It’s Sunday, and I though that it would be a nice day to do something happy and light. So, while the robot button below is from my nixxd.com contest type thing– I just thought I’d put this here and let you customize it.
Give him you name, your friend’s name, or whatever else. After you are done, click Submit and you can buy him. Fun right?
Image Via: NASA | Wired
Before you wonder, yes that is real. It’s from an annual Solar Eclipse and the light outside the amazingly detailed moon is from the Sun’s Corona.
The annular solar eclipse that was visible earlier this month in parts of Africa, the Indian Ocean and Asia yielded some beautiful photographs of the moon obscuring the light from the sun.
Almost anyone can draw a heart and throw it on a card, and really it’s a cliché (which isn’t bad, necessarily). However, some artists have a gift for taking some tired theme and turning it into something completely awesome.
Let’s face it, some dolls are scary. The above image both proves it, and scares the bejeesus out of me, and I’m the one who set that sucker forth into the world (and for that, I am sorry).
Let’s say you have an image of a doll that for whatever reason you want to make much, much scarier( no judging).
I’ve been a writer for a few websites for a few years.
Technically, I think it’s called something to the effect of ‘Online Content Producer’ or some nonsensical phrase like that (I really don’t like office speak, at all).
Truthfully– it’s awesome work– while far from the money maker that certain places will have you believe– it does pay the bills. Getting started however isn’t always too easy. It does involve the dreaded ‘W’ word that many people seem to hate– Work. *cue scary music*
I adore odd images of everyday items, just the way many can take something so ‘pedestrian’ and turn it into something scary, surreal, or even beautiful is awe inspiring to me. While I’m not much of a photographer, I do enjoy the art and even taking images and editing them to the point where they take on a who other form.
The images in this process were taken by me today. They are all from my own garage and the goal is to easily process them (well, technically show you how to easily process them).
First here is the original:
First things first– it is far, far too bright. I had to use my flash, and honestly the image was a bit too last minute to try and dull it in anyway. The end result of the series of images is supposed to be a bit of Kafka / Hitchcock.
I’ve also decided to go with complete laziness ease and use Picasa. It’s free and you can grab it here: Google Picasa download.
First things first, the classified ads section is tentatively back. Right now it’s more so in a ‘testing’ mode of sorts, but if the interest is still there, they will stay. So, if you have an advertisement for your website, shop, or art/ art services feel free to list it. Right now, there is only the free option, but at some point I’ll also be introducing a paid option (more photos, stays longer, etc).
I really should have just called this: Marketing advice that annoys me– but I decided to be a bit classier.
No, crossing your fingers and wishing upon stars doesn’t count. At all.
Sorry champ, but you do need an actual strategy and plan (besides, it’s rather overcast around me right now– if I can’t wish on any stars– no one can).
Look around the ‘net for ‘marketing plan’ I dare you, you will find lists upon lists of what to do, and well– if you don’t already have an audience you really aren’t going far. Many of the people who are looking online for a marketing plan don’t have too much of an audience.
See the problem there?
Many of them tell you to ‘Leverage your audience’ (at least, if you do have one) and have such brilliant ideas as– tell the people who go to your website about your product. Oh hey, I have a website– did you know I also make and sell things?
So, am I rich now?
Sure, that was a sarcastic example– but it was an example
It’s not.
You need to actually work your product. Say you sell flowers, you really want to talk up those flowers bad. You need to show stunning images, and detail them. Potential customers need to know what to expect. The same is true for other products as well cars, shirts, boats, and shoes.
It’s not too much different for the creative fields either.
You see your creativity and abilities are your product (creepy as that may sound). Your ability to put words to use, or graphics software to use– that’s it.
That is what you are selling. That is what you need to really talk up, post images, go nuts. Out there online are people who are interested in what you will say. You obviously need to get their eyes to your website.
Another popular suggestion is commenting on blogs. No.
This is not a marketing plan. Just don’t use it (save in some cases).
Why? Even if your company is completely legit, as more and more people use this one this as the entirety of their ‘plan’ more and more websites are being inundated with
A better idea? Become an avid commenter on a blog– or forum– then start including your link in your name. Only after you have built up your respect. Otherwise it’s unlikely your link will even be clicked.
Comment on things you enjoy, not just because it’s ‘in your ‘niche’.
This fantastic little widget lets you search nixxd.com from anywhere it’s installed.
Really, awesome right*?! Oh yeah, you know you want this.
*Awesome and so, so shameless.
Oné issue that is faced with a media saturated culture: unbelievably crappy advertising. Not Quite Cookie Cutter has been featuring these occasionally for a bit now (although the site just started the actual category). Some are strange, some just poorly done– All of them suck bad.
A few examples are below:
Paradox9.com is an art related website. It is written by a professional slacker artist and writer. You can check out her work by clicking on her portfolio here: Portfolio. She's been a writer for a few websites, and loves learning about new topics. She's also incredibly uncomfortable talking about herself in the third person.
The latest Doodle:
