From the category archives:
I’ve received many requests for reciprocal link exchanges and I’ve finally worked up an automatic system that will categorize everything so your links will be easy to find.
All you have to do is go to Links Page and add your site! The only requirement is that you link back to www.beadnerd.com. Thus, link exchange.
Go ahead and sign up and tell your friends…I’ll get you approved as soon as I can!
{ 5 comments }
There are unknown benefits of magazine advertising that you might not know unless you’ve tried it yourself. I have advertised in at least 4 bead related publications and this is what I have found:
Name Recognition.
At shows people tell me that they recognize my name from my ads. That in itself is an icebreaker/conversation starter. It may not seem like a benefit but when people know your name they are one step closer to feeling they know you and that helps sales.
Style Recognition.
Just as above, people will sometimes pick up beads from my display trays and note that it’s the style they saw in one of my magazine ads.
Credibility.
Even though I pay for my ad to be in magazines it brings credibility as if being published.
Recently I heard two potential customers talking at my booth. I heard one tell the other, “She’s in all the magazines” and I smiled. I’m not sure what that statement meant but it sounded good to me.
To be clear here, I have had exactly three articles published in magazines (one more since that show) and those three have all been in the same publication over the last three years. So really, I had only been in one magazine three times. I believe it’s my ads that they had been seeing. It can seem like being published to some, even if you are paying to be there!
Professionalism.
Based on the above ‘Credibility’ I believe that magazine print ads also give a presence of professionalism. Let’s face it, it’s expensive to advertise in magazines. Because of that, not everyone can or chooses to do it. A nicely laid out ad says, “This person (and their business) is the real deal.”
* * * * *
Things to consider when advertising in a magazine.
Increase in sales.
If you are considering placing an ad in a magazine, know that sales don’t always increase immediately. How many times does it take for someone to see something and for it to stick? Six. That would be the minimum number of issues I would suggest committing to but more realisitically, unless you have a new, hot product that hasn’t been seen before, give it a year at least. Your ad should at least pay for itself once you’re established.
Cost Breakdown.
Bead publications that I know of come out every two months. Six issues is not six consecutive months of advertising, it is one year. That $350 ad will really cost you $175 a month.
Target Audience.
There are many factors to consider when choosing the publication with which to advertise. First, think, who is your target audience? Do you sell beads, tools, books, teach, etc? Do you wholesale? Do potential customers read beading magazines? Quilting magazines? Scrapbooking? Assemblage art? Ceramics? Other trade magazines for retailers? Think about what your potential customers will read, not so much what you or your peers read.
Exposure.
If you are able to advertise in more than one publication, try to choose those that have staggered publications so you have an ad hitting every month instead of two every other month.
Content.
Change your ad to reflect the season of the issue. If you are advertising your beads for sale, have strong designs that will show up well in a small size against a contrasting but eye-pleasing background. I have found that light backgrounds are ok but the paper that most magazines are printed on allows the page behind it to show through. A little color or gradient can help combat that effect. This also happens if your beads are a very light color.
Make sure you have your contact information on the ad…as much as you are willing to give out. If you sell primarily from the internet (and don’t have a physical store) the web site address is enough. Save a small space to announce and upcoming show or two. Know when your publication hits subscribers mailboxes and newstands so that you are not advertising a show that has already passed. Usually, publications are in subscribers hands a month early.
Track your progress.
This is another reason to put a “How did you find me?” field in your shopping cart. You will be able to see how your ad is doing. You can also put a “Mention this ad for ___% discount” or something like that if the magazine permits.
Was this information helpful? Do you have questions or want to know more? Leave me a comment and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss articles like this. You can even receive Bead Nerd by email. Click the orange icon way up there in the right corner. It’s FREE!
{ 4 comments }
While there is no right way to do anything when it comes to art, I am a firm believer that no matter what you do, learning the basics well can only lead to better things. While it might seem limiting at first, you will be thankful later. At least that’s what my dad always told me.
It’s the old, ‘I don’t want to do this to you any more than you want me to, but I’m spanking you because I love you. Some day you’ll thank me.’ He was right. Thanks for the belt on the butt, dad. You made me who I am today.
Much like my dad held us kids in line when we were little, so did one of my first lampwork teachers. Corina. With only about 4 hours on the torch I was called in from the waiting list 10 minutes before her class started. I had no clue what I was doing. One of her ‘rules’ was, hold the mandrel in the same hand and always turn away from you.
It sounded good to me. What did I know? You mean, people used their other hand? Both hands? They spun their beads back and forth? Even towards themselves? GASP! It was a long time before I saw anyone doing it differently than I was taught. In my beginner mind, I did what I was told and I believed the teacher.
While it sounds strict and maybe even rigid or limiting, I think it was one of the best lessons I learned in those early days. Now, I’m not telling you that that is the only way to do it. Of course it’s not. What I’m saying is, I was able to lay a strong foundation for myself because I was focused and regimented. I did it that way until I got good at it and then I was skilled enough to do it another way. It would have taken me twice as long (or more) if I were trying out all kinds of different ways.
I’ve heard other stories of people believing that if you want to get good at something, do the same thing 100 times. Make 100 donut beads before you move onto something else. Make 100 dotted donut beads before the next thing, etc.
The point is, learn the basics and learn them well. While you might be able to create some nice stuff, in the long run you will be glad if you build your foundation first. There are many benefits to repetition and consistency and practice. Here are a few:
Sounds pretty boring, doesn’t it? Well, I’m beating you over the head with it because I love you. Dad would be proud.
{ 3 comments }
background by squidfingers.com
