Banner Sponsors

susiray May 9, 2009

hi guys

i was hoping for some advice (again) i am still trying to get my name out there and sell from my web site, i was thinking of putting an ad in the teddie guide for the 2010 addition, what do you think?
also do i put in just a line for a few pounds or is it worth going the whole way and putting in a line, the gallery & a small square add. would be great to know anyones experience out there, to help me make decide.

thanks for reading
susan xx

eteddys May 11, 2009

Susan,
Any kind of advertising in a publication will help get your name out there.  The best way to attract customers is with a picture of your work.  Advertisements are expensive, so you'll have to weigh the cost.

Hugs,
Alison

peterbear May 11, 2009

Hi Susan,

As a bear lover and not an artist, I always look forward to the new Teddy Bear Guide.  I have no idea how expensive the advertisements are, but the square adds really do attract the attention of the reader and they can give you an immediate idea of the kind of bear you make (traditional, miniature, whacky, etc...).
I also read all the small print about the artists as well, but only if they mention their website.  If I'm interested in the type of bear the artist makes, then I check out their website and see if I like it.  But I doubt if everyone looks at the small print.

As the teddy bear guide is a kind of Bible for the arctophile (I have got three copies : one at home, one for on the road and one at work  ), I think it's worth the investment to get you on the teddy bear map.

Hugs,

Peter 

Barling Bears May 11, 2009

Hi there Susan,  

Hope everything is going well out there!!  (I will get round to that email to you soon!)

Right, back to the Hugglets guide!  Well, I think it is a wonderful little way to advertise.  For a couple of years, I just had the very basic offer they do, with a few words along with my business details, address etc.  For the past couple of years, I extended my advertising to include the little gallery section too. 

I feel it is certainly worthwhile thinking about advertising this way.  I think there is a strong tendency for people to just pick up this guide and browse through, and as the whole guide is geared to advertising (no articles etc) that is what people expect to see.   Sometimes with a magazine, people are more inclined to read the articles and not browse through adverts in the same way as they would the guide.

So my recommendation would be - go for it!  BUT, I would also strongly recommend putting up your photos on TT!!!  What could be better!!?

Did I read somewhere that you were coming over to visit Hugglets in September?  If so, please come and see me for a chat!!!

Take care.
Hugs
Marilyn  

ThomasAdam May 11, 2009

Susan --

hi guys
i was hoping for some advice (again) i am still trying to get my name out there and sell from my web site, i was thinking of putting an ad in the teddie guide for the 2010 addition, what do you think?

Well, I think this is certainly a good start, and it has been things like the Hugglets guide which I turn to each time I need to know anything teddy bear related -- such as where the nearest teddy bear fairs are going to be to me, who's exhibiting and from there, teddy bear artists/makers near to me.

As a collector, it's a resource no teddy bear maker who's wanting to reach more than a local audience of "word by mouth" should be in.

also do i put in just a line for a few pounds or is it worth going the whole way and putting in a line, the gallery & a small square add. would be great to know anyones experience out there, to help me make decide.

Not only this, but attending local teddy bear fairs yourself will help get you noticed - even if you branch out from that, and sneak into places such as craft fairs -- teddies often have a place there too.  So you can always try pushing the boundaries to see where you can blur the lines.  :)

-- Thomas Adam

susiray May 11, 2009

Hi Guys thanks for your help. i think i will go for a picture inthe gallery. and put my pics here.

yes things are good here Marilyn email when you can and yes i am coming to hugglets in september and i will come and find you, i hope to meet as many people as i can, i'm really looking forward to it.

as for fairs here in portugal they dont exsist we have a few craft fairs which i did well at but its such a tiny market and its uk, germany, us etc that i wont to reach out to.

its good to hear from collectors so thankyou peter and thomas.

thanks for taking time to help everyone
big bear hugs
susan x