Since I launched Happy Cactus Designs, I have been very fortunate to have my products featured on a number of design, stationery, and lifestyle blogs. I'm often asked how I have managed to be featured on such wonderful blogs, so I thought I'd share a few tips here.
1. Be familiar with and actually read the blog you are approaching.
When I started my company, I was already an avid reader of many of these types of blogs. Once I launched my collection, this came in handy because I already had a number of blogs in mind that I felt would be a good fit for my products. You can only figure this out by actually reading a blogger's posts to see if your items would be something they would be likely to share about.
2. Read the blogger's FAQs and submission details.
Many bloggers include detailed information on their blogs about what types of submissions they are looking for, how you should approach them (even down to what the email subject line should be), and what size photographs they prefer. Search around on the blog's site - you can usually find this information under Contact, Submissions, or FAQs.
3. Follow the steps for submission!
Now that you know the requirements for submitting a product, follow these steps! For example, if a blogger requests that all photographs should be 72 dpi and at least 600 pixels wide, then re-size your photos accordingly! Adhering to their guidelines and following their directions for submissions helps the blogger and increases the likelihood that he or she will consider your pitch.
4. Pay attention to the calendar.
This is especially important when it comes to stationery and paper blogs that often feature product posts related to specific holidays or events. Bloggers need plenty of lead time so they can organize these types of posts. Want to submit a Christmas card to a blog? Don't wait until a week before Christmas. Instead, plan to submit at least a month ahead of time. Many bloggers plan their editorial calendars weeks in advance and won't be able to consider your submission if you send it in too late.
5. Follow up if need be, but don't be a pest.
Once you hit "send" on your email to a blogger, you may get an auto-reply thanking you for your submission and details about what will happen next. Alternatively, the blogger may respond to you personally. If you don't hear from a blogger in a week or two, you can send a quick and brief follow-up email to check in. Don't be surprised if you don't hear anything, though. Maybe you product just wasn't a good fit or the blogger doesn't have the ability or time to respond to every single request.
I'm in the home stretch of preparations for the National Stationery Show with only a few weeks to go. A lot of major tasks have been completed and now I'm working through a list of many small yet equally important items on my to-do list. One of the most important tasks is to remember to take some time to chill out, reflect, and take a mental break. It's hard to not feel overwhelmed at this point, but I'm trying my best to remember to just breathe!
Up this week, new songs from a new band that is quickly becoming one of my favorites. The Shouting Matches is a side project from Bon Iver's Justin Vernon. The album, Grownass Man, is full of bluesy, rock-n-roll jams, perfect for doing Stationery Show prep to!
As you may have read on this blog, I recently "collar-borated" with Dixie Goods Company on a collection of fabric dog collars using fabric designed by me! We launched the collection at the Dallas Flea a few weeks ago to great success. I'm excited to share that all four collars are now available for purchase online via Dixie Goods' Etsy shop. They will also be available this Saturday, April 27, at the Etsy Dallas Spring Bash. Kady, the genius sewing wizard behind the collars, can even make your collar in a custom size. Scoop them up while they are available!
I am very excited to share that Happy Cactus Designs is profiled in the latest issue of UPPERCASE magazine. UPPERCASE is a quarterly design, craft, and illustration journal from Canada. Issue 17 is devoted to all things stationery (swoon!) and includes guest columns from well-known members of the stationery industry and profiles of fifty companies across the globe that produce paper goods, including us! You can purchase the issue here or see if there is a retailer in your area that carries this beautiful journal!
Looking for a unique and personal Mother's Day or graduation gift? I love working on custom stationery projects (check out the Happy Cactus portfolio here) and get in touch with what you have in mind. As you can see from the image below, many existing designs can be adapted to add a personalization. We can also create designs from scratch, as simple or elaborate as you want. Drop an email to hello[at]happycactusdesigns.com and let me know what you are interested in creating!
Tomorrow can't come soon enough! Dixie Goods Co. and I will be debuting our "collar-boration" at the Dallas Flea. Here's some close up shots of each individual collar. You may recognize some of the fabric patterns from my cards!
My dear friend Sara married Phil back in January (you may remember when I blogged about their wedding stationery) and as a special wedding present, I gave them a hand-painted porcelain plate featuring their wedding date. I used a turquoisey-blue paint and based the design off of my busy blues floral pattern. I love how it turned out!
Have a special project in mind? I love doing custom porcelain pieces!
