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How To Sell Your Greeting Card Creations ...

... without having to print them.

by Staff Report (April 2, 2007)

(Note: CLN came across this press release and thought it offered some interesting opportunities for crafters, painters, and cardmakers. Here's an edited version.)

Greeting Card Universe Revolutionizing the Paper Greeting Card Industry

Poised to transform the eight billion dollar paper greeting card industry long dominated by two major players, American Greetings and Hallmark, BigDates Solutions (BigDates) launches GreetingCardUniverse.com (GCUniverse).

In the first 30 days of operation GCUniverse has already attracted over 70 artists boasting over 1,000 cards. By summertime GCUniverse expects to offer over 5,000 unique cards, far surpassing the selection in card stores today. BigDates CEO Nasser Gaemi asserts, "GCUniverse will quickly become the largest online greeting card store offering a limitless selection of 'direct from the artist' cards."

BigDates operates GCUniverse and is the leader in third party Reminder Service Solutions powering the gift reminder services at leading retailers such as Lillian Vernon, Barnes & Noble.com, and Overstock.com. Gaemi states "GCUniverse empowers card artists to cost effectively connect with buyers. It differs from sites like CafePress.com and Zazzle.com by specializing in paper greeting cards and most importantly by proactively marketing GCUniverse cards via reminders -- putting the right cards in front of the right people at the right time."

GCUniverse makes it possible for essentially any freelance artist to sell paper greeting cards online and earn an unconventional 50 cents per card sold. With little effort and zero fees artists can create online storefronts featuring their cards within minutes.

"I used to sell my greeting cards on CafePress. My GCUniverse store was so much easier and quicker to set up. GCUniverse is a 10+" contests artist Christine Quimby.

Using print-on-demand technology GCUniverse can print virtually any art on a paper greeting card, by the thousands or one card at a time. Priced at $2.49 plus postage per card, artists can even afford to stock their own card inventories.

"Artists can put greeting cards out there without the printing expense overhead. GCUniverse is easy to use, my shop simple to set up, and the staff interested in feedback," says artist Heather Castles.

Great content is crucial but marketing is king. In addition to being a card shopping destination site, GCUniverse cards are marketed across the network of "powered by BigDates Solutions" reminder services sending millions of welcomed reminders to a rapidly growing user base. Timely email reminders include suggestions of appropriate GCUniverse paper greeting cards as well as gift and free eCard suggestions.

Leveraging Web 2.0 functionality GCUniverse brings the ultimate user experience to artists and card shoppers. For example, artists can showcase their cards on their own blog or website with the GCUniverse Card Widget, a mini-rolling demo of the artist's cards that links card shoppers to the artist's storefront.

"It's a no-cost, no risk proposition for artists. Their enthusiasm has been phenomenal. They're very appreciative to have a free service to showcase their art and sell in miniature. We are improving the site guided by their suggestions. It's really a service that they can call their own," says Mindy Rosso, BigDates V.P. of Marketing. "In a manner of speaking we've opened the doors for shoppers to experience the largest, most convenient and unique greeting card store in town."

(Note: Visit www.greetingcarduniverse.com.)

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