Jienn Heibloem

Great questions Jienn. No simple answers of course, but let me inject a few statistics into the discussion, based on a quick look at RedBubble sales data over the past month.

It turns out that there is a big long tail of stuff that is selling – not just a few “hits”. This is great, because it demonstrates that buyers like (and will buy) a huge range of different art and designs.

Also, sales have been very evenly spread between all types of products (framed, mounted, and laminated prints, as well as t-shirts).

James has just started a blog on the business of photography, so no doubt he’ll have a few things to add on this topic.

They are really good questions Jienn.Thanks for asking that – I had thought that it was a case of being in the right place at the right time i.e. to somehow connect with a buyer at the point they are looking to buy (or sneaking in when they are unsuspecting yet financial!). I have seen photographers following interest group/events around i.e. taking photos of dogs at dog shows, photos of cyclists at cycling events – but beyond that I have no idea. Photo sales at the paper tend to be of kids (bit of a thrill for parents to see their kids become ‘famous’). Perhaps the trick is, “okay, we are here, come and get us”.

yes i have this thought to.. what to put up, cuz i have such a diverse range of photos and art..

From experience thru Cafepress, ive come to realise that the design that i put hours into has sat and not sold..and the design that took me 10minutes keep selling.. go figure! But thats in the tshirt and non print stuff…

So i guess i just keep putting my diverse range.. and see how it goes..

when I sell something I’ll let you know Jienn. :-)

...but seriously, I had a similar discussion on what sells and what doesn’t with a friend who happens to run an art gallery. Not a top end one mind you, so his answer was startling, to say the least. He said about 90% of people that inquired about an art purchase worried about two things initially. Would it fit where they wanted to put it and would it match in with their decor. After a slight deliberation, the next question would be, if it didn’t fit / suit, could they return it? Price was rarely mentioned, if at all. So, bearing that in mind, a green photograph / painting, that suited peoples taste of their surroundings, for example, had a better chance of being sold.

He had also worked at a higher end gallery and said he came across that same scenario, more frequent than he expected, but not as high as where he currently works. His answer in short, was, “do your research and meet the market wherever, whenever you can, the market very rarely visits you”

I guess that means, display your wares here and promote, promote, promote. It will only increase your chances, but like most things in life, there are no guarantees.

Johno

thanks Jienn, the painting “Madame Butterfy” refers to my gorgeous Gran who passed away in 2005, her favourite opera was of the same name. She was a very spiritual lady and had written “Gran’s Little Red Book of Yoga” – a piece she’d written full of quotes from others and herself discussing what really mattered in her life. The text on the painting are these sayings transcribes from her book.
Thank you for your comment, will have more paintings and work up soon.
peace
akustikstudio

so far what exciting responses….Im stimulated and keen to hear from anyone else who wants to join our discussion…..thankyou so far for all who have contributed….I love other peoples opinions and always learn profoundly….love and hugs so far xxxmeeexx

While I’m yet to sell anything from here, outside of the ‘Bubble I seem to be selling the same two or three pictures consistently. I have pictures up in 4 places around Launceston (not exactly the art capital of the world, but we’re trying!), with a fifth happening tomorrow afternoon, with a sixth in negotiation at the moment. I visit each place about once a week to get feedback, all of which is usually positive (only negatives are that the pictures don’t suit some people’s houses… hardly my fault!). I also had an article, and photo, in the local newspaper here, regarding an exhibition I am part of. The accompanying photo in the paper not only had a picture of myself and the other artist, but had my works clearly in the shot too. That seems to have helped, since I am not in every place at once, but people can recognise my work as soon as they step ino the store. It should all help in the long run though, getting exposure like this. Might get people to take me more seriously if they realise that more than one place is willing to show my work… that’s the idea, anyway!

What sells?? something unique or different, which appeals to the buyer.
What I like about RB is that there is a wide range of images available, potential customers are out there and can select from diverse galleries of available images which suit all tastes.

I too am one that has not sold anything yet. I think the key is going to be to promote yourself.

Lets face it the amount of quality work on this site is huge so the chances that a person that is looking for some art comes on here and sees one of your images in the recent work, or on the home page if your lucky enough, is pretty slim.

redbubble crew have set up a great place for us to sell our wares but I don’t think they can be responsible for promoting each individual artist.

Cheers,

David

David I just came back to see how this discussion was going and you are right. There is a lot of work to choose from so how does one become aware of so much and how to choose. First of all one has to know about the site and have started browsing without intending to buy and then you are hooked and rapidly addicted. This happened to me. Then I started looking at the portfolios of those who had journal contributions and added them to my watch list or favourites. There has to be something that impresses. So journal enteries is one way to catch the eye of a buyer and tags are also important.

With so many opinions and options and ideas and tastes, you are bound to sell something very soon, Jienn (and others). I think I was extemely lucky to sell 2 cat tshirts in the short space of time that I did. I haven’t sold anything else since. But I’ve only been on RB for just over a month, but of course, if it was a shop front on a street I would be mortified and would be panicking that my advertising wasn’t working.
but maybe that’s it… I’m not advertising (yet… I will… might do a letterdrop too). Khylan’s doing one! Great idea! I could get my son to help drop them all off! Maybe his school will even let me put a couple of flyers in the front office? You never know… sorry, went off course… ideas flowing in and out of my head so fast these days!

What were we talking about? ha ha… yes that’s right! what sells… I think if we just hang on and keep uploading amazing images then one day someone (lots of someones) will go… must buy that and that and that…

I’m thinking of creating a site at Cafepress and DeviantArt as well and the guys at Tafe swear by the MySpace site (of course all they do is chat and stuff but still… it’d be advertising in a way.). I don’t know about MySpace… but I will do a CafePress and DeviantArt one day soon. Someone mentioned Flickr too, but I’m not sure about that one either.

This is obviously a popular question, I’ve been doing some analysis of our internal data and I promise I’ll blog about it tomorrow, and let you in on a few secrets.

I look forward to getting/reading the good oil from you tomorrow James with those stats.

I am fairly selective with what images I upload to the bubble as I treat it like a portfolio of my favorite and best works. Having said that though I have heaps more stuff to upload, but all in good time. I guess the first question I ask myself when deciding what to upload is would I print that out and put it on my wall. If not I ask myself the question is it likely that this photo would appeal to someone with a specific interest and is it of sufficient quality. If not then I dont upload it.

Cool thread by the way – thanks for posting it up.

yes please James ;D

Great posts so far and just from my perspective as someone who buys from the site rather than uploads I can give you my experience.

I found out about RedBubble a bit less than 2 weeks ago. I spotted it through Ebay actually. Kooyklanes/Fire Rabbits work was listed on there and rather than focus on selling it there they suggested to go to RedBubble.

I was then fascinated with the site as it showcased so many different people’s works. I was very keen on the work printed on board rather than framed because I usually go for more detailed frames than what is on offer. I wasn’t sure of the quality though and sent through a request to see the finished product. The people at Red Bubble contacted me, invited me to the offices and showed me the work and explained their business etc on the day I made my inquiry. You couldn’t meet a more enthusiastic bunch of people.

I have purchased three pictures from the girls listed above because it was part of a series. It works well for one of my walls and the designs are fabulous and tell a story. I only ordered them last week and I have already got an email to say they are on the way so I think that is brilliant service.

Through RedBubble I have spotted other pictures that I will be buying that are in my favorites at the moment and find myself attracted to certain designs that are probably non traditional pieces. I really like the work of digital artists and some of the photography that has usually been manipulated really interests me. It also helps if it makes me laugh or tells a story and I highly recommend doing “mini series” of works. I posted a listing mentioning that I was also on the look out for certain photography shots of Melbourne which some people replied to which was great. As a buyer it would be great if I could post a listing somewhere of what I was after that could be referred to. It could also be useful if people were trying to buy or sell equipment etc. I find that I don’t always read through all the journal listings, but only the recent ones so other people might be doing the same. If there was another section eg. “wanted to buy or swap section” I know that lots of people will see my request and if they are sitting on an image that they are not sure whether to upload they might just do it.

I would also be interested in buying more works if they were a fraction smaller. Ideally a bit bigger than a postcard and on the gator board for around $35 – $40. I would probably buy 10 – 15 works if they were that size and create a wall of images out of them. They would also then make ideal gifts at that price.

I think I have taken up enough of your space now so I will keep watching this website with great interest, as a previous Bubbler has mentioned the site is addictive. If you are interested pop into my favourites and you will see what i like and what i am considering buying if this helps you.

If I think of anything else I will post it.

Keep up the great work everyone and you have chosen a wonderful team to list your works with.

Cheers,

Zee1

Thankyou everyone so far for your posts- lets keep it going as the results are so very very interesting

Jienn, I would hate for us all to spew out the same sort of art, because it is ‘popular’. I love the individual styles here and can only imagine potential purchasers do as well.

While popular themes and styles will obviously impact sale numbers, I agree with mawaho that the number of individual styles is what will attract a huge number of visitors to this site, however I think promotion by indivudal artists in places that will specifically target their personal style/subjects is probably going to be important long term as well. Particularly if your work is not among the ‘popular’ and frequently searched for styles.

I have only been on Redbubble a couple of weeks so no sales as yet….early days.

I find that many of my landscape images that I sell are to people who have had some personal expierence with the location.

A friend of mine operates a retail store selling prints and makes frames which he wholesales to me…like Johno comments above,he at times spontaniuosly comments on my images that have a dominate colour…clearly recognising from his retail experience people are shopping to tie in with home decor colours.

I also have a furniture showroom where I have over 100 images on display,this is my main souce of sales.We display matted and framed, image sizes 16”x20”,10”x15” and some 20”x30”....also the 10”x15” image is offered matted up ready to frame in a cellophane bag for entry price of $49 and ticks over very nicely.

Have just had a number of the Redbubble small laminted images produced @ $15…I now will order a quantity as I feel I can resell these effectively for Around $25 to $28 as an additional product line in our showroom.

I have held a number of exhibitions in galleries and restuarants,always making at least one sale…but never more than 3.

In reviewing what works I know of a photographer who attends markets each week and backs this up with a home gallery,using this method he went full time in 12 months.

I also belong to 2 stock libraries however sales seem to be diminishing from this type of marketing due to micro stocks and probably the type of images I produce.

I also have a strong relationship with a publisher who has now published around 250 of my images in coffee table books and art calendars.

I’m looking forward to Redbubble being the key way I market my images,leaving me free to travel and photograph,without the admin time needed by other marketing methods.

hahaha..I have nothing really constructive to add here, only to say that i`m my own biggest buyer!

Seriously, I can get a shirt, and my own designs printed and sent to my door for about 25 dollars, which is less that it would cost me to by the shirt itself wholesale, then cut the screens to screenprint it, and thats an amazing deal.

AMAZING!~

wow… this is great!! so many different views… just what we need! Thanks for all the input. Jienn, I agree see if this can be an ongoing journal… even put a new entry with a link to here to get it onto the ‘recent journal entries’ page… This is such an interesting topic!! And useful too ;D

Type in

What sells

Just delete the XX and it’ll be ok… I put in a few so it wouldn’t turn into a link. I hope it worked.

What I do is open the page you want linked into a new window. Then I copy the whole www line at the top. Next you type what you want to call the link in you sentence with ” ” on each side. No spaces. Then you paste after a : the www you copied before. That’s it. It should work.

I hope I’ve helped and not confused you. Below the comments box is the ‘show text formatting help’ if you get stuck with the ” and : etc. Also Webgrrl has given us a formatting page (which I’m still deciphering) but it might be useful! I really should just print it out!

bummer… the link created itself anyway, but it doesn’t go anywhere… I hope you can understand what I said!!! Let me know if you haven’t ;D

I’ve been a member of a number of different photography sites for a couple of years now, and last year I started approaching people whose work I admired to see if I could buy a print from them.

I’ve started a small collection, but of course they are unframed prints, now I see there’s a couple who were on my list selling here at RB!!! I’m going through their portfolios, and will be buying the mounted prints, so now I’m going to go back and speak to the other ones I’ve bought from, to ask them to join RB so I can have all the same mounting….lol.

Joe M….you’re first on the list….can you talk Hans K into joining please?? :)

Anyway, I have to say, Jienn, I buy what appeals to me, generally stuff I’d love to have been able to take myself. I’ve sold a wide range of shots, ranging from stairs, through the odd botanicals, right up to landscapes, so there’s a market out there, for all sorts of different subjects and styles, and thank goodness for that!! I look forward to reading more responses!

Hi Jienn, thanks for this thread :)
My card-making business is only fairly new and so far I’ve been surprised by what people want in a photo of that size. (I’ve no experience in selling here yet, but I’m ready!). With the cards, people generally want flowers, animals and textural images. When I look back at my initial images, some of them make me exclaim “what was I thinking?” And then other photos which I thought only their creator could appreciate, have sold like hotcakes.

When I buy artwork (small, to suit my budget), it always has an emotional appeal – usually humorous or giving a unique viewpoint. Or like Joe said, the landscape is one I’ve had personal experience of… or perhaps dream of experiencing.

Artist friends have often said that their work has attracted a lot of attention and praise, but no sale has eventuated unless it’s suited the buyer’s decor.