Thoughts on Blogging, Design Teams & Stuff... (Very Long Post)

Recently I read a post over on SCS (SplitCoastStampers) that was basically about blogging, bloggers, design teams, advertisements, sponsors, facebook, pintrest and more.

I was a bit amazed at the comments both from bloggers and readers of blogs.  It started off by someone who was sad that many of her favorite bloggers were either going on hiatus or quitting all together.  The conversation then drifted into complaints about design team commitments, advertisements and blog sponsors. Since Ink Stains is approaching it's 5th birthday/anniversary it's been weighing heavily on my mind ever since I read it so I felt like I needed to post my thoughts about it. 

Craft Blogging -  One lady who quit blogging asked why was she putting time & effort into something without getting anything in return. "it seemed like a LOT of work to "market" something that wasn't making me one thin dime".  Another mentioned that she was discouraged because nobody was commenting anymore.  And yet another was more into Pintrest and Facebook so she let her blog die.  

There was a very wise poster who brought up this point.... "To measure success you need to know what you wanted to achieve in the first place." which is so true!

I started Ink Stains, not to make money, but to share my love of crafting with others and to show them that it's not that hard and they too have an artsy muse hidden inside.  Most crafty techniques aren't difficult ~ even though they may look it.  People just need to be shown in a way that they can understand.  Heck, my mom who never crafted in her life and is now scrapbooking, making cards, LOVES making ATC's & charms, can make an altered book all on her own and so much more.  She had never crafted until age XX  ~ she'd kill me if I told so let's just say until she started reading my blog...and I made her do it - LOL!!

Someone commented that she had started selling her tutorials and projects instead of simply posting on her blog.  This is one of the main reasons I started blogging!!! NOT to sell my tutorials but to enlighten people for FREE... It is a pet peeve of mine that so many people feel that art is for the rich.  You have to have money to enjoy crafting... while it is true you do need to spend a bit on basic supplies you shouldn't have to continue to sink money into it on classes that teach you one or two techniques; tutorials on how to make one canvas, scrapbook page or card; shell out the bucks to go on a "craft cruise";  or "free" projects that require you to buy each and every product ever sold by a particular company or designer.   IT DRIVES ME NUTS!!!!  Art should bring beauty, joy and pleasure to everyone and not for a price.

I saw a comment that stated, "If your good at something, never do it for free."  I know this is a common sentiment among many people now a days but it's pretty damn selfish if you ask me and part of the reason that this world is going to Hell in a hand basket!  If God (or whoever you believe in) gave you the talent or ability to do something that good, you should feel blessed n lucky to have that talent AND it should also make you want to share that talent with others.  No, there is nothing wrong with making a buck but there is more to life than money...and the last time I checked you still can't take it with you.

Design Teams ~ O.k... this has been a thorn in my side for quite some time as well.  There have been many conversations at SCS on design teams, their members and the blogs of those members.  Most of these conversations start off neutral but usually get ugly after a few posts about how DT members just hawking goods for a particular product or stamp company.  And end up knocking the DT members for being members. 

I have to say I've been on Design Teams for years and years (since about 2001)...long before Ink Stains was even thought of so it's a subject that hits me close to home.  I can't speak for everyone on a design team, only my own personal experiences but this is the way I look at it...

I have to be honest, I originally joined a couple DT's to get the free goodies...who wouldn't?  It was fun and I was starting out and didn't have many of the supplies I was being offered.  I made what I had to make and enjoyed the returns.

About a year or so later that all changed because I realized I didn't enjoy many of the things I was asked to create with. It was a chore and no fun at all.  Ever since I only joined teams that fit with my style...be it inks, papers, stamps, etc.   Now if I get something that doesn't quite mesh,  I make the product fit with my style instead of the other way around. 

A common complaint that I've read on SCS over and over is that blogs start sounding like commercials.  Yes, sometimes there are posts are geared to sell a product/stamp/etc. or promote a particular company.  That is part of being on a DT, it's unavoidable.   If you're not promoting the product then you aren't doing your job.  BUT then again, it is those products or that company that enables me to bring you things I might not have been able to other wise. 

Craft blogging on a daily basis 4-5 times a week means that I have to come up with supplies for each card, technique, project, etc. each and every time.  It costs a LOT of money to keep it going.... and that doesn't even include give-a-ways, swaps, postage, etc.  In order to be able to offer all of these different projects/events I have to supplement my crafty budget somehow.  Part of it comes from my Etsy store but a good portion of it also comes from products and supplies from the various mfg. I design for.  If I'm getting stamps from a particular company; papers from another company or using this persons collage images over another that is just one less thing I have to buy.  This in turn means that I can spend the money saved on those supplies and purchase other supplies/products needed (either for projects or for give-a-ways).  DT's give me the ability to do that much more for you.  So, the way I look at it is that if I have to post a few links or talk about this product or that it's a small price to pay if it helps me to continue my artful mission and helps to keep Ink Stains around for another day, month, year so be it.

Advertisements ~  This was another issue addressed which is also something I have been struggling with.  Yes, selling space on your blog or getting hooked up with one company or another can be profitable.  I have been approached by several different companies wanting to monetize my blog and or advertise here.  Up till now I have declined because why would a craft blog run ads about cars, dish soap, or men's hair loss????  WTH?  Personally if it's not pertinent to the blog or would benefit my readers then it shouldn't even be there...but again, for some people the almighty $ reins supreme I guess.

That being said I am very excited to say that I do have my very first trial ad coming soon for a company that I have been associated with for a while now.  It's a good company with a great owner and it is relevant to crafting.  Their support will in turn enable me to do more for you!  I hope that once this ad is posted you will take a moment or two to explore their site as it would benefit us all!

Blog Content/Readership Down/Blogs Dieing on the Vine - Some people were also complaining about content getting stale ~ everything has been done and they've seen it all so why bother; nothing is fresh and new; it's the same stuff over and over; or that Facebook & YouTube is so much better and blogs are falling by the wayside.

I believe that this is a multi-faceted problem that is sometimes hard to overcome but I do try and will continue to do so.  It's all a matter of where you want to place your priorities....mine has been and will continue to be in art. 

Right now there are so many people into Facebook which I really don't understand or get.  Seems like folks get lost in the constant stream of "information" coming from Facebook that it's hard for them to tear themselves away.  I would rather spend my time creating something than reading about what X is eating; what Y is watching on TV or where Z is going after work. 

YouTube it is also taking a large chunk of time away from blogs....I guess it's easier for some people to flick on their camera and talk away or for other to just sit and watch.  I personally am not comfortable in front of the camera...I'm very shy so creating and writing about something is much easier for me than making a video for YouTube.  I also find that having a written word and lots of photos to go along with it much more beneficial to learn something than simply watching someone.  Of course this is a double edged sword because some people have emailed me complaining that there are too many photos on the blog...  I guess it's all personal preference but I'd rather give someone too much information than not enough. 

As far as content I'm sure there are ups and downs here as far as what you're interested in.  I try to mix things up so it's not all stamping or just collage or whatever.  I want to offer a mix of projects, techniques, and examples to inspire and interest you.  Sometimes that is hard to do ~ especially when comments are down (even when visits remain the same) and there is no feedback.  I know by the numbers that people are out there...I just don't know if they like it or not. 

It also gets tough sometimes to keep things going when outside factors (life) gets in the way or gets me down.  For example I had a really difficult time the end of last year when I was basically black balled by a very prominent crafter/mentor as retaliation because I told the truth and wouldn't lie to sell a product.  It hurt me on so many levels I didn't even know if I wanted to continue crafting in general.  But with time and good advice from an Ink Stained friend/reader (Kathy - Thank You!!!), dh & Mom I pulled myself out of that deep dark hole and turned it all around.

So....

if you've stuck with me this long....

those are my thoughts on these particular issues and it feels good to finally get it all out. 

 

I'm sure you don't agree with everything I've said but I hope that it will shed some light on why / how I do some of the things I do.  I also hope that if you did read the same SCS discussion that it clears up some of the misconceptions those folks had about my blog and possibly others.  I would love to hear your thoughts on some or all of these issues...