a.i. paper design

3 Low Cost Ways to Attract New Customers

In addition to wholesaling savvy & stylish handmade paper wares, we also own two retail stores in Metro Detroit called catching fireflies.  Our stores are filled with handmade & imported whimsical wares that make people smile.  After being in the retail business for almost nine years, we've developed some non-traditional ways to spread the word about our store.

1.  Forward to Friends:  Instead of hoping your customers will tell their friends and family about your store, offer them a tempting reward that's worthy to talk about.  Each month we do a blog post and email blast featuring a themed give-away package valued around $60.  Our customers can enter to win the package by sharing the blog post on their Facebook page or forwarding the email to their friends (each forward counts as an entry). 

 

Some of the benefits include: one very happy winner (that will probably tell more friends), an opportunity to showcase some popular products and having your customers spread the word about your great store to their friends and family.

2.  Give It Away:  Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on traditional advertising, find opportunities to include valuable coupons or gift cards in goody bags.  Many chambers, downtown development associations and charity functions are always looking for contributors to gift bags.  We donate $5 gift cards (no strings attached) and package them in a sturdy, eye-catching sleeve that features some of our popular products and contact info.

Some of the benefits include: it gives them a worthwhile reason to check out your store, the gift card/coupon doesn't cost you anything until it delivers you a customer, plus it spreads good will.

3.  Reward Local Business:  Instead of relying on customers driving into town to come see you, tap into the wealth of people who work within minutes of your store everyday.  We developed a Downtown Discount Card for local employees that's good for 12% off all purchases, all the time.  We packaged it with a postcard that features some of our popular products and visited all the businesses within walking distance of our store including, hair salons, restaurants, coffee shops, other specialty shops, dentists, doctors, lawyers, banks, real estate offices and even the post office, city hall, library and funeral home.  And if the person we talked to at a business hadn't been to our store, we also gave them a $5 gift card as an invite to come visit us.

Some of the benefits include: develops an awareness of your business district offerings, encourages business to business support and creates loyalty.

We hope some of our ideas inspired you to think differently about advertising.  And once you've conquered the feat of getting new customers in your door, be sure to learn how to get them connected so they keep coming back for more.

2009 free frame deal

 

The birds are chirping and the sun is finally starting to show his face here is Michigan and that means it's time for our popular spring special!

With this super deal, you can put together some sweet collections for Mother'sDay, graduation, wedding season and christening gifts - plus score some of our best selling ribbon frames on us.

This deal is valid through May 15, 2009 and can be used multiple times, however it can't be combined with other offers such as our return-refresh program.

Simply note the free frames you'd like us to send you at the bottom of your order and we'll ship out our stylish & savvy paper goods to you as soon as possible.

Feel free to give us a ring at 1 800 414 1654, fax us at 248 336 0196, call your local rep or shop online!

flea market display ideas

 

If you're looking for ways to make old items seem new again, try mixing up your current displays by taking a trip to your local flea market, Home Depot or Ikea store. 

Here is a quick snapshot of our a.i. paper design display at our retail store in Metro Detroit.  It all starts with a couple of $15 saw horses from Ikea and an old door.  Then we pile on a couple chairs, ladder-like display and top it off with some hanging windows.

Then we showcase our wares by grouping them together in similar color themes.

It all makes for an interesting display that's easy to change and keep looking fresh.

freshen up your shelves with these spring collections

 

   

 

 

 

If you'd like to order any of these pictured packages, just write the package name & value and we'll take care of the rest. (just note if you'd like your frames hanging or standing)

Five Clever Ways to Connect With Your Customers

In addition to wholesaling savvy & stylish handmade paper wares, we also own two retail stores in Metro Detroit called catching fireflies. 

 

Our stores are filled with handmade & imported whimsical wares that make people smile.  After being in the retail business for almost nine years, we feel that we've developed many clever ways to connect with our customers.  We even won a Retail Excellence Award in 2007 from Gifts & Decorative Accessories for our integrated web marketing.

So with that being said, I thought I'd share some of our ideas with you. 

1. Collecting Contacts: Instead of asking our customers if they'd like to be on our mailing list, we created a monthly drawing for a store gift card.  We called it our free $63 shopping spree because it was memorable and rhymed.  With every sale, we let them know they can sign up and reward our staff each month if they get over 60% participation.  The monthly winners are always delighted and we end up collecting a lot of contacts.

2. Sending Handwritten Thank You Postcards:  Instead of only sending promotional material to our customers, we also make it a regular practice to send personal notes.  During the slower times at the store, we have our staff randomly pick addresses out of the raffle jar and send them nice postcards thanking them for choosing to shop with us.  Our customers often comment what a pleasant surprise it was to find a nice note amid all the bills & junk mail in their mailbox.

3. The VIP Treatment:  Instead of lumping all our customers into one list, we also have a special list of our loyal customers.  Every quarter we send them something unusual in the mail.  For instance, this year we created handmade wooden Valentine postcards thanking them for a great 2008.  And when they brought the postcard back before February 14th, we gave them a package of cookies we recently started carrying at the store.  The VIP's loved getting a cool piece of 'art' in their mailbox and it also gave us the opportunity to get them hooked on a new line of cookies we offer.

We also send them birthday cards with a little treat inside (like a herbal tea bath bag) and remind them they get 20% if they shop with us on their birthday.

 

4.  Make Your Emails Interesting:  Instead of sending an email just about your sales or special promotions, add other interesting information that your customers may enjoy or want to forward on to their friends.  Some of our features include:

New Products:  When I write an order at a trade show, I always ask if I can take a photo of the goods.  Then I share some of my finds and our customers get excited when they see what's coming to the store soon.

 

Staff Favorites:  Each month we ask our staff what they love in the store and why.  Then we take a photo of them with the item.  We've found our customers like to see what our sales gals like and it also connects our customers with our staff.

 

Feature an Artist or Product Line:Put a spot light on a particular product group for a month.  Share the artist's story or explain more about a certain product line.  And to entice sales, offer 15% off the featured item(s) for that month.  This creates an awareness of the unique goods you offer.

Share Other Interests:  Talk about the music you're listening to in your store, the book you can't put down or a recipe that is a big hit.  And if you can tie them into products available at your store... even better.  Ask for your staff's input as well - once again creating that customer/staff relationship.

 

Share the Love:  Put together a grouping of popular products and offer a goody give-away on a regular basis.  We just promoted a Valentine themed one and asked our customers to tell us what theylove.  The response was amazing and their replies uplifting.  This gets your customers involved and creates good will.

 

5. Staying Social on the Web: Instead if hoping your customers will remember to come visit you in their free time, lure them in by giving them glimpses of what's happening at your store.  You can encourage your customersto subscribe to your blog or become a fan or friend on face-book in your email newsletters. This keeps your place of business in the forefront of their mind and creates customer loyalty. The two main ways we do this are through Blogging and Face-book (both free!)

  

Some ideas you can share with your customers via a blog or face-book page can include: new products, artist features, music reviews, crafty ideas, seasonal recipes, highlight how you're giving back to the community, show your staff having fun, product give aways, create a photo album of special events you've hosted, showcase other stores in your area, post any press you receive, promote yourself for local 'best of contests', do a day-in-the-life story about you, create a photo album of images around your store, share tips on how to pick out the perfect gift for (dad, mom, grad, bridal couple etc...) - and the list could go on because it's totally up to you.  To see what some other shops are blogging about check out delightful blogs.com.

  

We hope a few of our ideas inspired you to create some new customer connections.  We've found it truly is all the the little things that make a BIG difference in life and retail. 

2009 winter show special

 

All ASAP wholesale orders totaling over $500 get to pick out two of their favorite ribbon frames. Just write two for you on your order($75.00 retail value)

special expires 2.20.09

snapshot of new goodies for 09

Every year I say I'm not going to change the line up that much; But once I start playing around with designs, shuffling through piles of paper, rolls of ribbon and drawers of findings - it happens... and before I know it, I have a list of 93 new wares.

 

I'm really excited about introducing some fresh color pallets to the mix like this black & white group.  The printing on the matte black paper is striking yet subtle (these digital images simply don't do it justice)

   

Another thing you'll notice is I've expanded the amount of items that have similar color schemes.  This way when you display them, the products will really compliment each other.  

This group is one of my personal new favorites.  The rich chocolate paper has loads of lovely phrases typed across it like: look up, treasure friends, hold hands, keep believing, share your smile, be silly and so on.  Plus I'm still a sucker for all things turquoise & brown (and some olive green)

 

And I have a feeling this set is going to be a big hit... subtle colors, popular words and that classic polka-dot look.

   

And all new coordinating pet frames & brag books.  Click here to see more designs.

 

This year I've also added some of my own doodled collage pieces to the new recipe stands, pampered pet frames and function frames.

This is just a snapshot of the 93 new goodies.  I hope you like them:)

Detroit News 11.8.08

Great Gifts for Hosts of Holiday Parties - Judith Harris Solomon

 

Chances are you've been invited to someone's home to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's. And, if that's the case (lucky you), it's always thoughtful to bring a little gift to your host. Here are some terrific suggestions.

Made out of handmade paper, ribbon and wood, this good-looking recipe stand is designed to keep a recipe card safe and sound while you prepare a favorite dish. Six different colorways are available. Find it for $30 at Catching Fireflies.

Detroit News 11.1.08

Let the Dogs Out Around Your Home - Judith Harris Solomon

 

Our weak economy has unleashed a lot of talk about the world going to the dogs. So, keeping that in mind, we thought it would be a good idea to familiarize you with some of the notable dog-oriented items you can find around the town.

• Designed to showcase your favorite canine, this lovable picture frame is constructed from handmade paper, ribbon and wood. It's 9½ inches high and 7½ inches wide, holds a 4-by-6 inch photo and costs $32 at Catching Fireflies.

Dog Living Magazine Feature

 

Pampered Pet Frames

What dog lover doesn't have an extensive photo collection of their furry best friend around?  Your pup will look fabulous in these cleverly clipped pet frames by a.i. paper design...