Shop Indie Spotlight: Cards for All People

Jay Bobo and Latesha Williams started working on an idea that was developed from a genuine interest in people and our social and cultural identities. In the summer of 2015, Cards for All People was born.

They joined Big Cartel because it was familiar and affordable, and came recommended by Jay's sister, who uses Big Cartel for her own store.

Sales really took off after a feature in Essence about their flagship product, the card game Black Card Revoked. How did an independent, new brand get featured by such a respected magazine? "We pitched them," Jay says, and they stuck with it until it happened. "Advice? Be consistent," and influence the person who has the ability to influence thousands. "It’s an old trick Latesha and I learned from working in sports and entertainment."

You don't need a big public relations team - Cards for All People is proof that even indie artists can make a big splash in a large publication. A little persistence and friendliness goes a long way.

Cards for All People

Orders stayed strong for Cards for All People during the Holiday Rush weekend, especially after the game was featured on sites like BuzzFeed, Huffington Post, and The Root. They were prepared for the social media buzz, too. They told fans to tag posts with #BlackCardRevoked - you can search that hashtag on Twitter and Instagram to see hundreds of people excitedly chatting about their game.

To keep up with demand, Cards for All People enlisted many of their friends and family to help pack and ship orders. As they get caught up with holiday orders, they're going to keep packing boxes full of fun. Next up? Nerd Card Revoked.

One last tip: Before you find yourself with a rush of visitors, be equipped with an official hashtag to keep the conversation going after the initial press boost slows down. This gives you a chance to interact with happy customers, connect with a larger audience, and build a loyal following. You can handle any increase in traffic with ease by making sure you're up-to-date on Social Media best practices, and by being ready with solid Customer Support and Care policies.