We are unique to the industry
OUR REACH
Cindy Jones Associates is a cornerstone in the hospital gift shop industry. Cindy’s Newsletter, website, and discussion forum are long-standing, trusted sources of industry knowledge and practical information for gift shop professionals. Cindy’s Newsletter spans two decades and is the longest running publication in the industry. 100% of our audience are verified gift shop managers/buyers. Retailers rely on her platform to inform their daily operating decisions, discover new products, learn about new trends, and read the discussion forums to learn from other shop managers. We look forward to helping you grow your business!
We offer several ways to promote your product, service, or event through website ads, newsletter ads, postcards, mailing labels, eblasts and more. Check them out below!
— Select an item for details & pricing —
Cindy has been writing her eNewsletter since 2001, with over 500 issues. She is a well-known and trusted source in the industry for all things gift shops including operations, product, buying, displays, and management.
Our high-quality list of subscribers includes verified hospital gift shop managers, buyers, directors, and volunteer managers from across the country. We never allow non-buyers, such as vendors, associations, consultants, or wholesalers. Why is that important? Your ad dollars go towards reaching just decision-makers, not the rest of the industry.
Includes: One (1) image, up to 40-word description, company name, phone number, email, website address.
Availability varies. Placement is on a first-come first-serve basis. Your ad will run in the next available issue. Please contact ads@cindyjonesassociates.com to determine availability.
Newsletter Ad | #1 Position | #2 Position | #3 Position | Promotions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Total Size | 600 x 250 px | 600 x 250 px | 600 x 250 px | 600 x 250 px |
Duration | 3 months (1 ad per month) | 3 months (1 ad per month) | 3 months (1 ad per month) | 3 months (1 ad per month) |
Price $ | $600 for 3 ads | $500 for 3 ads | $400 for 3 ads | $300 for 3 ads |
3,500+ verified readers
Published monthly
Additional website exposure
Mobile-friendly
Build product awareness
Promote a new product
Run a special sale
What to submit:
Where to submit: ads@cindyjonesassociates.com
Where will my ad appear in the Cindy’s Newsletter?
There are four options for ad placement:
When is the deadline for newsletter ads?
Newsletter ads should be submitted around the 10th. Ads are first come-first serve as space permits.
How do I purchase an ad in Cindy’s Newsletter?
Select the position you would like, add it to your cart, and process payment.
What happens after I purchase the ad?
You will receive an order confirmation via email. Next, send your ad content following the Submission Requirements outlined above to ads@cindyjonesassociates.com. If you’d like us to design the ad for you, let us know and we’ll begin collaborating on your ad design.
What ad packages do you offer?
All ads are sold in three-month increments. Your ad will run for three consecutive months.
When will my ad appear?
Ads run on the 15th of the same month as when you submit your ad, and the subsequent two months thereafter. You may also request three specific consecutive months to coincide with a holiday or product release, for example.
Will I get to see my ad?
Your ad will appear online indefinitely for ongoing exposure in the Newsletter Archive. Please subscribe to the newsletter to see your ad at publication.
What should I put in my ad?
Essentially anything, but we have a few ideas that will drive sales:
How large can my ad be?
Ads are limited to one (1) image and approximately forty (40) words. Links directing readers to your website are counted towards the 40-word limit.
How many subscribers do you have for the Newsletter?
Our subscription numbers fluctuate from month to month, but we average between 3,000 and 3,500 over the past two decades. Learn more about who will see your ad and our reach here.
Who will see my ad?
All of our readers are verified Gift Shop Managers, Buyers, or Directors. We maintain a long-standing community of readers ensuring that advertisers reach their target audience: buyers and decision-makers. Learn more about our readership here.
Will I sell more of my product?
An effective advertising strategy isn’t a one-to-one ratio (e.g. ad:sale, ad:sale, ad:sale). There are many factors that impact conversion rates such as price, quality, brand recognition, ad content, demand, customer service, reputation, etc. An ad may generate a click and sale at that moment, but it also generates sales through brand recognition at, for example, a gift show month’s later. Advertising is a longitudinal strategy with multiple touch points or exposures, not a singular instance.
What is the newsletter’s open-rate?
The newsletter averaged a 38% open rate in 2021. Cindy is well known among the hospital gift shop industry. They recognize her name and the value-added material provided in her newsletter. Email blasts average an open-rate of 26%.
How often is Cindy’s Newsletter published?
Cindy’s Newsletter is published on the 15th of every month.
Do you sell your subscriber list?
No. The subscriber list is proprietary to Cindy Jones Associates and strictly private.
Do you have non-profit rates?
No.
Do you charge tax on advertisement?
No.
The Advertiser will, at its sole cost and expense, create and deliver all Advertising Materials required for any Advertisement according to technical specifications provided by Cindy Jones Associates (CJA). If the delivered Advertising Materials do not conform to CJA’s technical specifications or do not arrive timely enough to deliver the Advertisement on any agreed dates according to the Insertion Order, then CJA, in its sole discretion, may: (a) reject such Ad and refund any applicable amounts paid in advance; or (b) postpone running such Ad until a reasonable period of time after (i) the non-conforming Advertising Materials are corrected, or (ii) the late-arriving Advertising Materials are received; in any case, CJA may begin to charge the Advertiser on the Insertion Order start date on a pro rata basis based on the full Insertion Order for each full day the Advertising Materials are not received.
CJA may, without any responsibility to the Advertiser, reject, cancel or require any Advertisement be amended that it considers unsuitable or contrary to these Terms and remove, not print, suspend or change the position of any such Advertisement. CJA may refuse to publish any Advertisement for any Advertiser who has not paid any sums due for any advertising. The Advertiser will remain responsible for all outstanding charges.
All digital campaigns are flat rate and will be invoiced accordingly. Advertisements are not measured or sold by monthly impressions (CPM).
Advertisements are sold by number of “sends” to opt-in subscribers and not on the basis of impressions. CJA does not guarantee any given level of impressions, circulation, readership advertising position, ranking, placement, clicks, traffic, conversions or sales for any Advertisement.
Cindy Jones Associates is not responsible for the clarity or resolution of submitted ad files.
Changes are not accepted once your electronic file has been submitted. Check your copy!
All artwork, text and other content is subject to review by the publisher. We reserve the right to reject or remove content at our sole discretion.
The Advertiser assumes liability for all content (including text representation and illustrations) of Advertisements published.
Cancellations are not accepted.
We’d love to work with you to create your design! It’s quick and easy. Just let us know and we’ll contact you with pricing and what to expect.
This is our forte!
Contact
design@cindyjonesassociates.com
Showcase your product in a custom email sent directly to over 3,000 hospital gift shop managers, buyers, and directors.
Keep your product front and center, launch a new item, renew interest, drive traffic to your booth, to your website, or announce a special promo to ultimately drive sales. Include your product images, description, website link, phone, etc.
Send us the content or we’ll design the email for you at a nominal fee.
Includes: One custom email, dedicated to your product or service, sent to all subscribers. Design standards apply. First-come, first-serve basis.
Email Blast | |
---|---|
Includes | One-time custom email sent to subscribers (full list) |
Reach | Approx 3,000 |
Price $ | $425 |
What to submit:
Where to submit: ads@cindyjonesassociates.com
**For HTML designs, please submit the HTML file and any other files that your HTML references (e.g., images, CSS), contained in a single folder and compressed using ZIP format.
We’d love to work with you to create your ad! Tell us you need a terrific ad design and we’ll contact you with pricing and samples.
Check out these design ideas!What is an Email Blast (or eBlast)?
An email blast is a promotion email that we send on your behalf to our proprietary list of subscribers. Typically, it contains both text and images. It may include product pics, logos, links and other information. You provide us with the digital content file or we can design the email for you.
Email marketing is a terrific way to promote a special sale, announce a new product line, or reach buyers before tradeshows, gift markets, and other events.
What should I have in my email?
Essentially anything, but we have a few ideas:
• Promote a new product
• Run a special sale or promotion
• Announce your booth # for upcoming gift market
• Retarget buyers after your product is mentioned in our newsletter
• Run a contest
How many shops will receive the email?
Approximately 3,000 hospital gift shop managers, buyers, and directors from across the US. Note that some shops have particularly strident spam filters that reject emails with too many pictures or links. While this is not the norm, it can impact a small number of recipients. This is not in our control but we want to make you are aware of it. We will work with you to optimize delivery.
How can I request an email blast?
Select the “Buy” button above to process your purchase. Quantities are limited per month and sold on a first-come/first-serve basis.
Who creates the text and design for my email blast?
We can work with you to create a results-driven email showcasing your product for a nominal fee. Contact ads@cindyjonesassociates.com to learn how we work with you to create an effective design, message, and subject line. Please allow 3-5 business days for turn-around. Alternatively, you can provide your own drop-in, web-ready content.
May I see a preview of the email blast before it goes out?
Of course! We’ll send a preview of the email blast for your review and approval before it goes out.
What happens after an email blast is purchased?
You will receive an order notification after purchasing an email blast through our online store. Next, submit your email content and layout following the guidelines above. We’ll work with you to create the design and then send a test (mock-up) email for your review and approval. If you’ve purchased our design services, we’ll contact you to begin collaborating on designing your ad.
What happens after my email blast is sent?
The following is provided 7-10 after the send date: 1) Click Map, showing the areas of your email that received the most clicks, 2) open-rate 3) click-through rate.
What are the best day to send my email blast?
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday get the highest response rates based on market research. (Source: “2015 Report: Best Times to Get Your Business Email Opened.” Hubspot, Inc.)
When is the deadline for an email blast? There is no deadline. Email blasts can be sent at any time, monthly volume is limited so we don’t overwhelm our subscribers inboxes.
How far in advance do I need to request an email blast?
Requests must be received at least 4 business days in advance of the date you want it sent, pending availability.
Can we submit our email design in HTML?
Yes. For HTML designs, please submit the HTML file and any other files that your HTML references (e.g., images, CSS), contained in a single folder and compressed using ZIP format.
Do you have non-profit rates?
No.
Do you charge tax on Email Blasts?
No.
Do you sell your subscriber list?
No. The subscriber list is proprietary to Cindy Jones Associates and strictly private.
The Advertiser will, at its sole cost and expense, create and deliver all Advertising Materials required for any Advertisement according to technical specifications provided by Cindy Jones Associates (CJA). If the delivered Advertising Materials do not conform to CJA’s technical specifications or do not arrive timely enough to deliver the Advertisement on any agreed dates according to the Insertion Order, then CJA, in its sole discretion, may: (a) reject such Ad and refund any applicable amounts paid in advance; or (b) postpone running such Ad until a reasonable period of time after (i) the non-conforming Advertising Materials are corrected, or (ii) the late-arriving Advertising Materials are received; in any case, CJA may begin to charge the Advertiser on the Insertion Order start date on a pro rata basis based on the full Insertion Order for each full day the Advertising Materials are not received.
CJA may, without any responsibility to the Advertiser, reject, cancel or require any Advertisement be amended that it considers unsuitable or contrary to these Terms and remove, not print, suspend or change the position of any such Advertisement. CJA may refuse to publish any Advertisement for any Advertiser who has not paid any sums due for any advertising. The Advertiser will remain responsible for all outstanding charges.
All digital campaigns are flat rate and the invoicing will reflect this. Advertisements are not by monthly impressions (CPM).
Advertisements are sold by number of “sends” to opt-in subscribers and not on the basis of impressions. CJA does not guarantee any given level of impressions, circulation, readership advertising position, ranking, placement, clicks, traffic, conversions or sales for any Advertisement.
Cindy Jones Associates is not responsible for the clarity or resolution of submitted ad files.
Changes are not accepted once your electronic file has been submitted. Check your copy!
All artwork, text and other content is subject to review by the publisher. We reserve the right to reject or remove content at our sole discretion.
The Advertiser assumes liability for all content (including text representation and illustrations) of Advertisements published.
Cancellations are not accepted.
Send custom postcards showcasing your product to over 3,500 hospital gift shop managers.
Feature full-color product images, booth #s, launch a new line, offer audience-specific specials, or any other promotion.
How does it work? Send us your design or we’ll create one for you. We’ll format your postcard, send it back for approval, then print and mail them to our list of +3,500 gift shop managers.
But, does it work? Modern marketing is mostly digital — email, website ads, social media — and it’s all fighting for attention. The physical mailbox has become a lot less noisy. Here is where things get noticed! Postcards have a 86% visibility rate and bring 10% more customers than email.
Send us your content or we’ll design the postcard for you at a nominal fee!
Includes: Professionally printed, UV coated, double-sided, full color, First Class postage postcards mailed to approx. 3,600 hospital gift shops.
Postcards | STANDARD | LARGE |
---|---|---|
Size | 4″ x 6″ Postcards | 11″ x 6″ Postcards |
Reach | Approx 3,600 Gift Shops | Approx 3,600 Gift Shops |
Price $ | $2,000 | $3,500 |
Includes postcard printing, postage, and mailing. | Includes postcard printing, postage, and mailing. | |
What to submit:
Where to submit: ads@cindyjonesassociates.com
…a product standout!
We’d love to work with you to create your design! It’s quick and easy. Just let us know and we’ll contact you with pricing and what to expect.
This is our forte!
Contact us
design@cindyjonesassociates.com
What do you mean by postcards? How does it work?
Postcards are a highly effective way to market your product or service to gift shops. Here’s how it works. Design a postcard with our designer for a nominal fee or upload your own. We will collaborate with you to create a two-sided, full-color custom postcard design with images, bright text, bold graphics, effective messaging; however you’d like to showcase your product. If you have a designer, you can also use the free template to design one yourself.
We coordinate the placement, printing, and mailing on your behalf. Each postcard is printed with a mail address from our proprietary list of approximately 3,600 gift shops. Every postcard is professionally print (UV coated front; double sided; 120lb) in full color.
Why postcards? Aren’t they ‘old school?
You’re probably thinking to yourself, “Who reads mail anymore?” Well, it turns out, your physical mailbox is a lot less noisy than your digital inbox or social streams. A physical postcard, in hand, has a greater probability of being read compared to digital marketing. As a result, postal mail has become an unsaturated marketing channel. Marketing methods in the digital realm will fight for their attention among the other digital noise — email, pop-up ads, social media notices, auto-play videos, etc. So, what other channels should you be considering? Mail.
What should I have on my postcards?
Essentially anything, but we have a few ideas that will drive sales:
• Promote a new product
• Announce a special sale or holiday promotion
• Run a contest
• Drive traffic to your booth with a pre-show marketing postcard
• Retarget sales after your product is mentioned in our newsletter
Where are the postcards mailed? I don’t have an address list?
You don’t need an address list. We send your custom postcard to our proprietary list of approximately 3,600 hospital gift shops across the United States.
How many shops will get my postcard?
We send your custom postcard to our proprietary list of approximately 3,600 hospital gift shops across the United States. Please note, hospitals and gift shops come and go. While our rate is high, CJA is not responsible for USPS determinations on deliverability.
What is the deadline for postcards?
There is no deadline. We can send them anytime. Allow 7 – 10 business days for development and production, longer if we are creating the design for you.
When are the postcards mailed?
Postcards are mailed within 3 business days from the date your design is approved via First Class postage. Delivery takes between 2-4 business days of mailing according to USPS.
How can I purchase custom postcards for my product?
Determine the postcard size you would like — Standard or Large — and add them to your cart above. Hit the checkout and we’ll be in touch!
What happens after I purchase postcards?
An order notification is emailed to you after payment is complete. If we’ll be the ad for you, we’ll be in contact to get started on your postcard design. Otherwise, submit your print-ready design file following the Submission Requirements outlined here.
How will I design my postcard?
Our designer can create a terrific, actionable postcard for a nominal fee, or upload your own using the templates.
What size can I make my postcards?
We currently offer postcards in two sizes: 4″ x 6″ and 11″ x 6″. Choosing between the two depends on your campaign objectives, budget, and creative requirements. One thing to note is that 11″ x 6″ postcards are quite a bit more expensive than 4″ x 6″ postcards. So if you’re running a campaign on a tight budget, the 4″ x 6″ may be a better option.
Are they of good quality?
Each postcard is printed on 120lb cover paper and is UV coated. Full color on both sides.
Do you have non-profit rates?
No.
Do you charge tax on advertisement?
No.
Changes are not accepted once your electronic file has been submitted. Check your copy!
Cancellations are not accepted.
All artwork, text and other content is subject to review by the publisher. We reserve the right to reject or remove content at our sole discretion.
All our digital campaigns are flat rate and the invoicing will reflect this. We do not sell or bill by monthly impressions (CPM).
Cindy Jones Associates is not responsible for the clarity or resolution of submitted ad files.
Ads are sold as a placement sponsorship. Any estimates given are based on previous year traffic. Impressions are not guaranteed.
MAILING LABELS HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED
Reach over 3,600 hospital gift shop managers and buyers through pre-printed mailing labels and shop phone number directory. Our proprietary list of hospital gift shop addresses is the only one available!
Order options:
– by Hospital Size – by State – include Phone Numbers
Specs:
FREE SHIPPING
– Pre-printed on Avery #5160 sheets
– 1 address per label
– Label size: 1″ x 2 5/8” rectangle
– Peel n’ stick on your mailer
– Phone numbers printed separately (see options below)
Updated monthly. We update our address list monthly, but quantity may change slightly as hospitals and gift shops come and go.
Hospital Size | # of States | Includes | Reach | Price $ | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
FULL SET | |||||
All Sizes | 50 States | Address | Approx 3,600 shops | $349 | |
All Sizes | 50 States | Address + Phone | Approx 3,600 shops | $429 | |
BY HOSPITAL SIZE | |||||
Major Hospitals (+500 beds) | 50 States | Address | Approx 380 shops | $199 | |
BY STATE (3 minimum) | |||||
All Sizes | Minimum of 3 | Address | Varies per state | $39 ea |
95% deliverability!
MAILING LABELS HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED
How much is shipping?
Shipping is FREE
How often is the hospital gift shop mailing list updated?
Our proprietary mailing list is updated monthly. It has a 95% deliverability rate. But, please note that hospitals and gift shops come and go. In addition, CJA is not responsible for USPS determinations on deliverability.
How many gift shops will receive my mailing using your labels (i.e., quantities)?
Quantities will vary slightly as the database is updated. The full set of mailing labels consists of approximately 3,600 gift shop addresses. Mailing labels by state will vary. View approximate quantity per state here.
When will I receive my mailing labels?
Please allow 3-5 business days to print and ship your labels.
What should I mail to the gift shops?
Labels can be affixed to any of your own mailers. We can also design one for you! Get a custom designed postcard using our design services. We’ll create a terrific, actionable postcard for a nominal fee.
We then coordinate the placement, printing, and mailing on your behalf. Each postcard is printed with a mail address from our proprietary list of approximately 3,600 gift shops. Every postcard is professionally print (UV coated front; double sided; 120lb) in full color.
Learn about our custom design and mail services.
I have retired from hospital gift shop consulting. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to work with so many wonderful clients.
Thank you for your support and trust over the years!
– Cindy
HOSPITAL GIFT SHOP CONSULTANTS
Please note that the following list of consultants is provided as a courtesy for your convenience. We do not necessarily endorse or recommend any specific consultant on this list. We encourage you to conduct your own research and due diligence when selecting a consultant that best meets your needs.
Anne M. Obarski, CPBA
Merchandise Concepts
MerchandiseConcepts.com
Kathy Cruz
Retail Coach & Host of the Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast
savvyshopkeeper.com
@savvyshopkeeper
Mindy Banko
Simply Amenities (formerly Simply Retail)
simplyamenities.com
Lilly Stamets
Premier Retail Consulting
hospitalgiftshopconsultant.com
Linda Cahan
Cahan & Company
lindacahan.com
Krystyna Kwiecinski
Canadian Purchasing Collective
canadianpurchasingcollective.com
Please let us know of other hospital gift shop consultants and we’ll add them to the list!
Discussion Board
Manager Q&A
Monthly action plans
Display templates
…always FREE, since 1995!