Merch question for fans - Gift cards?

[janisian]

Some time ago a few of you suggested we offer holiday cards with my lyrics inside. We've found a good printer who will do it reasonably, but we are now stuck with wondering what you would prefer.
1. Do you want pictures of me on the cards?
2. If pictures of me, would you want new ones, or a retrospective?
3. Would you want cool looking old sepia photos of my family (not me) - I personally like this idea better because it makes the cards generic, and they can then become presents.
4. It becomes very expensive to box them; would you buy them just in packs of 10, possibly shrinkwrapped?

[DaveM]

I'd go for that--and keep the packaging on the cheap, as we'll certainly use them up quickly enough!

Sounds like the perfect card for me to send to my buddy the Unorthodox Rabbi. I send him a Christmas card every year--or phone him to wish him a merry Christmas. To which he always responds with a snort and a "Jee-zus Christ!"

[ponytail]

I like the old sepia photos idea. As for boxing them -- no need. That would make shipping more expensive, too.

[Oak Kitten]

I concur with Ponytail. Sepia pics, no boxes.

Oak

[mixtymotions]

Yes, I like the idea of sending cards featuring someone else's family! In my family, Grandpa was usually face down in the punchbowl, Aunt Rose had her dress up over her head, cousin Bob was passed out under the tree and Mom would tell Dad where he could put the tree topper....yeah, alcohol and holidays....such memories....

[david uk]

I personally prefer pics of you Janis.... a few retro ones but definitely a few up to date ones too... maybe one or two looking suitably festive :-)

and yes packs of 10 are great

[marjan]

I'd like to have a sheet of Janis name and logo stickers. Just to put them on a enveloppe or card. No photo needed, just plain simple.

[Dar]

pictures of you and your reindeer antlers?? LOL

[hoops]

cards with your logo and/or FINB album cover... i know i have my favorite pictures of you. i think album covers would be more global...your favorites of course and or like i said wioth the logo...or maybe an album cover card with the logo on the envelope? cheap shipping is best, no one ever knows what to do with those boxes anyway.

[Randy & Betty in Pa]

Welll I like the idea of cards.....which of course would include this web address... As to the photos... My preference would be following a basic philosophy... "More Janis is always a good thing".... Perhaps a study of Janis Ian the artist through the years... starting with say the early post card photos and ending up with far more current photos... Perhaps even some photos submitted by fans and friends...

best to all

See you in two weeks in Jersey

R. from Pa

[DaveM]

I like the sepia tone idea regardless of which photos are used. It gives a photograph a nostalgic appearance. I do think a few album covers or perhaps some of Pat's artwork for FITNB would be great subject matter. Or perhaps the Rude Girl with a reindeer antlers....

[KarenSews2]

For a couple of years, I've thought the Rude Girl logo with a single red ornament haning from the left side would be a great Christmas card! Otherwise, I'll go with the crowd...not picky.

[NinasSpaceChild]

I love the idea of cards. I like Karensews2 idea, but I like all the other ideas too. I would definitely use them.

[Amy in Vermont]

I'm thinking "I wish you Joy" would make an awesome "holiday" card.

I'm thinking " Its not who you love, but whether you can" would make a great Valentine.

I'm thinkin "This Train Still Runs" would be a birthday card.

and the lyrics from Through the Years would be a great anniversary card.

..and perhaps All those Promises as a the ultimate "dear john" break up card?

A

[Oak Kitten]

Amy,

Those are all great ideas. You are really on form today.

Oak

[Eva]

Good idea, Amy.
I'm with you Marjan on just plain, simple cards. No pictures, just logo.

Eva

[Kath of the Guitar]

Karen and Amy, I love it, you get my vote......PERFECT! :p

[Annette]

I like the old sepia photos idea. But also the idea of Karen and Amy as well as photos of you Janis, retrospective or new ones.
Annette.

[saxman]

i have lots of pee wee herman Xmas cards i send . Randy might of got one this last year.i think funny is the way to go. fun is always a good theme. Games . Xmas time is always supposed to be about fun . spinning a latel , a top , ?festive., ok i think its about fun celibration. am i near answering this question>?

[Bryan]

Shrinkwrapping them is fine. I think I would use them individually and not give them away as a group -- and I could always wrap 'em up pretty (or try) if I decided to do that.

I would like a photo of you Janis (a recent one) on the cards. I would suggest putting a small photo on the back of the cards, with some lovely or whimsical image (a drawing, a reproduction of a painting, something like that) on the front, with a brief lyrics quote on the inside.

Would be happy to buy a short stack of these.

[janisian]

And what would you all think would be a fair price for 10 cards, with envelopes?

[Randy & Betty in Pa]

And what would you all think would be a fair price for 10 cards, with envelopes?

I guess that would have to depend on the cards themselves, but speaking for most of the Rudies I would think anything fair Mrkt value plus would work for most of us knowing that the proceeds go to the foundation...

Also...Slightly off topic but....

I would love to see an annual limited edition by pre order Tour booklet (Autographed)... Say a price range between $25. to $35. per tour....Simply stated a booklet with A photo of you in front of the various venues you play during the course of an annual tour and maybe a couple pictures of each city and a paragraph write up of what you felt about the community...

Lots there to consider and I suspect many if not most Rudies might take an interest in this if it is cost (and effort) effective...

Best to you

R. from Pa

[Dee]

Depending on the card stock (and envelope quality) probably anywhere from 5 - $10.00 for 10 cards.

If they get overly expensive, might be hard to sell them.

[Dar]

10 for $10

[Amy in Vermont]

For the right 10 cards, with good quality stock and graphics, I don't think $15-20 would be out of line.

My mother used to have a greeting card business.. back in the 70's and 80's. He cards were designed by her and hand silk-screened by her, and folded and packaged and shipped by her and my dad, from the basement of our house. Even back then, folks willingly paid up to $2 a card, retail, because of the quality.

just my 2 ¢ worth...

[Anna from Dublin]

I think 10-15 US$ for 10 is fair. If they are particularly good quality maybe a tad more. I like Randy and Betty's idea of a tour booklet.

[hoops]

i'd pay $15 to start

[Judy]

I thought this thread was about purchasing gift cards that would represent a certain dollar value to the person receiving (like Target gift cards etc). But now I see I was wrong. I do, however, very much like idea of being able to purchase actual $ value gift cards

[Bryan]

I would pay $12.50 for 10 but would hesitate to pay $15 (unless they're absolutely flawless and fabulous).

[Randy & Betty in Pa]

Janis, as I see it one ongoing problem you've faced with many experimenting market items is the fact that you are strapped with the cost of and stocking of merchandise... A suggestion.... (Woe is your marketing staff :( I wonder if they cringe when they see my posts...)

As to the Christmas Cards....

#1 Perhaps the idea of more an all purpose use for any holiday type cards... I mean a wonderful card with a photo of Janis Ian sleighriding down a hill on a snowscape would be really nice, or at the beach, or working in the garden, or just pretending to be Redjack at a BBQ... etc etc...... I'd bet the purchaser is smart enough to write in Merry Christmas Uncle Herman... or Happy Anniversary Mr. & Mrs SnodMcLiver..... or deepest sympathy on your latest parking ticket... etc etc...

Theme the cards aimed at the different seasons more then specific holidays with the primary Theme being "a year in the Life" of Janis Ian with perhaps a 13th card dedicaticated to a year of the "Pearl Foundation"...

#2 Stockpiling inventory....Don't (Stockpile only as many as you might wish to carry for sales while on tour)... Instead run the sample card set on line with a release date based on an established quantity needed to get the price breaks that work for you... Accept or allow your agent to accept pre-orders and when the correct number of orders are in place the order with the printer.

#3 Enhance the percieved value of the cards by personally autographing the 13th card Pearl Foundation Card to the purchaser in a blank space left for that purpose with a brief thank you from the Foundation... as to price per card... I really don't think that $1.50 to $2.00 per card would not be out of line... That seems inline with the current market as set by Hallmark... That with a $2.00 S & H charge takes it up to $20.00 a box for 13 cards...

Just a thought.... Of all the major artists that you've worked with perhaps a set could be established with you and the other artists on a set of cards thereby opening up a base of points of sales by other artists websites or tours... For some reason I can't think of Willie or Dolly or any of the other great artists you've worked with having a problem with helping to support the Foundation....

That said...

Best to all

R. from pa

[hoops]

for freak's sake you go into a store and pay $5 for 10 cheap butt cards in a box and you're not really sure what you're getting till you open em up...then you buy a single card for $3.50 and it kinda SAYS SOMETHING YOU LIKE or something funny... to get 10 cards with something of Janis on each and every one... YOU may even be the one who discovers the idea used on the card...THAT is a set of cards i would easily be happy paying 15 or more for. it's more than just a card it 's a brag and an ad and a work of art and a collector's item...just my opinion
peace
hoops

[janisian]

I think we're going to do 3 "sets" of cards to start, with 10 cards/envelopes in each, printed on nice stock. One sepia set with old family pictures, one holiday set with your drawings (great stuff, you guys!), and one general cards... probably selling for $15 per set, with a break if someone buys all three.
We're working with a great local printer who cuts us good deals because of the Foundation! Thinking they can do small runs of bumper stickers and tattoos. Oak Kitten has come up with some absolutely fabulous bumper designs, btw.

[Marcia Drummergal]

Sounds great Janis! And 3 cheers for Oak Kitten!!!

Marcia :)

[KarenSews2]

I love the "I'd rather be at a Janis Ian Concert" idea for a bumper sticker!

[Bat]

Janis,
I have bought some cards sets of limited production that were sold in a Baggie...they are reclosable that way, the packaging is transparent so a single coversheet can be inserted, perhaps showing the various designs, and if you would ever want to include a Rudie pen as part of the package, it could be kept in the baggie, too. I detest shrink wrapping because, once it is opened, it is useless--cannot be reclosed effectively. I love Baggies! They are cheaper than boxes, too...and they can be imprinted if desired, but I would say just leave them plain, as the see-through feature is great.

[hoops]

great ! fantastic ! can't wait to order mine!
peace
hoops

[Dee]

Janis,
I have bought some cards sets of limited production that were sold in a Baggie...

I like that idea very much Bat. When I used to volunteer with a group of disabled adults who did silk-screening, we used to package our cards the same way. Practical, simple, and inexpensive.

[MARILYN/GEMINI]

....of course I'm buying all 3 sets......you know a Gemini could never buy just one ... ;)

[Randy & Betty in Pa]

....of course I'm buying all 3 sets......you know a Gemini could never buy just one ... ;)

LOL... The evil twin has spoken... :rolleyes:

best to all

R. from pa

[JEENEY]

THIS SOUNDS GREAT ILL DEFINATELY GO FOR ALL 3 SETS AND SOME BUMPER STICKES AND TATTOOS TOO !!! I LIKE THAT IDEA ALOT !!!! :) http://www.janisian.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif