Hi Olwyn - I visited your store and I think you're on the right track. Your cards are very appealing, I just think you need more of them, especially in the Birthday category. I copied the following from the Greeting Card Association (U.S.) web site:
 
"There are two categories of greeting cards -- Seasonal and Everyday. Total card sales are split approximately 50-50 between the two types.
 
The most popular Everyday cards are Birthday (60%), Anniversary (8%), Get Well (7%), Friendship (6%), and Sympathy cards (6%).
 
The most popular Seasonal cards are Christmas (60%), Valentine's Day (25%), Mother's Day (4%), Easter (3%), and Father's Day (3%) cards."
 
I suggest you continue to build up your inventory with an aim to mirroring the proportions above -- 50% Everday (with the lion share of that being birthday) and 50% Seasonal.  
 
Good luck!
 
Jen Cosgrove

Hi Olwyn
 
Don't feel bad about the lack of sales.  I have only sold 2 cards and reading the 'Forum' I think many people are in the same boat.  This site is fairly new so give it some time.
 
OK...an honest critique.  I have to say something about your 'Just to say" card...the three dark spots in the center looks like a skull...and the red splattered paint looks like blood.  So, to me that card looks like a skull with blood splattered on it.  Pretty dark.  I don't think you will sell many of those.  Also, a lot of your cards only use only the top half of the available space.  I personally don't like that.  I think you should re-do the entire front page of you store and turn all of those cards into 'landscapes' instead of 'portraits' (refering to card orientation) so the image uses the entire card.  I do like your cards where you use the entire space alloted.  I think your drawings are really cute and will appeal to people looking for a card.  Definitely not rubbish.
 
One more piece of advice I have learned by reading the forums from people who make better sales than you or I.  The message inside your card (or on the front) is what sells it.  It's not about the art...it's about the message.  Or lets say more about the message than the art.  Many of your cards that have the most written in them are the ones that only use half of the card.  Maybe that has something to do with it.
 
You know what they say about opinions...but those are mine.  I hope you find them helpful.  Good luck selling your cards, Olli!
 
James

James & Owlyn
 
     I disagree with you James that "it's not about the art"  I've sold a few cards (though not up with Jen, Corrie & "Creations-heart", but, again, I only have a few cards on my site) and they were all BLANK (okay, one seller has copy in the art on the outside).  I like to think it's for the art!  
     Women are the primary purchasers of greeting cards, they'll view a card (or pick it up at a store) because they like what they SEE.  They will BUY it for what it says (or DOESN'T say, for that matter, if they have their own message that the art reflects).  The best sellers on this site seem to have a combination of both.  Humor also is always a great selling tool.  
     Lastly, my 2¢ worth on sales. PATIENCE.  This is a brand new site.  And where else can you get such support, responsiveness and exposure FOR FREE!?!  I figured I was WAY ahead with my first 50¢ commission!  I'm gradually putting more cards on my site, using the invaluable interactive marketing resources that GCU has.
 
--Ernestine

Hi all, just me chiming in.  Some excellent discussions w/ great advice all around.    
 
A couple of comments for what they're worth    
 
1. It is a two step process.  They'll click on the card if they like what they see but they'll buy it if the message hits home.  Thus, the more specific the card the better chance you'll hit their sweet spot.  
 
2. since it's relatively easy to create multiple cards with different messages out of the same art, go for it!  Happy Birthday to a dear Mom, Happy Birthday to a great Sister, Happy Birthday to a wonderful Aunt, etc.  
 
3. the more specific your card text is the better chance you have getting hits from the search engines.  you won't get that with blank cards.  
 
4. along the lines of Jen's data, 90% of the non-holiday reminders we send are for birthdays.  We will "push" your cards to shoppers in email reminders but they must be good matches for those reminders (birthdays, specific ages, tailored by relationship, etc.).  See topic Card Profiling 101 for more nitty gritty.  
 
Lastly, we have a thread for Card Verse Ideas under Creative Collaboration.  If you want some verse suggestions put a call out for a specific card and see what you get.  
 
We appreciate the great ideas, sharing and patience  
Mindy

Hi Trudette,
 
Looking at your art I would say YES, of course it is worth going on !  
 
You have your own unique style and there is definitely a market for your work.
Patience is the key, and you also need to beef up your selection. I counted 12 cards in your store and you will have to make much, MUCH more to make an impression. If you want your cards to stand out from the 3000 + cards already on GCU there is work to be done.  
 
So think months, not weeks to see results.
 
Corrie
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/corrieweb
 
 

Trudette
 
Your images are FANTASTIC!  My only advice is MAKE MORE.
 
Also, I agree with Christie.  What I REALLY, REALLY DO NOT like is your website address on the inside of the card.  When I buy a card, that is where I like to write my message AND where I like to read the message (a.k.a the purpose) of the card.  I would not buy your cards just for that reason.  Honestly, I wouldn't put the web address on the front of the card either...if you really want it on there I think it belongs on the back of the card.  I think you should loose the advertising and preferably put a message on the inside of the card...or just leave it blank.  ...and make more...the artwork is GREAT!
 
James    

Thanks all!
I really appreciate the feedback. I 've taken away the websiteaddress and I am already creating cards with texts on them, so I can give them a purpose.