I just finished up my pre-show mailing for the New York International Gift Fair, and thought I’d share this quick tip with you:
It always seems like when I order postcards for a specific event, I end up with so many left over that I can never use again. So when I ordered postcards this time around, I left the backs blank except for my website and return address. This allowed me to order a higher quantity (which is always more cost effective). Then I used my gocco to print information about my product and the upcoming gift fair on the back. In fact, using this method, I was able to print two separate messages, one for retailers and one for press. And I’ve still got plenty of blank cards left over to use when packing orders, writing notes, or ready to print for the next big event!
Note: If you don’t have a gocco, you can always use your printer to make sticky labels. But I’m a big fan of the gocco – less paper, less bulk!
Great tip! I’ve heard you mention contacting the press a few times about your upcoming shows. Can you explain more about this, who you recommend contacting, and types of things you say to the press? Thanks!
Emily – I have a few press contacts from previous shows, so they immediately go on my list. I also used mastheads.org to find information about other magazines that I thought would be a good fit for me.
Pre-show, I’m just sending out a postcards with a little blurb about the cozy/cuff and where I’ll be at the gift fair. I need to get better about more direct, personalized press contacts – but thats a project for after the show!
Great post card ideas. Where would you buy a gocco, I tried to look it up and it took me to the wrong place. Thanks!
Valerie – goccos aren’t being made anymore, so they are getting harder to track down. the best place to get one is Etsy or Ebay.
You can also try a newer product called the Yudu
. It has a bigger print size than the gocco, but its available at major craft stores. (And you can get the supplies there to.)
I have both, but I will say nothing beats the gocco for quick little projects like this. Happy hunting!