How to Buy               List Your Store                    FAQ                          About SRA Jewelry Designers                 Editor's Picks

 

Self-Representing Artist Jewelry

FAQ

 

I'm ready to sign up.  Where do I go to find out how?

The List Your Store link.

 

Why did you start this website?

I actually got the idea after a few messages on the Etsy forums complained about there being too few places online for artists to promote/sell the jewelry that they make without the invasion of vintage, mass-produced, and other distractions.  I don't have the energy at this time to create an eBay or Etsy for this purpose, but I think if I work to promote the SRA Jewelry site we can build up a steady clientele.  There ARE people out there who want to buy jewelry directly from the people who make it.  And many of us have spent a lot of time working on our own websites so linking to those directly keeps us from having to list all our items at another venue and/or risk having one-of-a-kind items up for sale at different locations simultaneously.

 

How will I get exposure if I'm not on the front page?

The pages will change at the beginning of each month.  There will always only be twelve pages to flip through (one for each month) and I think customers will not be overwhelmed by that.  Each participant will receive a full month of exposure on the front (home) page before that month moves to the "page 2" position.  If you sign-up in January, you will be featured on the home page for all of February, then in March you will move to page 2, in April you will move to page 3, etc.  There are also special pages for those sites receiving an SRAJD award (that is a bonus, not something you pay for).

 

What order are the sites listed on each page?

The sites are listed in the order in which I receive the submissions.

 

What does my annual fee pay for?

It pays for your site to be listed on the SRA Jewelry site for one full year, as described in the above paragraph.  The payment helps defray the cost for me to run the website and to take the time to enter and upkeep.

 

Do I have to do anything after I pay?

Yes, you must provide:

§        A logo

§        A URL that links to one site where you are selling your items

§        A short paragraph describing your style and what makes your jewelry different from the other 8 billion jewelry makers on this planet

§        And four photos that you feel represent your style of work

 

That's it, for the whole year?

We will be monitoring all the sites to make sure the links are in good working order.  If we can't get to your site, we will try to contact you.  If we can't reach you, your site will be temporarily removed.  If we have to contact you more than three separate times in the span of the year you are advertising here because of a non-working link, your entry will be permanently removed from the site without compensation.  In order to keep a steady clientele, we will not tolerate broken or dead links.  That is a sure fire way for those perusing the site to decide to shop somewhere else.

 

What happens when my year is up?

You will receive notice a month before your ad expires and you will be given the option to renew at that time.

 

What if the URL to my site changes or I want to change my photos or blurb during my ad time?

§        You may change your link once, free of charge, during the year you are advertising on the site.

o       To change the link a second or subsequent times, there is a $5 fee

§        Changing photos (including the logo) is $2 per photo

§        Changing the blurb is a $2 fee

 

How do I submit my photos and/or logo?

You may email the pictures as attachments or merely send the URLs to where your photos are hosted (the links to each photo individually, not a link to a page with more than one photo).  Don't worry about the size of your pictures (unless they are really small); all photos and logos are resized to fit in the appropriate advertising format (see front page for examples).

 

What if the URL(s) to the photos or logo I gave you changes in that time?

Once you direct me to your photos and/or logo, I host them on the SRA Jewelry site, so you don't have to worry about keeping them up and/or available during your year of advertising.

 

Can I change my mind halfway through the year?

You may ask to be removed from the listings, but your payment will not be reimbursed.  Most of the work is at set-up.

 

How will the site be promoted?

§        Mentioned on any appropriate internet jewelry forums

§        Listed with internet search sites

§        Paid advertising with Google and Yahoo

§        Promoted as a link in signatures seen throughout the community

§        Flyers and brochures sent to select customers of those already advertising

§        Word of mouth amongst the members of SRAJD

§        Other ideas are welcome

 

Do I have to be an SRAJD member to advertise here?

No, but if you are an SRAJD member it means we already know you make the jewelry you are selling and we won't have to check your site out to confirm this.

 

What is an "editor's pick"?

An editor's pick is my personal recommendation of what I consider to be an outstanding site.  This is 100% subjective and is based on many criteria. 

 

Isn't it bad business marketing to be listed amongst your competitors?

Actually, I've found the reverse to be true.  When I surround my work with the work of similar artists, I attract the kinds of customers who are more suited to my style of jewelry and having the other artists around brings in more viewers than my jewelry alone could do.  The benefit to the customers is that they have a wider berth of options and the benefit to the artists is that we attract a larger customer base to view our work.

 

How can I get my ad on the front page at all times?

If you purchase an ad each month, you will be on the front page (as well as subsequent pages) at all times.