What does the closing of Memory Makers and Simply Scrapbooks Magazine mean for the scrapbooking industry?
Keeping a print magazine alive takes millions of dollars in revenue. Because of the less-than-robust economy there simply isn’t enough advertising money around to keep those behemoth magazines alive. Does that mean there are no customers? Does it mean scrapbooking as an industry is dying?
Not at all, says Sara Domville, president of F+W Media, the public relations manager for Memory Makers Magazine. She is quoted in the Salt Lake City Examiner as saying the industry is “maturing” and “The marketplace will be challenged and needs to continually transform to meet the needs of consumers.”
The ability to transform quickly and easily to meet the changing needs of customers is a golden opportunity for the scrapbook artist. A large magazine needs millions of dollars in revenue to stay afloat, tens of thousands of subscribers, and it adapts to the needs of the consumers very slowly and at great cost. The small home business can target a small, highly specialized segment of the market, dominating that market and generating significant profit. As the needs and tastes of the consumer change, the small business can easily change with it.
For the small business woman who is looking for opportunity, the various facets and multiple opportunities presented in the scrapbooking industry make this an idea time to start a home business.
Starting a home scrapbooking business can be done with very little investment. Unlike other home businesses that might require expensive equipment, or training on complicated software, anyone who is already enjoying scrapbooking as a hobby will have a foundation of skills and the proper tools in place. One of the real advantages of a scrapbooking related business is the ability to turn any number of skills into a profitable business serving this market.
For example, one of the least favorite aspects of scrapbooking for many is writing the stories and quotes to go with the photos. A competent writer can offer her services on a one on one consulting basis or write and sell a book of quips, quotes and story starters.
Another example is the organizing consultant; rather than entering the general and very competitive home organizing market, an organizer could specialize in meeting the specific needs of the scrapbooker.
A skilled web designer will find a ready market developing web site themes specifically for families wishing to share digital scrapbook pages on their own website.
Those already skilled in scrapbooking techniques, whether as an expert at layouts and design, writing and journaling, digital scrapbooking or teaching, there is opportunity to service scrapbooking consumers. Some possible examples are:
* Partner with a wedding photographer and make custom albums for bride, bridesmaids, and family members, or make mini albums as wedding favors.
* Start a website selling premade baby albums.
* Connect with genealogy buffs and help them create heritage albums.
* Design and sell digital embellishments, papers and graphics.
* Write a how-to blog.
* Create booklets of quotes and journaling prompts.
* Provide ideas for layouts and templates.
Although the current economy is challenging for many traditional companies, the trend is for smaller, more flexible businesses with special skills, to meet the needs of a targeted market. The consumer has come to expect to be treated as a unique individual with unique needs and tastes. A small home business is ideally suited to meet these expectations.
Source by Susanne Scott