GCU Forum - Potential Partnership Update

Sue_132963

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Posts: 1224

Re: Potential Partnership Update
Reply #30 - Mar 17^th, 2010, 12:30pm

Yayy Mindy! I'm here because I enjoy having my images and verses used and appreciated by other folks. Any money I earn helps my grandchildren go to a Christian school and that's a definate plus for me.
But you know what? If I only got pennies on the card, I'd probably still be doing this. I love the outlet for my work and I know that with time and the extra effort expended on a continuing basis, my work is improving. I find the idea of this new partnering exciting and filled with hope for all of us. Even if one of my cards is never chosen by the partner, the ones chosen and used will point folks back to us, and that could mean back to Me!
A couple of years ago, I purchased something through Borders (online) for a Birthday Gift for a loved one. The assortment of Birthday Cards to use was pathetic. I mentioned to my husband, 'Too bad they wouldn't partner with GCU and offer our cards. Would be great for their customers and for us on GCU!'
Cheesy

So glad to see something like this is a real possibility.

Thanks once again, GCU kiss

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Alda_133805 Senior Member artist Posts: 485	Re: Potential Partnership Update Reply #31 - Mar 17^th, 2010, 12:50pm Sounds like a good opportunity!
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Joan_135833

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Posts: 591

Re: Potential Partnership Update
Reply #32 - Mar 17^th, 2010, 1:57pm

Quote from Lisa_135184 on Mar 17^th, 2010, 11:22am:

(not up for a debate)

No debate wished for or intended and your opinion is certainly just that, but I must take complete issue with this assessment:

Quote from Lisa_135184 on Mar 17^th, 2010, 11:22am:

Seeing GCU making a gain without doing any work

which I feel is inaccurate and unjust.

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Andi_140318 GCU Newbies artist Posts: 10	Re: Potential Partnership Update Reply #33 - Mar 17^th, 2010, 2:18pm If only I could be soooo lucky to be one of the 100 cards chosen. If used by itunes at 25¢ a card, I could retire. A joke, but even at 25¢, it could add up to a very handsome sum indeed. And, the comment made about GCU making a gain without any work is ludicrous considering the legalities involved.
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Mary__137064 Gold Member artist Posts: 515	Re: Potential Partnership Update Reply #34 - Mar 17^th, 2010, 2:30pm Partnerships are wonderful ways to expand. Good luck! I offer my card selection freely. Thank you for sharing and including all of us. Bright
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Diana_131887 Gold Member artist Posts: 607	Re: Potential Partnership Update Reply #35 - Mar 17^th, 2010, 7:22pm Sounds like a great idea. Helps spread the GCU brand which means more exposure for all of us. Plus the lucky 100 artists get a bonus -that will have a ripple effect on all of us.
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Marita_139630 Junior Member artist Posts: 67	Re: Potential Partnership Update Reply #36 - Mar 17^th, 2010, 8:16pm I think it is a great idea! The more the merrier.
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David_134612 Full Member artist Posts: 231	Re:More Partnerships the better Reply #37 - Mar 18^th, 2010, 11:00am Great idea GCU The more exposure the better. Its better to have cards exposed and make something than to make nothing. Go for it GCU. I would rather have cards seen and sold than make more per card but not sell any
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Mindy

GCU Administrator
Community Manager

Posts: 6567
Gender: female

Re: Potential Partnership Update
Reply #38 - Mar 18^th, 2010, 4:16pm

Quote from Lisa_135184 on Mar 17^th, 2010, 11:22am:

Not to sound like the devils advocate but...........
I would opt out just like that other facebook thingy.
Selling more but getting even less commission is never something i would do. Its not fair to me the artist to have more out their with even less financial gain.
Seeing GCU making a gain without doing any work, and then spiliting with me 25cents isnt worth it.

To some, exposure is their gain, and hopes for more sales through here by it.
But I dont want more sites all over, with my cards and having more concern about piracy (from buyers, or browsers) from other sites.

This is my personal opinion. (not up for a debate)

No debate as it is your opinion. However I must clarify on your inaccurate statement that GCU will make a gain without doing any work. For this partnership to take place and work properly there is A LOT of work to be done on GCU's side let alone the resources and business acumen to court such a deal. This opportunity did not just come out of the blue.

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Mindy

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Gender: female

Re: Potential Partnership Update
Reply #39 - Mar 18^th, 2010, 4:28pm

Quote from Patricia_139273 on Mar 16^th, 2010, 11:23pm:

Mindy,

Wonderful idea, great potential!...I have a couple of important questions that need to be asked now even though considerations/negotiations are still early in development:

1) If this becomes reality, how will the cards be selected that would give the GCU very large membership a "fair opportunity" to have their cards picked up by these venues? Who will decide? Will you have a contest, or something similar?

2) You indicated that some sort of credit will be given on the back of the cards. Wonderful. But...what about the creative rights? Will the artist, independently or through GCU, need to:
a) relinquish their full rights to these designs, meaning the design will be "exclusive" and strictly for that venue and the artist will not be able to sell it, or use elsewhere for commercial purposes; or
b) agree to give a "limited, one time use rights other than what is now given through GCU?;
c) have guidelines for reorders that restrict reprinting to GCU to prevent the venue from printing the cards/designs themselves; or
d) have the selected cards distributed to these venues completely via the current GCU policies/methods that would allow the designs to be available to everyone with the rights protected by the GCU policies?

It is a great venture and it will be complex since GPU will need to be the middle person and have the responsibility of handling the selections, coordinating the efforts, and paying the artists. Hope some sort of "arrangements" can be made to have this become a reality.

Thanks.

Patricia

Let's see how much I can answer for you...

1. The partner will choose the cards. Their choices will be based on what they feel is marketable for their audience and likely also some consideration as to what cards are selling well on GCU. Unfortunately "fairness" will not be a criteria.

2. I think this is a catch all answer for a - d. Correct me if it isn't. This would be non-exclusive, just like GCU terms, artists retain their rights & ownership to do anything else with their creative. The partner however would be limited in their usage of the creative as would be spelled out in the agreement - for pod printing of paper greeting cards for the time duration of the contract for example.

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Angela_134247 Gold Member artist Posts: 761	Re: Potential Partnership Update Reply #40 - Mar 18^th, 2010, 7:01pm Goodness, I'm all for this, I can only dream one of my cards will get picked!
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Carol_136775

Full Member
artist

Posts: 165

Re: Potential Partnership Update
Reply #41 - Mar 19^th, 2010, 6:58am

To quote Mindy:

1. The partner will choose the cards. Their choices will be based on what they feel is marketable for their audience and likely also some consideration as to what cards are selling well on GCU. Unfortunately "fairness" will not be a criteria.

As this is a business decision ( what cards will most likely sell and bring a profit), fairness can be read as what is the best business decision. "Fairness" is appropriate in judging a contest, being honest in dealing with others, etc. Business decisions are practical, based on helping the bottom line. Businesses will take chances on things that have a high probability of improving said business.

I believe this partnership, in time, can be a very positive thing for many GCU artists. I'm not sure how to define "fairness". When we put up our best cards with an eye to what sells, we will have a shot at being chosen. When interested buyers come to GCU as a result of this partnership, they will search artists who are not necessarily shown by the partner and GCU will benefit.

Carol

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Joan_135833

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Posts: 591

Re: Potential Partnership Update
Reply #42 - Mar 19^th, 2010, 8:00am

Quote from Carol_136775 on Mar 19^th, 2010, 6:58am:

To quote Mindy:

1. The partner will choose the cards. Their choices will be based on what they feel is marketable for their audience and likely also some consideration as to what cards are selling well on GCU. Unfortunately "fairness" will not be a criteria.

As this is a business decision ( what cards will most likely sell and bring a profit), fairness can be read as what is the best business decision. "Fairness" is appropriate in judging a contest, being honest in dealing with others, etc. Business decisions are practical, based on helping the bottom line. Businesses will take chances on things that have a high probability of improving said business.

I believe this partnership, in time, can be a very positive thing for many GCU artists. I'm not sure how to define "fairness". When we put up our best cards with an eye to what sells, we will have a shot at being chosen. When interested buyers come to GCU as a result of this partnership, they will search artists who are not necessarily shown by the partner and GCU will benefit.

Carol

Thank you, Carol, for this very objective and articulate statement. You have echoed my sentiments on this subject exactly, but much more eloquently than I could have done...

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Linda_132742

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Posts: 1796

Re: Potential Partnership Update
Reply #43 - Mar 20^th, 2010, 5:29am

I think that this is very good...the more exposure the better...thank you GCU for making this possible.

Initially I couldn't figure out why we as artists weren't contacted first (by the interested party)...but then I came to my senses and realized all the complicated nuances that this would mean legally.

I would be honored to have a card or two chosen...any tips on what they are looking for?
Linda

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Avis_134613

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Posts: 758

Re: Potential Partnership Update
Reply #44 - Mar 26^th, 2010, 8:44pm

Hi Mindy and all....guess I'm a little late to this party as have been on vacation! This seems kind of exciting and I'm all for spreading the word. I've read through all the concerns, but overall it seems like a good idea and I'd certainly be happy if chosen as one of the 100...that said I'm going to have to let this percolate through my brain which is a bit tired at present as it's nearly midnight here!

Nite

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