Frames, a "viral" post, a coffee...
...and some book news! (and a subscribers code)
Dear Reader,
I hope this monthly check-in finds you well!
I write to you from my desk in my small studio, and for the first time in months (!) I have turned off the radio. I love working to gentle background music, but today, for what seems like the first time, the birds are singing outside. And so I’m welcoming this first feeling of Spring with all my might! I love the cosiness and warmth of winter, but even for me, there comes a point where I’m ready for light and activity and energy.. so the birdsong is most welcome today.
This month I have 4 topics to share with you. I hope this doesn’t make the letter too long for reading, but as it’s only a monthly letter, I find it hard to decide what to leave out.. so please bear with me…
Frames
Recently I launched a framing option for ALL prints on the website! I used to offer framing years ago, and during times of change I had to pause that option, but I do understand how framing can be such an important factor in deciding whether you proceed with a purchase of a print or not (especially if it is a gift for someone else.) So now you’ll find framing options on all prints on the website, and all come packaged in a giftbox. This coming weekend only I’m offering 15% off all framed prints on the site for all subscribers to my letters! Just pop SPRINGLETTER in at checkout (this code expires on Sunday at midnight). One little word though to the lovely readers in the US… I don’t yet offer frames for delivery there (due to a history of breakages unfortunately no matter how well packaged they were. But all unframed prints are available, and I do hope to be able to offer frames soon).
A Viral Post
Well this isn’t something I expected to be writing to you about! But there’s something in it that felt lovely so I wanted to share.
I have had my studio social media account for 7 or 8 years. It has been a slow burn in terms of building it, but giving a nod to what now seems like an old cliché, “the numbers don’t matter”…. until they take you by surprise that is! Contrary to what some might think, the number of followers don’t correlate to sales. They don’t correlate with self-worth, or pride in my work. What I have always hoped is that the account would be a space to share my work, a little behind-the-scenes of my life in the studio, and most importantly another space to connect with people who feel that what I do resonates with them in some shape or form. I have met (real life!) friends through it, and have found my little corner of that space a kind place to be.
Fast forward to 10 days ago, when I started to notice a sudden increase in engagment, in particular on one specific post…
This is now the most far-reaching and engaged-with post that I have ever published. Why am I sharing this? Because of this… I painted this illustration on a day when I felt overwhelmed. Anxiety, and sadness were intense, and I was missing a special soul. I sat at my desk, and to be honest, I didn’t think or plan, I just started drawing. A couple of hours later I sat back from it, and decided it was finished. My heart felt a little lighter, more connected with that soul I mention in the post, and ready to move into the rest of the day. I shared it as I often do as a drawing from my desk that day. That post has now become a space where people have shared their own experience with grief, names of loved ones, comments, and kind words. It has been shared to so many stories, and I have received countless private messages in relation to it. I am a very small fish in that big pond on that platform, so please know that my only reason for sharing this with you, is because it has been a truly lovely and humbling experience to see how something I created has been taken into the hearts of so many others. Shared experiences, and human connection. It can be a strange thing to experience in a virtual world on those platforms, but when it happens, as in real life too, it’s very special.
Book News
Book number two is underway! I like to say these things out loud, they make it all seem more real especially when I’m sitting at my desk staring at pages of words and notes and doodles and wondering how I’ll ever create a book out of them all! I don’t have a pre-order date yet or anything, but suffice to say work is well underway, and the shape of my second book is becoming clearer as the days and weeks pass. As soon I have more news to share I will, but for now let me just share that there will be a girl, a boy, and the dog. A collection of sorts… but that’s all I’ll say for now :-)
And finally, a coffee
Two weeks ago I received two messages within days of each other. Both came from readers of my work here on Substack, which I use to send newsletters to subscribers, but which is also a space where I share my drawings and words via the Notes functionality (on the Substack app). Both of the messages were asking, in different ways, why I don’t have a paywall set up yet. To be honest, I’m not sure how to go about that, how to make it “worth” it for the reader, and if I can take on something like that at the moment. I absolutely admire how others have expanded their offerings on here, and hope that someday I might be in a position to do the same, but I’m happy with my current setup with no paywall. When I replied explaining this, one of the people replied suggesting I set up a “Buy me a coffee” link. This is something I had heard of, but then went off to research a little more. That reader explained very kindly that she enjoyed my notes and artwork on here, and would appreciate a different way to support instead of purchasing a print etc. I really appreciated her honesty, and of course generosity, and so the “buy me a coffee” link is now live (find it here!) It might come as a surprise to know that I struggle with putting myself “out there”, so setting this up was a challenge on many levels!
Support comes in lots of forms… interaction and engagement, comments, sharing of my work, recommending to a friend, purchasing my book / prints / greeting cards…and I am always grateful for the non-monetary forms just as much as the orders I receive on my site.
It is all of the forms of support that keep my head and heart on this path, so thank you.
Until next time,
Take good care
Deborah x
I enjoyed reading this Deborah, after I could at last find it buried in among your many Notes and gorgeous drawings!!
I too have difficulty with the paywall thingy because I came to Substack just to have a place to express myself to myself, and share with whomever might ‘get me’.
Just as your current system for earning income from your drawings is outside the quiet space of Substack, my paid courses (as The English Coach ™️, ) are too.
My 2nd publication Crazy English will launch soon but I have to admit I’m procrastinating, because of enjoying writing BYS from deep in the Substack woods
I totally love your drawings, Deborah and have mentioned previously that I have put them on my WhatsApp status several times (with your name added) and people have loved them.
My people also love my courses so it’s obviously time to rethink my Substack payment strategies as you are doing.
Always there cheering you on,
Heléna
A lovely read Deborah ♥️