tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12387810.post1725410502388324064..comments2023-10-11T02:30:20.723-07:00Comments on ScrapBizness: Digi Scrapping + Traditional Retailers = ?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12387810.post-80021635484499353702007-05-23T11:03:00.000-07:002007-05-23T11:03:00.000-07:00Hi, Kim, it's Carole H. I'm currently working wit...Hi, Kim, it's Carole H. I'm currently working with my local adult ed to offer a beginning digital scrapbooking class, and with it I'm working with my favorite LSS to offer a cooperative discount on embellishments. My plan is to introduce the digital aspect, while encouraging the students that the best layout is a hybrid layout. It's inescapable that the upcoming generation will probably lean more towards digi-scrapping, so I'm hoping to blaze a trail here in my neighborhood by encouraging both at the same time. While scrapbooks can be exclusively digital or exclusively paper, there are plenty of things that simply can not be exclusively digital, like collage. In my class I'm planning to teach how to create certain elements for collage, like fruit box labels for instance, and then print them out and use traditional products to age them, etc. I'm really passionate about supporting the LSS, so I really couldn't teach this class any other way. Take care!<BR/>-cAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12387810.post-15896590993191529502007-05-19T17:44:00.000-07:002007-05-19T17:44:00.000-07:00i just returned from teaching a class at a scrapbo...i just returned from teaching a class at a scrapbook store doing the embracing (my company sells the digital element cds). this store gained digital customers that wouldn't have shopped there otherwise. i printed pages and bought embellishments to add to them (and encouraged others to do the same). we work with many retailers who carry our products and from all we've seen it's simple.<BR/>1. you gain digital customers who yes, just become regular customers who need stuff.<BR/>2. you don't lose your customers who end up doing digital on their own anyway. <BR/>great question and well put!The Lundy 5https://www.blogger.com/profile/09442312452598318776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12387810.post-24905373546138970342007-05-19T17:32:00.000-07:002007-05-19T17:32:00.000-07:00I respect your opinion and how you have stated it....I respect your opinion and how you have stated it.I am a digital scrapbooker and never have been a paper scrapbooker so I can see things from the point of view of a digital scrapbooker who might enter your store. <BR/>The number one similarity between the majority of digital and paper scrapbookers is that they are collectors- much of the product they purchase is not for a specific project but a "just in case" purchas or a 'I have to have this because it is so beautiful " purchase. Digital Scrapbookers purchase digital graphics - they can purchase these online true, but many enjoy the task of physical shopping just as much as the paper scrapbooker likes to enter your store to search for that little new item.<BR/>These graphics can not be found in many if any large store such as Walmart - but the other products that the digital scrapbooker would be interested in are - so there is a method to have the digital scrapbooker enter YOUR store in the first place - if she can purchase a hard copy cd of her favourite digital scrapbooking graphics you actually have made a NEW customer - by ignoring that she exists or refusing to put effort into enticing her into your store you are effectively pushing her to the superstore market to purchase the physical product that she does need to buy. <BR/>Your attitude reminds me of the photography store owners in the recent past who refused to acknowlege that the digital photography customer would ever be of importance to them - sadly those who kept this blinkered attitude have all but failed to keep their businesses afloat - but those who embraced the new direction their industry was headed have found that with a little effort on their part they have in fact expanded their customer base .<BR/>As Susan mentioned - just because a scrapper is digital doesnt preclude them from enjoying the social aspect of scrapbooking - I have run and attended laptop crops which have been filled with women craving the company of like minded people. <BR/>There are digital scrapbooking companies out there that are willing and able to assist the paper scrapbook store to embrace the digital scrapbooker and eencourage them back to your store over and over again - I know because I work for one of them !!Laurenbavinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09066608760779833809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12387810.post-28695397643326388522007-05-17T15:45:00.000-07:002007-05-17T15:45:00.000-07:00I think many traditional retailers need to rethink...I think many traditional retailers need to rethink their attitude because they are losing business because of it. When a customer announces they are digital, often there are comments like "that is not real scrapbooking" etc. It can be very hurtful when you have built up a relationship and is one reason why converted digiscrappers don't go back (I think anyway). It is bad business to drive away potential customers, no mater how small you might think they will be. Who needs to be made to feel like some kind of leper? Maybe a better response would be - "how cool - you could make a really neat digital project with xyz product". A good salesperson doesn't see a threat - they see an opportunity. I agree that digital classes are not likely (not least because of the difficulty in providing hardware) and are more easily delivered over the internet. Perhaps when advertising classes like canvases and other altered work, make it clear that the class can easily be adapted to the needs of digital scrappers. Or even team up with a digital site and advertise classes on that site - and maybe reach people you might not otherwise reach. Not all digi scrappers are ex-crafters and many may be interested in learning how to make better use of their supplies (and may end up buying stuff like Mod Podge etc to make them). And it is easier to learn these hands on techniques in an actual class rather than on the internet. If they are made to feel welcome at classes, then you will get people in your shop - then you need to use your sales skills to make sure they don't leave without spending something. Also, on the subject of CDs, not everyone has access to fast internet and those digital kits are big so I think they still have a place in the market. Sorry to ramble on - yes there is a tension there but I think that an attitude adjustment is required for some retailers. No, digital scrappers won't spend as much as paper scrappers - but can any retailer choose to ignore a growing market sector and potential source of revenue? Personally, I still buy albums and idea books - but I won't buy them from my local shop if I am made to feel unwelcome there (luckily my local shop owners still speak to me - even if I am not in there very often these days).Sharonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00806815812532813897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12387810.post-45145215883939945182007-05-17T05:27:00.000-07:002007-05-17T05:27:00.000-07:00A very thoughtful post and yes, I think paper and ...A very thoughtful post and yes, I think paper and digital can co-exist nicely. But here are some other reasons stores might want to include digital...there are two groups of digiscrappers that may increase store traffic. Teen/young adults - take a look a My Space, there's a lot of digiscrapping going on there although my teen would never admit the collages she creates are scrapbooking. But she's making an album for her friends and it is paper.<BR/> And seniors who lack space but have the time and technology to do digital scrapbooking. Every month I teach a digital class at a Senior center - it is always full. With a monitor and laptop a store owner could easily teach outside the store and sell products to a new group of customers. Just some ideas...susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10802485205918436198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12387810.post-84295557962452976752007-05-16T17:19:00.000-07:002007-05-16T17:19:00.000-07:00Interesting - you're right, everyone talks about t...Interesting - you're right, everyone talks about the two getting together but no one is really doing it. Thanks for a good think...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com