Thursday, July 31, 2014

Shrimp Comics and Cute Babies #ArtistStories

Anonymous: When my brother was 7, he made up a comic book at school which was a huge hit.  Growing up he used that comic book multiple times for creative writing at school all the way up to high school!  Legit teachers loved it.  It was called "super shrimp".

Original super shrimp artwork from brother when he was kid
My brother drew this Super Shrimp when he was 7
My brother turned 30 this year and he had his first baby... a sweet babygirl named Riley.  With her first birthday coming up, I thought what better gift then her very own super shrimp stuffed animal.  
Super Shrimp drawing with Super Shrimp stuffed animal
Made a Super Shrimp stuffed animal for brother's baby girl
Amazing I just got my package I am in shock I showed everyone of my clients today and they love it. I bet I can get you at least 10 more customers!!!  Anyway I just wanted to thank you for a truly amazing job. I am enclosing a picture of the drawing the doll and my beautiful niece who will be getting her super shrimp this September!
Little Riley - future recipient of Super Shrimp!
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us!  We wish you, your brother, and your adorable niece a wonderful first birthday and a lifetime of love.

Have a Budsies story of your own?  Let us know at support@budsies.com


Monday, July 21, 2014

Budsies Partners with Brands to Make Awesome Social Media Contests

A Follower Is Not Enough: Engagement is King

Comparing Actions

Brands have traditionally measured their reach based on the number of followers they have on social networks.  However, Facebook's algorithm only organically shows posts to a large portion of your followers if the post receives outsized engagement.  Unless the brand provides actionable content, the vast majority of followers will never see it.

Simple "Likes" on posts don't cut it, either.  The most viral posts are those with plenty of comments and shares.  These actions expose posts to followers' friends.
Comparing Reach of Posts that Elicit Comments vs. Those that Do Not

Memorable Touchpoints Create Brand Evangelists

A successful ad campaign, whether online or off, creates multiple touchpoints with the targeted audience.  While a single interaction is easily brushed off, repeated on-theme impressions build true fans who will evangelize the brand.  Lastly, brands are wise to provide fans with momentos of their experience which serve to reinforce the connection to the brand for years to come.

Themed Drawing Contests Activate Followers and Their Friends

At Budsies, we've found an incredible method for engaging fans both young and old: themed drawing contests.
  1. Brand announces contest and challenges fans to post original artwork in comments beneath the post
  2. Fans and friends vote on the entries by Liking the comments
  3. The winner(s) receive their artwork turned into custom Budsie stuffed animals
The benefits of the drawing contest are clear:
  • Simple: The entire promotion only requires a simple post from the brand.  The recent changes to Facebook allowing photos to be used as comments provides the mechanics while Budsies handles all the visual design work and the prize-making
  • Multiple Touchpoints: There are three natural opportunities to engage fans. (1) Within the initial announcement (2) When announcing the winner(s) and (3) Posting photo of winner(s) with artwork and Budsies.  The winner(s) also receive branded keepsakes that they treasure forever
  • Viral: Since entrants win by amassing votes, they are incentivized to share the contest with their friends and ask for additional votes

Case Study 1: Cut the Rope's Nommies

Cut the Rope is an international brand responsible for the super popular iOS and Android game series by the same name.  Together, we ran a drawing contest specifically for their US fans to draw their rendition of a "Nommie" (the cute furball character in their game).

The post garnered an incredible response: nearly 1,300 likes, 56 shares, and 144 comments/entries.  Cut the Rope chose to make two more posts promoting the contest.


30 artists had their drawings brought to life as well as a branded Cut the Rope t-shirt and "Nommie".

Here's the first batch of Nommies we produced:


Of note, Cut the Rope elected to choose the winners themselves, which reduced the virality of the post. 

Case Study 2: Budsies' 4th of July

To celebrate America's Independence Day, Budsies announced a "Red, White, and Blue" drawing contest.

At the time, Budsies only had 2,000 Facebook fans.  The post received 44 shares, over 40 comments/entrants, and an average of 19 votes per entrant.  The winning entrant had 72 votes!

Case Study 3: Juggling with Kids

Juggling With Kids, a mommy blog run by Akane Everitt, hosted a summer-themed drawing contest.



The top three entries received 146, 102, and 101 votes/likes, respectively.

A Free Turnkey Collaboration

Budsies is happy to work with likeminded brands to engage their audience and reward their fans.  We will leverage our experience to craft the perfect messaging, timing, and theme to maximize impact.  We will also offer a free Budsie for the winner or offer discounted bulk pricing in the case of multiple winners.  In addition, Budsies can handle all the logistics of creating and shipping prize packs to the winners.  Finally, Budsies can cross-promote the contest to 5,000+ Facebook fans and 4,000+ email recipients.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Kids Draw Their Own Bedmates

Since launching Budsies, which turns kids artwork into stuffed animals, parents have sent us hundreds of photos of their children with their new Budsie friends.  Besides getting gleefully giddy every time we saw another happy face, we started seeing a trend: our toys are natural nap inducers! :)

Now I can't say it's been scientifically proven... but we certainly believe that Budsies are the best cuddly sleep aid out on the market!

Here's a sampling of adorable children sleeping with their creations.  If your child also sleeps with his/her Budsie, send us a pic and we'll add it to the list!

A Swirly Snail Makes a Great Hugger


This Octopus Uses All 8 Arms to Fend Off Nightmares

Is There Anything Cuter Than Their Matching Shirts?!?

This Boy Lost His Old Cow Plushy So Budsies Made Him a Custom Replacement

Budsies Are Essential for Peaceful Road Trips

That Crane Is Doing a Better Job of Lifting His Head Than His Own Pillow!
Sean's "Ugly Dog" Makes for a Great Car Companion (Added 6/18)


Friday, July 11, 2014

Watch A Dad Take His Little Daughter On the Best Date Ever



Chivalry is far from dead!  This amazing dad, Aaron Dickson from Bellingham, Washington, recently took his daughter Analynne on her first real date.


Any future boyfriend has a lot to live up to ;)