Seven Words

So Bill,

Without having to go to your link, have your 7 words gotten people to buy your art?

Thanks for asking Glenn.

Actually I can't say it has.

But the phrase or idea isn't meant to get anyone to buy MY art or anyone's art in particular. It is meant as a general Call to Action aimed to get people to buy art period. As you can see I don't try to define "art" either. I want the readers to do that for themselves and buy the art that they like.


Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

Bill,

Wish everyone luck that benefits from this effort. I see that the advertisement though, is for a website rather than specific work. Great for them. Of little value to us individually when we advertise for them without any specific recompense.

I'm of the opinion that people are already aware of art. Getting them to see "my art" is the key. Throwing my efforts into advertising someone elses dream is what I now consider a waste of time. I pay them, or work for them, supplying images that they can sell already.

After 5 years of this cyberspace stuff... I find that the more specific to "my" work is really the only alternative for success. Of course if this is just a hobby... there's plenty of time to waste.

Thanks for your input, Glenn. In fact you may be one of the beneficiaries of the Call to Action.

Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

Hope you sell a ton of those Bill. And I hope that I benefit from it! :)

@ Glenn. "Hope you sell a ton of those Bill. And I hope that I benefit from it! :)"

Thanks Glenn.
Your odds of benefiting from it are certainly increased, since the more people who see the message (as is the intent) the more artists who stand to benefit from it. And who says you couldn't be one of them?

But I forbid you from displaying one on your car. :-))

Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

Environment has everything to do with a message. If it was modified to "ART - Invest in Joy & Inspiration" and integrated (no stickers) into the corporate identity on the side of a classy Mercedes delivery van belonging to MOMA, it works.

If the current version was distressed and stuck slightly crooked on a beat up Honda driven by an attractive 20-something gal with tattoos, dangly earrings, shiny purple fingernails, multi-colored hair and ripped jeans; that also works.

I would drop the current URL (which kills any notion of art) and go with a specific artist URL.


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

Wow Dan! Thems some powerful images! Mercedes Benz or a beat up Honda- don't have either but I use to have a beat up Kawasaki!
No dangling earrings or even any tattoos. Absolutely no purple fingernails. I do have a pony tail.

But, in all seriousness, you do have some insightful points.

In the original version I did not include a URL, but recently I decided to include it for people who might want to help spread the message through their own efforts.

I was actually followed into a Star Bucks parking lot by two women (yes my wife was with me LOL) who wanted to know where they could get the bumper sticker. So I figure that even when my vehicle is parked and I'm not there to give an interested party the directions they can get it off the sticker.


Thanks so much for weighing in Dan.

ps to everyone my wife and I have a dinner engagement with friends so if I don't reply for a couple of hours please forgive but keep posting your comments/ideas :-)




Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

OK - I'm back. Anybody? Anybody? Bueller? Anybody?

Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

@Dan
After re-reading your reply I thought I would add:

Also, as far as what you said, Dan," If it was modified to "ART - Invest in Joy & Inspiration" then, don't you agree, it would no longer be a Call To Action but rather more like a tag line?

The whole idea behind these seven words is to prompt an action to "Buy Art "(sooner or later) not to make a blanket statement about art.

Again thanks Dan. I know your opinions are highly regarded by members on this site and I appreciate you taking time on this subject.

Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

I think the people that believe strongly in that phrase are already inclined to be art buyers, and are probably already buying art as they can afford it.

Valerie, you have a very good point. And that is why the message is not intended for those people.

The message is aimed at the people who are not "already inclined to be art buyers, and are probably already buying art", as you say. The intent of the message is to get these people to stop and think about actually buying art the next time the opportunity arises,

Let's face it there will always be those who don't give a hoot about ever owning art and there are those who LOVE art and do own it.

But, IMO, there are a lot of people out there who would like to own art but hold back for various (usually financial) reasons. They only need that little extra push or reason to "make the leap" and, I believe, this idea of investing in their own joy and/or inspiration will convince some of them to do it.

It may not happen for weeks or months, but if this little phrase "sticks" in their subconscious mind and ultimately convinces them that their own joy and/or inspiration is more important than the cost of a piece of art, perhaps the effort is worth it.

Thank you for your interest, Valerie and any further thoughts or ideas are indeed welcome.

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I was taking my afternoon "Power Nap". :-))

Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

Perfect timing on this topic...I shared the wine promo on FB today, hoping that is the little boost/incentive that might make someone buy art they liked, but were hesitant to purchase. More value added.

There you go! That's the whole idea!

Don't you just love perfect timing?

And I like the "value added" touch. Thank you for sharing that, Valerie.

Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

If more sales is the motive, "New Art by Bill Tomsa" and a URL will be more effective than the current message.

In sales, you never want to be caught trying to convince someone they need a washing machine, or a car, or art. That is a long, thankless, unproductive road. Spend time with those who are already convinced and are in the market for those items. Then it's just a matter of which washing machine, which car and which art.


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

Dan - Dan Turner
"If more sales is the motive, "New Art by Bill Tomsa" and a URL will be more effective than the current message."

I think you are absolutely right, Dan, if more sales for Bill Tomsa was my motive.....but, believe it or not, the motive behind this message on the bumper sticker is not to promote MY sales.

Perhaps I'm a bit naive, (it wouldn't be the first time LOL) but my intent for this message, this idea of investment in art as an investment in one's own joy/inspiration, is to see it spread.

As the author of "Tipping Point", Malcolm Gladwell, said, "Ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread just like viruses do".
And he wrote that 15 years ago in 2000 long before the term "viral" was associated with online videos.

Again thanks for your insight.

Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/