Of all the businesses I could have started, why scratch off posters? What is it about them that excites me? Honestly, I didn't have a great answer to this question when we first started but now, after running this for three and a half years, I think I understand.
Before I started a scratch off poster business, I was a customer. I had several different types of bucket lists hanging on our walls at home. I've always liked the concept and on several occasions purchased them for others as gifts.
Through researching, designing, and selling these posters I've now come to fully appreciate what it is that makes them special. These products genuinely excite me and I'm proud of my catalog.
Here are the reasons why.
Promoting action
The lists depicted on scratch off posters are intended to make you DO something. They defy you to remain complacent. They challenge you to go out of your way to accomplish something you might otherwise not.
I love anything that pushes us to do more and be more and see more. When you were gonna just doom scroll or watch another random show but instead you pick up that book or queue up that classic film, the poster has done its job.
Encouraging deep dives
I gave a speech about this topic years ago which went over pretty well. It's something I believe very deeply. What I believe is that for virtually any topic or interest, the good stuff is buried beneath the surface. You have to go a little deeper to really appreciate and fall in love with something new.
You can't watch one movie and say "ah, I get what cinema is all about now, I'm good for the rest of my life". You won't capture the wonders of craft beer by sipping a single style. Every interest gets more interesting the deeper you go.
Scratch off posters present to you a path to passion.
Inviting conversation
As a social person, I absolutely love how effective scratch off posters are at stimulating conversation. Forget novel antiques, the ultimate conversation piece in any room is going to be your niche topic bucket list hanging on the wall. They are almost guaranteed to spark comment and initiate discussion.
If find yourself in the presence of shy companions or be stuck in an awkward silence with others, a poster on the wall tracking your progress through a top 100 list will nearly always break the ice. We humans naturally love looking at these lists, seeing our own progress in them, and talking about the featured items.
Oh, you saw Hamilton too? What did you think? When did you go to Traverse City? What does a witbier taste like? You are gonna love Duck Soup when you finally watch it.
This is easily my favorite thing about these posters. They have the power to bring people closer together and I can't really imagine anything that is more true to my values and personality.
Tracking memories
For many bucket lists, a visual representation of the journey helps those memories endure. Every time you look at the poster, you'll be reminded of that trip you took or that amazing book you read or that parenting moment. So many of the moments we experience in life should be celebrated more than they are. Too often we accomplish something or go through something important only to immediately move on to the next thing.
Sometimes just a simple poster can go a long way towards memorializing moments that matter.
Sense of accomplishment
Most of us are not great at new years resolutions or personal goals. We set bad goals, don't track our progress, and fail to celebrate our wins. I'm no exception. Countless times I have expressed a desire to pursue something but failed to make a clear plan or acknowledge any progress.
It's sad really. Sad because we need to feel like we are doing something. The times I have felt the best about myself and my life were when I managed to accomplish something difficult. Persevering through the struggle to a climactic finish is as rewarding and satisfying as life can get.
We need to be challenged. We need to feel like we are progressing. We need to record accomplishments in our lives.
Extremely affordable
Please pardon what I know comes across as very self serving and sales-y. But this post is about why I love scratch off posters. And the truth is, to me, they're exceptionally rewarding relative to their cost. I can spend ~$20 and set myself up on a journey which will have a real impact on my life. If I actually do all the things on any of the posters, my experience on this earth will have been deeply affected and probably for the better.
If I compare it to other art I could hang on the wall, it feels pretty reasonable. In my case, when choosing between a scratch off poster and static art, I'm often going to go for the interactive option that challenges me, engages me, and takes me on a journey.
Thanks for reading!
1 comment
Love it. DO something!