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Patricia Lintner

9 Years Ago

Thinking Of Doing Away With The Watermark

Hello everyone,

I have read so many sides to having a watermark and not. I am not doing very well at all in sales and think this could be impacting me. Has anyone had watermarks with low sales, then took them off and found their sales increased?

If I do this, how do I go about getting rid of the watermark.

Thanks!

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Mike Savad

9 Years Ago

you would have to sell A LOT of things to see a trend like that. i think they look ugly. to remove them, turn it off in the defaults to prevent new ones. then contact tech support to do the rest.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

 

Frank J Casella

9 Years Ago

I have always used watermarks and not had an issue with sales ... So I don't know if this answers your question or not, Patricia.

Personally, I feel sales are more about on-site conversion than watermarks. When a buyer lands on our page how are they called to take action = differentiate with value or die with price.

 

Greg Norrell

9 Years Ago

Hi Patricia - for whatever reason, when I started I had some images with watermarks and some without. While I did sell watermarked images, I eventually noticed the non-watermarked images sold better. Eventually I removed almost all.

 

Chuck De La Rosa

9 Years Ago

There are plenty of people here who sell a lot of work with watermarks. I don't use them because I don't like the way they look and I feel they provide one with a false sense of security. But I don't believe they hurt sales either.

 

To watermark or not to watermark...

As I see it, the watermark is not what is ailing you Patricia. You only have 5,500 views since you joined here in November of last year. That says to me that you are not working much in the way of Social Media Networking.

If you are not putting in at least several hours a day in that field, you will not have many eyes seeing what you have to offer. The Watermark is far down the list of reason why someone may not buy IMO. Does the watermark hinder? FAA says yes. And I think the Fine Art America watermark specifically is an eyesore as it is... and it would be appreciated if they allowed us to use our names instead. Especially on our paid for websites. It is what it is...

Might try adjusting the amount of time you are putting into networking and exposing your portfolio.

 

Patricia Lintner

9 Years Ago

Hi all,

Glenn I do market my work on Deviant Art, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr etc and am currently working on a FB page. I know it takes time but what other area do I need to market at? I don't have several hours a day as I work a full time job and a family so I really only get about an hour a day of uninterrupted time.

I do agree with the rest on the eyesore so I think I will have them removed and here forward not have it, then I will see if there are any changes.

 

Edward Fielding

9 Years Ago

Getting rid of the watermark is not going to magically create sales.

 

I am just looking at your visit count here Patricia. I didn't go into any other places that you might be posted in cyber universes. Watermarking is a choice that you make. I personally do watermark.

But back to the point of social engineering err... networking. Watermarking could only be a small part of your problem... though that is debated all the time here on the FAA network. I cannot say this any more clear. You must be taking time to not only show your work, but to connect with people. Showing and connecting are two different things altogether. One thing is common... it takes time to post and communicate.

I would suggest cutting out a bit of time from the TV or other activities and just connecting with people. Find decorators that are on facebook... like their page... introduce yourself. You can join different groups where artists share their work and promote others too. Write a blog about your images or what inspires you. Join a share group here on FAA and network with others that can give you ideas.

It must be a direct result of you carving out time. The watermark thing is a small deal in comparison to promotion and expansion.

Here's one to join to cyphon things up a bit. There's no avoiding being engaged! http://fineartamerica.com/showmessages.php?messageid=2185655

 

Photos By Thom

9 Years Ago

@ Patricia, agree with Glenn McCarthy.

There is a huge world out there to announce yourself to. Countless nicely written published books on marketing available to purchase at Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com The watermark is of little consequence. If anything, since art is thrown around so much on Pinterest (Pinned from FAA) it's easy to lose your accreditation if those re pinning don't provide the back link. At least the FAA logo is a good start for relocating the originator.

 

JC Findley

9 Years Ago

I don't watermark because I have done my math and they do affect sales volume.

Now, if you aren't selling at all that is not because of watermarks or not. The sales difference is more like 20%. In theory, watermarking my work would decrease my sales but I would still make them. Just not as many.

 

James B Toy

9 Years Ago

I use watermarks, and didn't make my first sale until AFTER I added them. I think some (not all) buyers may think they'll be on the prints, that's why I put the following notice (or some variation thereof) at the top of every gallery page and every image description.

"NOTE: The "Fine Art America" watermark will not appear on purchased products."

I can't help but wonder if those who say watermarks kill sales have tried that.

 

Patricia Lintner

9 Years Ago

Glenn I do not watch TV AT ALL. It is a waste of my time. I spend my time working on my art and I belong to some groups as well as connect with other artists in social media. Don't assume I spend my time watching TV wasting it away.

I have done all you say except for creating a blog, which I am not sure how to start that.

James wow that is interesting your sales picked up after you added the watermark. I know there are variables and everyone has a different situation. I guess if it is so easy for someone to get around that watermark anyway, then for those who see that and may be discouraged might be best for now to remove it. If I find nothing has changed in due time, I might put it back on.

 

Patricia Lintner

9 Years Ago

I would also like to add that I have added my work on other sites and have had 11 sales in just one month with 42369 views in just one month. Quite a far cry from what I am getting here :)

 

Mike Savad

9 Years Ago

it depends on the site. if it's like another pod i know - that starts with a Z - they have so many more products, it would be hard to compare.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

 

I explained for you Patricia that I was just looking at your visits "here". You asked about Watermarks possibly being a problem. I just answered that I personally don't think Watermarks are the issue and that you do not have very many visits on your posts here.

TV was just an example, a poor one in your case... and I don't presume to know what you do with your time. It might be safe to say it sounds like it is spent promoting somewhere other than through FAA.

Your view count here (5082 in over a year) is far less than the 43,369 (in one month) you have elsewhere. With that amount of views here ( and probably many of them being bots) I can't see where the watermark issue is what may be causing any alarm on FAA. It would point more to the time promoting your work on FAA... the main site, or, if you have a personal FAA website, to there.

People will end up where you are promoting and pushing.

 

Patricia Lintner

9 Years Ago

Good morning.

Mike It doesn't start with a Z but there could be some truth to that as the volume of views could depend on a lot of different factors.

Glenn, I do promote in other places online and am seeing some views other than on FAA. I think that I have been too focused on what is happening to my views here on FAA when there are many more places to get out at. I do thank you for taking the time to answer me. What do you do Glenn that has helped you? What have you found to be the most effective in your promoting?

Thanks all!

 

Edward Fielding

9 Years Ago

What's 120% of zero? If you are selling zero at the moment then you might sell 120% of zero. (I'm using JCs number. Have no idea what its based on.)

 

Patricia,

Focusing on views here on FAA is a result of my statement that I think it is part of your real culprit for lack of sales on this site.

With 11 purchases being made last month, and not knowing what those items are and how many different clients there were, it would seem that something you were doing was working. How did you get 43,369 views? I once asked the head a large international company how to sell more. He responded simply by saying "Talk to more prospective buyers". A very simple formula, and the math does not lie. Of course, it takes time to win people's attention and one must have a product that is viable and priced right too.

I focus on the many prospective buyers that would be interested in my work first, and I utilize networking with others to reach where only they can reach. I also take the time to recognize others efforts and to mingle with them. I drive my client base to purchasing from my personal FAA site. Do you have an artists facebook page? Have you set up your FAA Website? Do you drive traffic here by linking back here?

To further...

I just did a price check on one of your images that is being offered here at $74.96. On the other network, the very same item is being offered at $55.73. That is a big disparity. And we're only talking an 8" x 12" canvas. The 20" x 30" version is $210.00 here and $131.06 over there. I know their system. You won't make much on a check (once you hit the minimum to receive one) if it sells. Probably one sale here would make you the same as 8 sales or more over there for the same item. And the pricing alone would cause price conscious buyers to go there.

To sum up the original question, I still don't think it has to do with watermarks that you are not having more success here on FAA. There are other reasons in the pecking order that are more important. The first being that you are more than likely keying in on other sites and spending your time and linking there.

 

Robert Kernodle

9 Years Ago

Just say no to watermarks on your presentation image. I just cannot see past it, because it ruins the first impression of the creative work.

The first thing that a viewer sees should NOT be a claim of ownership - it should be an impression of the artwork. Others vehemently disagree, of course, but that's my two cents, and I stick to it.

Watermarks telegraph fear of theft, ... an absolute claim on personal property, ...a proprietary interest in personal profit, ... an unrealistic expectation of the internet.

 

Randy Pollard

9 Years Ago

I thought the reasons for watermark is so theft can't steal your image. I watermark all of my images so they don't steal my work.

 

Floyd Snyder

9 Years Ago

As long as FAA and every other sites selling images keeps getting the question asked, "will that show up in my image" you can bet that having the water mark will prevent sales. Not all sales of course, but it will prevent some.

As for protection, I don't think it affords much if any. Others think it does. The decision you have to make is is the loss of any percentage of sales, where there is a real hard money loss, worth protecting against the occasional no money loss of having a low res image missed used on occasion.

 

Patricia Lintner

9 Years Ago

I do get what you are saying Glenn, Yes the profit over there will not be the same over here, but I do see many successful other artists doing the same and doing very well in both places. I know the more exposure you get the better your chances, and I don't want to close off the rest of the world by just being in one place. BUT I do see what you mean by spending time in other places that does take away focus from here. I do spend far more time here than anywhere though as this has become my social network mainly and what I promote :)

FAA is my main site that I promote from and will stay that way because of the community we have here is outstanding.

As far as a facebook page, that is in the works as we speak.

I do know that the watermark may be a small piece of the puzzle as there are many factors that could result in your success. I have to say now that the watermark is off, it does look more appealing to the eye.

I have really gotten a lot out of this thread and thank you all for your replies.

 

Hi Patricia,

As long as a shopper can find a discount store that is offering a 40% discount off what is being offered here, I can't see it taking off at FAA without a price adjustment over there. Internet shoppers are pretty savvy about looking for the best price. It takes just a moment of time. Most artists that I know here charge more over there to drive them here so that they can make a greater profit from their efforts. That's one of the great benefits of FAA. Sell it for the same price or just a bit lower... and make greater profit.

I wish you the best on your quest,

Glenn

 

Patricia Lintner

9 Years Ago

Ahhhh Glenn I didn't even think about that! You gave me something much valuable here! I would much rather have the business come here any day. Glenn, great advice! I have some work to do and I anticipate more driving in this direction once I have adjusted prices. Thank you so much!

Patricia

 

Bradford Martin

9 Years Ago

Those that think a prominent disclaimer is going to counteract the watermark don't understand fully why watermarks hurt sales. I am more in line with what what Robert Kernoodle said above.


James said try
"NOTE: The "Fine Art America" watermark will not appear on purchased products."

If you can't get the viewer interested in the first place this is not going to help. In fact it makes it worse.

I don't need experiments to show what I already know.

 

Mike Savad

9 Years Ago

pictures should speak for themselves. and not everyone knows how to read english, let alone knows what a watermark even is.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

 

Patricia Lintner

9 Years Ago

I agree with you Brad and Mike.

Mike I like your festive profile pic :)

 

Mike Savad

9 Years Ago

thanks

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

 

This discussion is closed.