Talking Point: How to get on design teams

If you have been doing this artistic thing online for a while, chances are that you have thought about being on design teams. Perhaps it's about self-actualization - to see how far you can go with what started off as a hobby. Perhaps it's to score the "free" stuff when you design for a manufacturer. 

But if you have applied for design teams, you would also know that a 100% success rate is unheard of...*LOL* I've asked some of my bloggy friends Laurel Seabrook, Julie Tucker-Wolek, Amy Tsuruta and Lizzy Hill for their tips on getting on design teams. Hope they can help you... and me! *winks*
  
1. Use their products.

Nothing beats seeing the product in action. If you can't get hold of their products, use similar products in your projects when applying for the team. [I have gotten on some design teams without using any of their products - Purple Pumpkin, Zeus and Zoe, Gauche Alchemy, Blue Fern Studios, Faber Castell. ]

"Create different types of projects (cards, layouts, altered art) so that they see how well you can use their products." Laurel Seabrook                                                                        

2. Apply to companies whose products you are passionate about.

Applying for a design team is very much like applying for any job. You need to know about the company and like the product that you are going to help sell with your designs.

"When I started out applying to design teams I applied for anything that was posted.  Personally, I've learned through the years that you're better off to apply to companies/blog DT calls that you're passionate about.  That passion will show in your projects. " Amy Tsuruta

"I always apply for teams that I believe in....whether that is in their ethos, or their products. I feel really strongly that having an affinity in this way strengthens your chances. And if you DO make it, you know you'll feel comfortable in that role. " Lizzy Hill                                                                                                           

3. Get spotted by being involved.

Help yourself get "discovered" by playing along with the challenges and participating in social media.

"If you are going for a manufacturer design team, then follow their blog, follow their Facebook page.  But don't just follow them, comment on their blogs and 'like' and comment on their Facebook posts! :) They will get to know your name and that is a good thing when you go out for their team! :)" Julie Tucker-Wolek

"Share your projects using their products with them via facebook, instagram, however you can." Laurel Seabrook 

"I think being an active blogger who both posts & comments regularly helps a lot too. Many teams are product or challenge based, so it's important to understand that you are actually helping that product or site to become better known. Being 'visible' is a huge draw card for getting on teams. " Lizzy Hill                                                                                                              

4. Play to your strengths.

As you know, I don't fit into the standard mould of a mainstream designer...I'm happiest doing what I enjoy rather than being pigeon-holed into doing what's popular. Not doing what everybody else is doing makes it easier to stand out because there's less "competition" in that space. 

"It's about having the skills that a particular DT is looking for - so make sure you highlight your scrappy strengths when applying - or apply for teams that look like they would suit your scrapping strengths!" Lizzy Hill

                                                                                                                            

5. Don't give up.

Rejection comes with the territory. Don't take it too personally. You can always try again.

"... those of us that have tried out for design teams know how hard it is! It can be nerve-wrecking, stressful and totally depressing if you don't make a team! And all of us that have tried out for teams, have been rejected.  No doubt about it! Rejection has come to all of us!" Julie Tucker-Wolek

                                       

"I'm not gonna lie...it's not easy to get on teams. You need persistence & perseverance - and of course, you've gotta give LOTS of them a shot. And you will get knock backs. I'm never disappointed if I get that 'Thanks but no thanks' email. There's ALWAYS another opportunity around the corner....& you've gotta be in it to win it!" Lizzy Hill                                                                                    

Have you tried applying for design teams? What other tips do you have? Please share in the comments.

______________________________
Julie Tucker-Wolek currently designs for Artful Delight and LESSology.
Laurel Seabrook currently designs for Pebbles, My Mind's Eye, Jillibean Soup, SRM Stickers and Unity Stamp Co.

Amy Tsuruta currently designs for Top Dog Dies, Curtain Call, Artful Delight, Seize the Sketch, Avocado Arts and Ribbon Carousel

Lizzy Hill  currently designs for Scrap365 Magazine, Purple Pumpkin, Zeus and Zoe, LESSology and Once Upon a ...Sketch.

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Talking Point: How to grow a blog following

When I first started blogging, it was purely to play along with online challenges. Then it became my "resume" to apply for design teams. Right now, it is about maintaining and growing the connections and friendships I have made online. :)

Today's Talking Point: How to grow a blog following

It takes time and effort to maintain a blog. Decide what is possible for you. And do it on a regular basis. Once a routine is established, you will start to enjoy the process. These are the 3 things I've used to grow my following - content, visuals and social networking.

A lot of people think that a blog is all about yourself and thus one should just blog about anything one fancies. It is really about your audience. 

Do you like to hang out with friends who talk about themselves all the time? No right? You like to connect with friends who share common experiences or present you with a different perspective on things. And inspire you. Or make you laugh out laugh based on their kooky sense of humour.

Write your content based on that.  Your authentic (awesome) self.  

" I think for those projects that are technique based, tutorials & tips are always welcomed.  For those that follow me, they know that I'm not much of a technique kind of crafter but I'm always fascinated by them."                                                                                        Amy Tsuruta

Don't get me wrong. You still share what you like. But you curate it for your audience.
Give them more of what they like. :)

"I swear whenever Brookie "does" a blog post ... she gets more comments than me! LOL :) "                                                                                   Julie Tucker-Wolek

Can't write well? Use pictures. A picture is worth a thousand words.

People like to look at pretty things. Give them pretty pictures.

Take the time to edit them. Even brightening the picture a little is going to make a difference. No excuses. Lots of free photo-editing applications online.

"I follow other blogs because I love the way that their blog looks or feels."  

                                                                                                               Amy Tsuruta

Now, your blog following includes all the people who subscribe to your blog's feed in different ways - RSS, email or via Google Friend Connect [for those with a Google ID] plus other social networking sites that you post to like Facebook [Networked blogs]. 

"In terms of the Blogger Friends Connect Gadget, don't be deceived by the numbers associated with it.  There are other ways that people can follow your blog and as the time nears when Google Reader will be closing their doors, you may see a decline in your connections.  I have moved to the Feedly and have totally dropped Google Reader."                                                   Amy Tsuruta

You know the adage, "Build it and they will come...." ? It doesn't work in the Internet age. You need to go out there and socialize a little. Virtually. Not the blatant self-promotion we see plastered all over Facebook. That seems a tad narcissistic.  Just do it within the blogosphere.

"One way to get more followers is to visit and follow others! And COMMENT COMMENT COMMENT on your friends blogs! How we will ever know you have visited us if you don't comment?  I visit and comment on close to 100 blogs a day! Do I do it because I want people to come and visit me? No! I do it because I consider my bloggy buds my friends! I want to see what you are creating, what's going on your life, your families, what you are reading, what you are cooking, whatever is going on, I want to share it with you! :)

Let's face it, it feels good when someone visits your blog and comments! We like to know that our friends care about us and visit us. Yes, this is a 'virtual' world, but just like in the real world, it's nice when people come by and see what's going on in your life :)"                                                 Julie Tucker-Wolek

"I think the first place to start to grow your following is to visit other blogs and comment, comment, comment. I tend to follow other blogs that consistently comment on my blog... "                                                                        Amy Tsuruta

It does seem like people are less interested in blogs these days because of other 'social distractions' like Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. Keep churning out good and valuable content because Google still searches blogs for useful information. Do you search Facebook for useful information? Seriously? Plus, only half the world is on Facebook. So if you spend all your time on Facebook, you can't conquer the world! *winks* [Seriously though, Facebook has certain algorithms...that they change constantly... that determines if your post appears in your friends/followers' news stream so you actually don't reach 100% of your audience...]

"Even though there are other social media distractions, I know that blogs are still an important part of the social media interaction -- some people still don't have Facebook or Twitter, so they still come to blogs to see what's happening with their friends. :)"                                                                      Julie Tucker-Wolek

At the end of the day, you do what is possible for you. Social media can be a huge time suck and gratifying at the same time. The key is to strike a balance. I go off-grid by Friday after my last post of the week ...that's my time to de-compress.  And check in again on Monday....yes Monday is mad commenting day...[my greatest wish is for people to stop blogging on weekends so that I have less catching up to do...*LOL*]

A big thank you to my bloggy pals Julie Tucker-Wolek and Amy Tsuruta who have helped me with this post. What about you? How did you grow your blog following?

P/s: Happy weekend friends! :) 

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