Hi all

Haven't been around the forum much for the last couple of weeks as it's been school holidays, we're just back from a very sunny and enjoyable week in Brighton revisiting lots of old haunts from when we lived "down south". It's now sunny here in scotland and apparently not so nice in the south so we timed our departure well for once!

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has used the mailing list function on this site? I activated it a while back when I was idly browsing through the TAW admin pages one day but I've never actually got round to using it and I can't really decide whether it's a good idea or not. I wondered in particular if it was a blind distribution or if all the recipients' email addresses appeared on the header (I wouldn't like it if it was the latter). Also do people have the option to unsubscribe when they get it?

Generally I'd be interested to know what you all think about using mailing lists for art, do you think it works or does it just bug people? I'd hate to contribute to junk email but if it might drum up some business it's got to be worth considering!

cheers
elise

I have done a lot of talking to a marketing guy and the general consensus is mail...do a newsletter or info sheet, advice one something you know about, or a blog, anything but mail people at least once a month, don't try to sell them anything but do have a link to your website, that way you keep your name previlant in customers mind as giving something for nothing rather than someone pushing a sale.
you can also send them images of new work this way thus drawing them back to the website. apparently too many people just ignore the customers they already have but if they have bought once then chances are they could be persuaded to buy again so you should keep in touch with them...I didn't know we could have this facility through artists web, you have spurred me into action to have a go myself!!

but be careful because there is legislation covering this and unless people have Asked to be mailed you could be classed as a spammer. Always make sure you have an "unsubscribe" button. when you contact past buyers ask if they mind you contacting them with a newsletter or about new works.

I don't do any emailing- I hate getting stuff I haven't asked for and anyway spend enough time on the web already

some useful info here.

http://www.webcertain.com/email-european-law.html

That's a helpful link Jeannie - it looks like as long as you restrict yourself to people who have contacted you before and give them the option to unsubscribe, you're not going to fall foul of the law anyway!

Rebecca those are helpful suggestions too - I don't think I'd want to do anything as frequently as once a month (I doubt I could come up with anything interesting that often!) but I'd thought of sending out an update maybe a couple of times a year to previous customers and people who have made enquiries. Probably to alert them to fairs/exhibitions I'm doing and maybe a link to some new work. I don't know about emailing images though - have you had good feedback on that one?

cheers
Elise

hi, I tend to email a lot of images to magazines but less to customers, i tend to tell them if I am having a sale or have new things on the site, also though I do try to build up an email relationship, from when they buy from me, I tell them their cushion is coming and then I check they are happy with it when it arrives with them, i try to be very friendly, and ask questions, they very often email back so I don't feel like I am hard selling or instrusive. no one has ever asked me to stop!