Announcing Just A Card Week!

By Sarah Hamilton

We're getting very excited here at campaign HQ- JUST A CARD WEEK starts a week next Monday! We're delighted you're so keen to be part of our huge celebration of Artists, Designers, Makers, Independent Shops and creative businesses. Excitement is certainly mounting. There's lots happening during the week, it'll be a great way to make friends, share your work and shout loud and proud about shopping small! We hope you'll be part of everything during the week, including our super fun Instagram Challenge and especially HAPPY DANCE Friday!

Here's a reminder of the promptAll fairly self explanatory…

Monday - you're invited to tell your story - what you do - what you make, whether you run a shop, own a business or simply love and value creativity.

Tuesday - share what our message means to you - why sales make such a difference - not only to your bank balance, but also to your psyche - they're a lift - a boost - a hop, skip and a jump! Or simply convey why it's important to value independents.

Wednesday - is all about community - your favourite shop or stockist, someone wonderful next to you at an event, friends you share a studio with, or a great shop next to yours. Just A Card is about mutual support -'We rise by lifting others.'

Thursday - is back to work. Have you made a fantastic new website or designed a range of prints, ceramics, textiles or written a book perhaps? Are you an exhibition promoter or museum curator? Do you work with Independent shops? Thursday is about promoting what you do - JUST A CARD WEEK special offers even - If you've got it flaunt it!

Friday - let's party like there's no tomorrow – it is Friday after all! The Happy Dance - take pictures, post Instagram stories, movies, just you or with friends.

Every time you buy something from an independent business an actual person does a happy dance!

SO TRUE - SO SHOW US!

As I said JUST A CARD week is about more than just Instagram. There's daily Social Media tutorials for small businesses, designed to give you advice and top tips. I've been running the JUST A CARD Social Media for three years now, and have doubled up with our fabulous JAC team member Emily Quinton from Makelight (a proper expert and guru!)- our shared experiences will help you make the most of these powerful platforms. These will be on the JUST A CARD website every day during the week.

And finally there's the PRIZE DRAW. Our wonderful blogger Kate Marsden is running a BIG GIVEAWAY with top prizes. One lucky winner will receive:

A half hour business mentoring session by Patricia van den Akker from The Design Trust (do check them out - quite the best creative advice out there);

There's also a six month subscription to Makelight worth £175;

A portfolio or branding review by leading art licensor Jehane Boden Spears; and

A copy of my book HOUSE OF CARDS. Just a Card is not only about cards, but this book is - it's a one stop shop on all you need to know if you design, make, sell of simply Love contemporary greetings cards. More about the book here.

So that's JUST A CARD WEEK 18 - 22 June!

"The 'Just a Card' campaign message is really important in reminding shoppers of their spending power and the difference it can make when they choose to spend with independent businesses. It's so true that every sale counts for our makers - they put so much effort into their stalls at Crafty Fox Market and even the smallest sale can make a difference to the overall success of their day."

For the full article click here