This new custom card option has brought new interest to GCU.  I've received at least one request per week since the option began.  FUN!  I initially set my minimum at 25, but dropped it to "1" to at least get some demand going.  It seems to have worked, and I've found shoppers not only buy the custom card I make for them but they buy other cards of mine as well, and a few have come back later to buy more of my cards.  This is one great way to make a personal connection with shoppers, and to develop a following.  I like that concept.
 
So how has it gone for you?
 
What have you learned?
 
How about we share a link, a story, and some feedback with each other on this topic.
 
My most recent one was a woman who saw a birthday card of mine with 2 fun gals on the front and she wanted to have it made into a Valentine's day card.  I fulfilled the request within an hour using the "waive review-private card" approach and she was thrilled!  It also generated a card design I can use in the main gallery (separate card number ... waiting approval).
 
Original:  http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/community/viewdetails.asp?pid=207255
Customized:  http://artist.greetingcarduniverse.com/community/viewdetails.asp?pid=563799
 
In my emails with her (and others) I:
1.  Thank them for their request and tell them how excited I am to do this card for them
2.  Tell them I would love to do cards for them in the future
3.  Ask them to tell their friends
3.  Always include my store URL after politely signing the email
 
Though there isn't much $ in these designs initially, I think it is a great step in developing our brands.
 
One thing I would like to be able to do is to supply them a PROMO CODE of some type that I'd encourage them to pass on to others, such as "1 FREE card for new customers."  I think that would motivate them to pass it on.
 
Got one to share?
 
TOM
 

Hi Cheryl,
 
I've had a couple "blow-offs" too and that is very sad and discouraging.  Sorry you had so many.  It is good if GCU knows about these cases I think.  Though ideally people would pre-pay, it may be counterproductive and most would not pay before seeing the final result, imo.
 
A compromise would be some type of "pledge" checkbox that the shopper would have to click, reminding them that they are obligated to buy if the artist does the work as requested.  Not sure.

I like the option of the custom card request, and I see it's potential for future sales.  I want to see more requests and will change my "custom card request number to 1.  Currently it is set at 25.  Thanks for the suggestion, Tom, I would have never thought of that.
 
When I have done a custom request, I've used the "free email" feature to get the final OK.  Once that is "set in stone", I use the "wave review" option.
 
I too always follow up with a polite thank you.
Linda

Linda - yes, I started out using the ecard idea too, but now I find it best to finish the card and get it into  the private gallery (as long as their directions to me were reasonably clear) so that a real card with a real link is available to see when I contact them.  When I send them the real link I tell them I can still tweak the cover and they can tweak the inside if needed.
 
Usually they just buy what I've done, which is what we want - A SALE.
 
Last week I had a request to take a funny "Passover" card and make it into an invitation card.  Since I wasn't sure if they wanted the inside "punchline" included in the invitation, I make up 2 cards; with and without the punchline and sent them 2 links.  Turns out the one without the punchline is the one they bought.  That's another tip - make up more than 1 version if it is relatively easy to do and give them a choice.  I think it helps close the deal and avoids the back-and-forth.
 

I definitely like the custom feature too. I think it has more pros. than cons.  
 
Cheryl
 

I have had three requests so far and each purchased. These were all bridal invitations where a simple text change was requested for a different relation or wedding party member. I was able to get back to them, re-work the card and send them the link using the Waive-review feature, within the hour. The customers were very complimentary and thanked me for the service and their card. It was a good experience so far. I always thank them for choosing a PamJArts design and wish them well with their upcoming wedding. I had not thought to provide my store url or mention about telling friends, good idea.  
 
It is interesting to know that I have had my settings on NO this whole time since I have been hesitant to get into photo cards but I have always offered custom services in my artist notes on the bridal cards.  I did have one customer send a quick follow-up to their initial request saying sorry they hadn't noticed that I don't do custom designs, but I got back to her right away and explained that text changes were always welcome, that I was not at that time doing photo cards. I have now changed the setting to yes, to avoid any further confusion for customers  
 
So all in all a good experience so far and whilst these resulted in only the one card sale, (in one case they had bought matching bridesmaid invitations previously, and wanted a hostess request in the same design) I am hoping that they will indeed be back.
 
I have to add that my sense in dealing with these customers is that they DO NOT recognize us as independent artists, we are GCU, we work for GCU, just like any telemarketer. So they think if they buy any GCU card they are giving US repeat business, they don't recognize the individual store concept. Perhaps GCU can promote this somewhere?  
Pamela  

Thanks Tom,
On your first suggestion of the newsletter my thought is it would need to be optional for the customer. I am not a fan of automatically getting on someone's list because I once made a purchase at their store. Also, GCU does guard against us knowing the personal info on customers usually, so that may need some clearance there?
 
As for the bio thing on the email..interesting, has possibilities, please do noodle away!
 
Pamela

Thanks for bringing this topic up Tom.  I have had a number of custom requests and the results have been mixed for me.  I have found that a customer requesting one is more likely to actually make a purchase.  However, unless you can resell the card, it is rather time consuming for 56 cents.  I had one the other day that I spent 30 minutes on and then the customer realized she wanted a different text on the front.  Again another 30 minutes (this card had things added after the text was put on), but she did buy the card.  She was very grateful, so I did not mind doing this for her, but from a business perspective I have decided to raise my minimum--we will see how that goes.  I think the custom cards are a work in process for each of us and we will all end up having to decide what works best for us, but I think it is a good feature to have.
 
I believe someone brought up that customers do not understand that we are independent artists and I totally agree with this.  I have added that I am an independent artist to my custom request information.  I really think it would benefit all of us, if customers understood this.  One, I think people would be more serious about a request if they knew we were not going to get paid if they did not make the purchase and I think people would feel more for lack of a bettter word "obligated" to make the purchase after we had done the work.  I would love for GCU to promote the idea that we are independent artists.
 
Good luck to all on your custom requests.
 
Kathy