Submissions.

 Crochet Today! is challenging YOU to create an amazing, original piece of crocheted jewelry! The winning item will be whisked away to Crochet Today!'s headquarters for a glamorous photoshoot and will be featured in Crochet Today! Magazine AND on CrochetToday.com!  

For this challenge, they are accepting necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings.  If you have an idea for another item that you feel counts as jewelry, please PM me to make sure we're on the same page! Items that are not considered jewelry may not be included in the voting poll.

Crochet Today! is all about sharing, so make sure your entry contains an original pattern that can be included in their magazine. Crochet Today! has a readership of 270,000 people, and I'm confident our winner can wow them all!

Rules:

• Your entry must be a jewelry item of some kind AND must include a pattern.
• Due to the nature of the prize, your item MUST be an original work.
• The winner agrees to allow their photograph, project pattern and name or likeness to be published in the Crochet Today! print magazine and Crochet Today! website(s) and marketing.
• Once we announce the winner, the winner MUST IMMEDIATELY ship* their project and pattern to the US mailing address for the Crochet Today! editorial team** to conduct a photo shoot.
• Post your project on this board during the period of March 18 - April 11 2011, 11:59 PM PT.
• Voting will happen from April 11 - April 18, 2011.
• Enter only ONE project.  Your entry can have multiple components to it.

* Please note, Craftster will cover the winner's shipping and handling expense. 

** The editorial team at Crochet Today! will return the project to the winner's desired shipping address and cover the expense of shipping this item.

Prizes:

• Project featured in July/August 2011 Crochet Today! Magazine
• Project pattern featured on CrochetToday.com
• Free 1 year subscription to Crochet Today! Magazine

FAQ at Crochet Today magazine. 

Craftstravaganzaa Fliers are online now.

I've posted PDF fliers  on the FORMS page of our Craftstravaganzaa website.   Please help us get the word out about our event - download and print a few and stick'em up everywhere you can.


I'll be making buttons, badges and banners available on the website this week, look for 'em and help us get the word out about Craftstravaganzaa. 

NYIGF Accepting Applications for Juried Divisions

I got this from one of the newsletters I subscribe to at work.  This market is a fantastic opportunity for the serious artisan/designer.  

 Designers, artists and manufacturers are invited to submit applications for juried, design-focused divisions at the summer 2011 New York International Gift Fair(NYIGF), running August 13-18. Applications are available online at www.nyigf.com/apply. 

The juried divisions include Accent on Design; A+: The Young Designers' Platform at Accent on Design; Handmade Designer Maker and Handmade Global Design.

New for 2011 is the addition of two NYIGF-funded Carol Sedestrom Ross "Maker-to-Market" Scholarships, which will be awarded to two Handmade applicants to support their wholesale market participation. Every Handmade applicant will automatically be considered for the scholarship, which is funded by NYIGF. The annual scholarships include one free exhibit space in Handmade Designer Maker and Handmade Global Design, in addition to a five-night hotel stay in New York City during market week, round-trip transportation, tradeshow marketing support and market-readiness consultation from industry experts. The scholarship is named in honor of the late Carol Sedestrom Ross, GLM's former director of craft marketing.

Accent on Design showcases the latest and most innovative designs spanning all product categories. The Selection Committee's criteria for acceptance includes:

•Original, creative and authentic product design
•New and innovative use of materials
•Products that address and solve problems
•Consistent and continuous new product creations
•A focus on contemporary design as perceived by the jury
•Functionality
Handmade is a unique and upscale juried forum that features international and domestic artisans, designers and manufacturers of only the finest handcrafted merchandise. The Selection Committee's criteria for acceptance includes:

•Unique and original work when reviewing contemporary craft
•Authentic design when reviewing traditional and ethnic craft
•Products that are marketable in the framework of the NYIGF®
•Products that are appropriate for the Handmade section

There's a whole page of good tips on applying for the juried division.  The page also describes what you'll have to submit to apply, and the link to the application is on this page.

Application for New York International Gift Fair