Biz Dev
September 29th, 2005In my experiment of trying to make this blog have a business, I figure I could be all secretive and then launch something, but I want to perform a kind of due diligence and get feedback. The main reason for the openness is that we don’t have the liquidity for me to order up a bunch of stuff and carry stock and do a mega launch. I’m also trying to be very Web 2.0 and develop organically. Kind of like a shampoo.
I’ve had a few comments and emails about selling merchandise (t-shirts) and photos. These are two of the things that we’re working on at the blurbodoocery. And it was before I quit the day job that I wanted to pursue making some art and making some money. A sort of variation on:
- Make stuff.
- ??
- Make money!
Because the web will be the step 2, the question marks kind of go away. To this end, I did a t-shirt mockup and liked the results a couple of months ago, but felt my readership is so small, that it’s kind of pointless to do shirts. Look at these and tell me what you think:
The logo on the back would be much smaller (the vendor I used to build these comps only allows it to shrink to an inch tall, and I’d like the logo to be about a half-inch in height. Part of me wonders about the ringer, if that’s played already and I should go with a solid color. I have a soft spot for orange. My main question with this design is: do you get the front? Do you care if you don’t? Would you buy/wear this? I’m not necessarily looking for design critique, although if you don’t like something, you don’t like it and I can take that kind of feedback. I’m more interested in “Yeah, I’d buy it” or “Nah, not interested.”
The other, larger, more involved idea I’ve had is to sell prints of our photos. The photos wouldn’t just be the raw source, but I would do work to transform the photo into something larger, maybe have a theme and sell them as fine-ish art. Don’t know if people are into that idea, but I’d love it if that could generate some income.
I don’t know if I want to do the printing myself; buy a sweet printer and papers and inks then make the print myself, or outsource it to a high end shop that uses a photographic process to take a file and output it. I like the high end idea, as I wouldn’t sell everything, just a select group of photos for a limited time and even then, I’d probably only want to sell a limited run to increase value. If it got crazy, I’d sign some of the first ones as well. While I think there are excellent solutions for someone to print their own stuff, I don’t know if I have the patience or the bank account to fund the printer and supplies it would take to do what I want. Plus, no printer headaches. The only issue with using a higher end shop is that the fees are going to go up substantially and I’d have to charge a lot more per print. But that might be the best way to go to sell museum quality prints.
Your thoughts?
September 29th, 2005 at 6:33 pm
If I ever came across some extra cash, I’d buy that shirt.
I’d also buy your photos, which would be more likely.
Anything to help out the blurbdoocery.
May I suggest mpix.com if you decide to outsource printing photos? My brother in law owns a photography studio and that is what he uses. The results are wonderful, from what I have seen.
September 29th, 2005 at 6:37 pm
I’m with those who said “color other than white” (I like both orange and ringed, but I’d dig it more if you did, say, an light orange heather shirt with dark orange ring), and “ladies’ cut”. I also like the idea of putting your photos on shirts - some of your shots of bare trees would lend themselves well to that, for instance.
September 29th, 2005 at 6:42 pm
You know, I like the idea of selling shirts and photos and I think you should go for it, but I have to say I think you may need to think more outside the Blurbodoocery box, to coin your term.
For photos, think Veer. Your photographs are good for more than just hanging on walls. Stock photography is nothing to be ashamed of, especially if it’s good (and a lot of your stuff is good). And only because I’ve heard you’re a font freak, consider designing type. Why not?
Again, sell shirts and photos to your audience, just be sure to reach out to those who have no idea who you are. Just my $0.02.
September 29th, 2005 at 6:42 pm
Jon,
I love these t-shirts. Color, design, everything. Make them quick, I want one!
Jenn
September 29th, 2005 at 6:44 pm
I would definitely buy a shirt and possibly photos. I would suggest simple black or white T-shirts, no ringers with your logo in orange in ALL sizes of course. My husband and I have been discussing the same ideas, he’s currently unemployed by choice and not looking forward to go back to work for the “man”.
September 29th, 2005 at 6:45 pm
Ringer. Baseball shirt. Wife Beater. Why not all? How about reissuing the “punkboyô”? I still wear it when working in the garden (just kidding…it’s in the basement tucked away with my SHS shirts).
September 29th, 2005 at 6:51 pm
Love the shirt; it’s understated and modern. Orange and green? Cool! I like the font on the back. Does H get a shirt, too?
I’d buy the photos. And it’s never too late to start a career in photography, or in any field for that matter!
/my two cents. Nice to meetcha!
September 29th, 2005 at 6:53 pm
Consider this a pre-order from Florida– love the design but would love it more in any color but white!
September 29th, 2005 at 6:53 pm
I don’t “get” the “dingbat” on the shirt.
I think selling prints would be a great idea. Would they come in a frame, or just the raw print? Also, what would the pricing be like?
September 29th, 2005 at 6:58 pm
I wouldn’t buy the shirt. I didn’t initially get “dingbat” on the front.
I’d consider buying photos - I like the idea of framing multiples in themes. That’s the way I take photos so maybe it’s just me.
September 29th, 2005 at 7:19 pm
I would be much more likely to buy high-end prints of your photos (and Heather’s) rather than the t-shirt. I like the series of detail shots you linked to, but I have always appreciated the landscape shots — I love the recent ones from Bear Lake and would definitely hang them on my wall.
September 29th, 2005 at 7:20 pm
Random t-shirt idea, in the vein of Britney Spears. Text on front:
“Future Blurbomat Whore”
Same text on back as dingbat design.
September 29th, 2005 at 7:29 pm
I like the front, and have no issue w/ the dingbat.
However, I shy aware from wearing any shirt with a web address on it. Part of the fun is knowing that other people probably won’t understand your shirt. The ringer t is still in, but oh god, is the baseball shirt INCREDIBLY out. The ringer is somewhat become a classic cut..
September 29th, 2005 at 7:34 pm
I would buy the t-shirt. Yes, indeed. Any t-shirt that says dingbat is okay with me.
And I would totally buy that fire hydrant print. The print selling idea rocks.
September 29th, 2005 at 7:37 pm
Oh yes, I meant to add that I agree with all the folks before who said something about shirts in other colors. And girlie ones, too.
September 29th, 2005 at 7:39 pm
I like the shirt! make one for Healther, too - GOBS of folks would buy it. Seriously - all of our lesbian TTC (Trying to concieve) buddies would buy it, heck, I’ll even link to y’all on MY blog.
Jon - Mazel Tov to you for being free. Personal sanity and emotional health are not worth “making a dying” for (instead of “making a living”)
And I love that Heather chose sociallly responsible ads - go Heather!
but yeah, although I read you, and WAY love the shirt, I might even buy one to wear at the gym, I’d buy heather’s shirt first. nothing personal..
September 29th, 2005 at 7:47 pm
I follow yours and Heather’s story. I am vibrating with this knowledge I have and need to share it with you. Without a doubt, I know what it will take for you both the skyrocket into filthyrichdom. I mean it…and I am certain I am not the first to say it. You’re swell, Jon, you really, really are, but to hit it big… I mean takin’ it all off and rolling in it BIG is for Heather B. to write a book. She’s better than David Sedaris at his own game. She flows like nobody’s business and she is giving it away free on the Internet. I know, I know, you both have this place in your hearts for us here, but SHE IS GIVING IT AWAY FREE (ads notwithstanding). Hell, I may as well sleep with her, so free it is that she’s giving it away. Really, really! My secret hope is that she is actually writing a book parallel to this whole Internet gig, but my gut says her best stuff is winding up at dooce.com. The way she can sketch a picture and then close up the loop with all the heart strings being pulled… I am telling you — everything you’ve ever wished for lies inside her insides, just make people pay for it.
I feel terrible that I have answered your quest with thoughts on the crazy wife, but hon…she’s something special. We all here will cheer you on in your biz dev, but don’t let her not do it.
September 29th, 2005 at 8:01 pm
The dingbat made me giggle (but I’m a fontgeek), I agree on the need for ladies sizes. I like the wringer but not so much the white, baby blue might be nice.
I’m not keen on the photo buying idea, but that’s probably because we use our own artwork on our walls, so I can see how it could appeal to others.
Good Luck.
September 29th, 2005 at 8:12 pm
Seconds on the “ladies cut” for the tshirt, which I would buy. It also might be a good idea to have more than a few different designs.
Also seconds on the stock photography idea.
September 29th, 2005 at 8:18 pm
Don’t offer a purple shirt, whatever you do.
I like the shirt. And if it’s not too expensive, why not just buy to support and wear to the gym? That’s what I’d do.
Also, I second the coffee table book idea. I love your pix, but I don’t have the dough to buy fine-ish art. Even just small prints in addition to the large ones, postcards, something. I’d shell out what little we do have to support you and dooce any day.
September 29th, 2005 at 8:23 pm
Great shirts, Jon.
I’d proudly buy and wear it.
I’d wear your photos too, but I haven’t figured out a good way to hang the pictures on my body. After a couple of hours, the blood loss… anyway. In the meantime, I’ll hang them on our walls.
I like the Future Blurbomat Whore idea too.
In the immortal words of Red Green, “Remember, I’m pulling for you. We’re all in this together.”
September 29th, 2005 at 8:25 pm
Don’t care for the front- the art really needs to be smaller (females don’t like billboards on their chests); the back is fine. The ringer T is never a good idea for the masses.
I spent 7 years buying apparel for all kinds of events, from your local fundraiser to corporate tradeshows and the Olympics and a lot of that time was spent trying to appeal to everyone, which I’m sure is your goal.
My advice: drop the ringer and go with a basic white T. Gildan 6 oz. or a Hanes is a great choice.
I’m all for the women’s shirt too, expecially since you have a large female audience (as does your wife). For them, you should do an American Apparel basic T or go crazy with a ringer option there. If it’s too small, since AA fits your average 18-22 year-old, the original white T is a good alternative.
Kids shirts are also great, but it’s hard to know how many you should order in each size for the original purchase, so it’s best to just stick with a couple of sizes and call it good. They’ll grow into it eventually.
Selling pics are great, but I take plenty of my own that are frame-worthy. You might find a lot of people who don’t feel as confident or who enjoy knowing that you took it.
Good luck.
September 29th, 2005 at 8:28 pm
i’d buy the shirt. tee hee, dingbat. ditto the ladies cut thing.
probably a no on the photos, but that has to do more with my income bracket than my opinion of your photos. actually, i’d probably break down and buy a blurbodoocery photo. ergh.
September 29th, 2005 at 8:48 pm
I get dingbat and I like it.
I agree with Kyle in that I like the shirt, but not with the website address. I dunno, it’s just a thing with me. I never wear anything with a visible brand indicated. Maybe just the text “blurbomat” on the back without the “.com”? I think the subtle self-promotion with would be effective enough. Anyone who gets the dingbat reference is going to know it’s a website or at least suspect it’s a website, don’t you think? Anyone I know would, anyway, but maybe that’s not a reality in the rest of the world. With that said, I suspect that even if you keep the full website address on there, I’d probably buy one.
And here’s another vote for more colors/color combinations and girlie cut. I think variety here is key and boxy shirts are bad for girls.
Photos? Great idea to sell them. Another idea — just an idea, but the timing right now could be good — an annual Blurbomat calendar with your photos? I’d be more likely to buy something like that than actual prints and you could certainly lend even more of your creativity to it. What little design of yours I have seen is beautiful.
September 29th, 2005 at 8:58 pm
My idea/suggestion involves your photographs. My mother and my father each live in chi-chi resort areas now that they’ve retired. When I visit we always go to the shops and boutiques for souvenirs.
Naturally these resort aeas inspire photography and there is a wealth of beautiful prints in all manner of sizes available of the local scenery. I don’t consider myself poor, but I also find most of these prints to be out of my price range for buying more than maybe one. This last trip I stumbled on a great idea. Many of the photographers are doing greeting cards with their prints on the front and what I did was to buy the greeting cards and get matted frames at Walmart, the ones that hold three or four pictures, and mount the photographs from the greeting cards in the frames. I get a series of stunning themed photograghs in a great matted frame for the price of one large print. If any of the photogs had thought to put their art together in this manner and price it reasonably, I would have been willing to spend a little more than I did buying the cards and the frame just to have been spared putting it together myself. I can see Haunted Beaufort done in this style and a seasonal (winter, spring, etc.) series on Utah (which you might get stores in a local resort area to ???). Sunrises, sunsets. You know, folks would love anything autographed by the missus…