In today’s post card I’d like to share with you my thoughts on the relationship between RedBubble and the members of the site.
The way I view the relationship is that RedBubble’s here to act as a catalyst and facilitator. RedBubble is not about ‘RedBubble’ – it’s about all the people that are part of the site. RedBubble shouldn’t become the centre of attention.
RedBubble’s job is to take care of all the background stuff. The website. Production and logistics. Payment. Solving problems. Listening. RedBubble’s job is to lower barriers – to make things easier. But I don’t want RedBubble to do everything.
Two things we always want to leave up to you: being creative and sharing your creativity.
For example, if you’re interested in selling your work I’m a firm beliver that the the very best person to share / market your work is you! Why? Because we’re all relational creatures – we value a sense of connectedness. I’d much rather buy a t-shirt from Ed then someone I don’t know because each time I put it on it reminds me of his crazed English demeanor. And he’s pretty cool (but don’t tell him).
Am I on the right track? I’d be interested in your thoughts.
Ciao for now,
Peter
sasufi, about 1 year ago
when can we meet then ?
kseriphyn
,
about 1 year ago
For me, I get more value out of a buy if it’s from someone I know and admire. I’m a sentimental kind of person.
Cathie Tranent
,
about 1 year ago
Absolutely on the right track!!
Just by being here RB has provided me with an inspiring place that does a superb job of providing the finished product!!
I love the sense of having “friends” who inspire and motivate me, validate, critique and collaborate!!
I really enjoy telling people the stories behind the cards, or tshirts or whatever that I have bought from a “mate”.
Sorry if this doesn’t make sense – I don’t do words!!
thickblackoutline
,
about 1 year ago
ooh, i was leaving a comment, then the page couldn’t be found…. but my general yak yak was this…..
i agree with you, I’m certainly thinking of the artist themselves and their excellent work when i wear their tshirt/see their card up around the studio, but may i offer a bit of a pat on the back too?
recently i purchased some cards, which came with The Bub’s new little note Congratulating me on supporting emerging artists with my purchase. Then it is suggesting i leave a comment on the artists work, posting a photo to the buyers booth, etc.
i felt this little touch was really lacking with the cards in the past, b/c not only is it connecting The Bub with the purchaser, but its connecting the artist to the purchaser too.
i think this is a step in the right direction of really making the artists prominent more so in The Bub.
yay
sjem, about 1 year ago
amen
marieancolie, about 1 year ago
The site is a fabulous place to discuss, meet people, and SHARE .
We can be close to anyone and this is a great feeling.
ok.. i’m a sentimental lady …
we are, all members, small sparkling bubbles (as champagne) making a shiny red bubble in the sky ouf our life.
Yes you are in the right track.
Tiffany Dryburgh, about 1 year ago
Ditto all of the above! I love the sense of community here (despite the recent grumblings of some!) and I love what you guys do for us behind the scences to make it all possible.
hortonwildthing, about 1 year ago
i love this but just seam don;t to any to buy for from any my web page, and i almost four out thier.
what can’t poeple buy art. work, i had one sale, of off my other web link.
Durotriges, about 1 year ago
Absolutely on the right track! And the groups are a great step forward in facilitating creativity. Letting us be creative is all very well, but this is a great way to channel and improve it! :-D
fotodudenz, about 1 year ago
When are we going to be able to turn off and delete comments from others?
berndt2, about 1 year ago
Totally on the right track in my opinion. There are some amazing artworks and artists out there (ie. here!) and it’s fantastic that they have a forum not just for their work but for THEMSELVES in this site.
uncommondepth, about 1 year ago
Yes and no. I agree that only you can market yourself (a very tough, scary job). Red Bubble is pretty cool – I’ve only been here for a couple days. Some thoughts that pop into my head on this subject: Networking can be important, but are you networking with the right people? Are other artists here liable to purchase your work, or use it for their own inspiration?
If I go to an art gallery to purchase an image to hang in my living room I’m not going to look at the artist whose name I recognize or that I may know personally, I’m looking for the image that moves me personally, spiritually, and that fits in with the decor of my home. Maybe I’m an anomoly in that regard!
Without getting too long-winded on this subject (which I easily could), could I pose the question: do people get to know the artist because they like their work and want a connection, or do they purchase because they already are connected?
soulsease, about 1 year ago
I get to know artist because I like their work/want a connection. Their work may inspire me, uplift me, make me think in a new direction or just make me giggle.
But I also make purchases if I all ready know an artist- IF I like their work. That is a BIG IF. I’m not going to buy something I don’t like just because I know them.
Michelle422, about 1 year ago
I believe that we need to help spread the word about this site.
People worry that their items aren’t selling but it is really up to us (the artists) to help get the message out to the buying community about this site. I always mention Red Bubble to friends and people from my writers’ group and also the photography group in our area. The more people who know about RB the more potential buyers.
I have shown people the high quality of the cards I have bought from here and they are always impressed.
Be proactive, people.
I have a link on my blog to this site but, after reading the above, I will now write a actual blog entry about the site as there are a number of people (from around the world) who do actually read my blog.
Karen Cougan, about 1 year ago
It’s Home to me…......where on any given day there is an image to show me where I am in my life….......and its the best place for support and guidance in your chosen art field….....LOve it…....
xkc
Peter I got all excited when I saw the words Post Card…..........they are on my wish list
Helen Bascom, about 1 year ago
You are absolutely right about our responsibility to market our own work if we want to sell. I’ve been promoting my work and RedBubble in general to everyone I know and then some. I want to be successful, and I want RB to successful as well. Afterall, this was my first stop in internet marketing of my work. Thank you for the opportunity RB.
AlienVisitor, about 1 year ago
Well Peter,where else can I show my work,talk with like minded people,share ideas,writing,collaborate,and at the end of the day maybe sell something.
What you provide is the bubble,its really up to us as artists to provide the rest.
Ya doing good.
David.
Robert Boretti, about 1 year ago
Thank You for providing a wonderful art community. I think you are doing a fantastic job of providing the behind the scenes support. Without you..none of this would be possible. For that alone you deserve our deepest appreciation.
Also, I agree that all the members of the redbubble community have a responsibility in being creative and getting the word out about our own works and the redbubble website. word of mouth is the best form of advertising for sure.
However, I do think it would be a great benefit to redbubble to find creative ways to implement more strategic “keywords” into the site URLs This would help the site appear better in internet search engines (e.g. google) for people on the internet searching to purchase/buy art works
just a few examples
www.redbubble.com/photography-for-sale
www.redbubble.com/t-shirts/for-sale
www.redbubble.com/framed-prints-for-sale
www.redbubble.com/purchase/photography-or-artwork/for-sale
There is amazing talent being displayed on this site. It would be a shame for all this talent to not be easily searchable on the internet.
That is my 2 cents.. I am 10 year software engineer so can’t help it. :-)
Thanks again for all you do. :-)
Deborah Bowness, about 1 year ago
I second uncommondepths thoughts. What draws me to the piece of Art is not necesserily who it’s by, it’s if the Art work draw me into it, I either like it or I don’t, I’d hang it on my wall or I wouldn’t, simple as! Having said that, I have a couple of prints by my favourite artists Alexander Chen, but thats going back to the first point I suppose….that I LOVE his work!
But, having said all that, I do Love the sense of community here and have been buying work off my Favourite people, and it’s cool to own their work (even if just a card!), but I only buy cause I like it!
Gregoryno6, about 1 year ago
RB is a fun place to be. I appreciate the support and encouragement, and take the opportunity to pass them along in turn. But RB is not where I expect to sell my work. This is the flower market, and we’re all selling flowers. It’s the millions of buyers out there beyond the Bubble membrane that we have to contact.
gemynd, about 1 year ago
Now i need a crazy English demeanor…will have to work on my accent. This place is just fantastic. So glad i found it.
Vonnie Murfin, about 1 year ago
When it comes to artworks. I don’t think about the artist. I only think of the artworks. I like artworks that get me thinking. I want to feel good when I look at a picture. I want to look at a photo that remind me of who I am. I want a photo that expression feelings. Of course, that just my opinion.
zfollweiler, about 1 year ago
RedBubble is a gem. You get support, thoughts and kinship from other artists. You get a platform for the world to see your art. Most of all you get an on demand merchandising of your work which minimizes the warehousing of it. I strongly feel that to get some success in sales you have to venture outside the bubble. That means leaving your comfort zone.
I did 3 things this weekend which made me feel stupid or at the very least uncomfortable. First, I emailed my link to my entire contact list. I said “Hey, I put up my work on the world’s biggest refrigerator—here’s my link”. Second, I put my link in a small biz classified in Craigslist in my town. Third, I went to a popular retailer’s website
and asked about how they get material for their Wall Art. Working to increase your exposure is key.
Crokus Label, about 1 year ago
I am not sure how to find out nor how to set a price for my art… I need help. Could you please help me. I would really appreciate.
It might take me a few days to get to understand the system… then would be a better time to upload my best shots… ;)
I love this site. It has class and honor.
Thanks.
Carmen Mandel-..., about 1 year ago
Hello Peter,
Redbubble is a very special place in the universe of the online art galleries. It was a pleasure to find a fine hub offering a plurality of artistic options.
Regarding the marketing of artwork by the artist, it is true what you say and wish many an artist realise this. I constantly market my art in multiple ways, both offline and online with a variety of tools and through advertisements.
A nice and productive way to help increase exposure and sales is to have Redbubble generate the artwork thumbnail functionality. The HTML code of thumbnails featuring a small image along a link to the artist gallery in Redbubble is added by the artist to a personal Web site.
This is much needed, in my opinion, because it is the most attractive and professional way to drive public to Redbubble.
You may take a look at various types of artwork thumbnails of greater and lesser complexity in my photography Web site underneath:
http://carmen.mandel.photoart.googlepages.com/home
Enter and then click Visit my Galleries.
Should you be interested in further technical details about thumbnails, you may contact me at mifotoarte@yahoo.com.
Thank you for your devotion to artists and their interests.
Carmen
richiedean, about 1 year ago
I dont mind marketing my work and if you are marketing Redbubble to a vast audience, worldwide, in every way possible, then all I can see is a rosie future for everyone. As for buying art, I go for what I like rather than who I know. Keep up the good work !