inside - Carlson Craft

PROMOTIONAL TIPS
Announcing the Arrival of Carlson Craft’s Online Resource Center!
INSIDE
July/August 2011
IS81s
Reporting Carlson Craft® News and Events
WHAT’S THEIR SECRET?
Want to learn how your fellow Channel Partners
are growing their business? Here is a success
story you might find inspiring:
The Wren’s
Nest
Gifts and Home Déco
Here’s some exciting news: the new Carlson Craft Resource Center is up and running! This
new system is easy and simply steps you through the process of ordering, while answering any
questions you may have along the way. This state-of-the-art website will help you boost your
sales and will give you the power of e-Commerce right at your fingertips!
Organized and Accessible
We started out by organizing information in a format that makes sense and leads you, hasslefree, right where you want to go. The presentation is clean and clutter-free, making browsing a
snap. Since you log in to the Resource Center using your own unique PIN, you can customize
your view of the website, choosing web pages to add to My Favorites – navigating just became
easier!
Training Videos, Sales Tools and Much More
To get you off on the right foot, we’ve included helpful instructional videos which walk you
through the processes, step by step. In addition, you have the option of printing off a training
document to keep and reference should questions arise later. Have questions about your
albums? Click on Training Programs and pull up the “Understanding Your Albums” video
to better learn what Carlson Craft albums offer and how to use the price guide. Wondering
what steps must be taken to place an order? We have a video for that as well! The “Placing an
Order” video guides you through this process and answers many common questions about
ordering.
Under Sales Tools you will find numerous free downloads you can print and utilize –
everything from brochures and flyers to instructions for your brides on such topics as
preparing invitations for mailing. There is no longer a need to call Customer Service – these
helpful sales tools are easy to find and available to you at any time, day or night!
Should you feel a bit confused when it comes to knowing what the many albums offer, the
Album Information page is carefully laid-out and allows you to click on each album to learn
more about its products, including discontinued items and price ranges. From these album
pages you will also have the option of ordering the albums as well as viewing album training
PDFs and Power Points.
Be sure to visit the FAQs page to find answers to common questions regarding Carlson Craft
albums, products, terms and a host of other informational topics.
The Wren’s Nest – Gifts and Home Décor
Monica (CO)
As consumers become more and more
conscientious of our impact on the environment and
demand for eco-friendly products increases, some
shop owners are doing what they can to cater to
shoppers who are looking for environmentally smart
options.
“We live in a nature-loving state,” reports Monica,
“and people tend to have a soft spot in their hearts
for stores that go a bit above and beyond to do what
they can to help protect Mother Nature.”
What does that mean for Monica and her quaint
little shop The Wren’s Nest, exactly? In addition
to offering such products as gift cards made from
recycled papers and unique handmade gifts such as
“repurposed handbags” (sewn by local artisans from
worn clothing) and organic wool mittens, she also
sells environmentally-friendly free trade coffee beans
in a variety of flavors. “My customers love it, and I
always brew samples to pass out – the shop smells
scrumptious!” she enthuses. Her toy nook offers
whimsical creations fashioned from recycled plastics
and woods, and her stationery shelves are stocked
with eco-friendly papers and invitation albums that
offer Earth-friendly options. Home décor offerings
include reclaimed pieces and items made with nontoxic paints and materials.
“It feels good to offer options for those who want
to give a gift and do some good for our planet,”
Monica says.
Stay Up-to-Date
No need to wonder about the latest promotions or incentives. Click on e-Commerce News to
find all the latest happenings in the world of Carlson Craft e-Commerce. Here you’ll also find
information about newly available products or changes and enhancements to cceasy, ccholiday
and ccparties.
Get Started Today!
Don’t know your PIN to the Carlson Craft Resource Center? Contact Customer Service for
assistance today. Should you have any feedback about our website, we would love to hear
from you! Please fill out the online feedback form by clicking on Customer Service in the upper
right corner of the screen.
OPPORTUNITY’S KNOCKING
Green is Good!
As much as we love the thought of receiving printed correspondence in the mailbox,
there are times when conserving paper just makes a bit more sense. To that end, we’d
like to assure you that you can still count on receiving all the great information included
in the Inside Source, but instead of receiving paper copies, the Inside Source will now
be sent to you via email along with the Inviting Ideas E-newsletter. Handier, quicker, and
eco-friendly!
Not signed up for Inviting Ideas? Contact us at 800-328-1782 or email us at
salesdev@carlsoncraft.com.
For more information on any of the products or services featured in this issue of the
Inside Source, please visit www.carlsoncraft.com or call Customer Service at 800-328-1782.
1750 Tower Boulevard • North Mankato, MN 56003
PRSRT STD
US Postage
PAID
Mankato, MN
Permit No 374
Carlson Craft’s new online Resource Center is ready
to use and full of helpful information to assist you
in sales. Online ordering couldn’t be easier! To start
using the Resource Center, you will need to log in
with your own individual PIN. Don’t know yours?
Contact Customer Service at 800-328-1782 to get
yours today.
Limited time Special -- 3 holiday albums for $30 plus shipping!
Contact Soft Creek Hills today at 800-580-1707 or e-mail
service@softcreekhills.com. Mention code INXM81s to receive the
special price. Don’t delay, album quantities are limited.
Businesses and families send holiday cards. Are they getting them
from you? It’s easy to expand your 4th quarter sales with personalized
holiday cards from Carlson Craft!
Resource Center
2011 Holiday Albums
HOLIDAY BLITZ
WHAT’S HOT
Our Best-Selling Album
Just Got Better!
No Need to Sacrifice
Traditional Beauty!
To order your Wedding Collection album contact
Dealer Records at 800-328-1782 ext. 72065 or
dealerrecords@carlsoncraft.com.
Feeling left out? To order your Blue album contact
Dealer Records at 800-328-1782 ext. 72065 or
dealerrecords@carlsoncraft.com.
“Traditional” doesn’t have
to mean “old-fashioned.”
The Wedding Collection™
album features beautiful
invitations that preserve
tradition while blending
perfectly with today’s
newest styles and trends –
a collection of truly unique
invitations that are sure to
appease brides who don’t
want to sacrifice timeless
classics to incorporate a modern twist! This album
includes accessories and a stunning selection of ecofriendly pieces. You’ll find trendy colors, two-color
ink designs, budget-friendly selections, Seal ‘n Send
designs, and of course, classic favorites.
Do you have your
hands on our most
versatile album? The
“Blue” Wedding and
Social Stationery
album features the
largest selection of
personalized invitation
ensembles and
accessories in the
industry. How do you
improve on that kind of
perfection? By updating it with new products such
as photo invitations, Save the Dates, eco-friendly
invitations and new napkin colors. We have also
formed an exciting partnership with Jean M® to offer
you stylish, unique and colorful invitation designs.
Do You Have a Need for
the Festividades Album?
¡Sí!
Our exclusively Spanish
album, Festividades™
features ensembles and
accessories for every
major event with designs
and colors specific to
the Spanish culture
and heritage. Whether
your Spanish-speaking
customers are searching
for wedding invitations, baby announcements,
Quinceañera invitations, or stationery for any other
life event, they will have ample designs from which
to choose with this custom album. ¡Magnífico!
Don’t worry if you don’t have yours yet. You’re not
too late to order! To receive your Festividades album,
contact Dealer Records at 800-328-1782 ext. 72065
or dealerrecords@carlsoncraft.com.