Greetings!

Welcome to the first issue of “The Paper Life”. Last year, when my father ("Big Al") and I talked about transitioning many of my father's day to day Notes & Queries tasks to me, neither of us could have imagined the world that we would be now inhabiting today. In less than a month, our world has been changed and who can predict what retail will look like after this is "over". With that said, never was there (in my life time) a need greater to connect with others through greeting cards than now! Greeting cards make a difference and you, by selling greeting cards and stationery products through your wonderful retail shop help provide community and and a sense of belonging. You matter!

Since March 23rd, 2020, the day that I laid off almost all of my entire staff (including myself and my father), I have been sending out daily notes of inspiration (along with lists of possible ideas and retail resources) to my sales reps. This past Friday, in talking to one of you, it was pointed out that it would be helpful to receive such info directly as well. While you might not read it *the very moment* that I sent it out ;), having it available and knowing that all of us at Notes & Queries are thinking about all of YOU, is important! So be sure to tune into future editions of The Paper Life.

This week: Musings on retail today and the near future

In order to provide continuity in my life, I have set up a weekday schedule. Besides my daily note to my reps, I also record interviews with my father and several of our publishers, and make sure that I connect with as many retailers as I can. I always learn something new. Here are a few things:

Retail Resources

Linkedin is becoming a powerful source of information. If you don't have a Linkedin account, you need to join. That is where I found the following:

Here is a copy of Covid Relief Resources for U.S. small businesses.

https://docs.google.com/spread...

Selling Greeting Cards on Line

Many of you are upgrading your website as quickly as you possibly can as your loyal consumers want to continue supporting you by buying on line. Please use our website as a tool to grab greeting card images and put them on your website. We can also help you by sending you images of some of your greeting cards but perhaps, let's start small.... say with Mother's Day, perhaps? Email me and we can chat about options.

Notes & Queries Website

What our Artists are doing

Below are links to some of the interviews that I have done with publishers over the last few weeks. Enjoy!

Discussion with Sara from Stormy Knight

Discussion with James from The Art File

Discussion with Anna from Rosanna Rossi

Window Displays

Some of our retailers have been able to offer curbside delivery and/or have been able to open on a limited basis. With the restrictions on the number of people in the store and social distancing, your window displays are more important than ever! Consider revamping your display windows to include not only what you know your consumers need and want, but make sure to include information about your community. As retail begins to open up a bit more (but travel restrictions will continue to be in place), I think you will find consumers WILL be putting more of their $ into their community. Continue to make your store a resource for all sorts of pertinent information.

I loved this article, by the way...

https://madison.com/ct/news/lo...

Free Downloadable Activities

Drive more consumers to your website by offering free downloadable activities for kids. You could even print out a bunch of those things and have them available to take *in store*. Our publishers are amazing and have started creating some exciting stuff for you to use.

Use this link to download an activity *train station* designed by one of our publishers, Madame Treacle.

N&Q and Madame Treacle Downloadable Train Station Activity:
https://www.nandq.com/ecards/m...

Lastly, a moment of inspiration...

The sea can do craziness, it can do smooth,
it can lie down like silk breathing
or toss havoc shoreward; it can give
gifts and withhold all; it can rise, ebb, froth
like an incoming frenzy of fountains, or it can
sweet-talk entirely. As I can too,
and so, no doubt, can you, and you.

~Mary Oliver