Approaching the RSPB - subject line to get my email noticed?

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Approaching the RSPB - subject line to get my email noticed?
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Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 12:03 pm Post subject:
What do you want them to do?

DorsetScott

Joined: 23 Oct 2011
Posts: 500
Location: Bournemouth

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 12:33 pm Post subject:

earthyvirgo wrote:

DorsetScott wrote:

Bomb Threat - This is not a hoax!

Well, it would get it noticed

I think it would also mean I wouldn't get a look in!

EV

You said you wanted to be noticed. There's no pleasing some people

I'd go with something like hand crafted bird themed traditional lino prints for christmas.
I'd also suggest that whatever you send it will get read/noticed. You have the address for their purchasing department, and a name too so you're targetting the right people. Why not send the email and then follow up with a phone call 24 hours later or something to confirm it has reached the correct person/department?

I do however agree with Wentworth, an actual sample landing on someones desk showing the quality etc will probably be worth 10 emails

earthyvirgo

Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 7972
Location: creating prints in the loft, Gerlan

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 12:42 pm Post subject:

Behemoth wrote:

What do you want them to do?

I'm approaching their Purchasing Department with a view to them using it for printing as cards, calendar maybe, something like that, or maybe commission similar work - I imagine (if they're interested), they want to have it for use under some sort of license ...which I'll need to swot up on!

EV

Went

Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 6968

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 12:43 pm Post subject:
You might have to accept that the purchasing cycle for this Christmas might have already passed you by. I suspect that stock for this year is already taken care of but there is always 2014...nationally - might need a scaling up of production if you won that one.

earthyvirgo

Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 7972
Location: creating prints in the loft, Gerlan

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 12:46 pm Post subject:

Wentworth wrote:

Bird sightings
Rare bird prints
RSPB Member gifts
Artist request

Would a letter and samples not be better?

Mmm, possibly - I know they are very IT focused at HQ, so my gut feeling was that email with a good quality image or two would be less hassle for them ...if I offered to send samples f they were interested, that would save me time and postage initially.

With it being B + Wh work, there's no issues with inaccurate colours.

EV

earthyvirgo

Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 7972
Location: creating prints in the loft, Gerlan

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 12:47 pm Post subject:

Wentworth wrote:

You might have to accept that the purchasing cycle for this Christmas might have already passed you by. I suspect that stock for this year is already taken care of but there is always 2014...nationally

- might need a scaling up of production if you won that one.

Absolutely, several months ago I imagine

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46212
Location: yes

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 2:21 pm Post subject:
get a name ,make a call,arrange a visit

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 2:26 pm Post subject:
Buy My Art Or The Avocet Dies...

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 4:29 pm Post subject:
I'd approach Mark Boyd and see if he can give you any insider tips.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 10:03 pm Post subject:

dpack wrote:

get a name ,make a call,arrange a visit

This, to be honest. Email is a fairly poor communication method, far too often.

Somewhere-by-the-river

Joined: 16 Sep 2013
Posts: 56
Location: West Wales

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 13 11:20 am Post subject:

I'd go with sending a sample (copy of images, not originals) then a follow-up email/call. Most card producers start looking for Christmas images in January, so now is probably not a bad idea with a view to Christmas 2014. As for licensing, I'm not sure how such a big charity would work (some would expect you to donate images, rather than have to pay), but most places that do pay for images would give you a nominal payment with an agreement to allow them to use the images for a set number of years (for as many runs as they wanted within that time). They do, however, get approached by a lot of artists - it's worth a go (great images), but they might not get back to you.

Just as an extra point of interest... have you seen this (as a potential outlet)? https://www.downtoearthgift.co.uk/

earthyvirgo

Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 7972
Location: creating prints in the loft, Gerlan

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 13 11:51 am Post subject:

Somewhere-by-the-river wrote:

I've worked with the RSPB years ago when I was an illustrator rather than an artist and that was on a commission basis. I do know someone who works there (the chap Vegplot mentioned), so it's not quite a cold call.

As soon as I get time and courage (haven't spoken to him for a while), I'll get in touch and ask a few questions.

Yes, I've bought cards from Down to Earth - it's a pretty chocca-block market at the moment, with lots of very similar work ...which is one of the reasons I'm biding my time a bit and doing a lot of background research before landing my images on anyone's desk.

EV

EV

mousjoos

Joined: 05 Jun 2006
Posts: 1986
Location: VERY Sunny SW France

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 13 1:21 pm Post subject:
Avocet of my prints at half price.......

powerjen

Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Posts: 44
Location: Argyll & Bute

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 13 1:23 pm Post subject:

I second what some others have said, email isn't a great way to attract attention, I'd ring them and if you can't speak to the purchasing dept directly, ask who there you can send samples to and wait to see what they say. Give them a couple of weeks and if you hear nothing give them a friendly call to see what they thought. I'd assume they would be starting work on 2014's stuff now so it's a good time to contact them.

Good luck!

Jen

gregotyn

Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area

Posted: Mon Nov 11, 13 3:09 pm Post subject:
I would be more inclined to ask them when you can go along and show them what you can do. These people are in buisness, so they will want it for next to nought!

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