10 Steps To a Successful Scrapbooking Event!

by Antuanette Wheeler and Carrie Jacobs http://www.scrapfanatics.com/

1. Choose a meeting place.

The first step for a successful event is choosing a good meeting facility. The main points to consider when selecting a facility would be proper overheard lighting, plenty of space for people to work and the location. The best places to look for your site are the yellow pages, the internet and word of mouth. If you are planning an event out of your area, use the internet and your local library for out-of-town yellow pages. Use this website to find area information: Area Guides.

2. Get the word out.

Make sure everyone knows about your event! Make up some flyers to pass out to local scrapping stores about your event. For more detailed marketing information, you MUST have Memory Marketing: How to Successfully Promote and Publicize Your Scrapbooking Business by Sue DiFranco. It is the definitive source for advertising your scrapbooking business.

3. Schedule of events.

Everybody likes to know what is going on! Include a handout of the day's planned events with the name tags that you will be handing out. List any times for demos, classes, lunches, shopping and/or games. It is a good idea to tell everyone that these things are optional...some people would rather be scrapping.

4. Donate.

It is always worthwhile to donate something to a charity on behalf of your event. A wonderful scrapbooking charity, Picture ME, has a list of needed items at the website. If you would like to donate to a local charity, ask local scrapbook stores to donate a prize and hold a raffle.

5. What will they eat?

Scrappers need sustenance! Providing snack foods is a great way to help them keep up their stamina. Small foods that aren't messy are perfect for an event. M&M's seem to be a crop favorite, but you may want to provide pretzels for the *gasp* women who may not like chocolate! For lunch you have a few options. If you are holding your event in a church or social hall, you could have a "pot-luck" and ask everyone to bring something or bring a menu from a local restaurant and take lunch orders. If you are at a larger meeting facility where you cannot bring in food, you can use the food and beverage service available or provide a lunch coupon for an area restaurant.

6. Get door prizes.

Everyone loves a prize! Contact local scrapbook stores and offer to pass out a flyer in exchange for a door prize donation. You can also email companies that have websites and request donations, but please be aware that they receive TONS of requests and cannot possibly honor each one. Use Scraplink to find a list of scrapbooking suppliers.

7. Play games.

Some scrappers really enjoy the opportunity to play games at an event. You could host a scavenger hunt and have people find things like "Who has a layout from a European Vacation?" or "Who has a Cropper Hopper?".

8. Talk, talk, talk.

Make it a point to go around the room and talk to the scrappers. Ask them what they like about the event and what they want to see at the next one. This is a great time for you to get some wonderful ideas for your albums, too. Be friendly and sincere.

9. Educate.

Find some consultants, store owners and/or other scrappers that would be willing to do some demos or classes for your event. It is beneficial to have different levels of classes so that beginners and experts can attend. The demos/classes do not have to be elaborate, just informative. Do you need to find a local consultant? Post on a message board like the one at Scrapbook Addict and ask for consultants and teachers near you!

10. Send a Thank You card!

Don't you love to get mail that doesn't have an "Amount Due" section? We all do! Plan to use some event money to send out a Thank You postcard or card to each person that attended. You may also want to include a short survey that they can mail back to you evaluating your event.

Meeting Information Websites

Owners, Scrap Fanatics Copyright 2001 Antuanette Wheeler and Carrie Jacobs
http://www.scrapfanatics.com/

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