Bear with me as I ramble this thought out of my head.
I read an article yesterday in the Va. Pilot, from my hometown of Norfolk, VA., about a couple who only do show.
They have no website, no face book, no online anything and allow no one to shoot pictures of their work.
Their thought is if you take pictures you will not buy their work.
They make tiles.
They think if you take pictures you are doing so to either copy their work or to show your friends their work without buying it.
This has given me great pause as someone who has a website, blog and face book.
I am always looking at how best to get the word out about our work, who we are and what we do.
In fact yesterday I enjoyed the company of a couple who had done the following.
Researched the area on line.
Looked at and narrowed down what they liked and wanted to buy.
They walked in talked a bit and picked out 3 pieces.
Set them aside from the mass and decided on one.
They were pleased and I was pleased.
They had done their homework.
He asked me do others folks do this as well.
And I said yes.
I have had others come in who have done the same.
With that said I think I will keep my website, Face book and blog.
You can't get rid of me that easy.
And, although I enjoy what I do, I also enjoying sharing.
So I guess I will go back to the pictures.
You don't mind do you?
Snap!
M
11 comments:
Interesting idea - no presence anywhere but where they are selling? How does anyone know they make tiles? - or what kind of tiles they make?
I'm happy to drool of yours and Mark's work whenever you post photos -- glad you've decided not to stop.
One of these days I'm going to walk in your gallery and pick out one of my favorite pieces! Now that sounds good to me.
I say whatever works for them works for them, but I still think it can be called what it is: another marketing gimmick, which is cool.
they sound a little insecure in what they do. like you Meredith, i am all for sharing and putting it out there. i have learned so much with artists who are willing share their knowledge, photos, etc. and i don't know where i would be today without those generous people!
I like your photos, please don't stop!
there is a lot of talk that the only people at craft fairs lugging their pots and booth are grey haired---I see that too, as the youngest at fairs, being 45! young people are using the online very successfully to sell stuff, and I am too...sure beats a rained out fair!
Judy- it would be great if you did show up here.
MRS.G-it did get them in the paper!
you know you just have to work it anyway you can!
I'm 49 and can just about deal with the tecnology to do the blog the web site and internet stuff. but My pottery would be much further behind than I am if I didn't do it. You guys teach me so much, and customers seek me out. keep snapping away.
I'm going to send you a snap!
I don' know...I like being able to do my homework. For me, a lot of the things I buy are an investment - I wouldn't do that on the fly.
If they're that insecure, they should only do shows in dark rooms. Because if someone can see your tile, they can copy it. *eye roll*
Paul- I think you are so right in that there are so many willing bloggers who give you a lot of very good information.
I think many of us enjoy the looking at others work without buying a plane ticket to do so.
I enjoy seeing what you are all doing over seas- my dream is to come in person- but not this week.
Jariris- doing your homework online makes sense then you are an educated buyer.
And i know you buy.
Show in the dark, fingers only- do you like?
not sure where to start with that one meredith, i guess anyone can come up with anything in their head and insist that it's true. their work must be very excellent to assume that people want to copy it... i sure don't think people want to copy me but even if they did, i'd say, go for it. i'm thinking about a new gimmick myself where i make ceramics without using any clay, what'dya think?
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