Advantage of Choosing RedBubble

Well said. Some of us are only starting out, and I’m finding RB to be very helpful in getting my work seen, without the expense or hassle of having a good website set up, only to have things fail. At least this way I can get feedback, without massive outlays just to get things seen. I find some other sites, like flickr, to over whelming/crowded to just browse. RB keeps things simple, but classy.

I’ve been looking for something like this for a long time. The potential is enormous, and so far it seems to be pretty democratic. I have a website, but it takes time to upload images and change things around – plus the instant feedback is wonderful – if a bit distracting at times!

Thanks James!

To be honest, I have no idea how to market myself! I’d like to go professional photographer and web-design – but my wife would kill me if I gave up my safe 9-to-5 StateGovt Job.

I am printing&laminating 5 works for an exhibition in July – but that’s so far away and I want to achieve more in the interim!

So any advice you can give I would truly appreciate. Because you not only have to convince me – but “SWMBO”.

Woh, the comments are coming in thick and fast!

@MiMiDesigns:
Having your own website is good! Admittedly, the megabyte size of some internet plans can be minimal – but then, you don’t need to display ALL your work there – just display an example of each series or set. Then link them to the gallery [and set when RedBubble enable that feature ;)]
If nothing else, your own web site can serve as an expression of you, the person, not just the photographer or artist.

@CuriousNature:
I agree, the fear of failure is a powerful thing. But then I say too myself, “This is just a hobby. The money is secondary. It’s nice, but not the be-all and end-all”. That being said, yes, I too would love someone to “buy my work”http://www.redbubble.com/people/stephentrepreneur/portfolio?type=print: !

I also use RB for my online gallery, only selecting images i think would make nice prints. I havnt shown it to my mum yet, but im sure she would be happy as she thinks a lot of my work (bless her).

I experiment and play around on other forums, etc.

I have only sold one print thus far (which was great) but I havnt marketed myself very hard. Im reluctant to pressure friends and family, but I guess thats an option. Im not quite sure how to get my name out there into the big wide world. RB cerainly were very helpful when i first got started on this site, making me a featured artist for a little while. I always check out the stuff they feature.

The bigger RB gets the better chance I have of someone noticing something I have done and hopefully picking it up.

Stephen, this is a great post and has captured the essence of what we are trying to do. We can only be ad free if people put up their best work because we need people to buy it. If people dont have a reasonable chance of buying it (and the current rate of sales is OK) then we will have a nasty problem. So, yes keep it to be the best work and your guidelines are spot on.

@StephenC:
I love your photography. Very interesting and diverse range of imagery from Vietnam. I particularly like the Crabs shot – that would look great on the back-wall of a crab-shop!

“NP(No Problemo)” @Pilgrim, it was a pleasure to write it.
So how are we going with editable comments within journals? :)

Yeah too true …. More and more RB is becoming NOT about selling (that’s just a side) it’s the community!! I sorta disagree with some of your other points, but that’s just me. ;)

Not everything I upload in RB is simply here for sale. Yeah if someone likes it enough to buy it … great … but that’s not why I uploaded it. So having said that … if you have photos that don’t fit the DPI, or bigger sizes, but you still want to share … SHARE!! It’s great to have awesome perfect photos here … it’s also great to just share. We can always turn the For Sale option off :) I think a balance of these things will make RB grow even more. If we lean one way or the other, it’s possible to either become another Yafro (or Orfay as they became) or some sort of elitist site. IMHO.

Hi Stephen, I am trying to grasp a few of the technical tips you have very kindly been sharing. I am impressed with your website and your RB page and love your Kangaroo Island series.
I read in Sarah Wheatons page how to do the tags and I printed it off and have had a go but not sure, because it is not working for me.
I would like to add these links to the profile page. I would also like to learn how to make paragraphs? My question, where do I write the http line?
Thank you Stephen

As for the redbubble sales, I am pleased to say that it is working for me and that I have been here for a couple of months. I have also purchased quite a few of my own works because the quality is excellent and a very easy way of getting my work quickly and affordably to my clients.
My website is “www.energymagic.com.au”;
If you get a chance I would appreciate your feedback. It definately needs some upgrading.

@Energymagic
Firstly, thanks for the compliments, much appreciated!

I am going to answer each of your questions one at a time – but it will take some time. (Which I hope @Pilgrim and staff eventually put as a ‘tutorial’ on their FAQ pages.)

But it will take a bit of time – so I don’t make any mistakes. Watch my journal entries if you wish: I will use them as a testing ground for this response (because it’s the only place I can edit.)

Secondly, congrats on the sales! I am planning to purchase a few of my own work soon – as exhibition pieces and as Xmas gifts.

Another 30-90 minutes on the full response.

stephen, there’s an four part article on strobist about promoting yourself that may interest you.

Thanks Jay. That’s a lot of reading – and I’ve already read about the iceland-toyota-advert-cinderella story…

Stephen – Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree with everything that you are writing. I have seen photography for years as simply a hobby. More recently I have been making my own cards to give to family and friends with cardboard and glue! RB offers me a great opportunity to print the cards at a better quality and to even sell one or two. I sold my first card in 12 hours of posting the image which gave me a wam and fuzzy feeling! I love your work and look forward to watching your catalogue grow.

Hey Paul! I see you are from North Adelaide – I’m also from Adelaide!

Let me tell you what is funny: I was introduced to RB about five months ago. Registered and uploaded 20 shots in th first few nights. By the end of the first month, 100 uploaded, and now just over 200.

Yesterday I printed about 60 of the best (according to friends and family) at TEDS in the city at 6inch x 4inch, gloss finish. I’d initially planned to use them to show-off, and then convince people to buy them thru RB. Well, I’ve selling them straight from the package!
So now I’m working on new business cards, envelopes in bulk, finding a decent display book. RB is still the main place for everyone with internet, but now the passion is greater because people seem to like what I do for fun. And for the first time in my life , *I am really happy. Life is on the up.

But I’m still shy about shooting photographs of people in public!

Well Stephen – you truly are an inspiration – I feel like I’m where you were at five months ago. I’d like to take my hobby further like you have. Keep in touch

Paul, the new year (2008) brings new adventures!

A new project is in the making, information is slowly trickling in from various sources (prices of stalls at particular markets around Adelaide), and I’m building my own stall (on wheels and easy to maneuver and unfold).

Our first trial will be more a marketing experiment … but I have high hopes, so anticipate being very successful and profitable from the outset. I will inform you (amongst a few other people) of the outcome, and where we go from there.

_{If that sounds very wishywasy, I apologise, I’m letting nothing jeopardise this exercise!}
^{Posted: 4:53 AM 29/12/2007}

Stephen hi, some how wandered into this journal….very interesting…on your entry looking for a display book, I came across a site called blurb, where you can upload your images and produce a book, and the costs are not too bad, you then have the option of putting them up for sale on the site, also from redbubblers that have been to my site I have learnt that some of them have used a stie called Lulu…although I remember a red bubblerer saying the image quality was not that good….anyway check them out if you haven;t already and good luck with you plans for 2008, I know with my art it has taken a few years to be at the stage where a steady/moderate income happens….baby steps get you there, don’t let the dream go, I have a photographer friend here who is chasing the same goals, his wife also is scared about the $$$ side of things, yet in the last few months he has taken big leaps with earnings…..So go for it….(in a sensible way) all the best to you and your family for 2008…cheers

Hello and Thanks Kym

I have looked at both Lulu and Blurb ... They are both impressive sites and certainly do provide the easy option of book production and financial responsibility.

Thanks for the boost, my aim in 2008 is to make my photography much more profitable, both financial and emotionally (whereby it makes me happier than I currently am)
~ 2007 has been a great year for me. I’ve finally realised and reestablished a few goals that have been on the backburner for over 20 years.
~ 2008 is going to be the year that divides the future from the past, and (hopefully) completely changing my life. Study and ideas abound!

Anyhow, more about all that later (there’s a lot of projects going on over the next two months), thank you.

I hope you also have a great “NYE” and “HNY” !!

Hi Stephen, thanks for visiting my bubble, good for you and your goals….look forward to hearing/seeing more….all the best to you….take care…..cheers Kym

Somehow I missed this when I became a “bubbler” back early last year. Thanks for the info!

My pleasure Craig. I hope the information provided helps or works for you!

Just found this via the forums. Thank you :-)

Aloha Stephen, I discovered your wonderful tutorial in a random keyword search for creating text code. Mahalo!