GCU Forum - Newbie needs encouragement, comments encouraged!

GCU Newbies
artist

Posts: 4

Newbie needs encouragement, comments encouraged!
Jul 19^th, 2008, 11:26pm

Greetings to you all!
Just have finished about 2 weeks on GCU, and only a sale or two so far.
A little discouraged, quite frankly.
How do I get my cards to stand out? There are so many cards here, and so many categories and sub-categories!
Would appreciate views and comments on my cards/variety of cards from others!
Have a GREAT weekend!
Cheers,
DJ Starr
pen2paint

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Delores_132508

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 978

Re: Newbie needs encouragement, comments encourage
Reply #1 - Jul 20^th, 2008, 8:21am

Donna, I know it's easy to say, but just have patience. You've only been here two weeks and you've already had a sale. I would say that's great! I've been to your shop and you have some beautiful cards. I especially like the watercolor sketches that you do. They are lovely. Make a bunch more and turn them into cards. The only other suggestion I can make is to make more of your cards for specific people or occasions. Over 90 percent of my sales are for very specific cards such as birthday greetings for a 50 year old and birthday greetings for my brother. Cards that can be easily profiled. You get the idea. Just keep at it and the sales will come.

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Raina_133988 GCU Newbies artist Posts: 45	Re: Newbie needs encouragement, comments encourage Reply #2 - Jul 20^th, 2008, 10:11am Im still pretty new as well it just takes time. Just be patient and have fun with it!
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Marie_134287

Senior Member
artist

Posts: 266

Re: Newbie needs encouragement, comments encourage
Reply #3 - Jul 20^th, 2008, 10:27am

Hi Donna,
I agree with Delores, your pen and ink sketches are beautiful and very unique. Dont give up yet. It is early, we have to keep plugging away until we begin to find things that work and then repeat that pattern. I think it takes time. I haven't figured out how people find gcu and enter the site, and from there how do they find a particular card or artist. It could be that they are looking for very specific card. I don't know yet. Keep working at it. Roll Eyes

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Pattiann_132699

Senior Member
artist

Posts: 361

Re: Newbie needs encouragement, comments encourage
Reply #4 - Jul 20^th, 2008, 12:56pm

Donna,

I'll echo everyone else: Your work is good and patience is the key. It's summer and there aren't that many card-buying holidays. Now is the time to make your Winter holiday cards so you're ready.

Just a few things I noticed about both your GCU web site and you main one:

Under the artist info, your main web site isn't clickable. And it doesn't contain the ".com". So if someone were interested, they'd have to notice the missing .com when they cut & pasted it into a new window. That assumes they're knowledgeable enough about the Internet to know to do this. Just a thought in case buyers wanted to know you better. You can make the link clickable by adding <a href="http://www.mywebsite.com"> Clickable Link </a>

Also, on http://www.pen2paint.com/gallery.php, the hotlinked pic to GCU doesn't contain your seller info, so if someone clicks on that and buys something, you won't get the seller commission. You used it someplace else (that I can't remember), so I'm sure this is just an oversight.

Otherwise, just keep making your wonderful watercolors and make them, as someone else wisely said, for specific occasions. One of the unique things about card-buying at GCU is that the buyer can get a "Happy 65th Birthday to my Aunt" card. Sometimes I make one of my cards blank, and the rest occasion-specific. Always, always, it's the occasion cards that sell. I like blank cards, but our customers don't! (grin) And make sure you put an inside verse. This seems to make a big difference to the customer. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, but people are in a hurry and they don't want to have to think of a verse themselves.

Everyone here is friendly and helpful. You'll enjoy it.

Pattiann

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http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/pattiannmalynndesigns

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Donna_134305 GCU Newbies artist Posts: 4	Re: Newbie needs encouragement, comments encourage Reply #5 - Jul 22^nd, 2008, 5:11pm Thanks for the advice, everyone. OK, I'll persevere and not get discouraged. I really enjoy making the cards - just looking forward to making a few dollars to toast my efforts! Thanks!
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