ScrapBiz Virtual Trade Show More Affordable than the Real Thing

ScrapBiz, a leading business education program targeted at the Scrapbook industry, launches a vendor visibility program that allows their vendor partners to reach out to their small retail partners in a cost-effective manner.

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) July 23, 2006 -- Scrapbiz.com, the scrapbook industry’s leader in small business education and start-up support, has launched a “Vendor Visibility” Program that offers wholesalers cost-efficient ways to directly market their products to its retail entrepreneurs, announced ScrapBiz founder Kim Guymon today.

With the rising costs of exhibiting at the industry trade shows such as CHA Summer (held last week in Chicago -- one of 2 annual shows of the Craft and Hobby Association), Guymon is confident that rock-bottom advertising fees are an offer that their vendor partners can’t refuse.

“Some vendors have pulled back from attending large trade shows due to the high costs, and are looking for more cost-effective ways to promote their products directly to retailers,” says Guymon. “Taking advantage of our program is like having 350 potential buyers walk into your booth, but at a tiny, tiny fraction of the cost. True: our retailers may not place individual orders as big as ‘brick & mortar’ stores, but our members also tend to stay in business much longer.”

The result of 18 months’ planning (which included a survey indicating that nearly 100% of members want to hear from vendors more often), the ScrapBiz program features options such as:

• Private Vendors Boards. This gives vendors access to a private message board in the members’-only “Clubhouse.” Sellers can connect one-on-one with retailers, post product updates and specials, and answer questions. (Cost: $75 for three months or $120 for six months.)

• Member Clubhouse Banner Ads. Vendors can place banner ads linked to their web sites in the members’-only area. (Cost: $75 for three months or $120 for six months.)

• E-Mail “Blasts.” Wholesalers can distribute targeted mailings that feature special offers, logos, product images and coupons. (Cost: $60 per mailing.)

“The greatest benefit to having wholesale partners advertise or communicate directly with ScrapBiz members is that our members will feel more connected to those vendors,” says Candice Yoshida, who was recently named Vendor Relations Specialist. “In return, the vendor will most likely see an upswing in the number of active ScrapBiz accounts which translates into an increase in their bottom line.”

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