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General Tips on Contributing
Here are some tips on making the most out of contributing to the Sampler. Although
the Sampler does its best to get your samples into the hands of all kinds of people and promote you, the samples themsevles
are what will get people interested in your work!
- Make sure your samples are within the Sampler's size guidelines: Our boxes are 11.75" X 10.75" X 2.25"
- Create samples that are high quality, but affordable for you to produce. Your samples should be indicative of the quality of your work. They represent you and your company!
- Try to submit samples of the kinds of items that are available on your site. This is helpful in a couple of ways: should a person see your item in the sneak peeks but not receive it, she'll be able to go to your site and purchase it, or if she does receive one of your samples, she may want to purchase more.
- Package your samples securely and attractively. Packaging is extremely important, as it gives the recipient an idea of your professionalism, attention to detail and the general quality of your work.
- Scented or liquid samples should always be double-wrapped to prevent spills and damage to other samples; and sometimes people are sensitive to fragrances. People will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
- Include some sort of identifying mark or contact info for your business with your sample -- by including one of your promos in your packaging, by having your business name & URL subtly included on the item itself. This way, if the recipient wants more of what you make, he or she will be able to get in touch with you.
Input from the Media
Some of the editors on the Sampler's Media Contacts list were kind enough to share some information about what goes on when they receive their Media Samplers, what sorts of things they like to see... just general info that might prove helpful to contributors!
My plan for the Craftypreneur Roundup series is to introduce CraftyPod listeners to some cool indie businesses, and at the same time, get my listeners thinking about how they can start a business of their own, or fine-tune one they're already working on.
So with all that said, when I go through my Sampler and the Contributor List, I'm looking mostly for two things:
- Crafty products or services that are a bit out of the ordinary. Or, businesses that take a product I've seen before, but present it in a new and engaging way.
- Businesses that exemplify interesting ideas about running a crafty business. For example, I might invite a craftypreneur to be on the show because she's worked out an interesting approach to pricing her work. Or, because she makes creative use of recycled materials in her packaging. Or maybe I'll invite someone who had a very large business, but chose to scale it back in order to have more time for family.
- Consider sending in media samples of a different season. At Adorn, we work almost FIVE months in advance, which is kind of crazy, I know -- and it makes it really hard to include Sampler things sometimes. For instance, if I want a Christmas theme item, there's really no way I'm going to get it in time (I'd need it in my July Sampler!). But if you know what kind of products you are going to be making up in advance (which is a good habit to get into anyway, if you really want to push your business), consider sending in an off-season sample-- even something two months ahead of the calendar date.
- If I'm interested in someone's work (but it's off season with our schedule), I always look at their website anyway, and see if there is something else I can include, or if I can work with the designer directly. It's rare that I can do that, but please make your info readily available on the packaging of the item so that if I hang onto it, I can contact you. If you want to be extra smart, have a postcard or business card printed up with other items you also feature on your site so I can get a preview before even having to type in your web address. You wouldn't believe the amount of stuff that piles up on our desks, and teasers like this work! Also- the quality of your website (along with a bunch of other things) affects our idea of your business -- so be sure to keep it updated and easy to navigate.
- I pay a lot of attention to the items I recieve in the Sampler vs. random submissions, because I know the person is able to mass produce things. I want to provide the reader with something they can actually purchase without having to wait for weeks on end, and I want it to be the same quality I'd expect if I was shopping in a handmade boutique (which is why it's so great to see the items in the flesh). Samples that are too simple/easy to figure out are less of a match for Adorn because our audience is crafty -- they need to be something really fun and different to catch their eye. I also have a soft spot for craft-themed things, like patches, craft kits, buttons, cards, tees, etc. -- because I think our audience would love them.
- Even if your item doesn't make it into our magazines pages, I often wear or give away a lot of my samples. I always always always get asked about them, and I'm sure people I give them to do, too, so don't be too disappointed if your product isn't placed in the media right away! The word of mouth you'll be getting out of media samplers is a hidden plus. I wear them to conventions, craft shows, product line previews, etc. -- and I'm pretty good at promoting the individual crafter when asked "Where'd you get that!?"
Basically, I look at all the samples sent, and identify those I think would be a good fit for our readers (card companies, bath & body stuff, candles, etc.).
Then I either look in their sample or at their web site to see what their email address is, and then I send an inquiry email requesting a press kit.
Hopefully they then send us a press kit and it goes into the possible inclusion pile, but if someone doesn't have a press kit, they can email me and we can work something out.
My editor and I choose the finals together -- based on magazine advertisers, what looks pretty together on the page, and what we think is cool or useful.
I haven't been contacting contributors who are only on etsy. Because [the Flowers& readership is predominantly retail boutiques and] I wouldn't be able to know that retailers would be able to order wholesale from them.
Emily also answered a little Q & A:
What sorts of items really catch your eye?
Any sort of innovation -- mixing a vintage look with a modern one, that sort of thing. Clean lines, good design. I'm a designer so those things really matter a lot to me. Plus they look good on the page. Also anything that I think will be of value to our readers. Because our readers are mostly retailers, I have to be informed about what they can sell to their markets, and give them those things. And our readers cover a variety of markets -- from very traditional Hallmark-type stores to very modern, contemporary stores.
How much does packaging affect your impression of an item?
Packaging is one of the most important things for us. Our retailers have to display these items for sale to consumers, so it's really crucial. That's why it's great to see how items are ultimately sold. Are cards sold individually? In sets? If they're sold in sets, what do the boxes look like?
How far in advance of a season or holiday (say, Valentine's Day) do you need to receive a sample in order for it to be considered for its appropriate holiday?
Because we go to retailers, we have even more lead time than most publications. Our Valentine's Day issue is December, and our first Christmas issue is July. So conceivably, I'm working on the Christmas issue in May. And if it's something I want to include in a feature shoot, it can be even earlier. Our retailers have to have so much time in advance to do their buying.
Do you take current trends into consideration when selecting items?
Definitely. Our new products section is all about trends. And we try to be ahead of current trends, even, in terms of color, motifs, etc. I was running baby-blue/chocolate stuff about 2 years ago, for example. It's good for the mix of of our readers. The bigger retailers that can go to the shows are already selling a certain look, for example, and we can help introduce that look to our smaller retailers that can't afford the time or expense of trend-watching and going to the gift shows.
Does the affordability of the item effect your consideration in any way?
Not really. I won't run something that's prohibitively expensive (like a $10 card), but I assume when I see a price on something that I'm looking at the retail price, anyway, and that there may be volume breaks for a retailer or something. Plus we have such a diverse readership that we don't really take that into account.
What, in your opinion, makes an item "editorially strong?"For an object, it has to photograph well. Even if it's the coolest thing in the world but doesn't show up well on a page, it won't make it.How long do you hold onto press kits and samples?Months! We file them away and wait for a story that will work... if we like the items.
Clicky! A big Sampler thanks to....
