King
08 March 2007, 10:43 PM
The guide that I am about to make is going to most likely help you and other forumers to have a good, long, fun, and successful Art Shop. Even though this post may not be that long, please DO NOT QUOTE THIS POST, as it may take me a while to scroll down and see the rest of your problems and concerns. So thank you and I hope you read this guide and take it into consideration when preparing for your next shop.
Table of Contents
1. Title
2. Rules
3. Type
4. Examples
5. Helpers
6. Working on
7. Finished Products
8. Signature/Avatar Form
9. Credit
..:: 1. Title ::..
When you want to choose a title for your shop, you want to make sure it tells as much information as you would like. If you can, try to include if it is a signature or avatar or both shop. Then, maybe you could add your name so it is easier for people to know whos shop it is and who to give credit to (which you will learn about later). But, also say some other stuff about it. If you can make animations also, then post that you have an animation shop in the title. But, to make things a lot easier for people to know if you're good or not, then try to say what you would honestly rate yourself. So, a good title would be, "King's Signature and Avatar Shop with Animations (10/10). So, when you make a shop, make sure that you have a good, catchy, and creative title.
..:: 2. Rules ::..
A shop could never function without a set of proper rules. Since there aren't really many rules or things bad for a shop, just go with the basics. You should say for one, no spamming. Because people that are impatient tend to keep saying, "WHERE IS MY SIGGY I POSTD ON PG 2!!!!" And nobody really likes that. Secondly, tell people to always stay specific with what type they want. If they just say to 'surprise me' then you really have no idea what to make. Last but not least, you should always have something that says how long it usually takes you to make a signature or avatar. Because if you tell somebody that it will take you about 30 minutes to make it, then they won't be posting a bunch of messages asking when it would be done. You can always add more rules, but these are always the best and safest when it comes to your shop.
..:: 3. Type ::..
Some people are very talented and they can have a signature and avatar shop. Others can only have a signature shop. While some other people only do avatar shops. To avoid confusion among your customers, try posting somewhere in your shop thread of what you make. So if you are an expert at making avatars, that you don't have to waste your time making a terrible, pathetic signature that will make your customer mad and unimpressed. So, when making a shop, remember to say what type of artwork you make for people.
.:: 4. Examples ::..
Every single art shop that is designed must have examples. You can't just say that you are good when you have nothing to proove. Also, never steal others artwork and claim it as yours because that could cause chaos and a flame war. But, a good amount of examples is about 2-4. If you only make signatures then post 4 signatures, and if you only make avatars, post 4 of them. Most shops have a few different styles of art that the customer can have. If you want to avoid confusion, then post an example and give it a title so that people will ask for the 'Star Example' or the 'Striped Example.' When you make examples, use the IMG code, so that a viewer doesn't have to click a link and waste time. This is a very important part of your shop.
..:: 5. Helpers ::..
Unless your shop rarely gets any customers and you have plenty of time on your hands, then you really need helpers. These people really come in handy. When you are away from the computer or on vacation, then they will temporarily control your shop, accept requests, and then make the artwork for the customer. If you have a very busy shop, you may want to have at least 3-5 helpers. But the average shop only needs about 1-3 helpers just to keep things moving and keep the thread alive. Helpers make your shop a lot easier and really take the weight off of your shoulders.
..:: 6. Working on ::..
You should always have a title that says 'Working on' just so people know where you are in the creation or making of their signature/avatar. The list usually only needs about 5 spots, but some may need to be added later. If a certaint product takes longer than usually, or that you know when you will be done with it after a delay, then post, 'Working on.. King (Finished Tomorrow)' and it will really help out the average person just so they don't get their hopes up early and become very impatient which could hurt your business from spamming from the customer and the fact that the person will be mad that he/she has no idea when it's coming out.
..:: 7. Finished Products ::..
Below the 'Working on' section of your shop thread, you should have a section labled, 'Finished Products.' It can be very helpful because it is basically more examples for the average viewer. When posting your finished products under this section, always post the link to the product because you can't post that many pictures under one thread/post or else it could get laggy and the post will become very long. Finished Products also show how much business you have and that could change the opinion of a viewer.
..:: 8. Signature/Avatar Form ::..
This is a huge thing that you always need because it makes it a whole lot easier for you and the customer when you have a request. In a form you should include information about the type, size, avatar or signature, colors, text, and picture. So, that somebody doesn't ask for a CP signature and you end up giving them something totally different that they never even had in mind. This will really help you a lot and many people unfortunately make the mistake of forgetting to include this and wind up having no idea what to do.
..:: 9. Credit ::..
Make sure that you always ask the customer to give you credit. Because it is very rude for them to just take something that you made for them and totally ignore the fact that you took the time to make it for them. So, after you give somebody their finished artwork, please remember to ask for credit, unless you don't want any.
Words of encouragement..
nice guide, everything in there in order to get a shop moving.
Good info in there, it'll help a lot of ppl.
Nice guide
Maybe. And I forgot to say this deserves to be stickied.
Table of Contents
1. Title
2. Rules
3. Type
4. Examples
5. Helpers
6. Working on
7. Finished Products
8. Signature/Avatar Form
9. Credit
..:: 1. Title ::..
When you want to choose a title for your shop, you want to make sure it tells as much information as you would like. If you can, try to include if it is a signature or avatar or both shop. Then, maybe you could add your name so it is easier for people to know whos shop it is and who to give credit to (which you will learn about later). But, also say some other stuff about it. If you can make animations also, then post that you have an animation shop in the title. But, to make things a lot easier for people to know if you're good or not, then try to say what you would honestly rate yourself. So, a good title would be, "King's Signature and Avatar Shop with Animations (10/10). So, when you make a shop, make sure that you have a good, catchy, and creative title.
..:: 2. Rules ::..
A shop could never function without a set of proper rules. Since there aren't really many rules or things bad for a shop, just go with the basics. You should say for one, no spamming. Because people that are impatient tend to keep saying, "WHERE IS MY SIGGY I POSTD ON PG 2!!!!" And nobody really likes that. Secondly, tell people to always stay specific with what type they want. If they just say to 'surprise me' then you really have no idea what to make. Last but not least, you should always have something that says how long it usually takes you to make a signature or avatar. Because if you tell somebody that it will take you about 30 minutes to make it, then they won't be posting a bunch of messages asking when it would be done. You can always add more rules, but these are always the best and safest when it comes to your shop.
..:: 3. Type ::..
Some people are very talented and they can have a signature and avatar shop. Others can only have a signature shop. While some other people only do avatar shops. To avoid confusion among your customers, try posting somewhere in your shop thread of what you make. So if you are an expert at making avatars, that you don't have to waste your time making a terrible, pathetic signature that will make your customer mad and unimpressed. So, when making a shop, remember to say what type of artwork you make for people.
.:: 4. Examples ::..
Every single art shop that is designed must have examples. You can't just say that you are good when you have nothing to proove. Also, never steal others artwork and claim it as yours because that could cause chaos and a flame war. But, a good amount of examples is about 2-4. If you only make signatures then post 4 signatures, and if you only make avatars, post 4 of them. Most shops have a few different styles of art that the customer can have. If you want to avoid confusion, then post an example and give it a title so that people will ask for the 'Star Example' or the 'Striped Example.' When you make examples, use the IMG code, so that a viewer doesn't have to click a link and waste time. This is a very important part of your shop.
..:: 5. Helpers ::..
Unless your shop rarely gets any customers and you have plenty of time on your hands, then you really need helpers. These people really come in handy. When you are away from the computer or on vacation, then they will temporarily control your shop, accept requests, and then make the artwork for the customer. If you have a very busy shop, you may want to have at least 3-5 helpers. But the average shop only needs about 1-3 helpers just to keep things moving and keep the thread alive. Helpers make your shop a lot easier and really take the weight off of your shoulders.
..:: 6. Working on ::..
You should always have a title that says 'Working on' just so people know where you are in the creation or making of their signature/avatar. The list usually only needs about 5 spots, but some may need to be added later. If a certaint product takes longer than usually, or that you know when you will be done with it after a delay, then post, 'Working on.. King (Finished Tomorrow)' and it will really help out the average person just so they don't get their hopes up early and become very impatient which could hurt your business from spamming from the customer and the fact that the person will be mad that he/she has no idea when it's coming out.
..:: 7. Finished Products ::..
Below the 'Working on' section of your shop thread, you should have a section labled, 'Finished Products.' It can be very helpful because it is basically more examples for the average viewer. When posting your finished products under this section, always post the link to the product because you can't post that many pictures under one thread/post or else it could get laggy and the post will become very long. Finished Products also show how much business you have and that could change the opinion of a viewer.
..:: 8. Signature/Avatar Form ::..
This is a huge thing that you always need because it makes it a whole lot easier for you and the customer when you have a request. In a form you should include information about the type, size, avatar or signature, colors, text, and picture. So, that somebody doesn't ask for a CP signature and you end up giving them something totally different that they never even had in mind. This will really help you a lot and many people unfortunately make the mistake of forgetting to include this and wind up having no idea what to do.
..:: 9. Credit ::..
Make sure that you always ask the customer to give you credit. Because it is very rude for them to just take something that you made for them and totally ignore the fact that you took the time to make it for them. So, after you give somebody their finished artwork, please remember to ask for credit, unless you don't want any.
Words of encouragement..
nice guide, everything in there in order to get a shop moving.
Good info in there, it'll help a lot of ppl.
Nice guide
Maybe. And I forgot to say this deserves to be stickied.