David Hendley on wed 2 aug 06
I actually make money from my website - far from a
living, but a significant minor source of income.
Sales are very good for my extruding videos - ads in
Clay Times and Ceramics Monthly send people to the
website.
Mass produced items, such as DVDs, are different than
handmade pots. Advertising and web sales make more
sense for them. Volume is important because there are
significant up-front costs, but the profit margin can be
great once the costs are met and the volume is there.
Each time if fire my kiln (about once a month) I photograph
and put on my website 12-15 new pots for sale. I usually
sell 1/3 to 1/2 of them each month. This is a significant
sales outlet for a single potter.
I receive, and turn down, about a dozen requests a year
from galleries who found my website and would like me
to wholesale pots to them. If I wanted to expand production
and supply galleries, the website would certainly serve
to get me all the accounts I cared to have.
My website is so inexpensive it is hardly worth mentioning.
For 6 years, I used "Net Firms" as a host. This was totally
free, but had limited transfer capabilities and banner ads.
Domain registration was $8 a year from "GoDaddy".
I now use "1 & 1". The "beginner" package I have will be
more than I will ever need. It costs $17.94 for 6 months, and
includes registration of my domain name.
Anyone who has good design sense (hopefully everyone
reading this on Clayart) and basic computer skills can produce
their own website.
You simply have to do it yourself. Otherwise, your "webmaster"
will have you over a barrel. It will cost time and $$ every time
you want to update. You will have to settle for "OK", not a
great site that really express your personality.
If you know your way around Microsoft programs, such
as Word, "Frontpage" will be a snap to learn and use for your
website. Many of the hosting companies, such as 1 & 1, have
even more basic templates for making a website. You simply
plug in your information. You will end up with a plain vanilla,
generic website, but it will be easy make and easy to update.
David Hendley
Maydelle, Texas
david(at)farmpots(dot)com
"EXTRUDE IT! Getting the Most From
Your Clay Extruder" available at
http://www.farmpots.com
----- Original Message -----
> yes, each person has a web story.
> i want to hear from others that have had
> financial success.
> and, if galleries are finding you.
> ( i work my website hard, and keep it current.)
>
> thanks marie for your story.
> we need more information, about real people, having
> real success. and marie, how much did your site cost,
> and how is it maintained. does the cost and return make
> good sense for you. ??
>
>
Chris Campbell on wed 2 aug 06
I sell all of my work on the Internet.
It is with a group wholesale site and they
handle all of the advertising, promotions
and updates. They do all the techie work
while I do the potting.
Next May 2-4th they will be starting a
brand new wholesale show in Las Vegas
for American Handmade Crafts.
West coast potters who are interested in
a nearby wholesale venue check out :
http://www.acrelasvegas.com/
I also have a personal website that I use
for education and information only. I am
not in the market for retail sales but this site
still brings in many interesting queries
and opportunities.
No business can survive by simply putting up a
website and waiting for the dough to pile up ...
I don't care how cool it is or who it is 'linked' to.
Like every other part of this job, it is work.
You have to maintain it, update images,
promote it and keep it in the public eye.
And yes, sometimes you get 'lucky' and
someone presents an opportunity because
your site was there waiting for them.
Opportunity meets preparation.
Business 101
Chris Campbell - in North Carolina - p.s. to Ken ...
No one is going to try to forge your name from the
bottom of a pot ... wouldn't it come out backwards
anyhow?? Hmmmm ... I think I will go try it. (grin)
Chris Campbell Pottery LLC
9417 Koupela Drive
Raleigh NC 27615-2233
Fine Colored Porcelain since 1989
1-800-652-1008
Fax : 919-676-2062
website: www.ccpottery.com
wholesale : www.wholesalecrafts.com
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