Thanks to Cassandra Cyr for the idea to write this :)
I get emails a lot from people wondering if I have any tips or pointers for getting picked up. Well, here ya go!
TIPS FOR GETTING
PUBLISHED
Make note of what
we’re looking for!
Scrapbook Trends/CARDS/Simply Handmade/Cricut/Cricut IdeaBooks/Create Idea Books calls are all updated the day after a call ends (well,
at the moment it’s taking a bit longer because we’re changing staff, but they
will be!) on this website: http://northridgepublishing.com/forms/submit-creation.
Write down the calls you’re interested in submitting to and get to work! Pay
close attention to deadlines because once they’re over, they’re over and can’t
be submitted to.
Submit to very specific
calls!
Challenges and articles receive the fewest submissions, so
your chances of getting picked up increase by submitting to those. Open-ended
or catch-all calls like “showcase” receive dozens, if not hundreds, of
submissions, and when only 6 or so layouts can be picked out of hundreds, well,
do the math :) The narrower the call, the better.
Keep track of
product/supplies you use!
As you’re creating your projects, write down what you’re
using somewhere. When you submit your projects, it’s so very helpful for us if
you include the supplies you used along with a sentence or two about your
project. Sometimes people say “supplies available upon request” in the
“supplies” field, but that’s no good. When we’re writing the supplies and tip
and we have a question about a product/technique, it’s so much easier and
faster to look up the supplies you used in your submission form rather than
email you and wait sometimes days or even weeks for a response. Bottom line: include your COMPLETE list of
supplies - from big ticket items like patterned paper and embellishments to
things you maybe wouldn’t think of like the font you used for typing journaling or the brand of pen
and adhesive.
Use current/new
product!
We want to be on top of current trends so using new product
is a must. Also, we work 6 months in advance so even brand new product will be
half a year old by the time your projects are in print. Getting your hands on
CHA product in advance is always a bonus!
Use trendy
techniques!
Stay on top of techniques by scrolling through galleries
like twopeasinabucket.com and scrapbook.com. Read design team blogs (like
American Crafts, Crate Paper, BasicGrey, Pebbles, Studio Calico, Elle's Studio and more) and
see what their designers are doing. It’s okay to scraplift an idea/technique,
just try to vary it slightly and make it your own! Currently we’re seeing a lot
of layering, clustering, white backgrounds, spray mist, painting and
artsy-fartsy-ness, feathers, wood veneer embellishments, die cutting backed
with patterned paper, doilies, chevron, banners, honeycomb, and stitching. Keep
up with the trends!
Use great photos on
your layouts!
Unless the requirement is “scrapbooking poor quality photos”
always use great photos. Photos straight from the camera aren’t usually great –
unless you know how to use your camera, lighting is usually dim and not
enticing. Luckily there are free picture editing programs like Picasa and free
“actions” on Photoshop so with a click of a button you can make your photos
look professional. The better quality your photos, the better your chances of
getting picked are!
Take great photos of
your projects!
Along the same lines as using great photos on your layouts, take great photos of your layouts/projects! You don’t
need to put them in a fancy set up scene, unless you want to, but really all we
want to see is the project itself. Crop out the background! Make sure lighting
is awesome (again, this can be achieved after the picture is taken and then you
can fix it in a photo editing program).
Keep trying!
Sometimes it takes awhile to build up and define and figure
out your own style. Keep on keeping at it and submit submit submit! The more
you submit the better your chances of being seen and noticed and then picked up
are.
If you are picked up,
do everything correctly!
Once you’ve been picked up (CONGRATS!) make sure you fill
out all the paperwork and requirements necessary and complete everything ON
TIME! If you’re consistently sending in things late… well… we may not pick up your
stuff for awhile :) Or if your forms are incomplete and we have to keep hassling you for
information, we’ll remember that too :)
Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions! I’m happy
to help!
These are great tips! Thanks Paige!
ReplyDeletefabulous tips!! Thanks so much Paige!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Paige!! I am trying! Hugs, Katrina
ReplyDeleteExcellent tips!! TFS!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing these great tips!
ReplyDeleteMaking a copy of these fabulous tips. Thanks so much Paige!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Paige!! These are super helpful!! :)
ReplyDeleteSuch great tips, Paige! I haven't submitted in a while! ^_^
ReplyDeleteSo great of you to share, Paige! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this - great tips to help us. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the tips Paige; it is always an honor to be in ST!
ReplyDeleteThanks!!! :)
ReplyDelete