|
If you are like most of our
customers, you’re trying to help a favorite organization raise funds and are
seeking a product that is different, easy to sell, and that will be profitable.
Yet, you might not have a background in marketing and are unsure of what steps
to take to create a successful and enjoyable custom ornament program.
Well, worry no more, and read further!
Step 1: Choose an ornament theme that
people will want to buy.
It all starts with what may be your most important decision. Ask yourself
what image is important to those who will help you raise funds. In addition
to being important (or historical), it should also be easy to recognize and
attractive. Is it something people feel strongly about and that they would love
to have a memento of? We create more buildings than any other subject.
Buildings are
attractive, easy to recognize, and often have strong ties to the community. To
give some other examples, you might feature a famous bridge, a vehicle or just an
elegant structure or part of a structure (sometimes an ornate doorway or
beautiful window can be attractive subjects for an ornament). Is there a well
known person affiliated with your town or organization, or do you have a popular
logo or a recognizable icon or landmark nearby? All of these images have been
featured in easy-to-sell ornaments.
Step 2: Gather Visual Material.
Do you have, or can someone take, a photo of your theme
(black & white or color).
If it is a building, can you provide a photo of your
preferred perspective, showing the left and right
side of the building, plus close-ups
of siding, doors, windows, or grounds details? The more visual information you
can provide the artist, the more detail we can include in your design. Line drawings,
post cards,
or old pictures can work. Don’t worry if a tree of bush is in the way;
we
can apply creative license to move or remove objects at will, as long as we have
an idea of what the view is behind them. You can forward your artwork or photo
to us using regular mail, or e-mail them in a jpeg format. We can accept any
size photos, but don’t need a photo larger than about 5” x 7”. If you want
us to use a photo for your photo ornament, we need the highest quality
possible because we use your photo for the artwork and we can print up to
1,200 DPI resolution (photographic quality).
Step 3: Pre-sell your Ornament
to your target customers.
Start by speculating who your potential buyers are and
where you might reach them with your marketing message. If you are creating a
church building, your congregation would be the best place to start. Include an
invitation in the Sunday bulletin to preview the new ornament in the church
office (be sure to have information on where they can purchase the ornament).
Or, if you have a historic building or location, prepare a press release and
send it to
your local paper and the Chamber of Commerce. All you need
for a press release is an 8.5” x 11” sheet with a picture of the ornament and
the key information about the sponsor, pricing, who the proceeds will benefit, and where to buy
your ornament.
Step 4: With
"year-round" ornaments, it's never to early to start
selling.
You may not realize that ornaments and suncatchers are
great year-round sellers. Some of our most successful customers start
selling in January of each year. Ornaments are durable keepsakes that
look great on a stand on a desk or hanging from a window, in addition to
adorning a Christmas tree. It's never too early for a tasteful memento
of a special trip, a graduation, a team sport, an event, or an anniversary.
Step 5: Distribute Flyers
we create for you-at no charge.
For most of our customers, many of whom are volunteers,
creating marketing materials can seem a bit overwhelming. To make your life easier, we now provide
at no charge, a beautiful
color marketing
flyer with a photo of your ornament.
"A picture can be worth 1000
words" is the basis for why we take a larger-than-life photo of your custom
ornament and send it free of charge with your custom ornament order.
The more visible your ornament is, the greater the interest and resulting sales
will be. Display your ornament in multiple locations. Post flyers on
bulletin boards, display photos in your newsletters and distribute sell sheets
to members to share with friends, family, co-workers, local retailers, and
supportive community organizations to increase your selling base.
A photo also makes sending a
press release easy. Copy your photo and distribute it to your local
retailers, feature it
in the lobby of your organization or send it to local newspapers. We can
also e-mail you a website ready jpeg.
The key point is to start
promoting your fundraising ornament with a colorful flyer and help ensure your
campaign's success! For more tips about how to ensure your fundraising
campaign is a success, click on our
"Custom
Ornament Marketing Secrets" page.
Step 6:
Additional tips from those who got
creative and had fun!
Here are a few more PR and product
"multiple-purchae" tips from customers who have taken
extra initiatives in their marketing campaign:
- Post flyers in prominent buildings like Sunday school classrooms, offices,
libraries, bulletin boards and in supporting retailer store windows.
- Offer a multiple purchase discount of $2.00 off
each ornament for purchases of two or more. Many supporters like to purchase one ornament for themselves and another for a relative or
friend.
- Dramatize the purpose of the
fundraising - feature a framed rendering or an architect’s drawing of a new building, show the destination of a class trip, mount a
picture of the new band uniforms or athletic equipment to be purchased with
proceeds.
- As you near Christmas, display 15 or 20 Christmas
Ornaments or Suncatcher ornaments on a small Christmas
tree in a high-traffic area. This always yields more sales.
- If you are beginning an annual ornament series,
let your public know. Your can also start taking orders for next year’s ornament.
|
