The Stationers Guild

Melinda Morris, the owner of Lion in the Sun located in Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY was recently interviewed by “Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn.”  Melinda and her husband David were featured in a November 10 Blog (Web Log) focusing on the advantages of shopping locally.  Melinda is an active member of the Park Slope Chamber of Commerce and  involved in a number “buy local” and other community activities.  For more on Lion in the Sun and Melinda’s inspired community activities read the Brooklyn Blog.

David & Melinda Morris

Independent stationery stores have long had an important role in communities across the United States.  The signifcant milestones in most people’s lives such as a new baby, wedding, or birthday often pass through the hands of an experienced stationer.  Many of us are drawn to the stationery business because of the friendships and sense of community that is reinforced each day as we interact with our neighbors.   In the words of Kit McDonald of Oddballs “the blessing of being part of a profession that is founded on the celebrations of life – now that’s a winner.  How fortunate we are.”

In addition to taking an active role in supporting her community, Melinda and David join a growing number of independent stationery stores that are beginning to take a more proactive effort to promote their business online.  Like many us, we realize that new and existing clients are spending more time online and that traditional media and advertising resources no longer have the same impact as they did in the past.  If we want to connect with these clients we must do so in the medium of their choice. 

Interior of Lion in the Sun

Specifically, Lion in the Sun has opted to send out an online newsletter using the very popular and relatively inexpensive Constant Contact email service.  This easy to learn online service provides you with a number of useful templates for newsletters, emails and even surveys.  The StationersGuild also uses Constant Contact because of its anti-spamming features and – like Melinda and David have no doubt discovered – because it is quite powerful and easy to use.

In addition to their online newsletter, Lion in the Sun has also launched a Blog.  Using Google’s free online Blogger program, the store can create an ongoing dialogue with the Brooklyn community, the store’s clients and participants anywhere in the world who want to exchange ideas.

With a website, Blog and active email effort, Lion in the Sun now has the infrastructure to dramatically improve their store’s online visibility.  Congratulations.

Richard May
Founding Member