THIS WEEKS LINKS
From ecommerce-guide.com, Website Design: 5 Tips to Improve Customer Experience
From AmEx Open Forum, How to Add Multimedia to Your Blog Have you read a blog or an online article that you found interesting or helpful? If it was helpful to you, it will probably be helpful to other gallery owners and artists.
Send it to me at rani@randomactsart.com to be included in our weekly newsletter.
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ACW MERCHANDISE
 Think about wearing an ACW t-shirt or carrying an ACW tote. When anyone asks about it, you can send them to the CRAFT booth for more information. While you are shopping for your t-shirts and totes, don't for get to get a bumpersticker for your car!
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Before major shows we put out a list of CRAFT members exhibiting at that show. If you are going to be exhibiting at the summer NYIGF or BMAC, please email rani@randomactsart.com
with the show name and your booth number. If you will be offering any show specials, we are happy to include that information.
Booth numbers for NYIGF must be received by Wednesday, August 11. Booth numbers for BMAC must be received by Wednesday, August 18.
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Not Exhibiting at the Summer Shows?
We are always happy to spotlight a CRAFT artist member in It's Friday. If you are interested in being spotlighted email rani@randomactsart.com
with up to two paragraphs about you, your studio & your artwork. Please include links to your website or Wholesalecrafts page and up to two pictures to be included. You can send the pictures as attachments or just send links to the pictures on your website.
Artist will be spotlighted, one per week, on a first come, first serve basis. You can check out this past newsletter for an example of an artist spotlight.
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Table Topics over Lunch
NYIGF Sunday, August 15th
12:30-2:00 Room 1C04
$20, includes $10 food voucher
Sponsored by CRAFT:
TABLE 1: Making your blog work for you.
Retail stores are learning the value of blogging to keep their customers' interest. Come find out how to get started, what constitutes good content and how to keep it going from a successful blogger. Led by: Janet Francoeur, Carolina Creations, New Bern, NC
TABLE 2: Public relation strategies for craft galleries/shops. You need to get the word out about your fabulous craft business ...but do not have many promotional dollars? This discussion will include the basics for creating a PR plan and how to execute it to attract free editorial coverage. Led by: Tom Handley, Marketing and PR Instructor, Parsons School of Design
TABLE 3: How to use Facebook and Twitter to build your business.
Learn how viral campaigns using these methods can be powerful tools with big payoffs. This artist/store owner will share with you how she ties it all together with great success. Led by: Fern Solomon, Fern's Garden, Long Beach, CA TABLE 4: Designer Jewelry Store Roundtable for a Tough Economy.
Is a significant portion of your business in designer jewelry? Take this opportunity to learn and share some effective strategies to survive and thrive in an uncertain economy with this successful store owner who has weathered many years of ups and downs. Led by: Tara Silberberg, The Clay Pot, Brooklyn, NY
TABLE 5: Doing E-newsletters using Constant Contact can save your business.
Why you should do it right now! Learn why, when and how to accomplish this. Up to the minute facts and comparative figures from Constant Contact will be given and story ideas and examples will be handed out. Led by: Donna Milstein, Owner, Hanson Galleries, Houston, TX
TABLE 6: Salesmanship: the Buyer/Seller Dance. Everyone talks about marketing, but how do you make a sale once you have a captive audience? Join this table and learn to lead the sales dance by making selling a natural, comfortable communication process. Led by: Nicole Carroll, Artist Marketing Consultant, Hudson Valley, NY TABLE 7: How to create a good Standard Operating Procedure Manual.
Training and retaining good employees dictates having an up-to-date SOP manual. Attend this topic to learn what its contents should include and how to benefit from using it. Led by: Larry Williams, Gallery Director, Hanson Galleries, Houston, TX
TABLE 8: Using the Latest Technologies
Using the latest web technologies in your store (like Iphones and Ipads) to interrelate with customers and boost sales. Led by: Nancy Vince, President, Wholesalecrafts.com |
2 EVENTS UNITE TO RAISE CRAFT'S PROFILE:
A Season for CERF+ meets American Craft Week
This year, in conjunction with our 25th anniversary, the Craft Emergency Relief Fund is proud to be a sponsor of American Craft Week, an event near and dear to the hearts of all who are passionate about fine craft. Come fall, we are also hosting A Season for CERF+, our annual fundraising event designed to both support and raise awareness of craft artists experiencing career threatening emergencies. Many galleries are signing up to celebrate both these events as it is easy to see how well they complement each other. If you aren't yet participating, we urge you to consider joining!
Now in its 14th year, A Season for CERF+ unites galleries, retailers and artists nationwide in a venture as unique as the individuals and businesses involved. Retailers decide how they wish to participate (see our list of ideas generated by past participants), whether by sponsoring a raffle, silent auction or special event, or simply by spreading the word to customers about CERF+ and its programs for craft artists and making a donation of at least $100. Additionally, businesses decide when, between September 1 and the 31st of December, they wish to be involved, making it possible for them to combine it with other events on their calendars, like American Craft Week. However you choose to participate, the message we hear over and over is that A Season for CERF+ allows businesses yet another way to tell the stories behind the magnificent craft they sell - to cast a light on the artists who produce the work your customers admire and collect.
On behalf of the many craft artists whose work you show and sell, CERF+ invites you to add your name to the list of other galleries and ACW participants involved in this year's A Season for CERF+. Signing up takes only a few moments: simply follow this link. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call Nel at the CERF+ office (802-229-2306). Email works too! Contact us at info@craftemergency.org.
Remember, your business relies on the work of craft artists, the very individuals who rely on the help of CERF+. In order for CERF+ to be there for them, we need you! |
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