I've just started a greeting card business.but when i go to shops to sell my cards,they said they have enough

Question

I've just started a greeting card business.but when i go to shops to sell my cards,they said they have enough stock.even ebay is no use.could someone pls say how to take my greeting cards to customers.are their any tips for beginners?

I've just started a greeting card business in melbourne australia.but when i go to shops to sell my cards,they said they have enough stock.even ebay is no use.could someone pls say how to take my greeting cards to customers.are their any tips for beginners?

Answer 1

This is the way to go. tell the shop owners u will put ur cards in their shelves. they dont have to pay u upfront just yet. u colect after a week.. bec u r a new business owner, u want to check on how ur cards are doing in each of the shops u placed them. so u will know where exactly they sell best. so its good to make a weekly store visit to the shops selling ur cards.

when u make that weekly visit, thats when u collect. based on inventory. u gave shop owner 10 cards, u come back and there are 3 left, then that means 7 were sold. thats what he/she pay u. the rest stays in the shelf, u add new cards in...

must work.... bec shop owners dont want to run the risk of buying ur cards for added inventory. so as a starter, u shoulder the risk urself.

Answer 2

If you want to sell through a retail store, you'll need to come up with a business plan (even if you're only asking the store to hold them on consignment).

Start by thinking about the mission for your business. What makes your cards so special compared to every other card on the market? Why should a store choose to sell your cards over someone else's? Keep in mind that by selling your cards, a store will be taking shelf space away from another merchant. You need to differentiate yourself.

Make sure that the store understands what you'll need in terms of shelf space, and make sure you can justify it: How much space do you need, what will your display look like, why is such a display right for the store.

Finally, you need to give them some sales forecasts. How many sales do you predict you'll make in a given period, how much revenue will this generate, and what kind of a cut will the retail store get out of this.

You can't pull these numbers out of a hat: you need to do market research. This doesn't need to be difficult - just get a sense of how willing the general public is to buy your cards. Have you ever tried selling them at a bazaar or craft fair? If you can tell a retail merchant about a really successful experience that you had at a trade fair (such as selling more than any other artisan, or something else), this can be just as convincing as having piles of market data.

Just bear in mind that it's a cruel world out there, and just because friends and family love your cards, it doesn't mean that the rest of the martket will be as welcoming.

Also, remember that retail stores and the Internet are not the only mediums for selling items. What about altering your business model, and offering custom-made cards for businesses who need bulk orders (especially at Christmas time)? Or, focusing on making thank-you cards and invitations (which are much more versatile and are frequently used by the business market compared to greeting cards, which are really only used at Christmas)?

Start small. If you have a product that people want, then they'll come to you, and it will sell itself! Good luck!

Answer 3

You have to find someone who's not locked into an agreement with a big card company. Stay away from chain stores and focus on locally-owned ones. Restaurants are a great place because they'll have tourists who might want locally-made cards to send home. Also try giving some away to friends. If they're not enthusiastic, your cards may not be unique or artistic enough.

Something for Naima and others to consider: I am 47 and I don't know one single person who uses SMS. My friends use GPS, PDA's and celphones but not one person I know has SMS. We still buy cards. It's customary to give a card with every birthday, wedding or anniversary gift, and getting a card in the mail instead of an e-card or phone call is still a nice surprise. Paper greeting cards are alive and well. I believe people in their teens and early 20's wouldn't buy cards anyway even if SMS didn't exist, because at that age you don't care about social gestures.

Answer 4

Your sales pitch can't be "I made these cards and I was wondering if you want to carry them in your store."

What distinguishes your cards from others? Why would a store want to also carry your cards? You need to answer these questions and come with a slogan that sets your cards apart. "The outback cards" (sorry) "The make others feel as good as you do cards" "The feel better when you already feel good cards" "The this card is cheap but it's the thought that counts cards" "The more than a card cards" People don't buy a drill because they want a drill. They buy a drill because they want a hole. Why do people buy cards? They buy cards because they want some one to know that they are thinking of them. "The thinking of you cards" "the almost forgot cards" Is there a particular style you are using that others don't?

Why would a store owner by your cards to sell? They don't want cards, they want money. "These cards will make you more money because? "These cards will get more traffic into your store because?" Create a unique sales display to go along with your cards. If you can make the cards you can do that. "These cards will increase your sales because when people come into your store they will see them and want them because they are (different) than any cards they have ever seen before"

Go for the small mom and pop stores at first. They will be more willing to help you out and give you a chance.

Answer 5

Hi Jenny ~

I know how hard it is to open a business. It took me 3 years to find a work from home opportunity that really does bring in thousands. Best of all my work from home business helps familys.

I would say advertising is not an easy thing to do. A greeting company would be a hard thing to get into. I know... I did something like that in the past. If your very serious about this than don't give up.

*Craft stores maybe interested in your greeting cards.
* Making a web site and posting it in the correct classifieds and greeting places on the net may help.
* Mail Box Ect. and places like that may allow to put some in there to sale. There pretty cool people.


I know that everyone needs to earn money and working from home is the life. I sure enjoy it. Don't give up and if you need any help or advice on anything I would be happy to try and help.There are legit jobs and business from home that do work so don't give up.. E-mail me any time and [e-mail]

Christy

Answer 6

The first rule of business is to fulfill an unsatisfied need, what sort of research did you undertake to determine there was a shortage of greeting card providers?

You are entering a very crowded field with a lot of established players,

why don't you look for a business that's not quite so crowded?

If you insist on staying in the greeting card business, you will have skinny, malnourished children

Answer 7

I think it's a bold and creative move to start your own greeting card business. The best advice I can give anyone in that situation is to just keep trying. Artists and writers frequently face a lot of barriers to get their work recognized, and not everyone can do it, but don't give up!

Answer 8

Try consigning the cards to the stores, which means they only pay for what sells and they won't get stuck with cards. Try "Mom and Pop" stores instead of chains and franchises, which may have rules about what cards they can sell. Try a different market such as creating small displays for counters at convenience stores, gas stations, flower stores. Give a press release to your local newspaper and maybe they will interview you about your business.

Answer 9

Try to approach people such as auto dealers, realtors and businesses of all sorts, and see if you can start a service sending cards to their customer database - for thank you's, holidays, birthdays, ect.

Answer 10

hi there only thing i can think about is go around to doctors offices small offices barber shops hair salons and ask if they will like to places orders for cards they most likely would like to send them out to the customers to thank them christmas etc. but u must ask to speak to the person in charge, if you go to a doctor office and there is patient u can also ask them, go to schools etc. wish u the best and may god bless stick with it god is with u u will get there .