Marketing to knife makers, what do you look for?

BKT said:
First of all I think it is pretty cool that people would chip in to give all this feedback. Hard to beat that in terms of ways to improve.

My suggestions:

- Remove the definition of burl and all that text at the top. Its cool information, but just give me the meat. I am there to buy wood, not read a wikipedia article.
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For someone who knows about wood, their characteristics and how to work with it that's great. Personally I like it however maybe leave it off of the product page and make a section that has this separate. Having more pages and more content is going to help him out search ability wise and visitor wise, and having information on your product it a good idea. Even if people only go to the site to read about the wood, eventually they may buy something. More clicks equals more visitors, eventually equals more sales. It's just like an actual store. The more window sales you can generate eventually leads to more actual sales. Giving people more reasons to frequent the site can NEVER hurt.

Just googling "Greenberg Woods" today vs a couple of days ago the site has moved from #5 to #2 on the first page of results, which is good. Keep working hard and searching by "wood knife scales" or "wood knife handles" or what ever you focus on and the site will make it into the search results and then come from the back of the pack to the front page.
 
Your pictures are better, but not quite there yet. Today there is still at least 1 out-of-focus picture on your website (snakewood) Go back to post 10 and look at the pictures on the left that NC Biker posted. Notice how you can see the figure wrapping 3 sides of the block? That's important because sometimes wood that looks great on one side of a block is boring or ugly on another. Add a second shot of the other 3 sides of the block and the buyer has all the information they need except the dimensions and price.

It's been many years since I made the knife with the blocky rectangular handle and I learned my lesson. So I'm not too concerned if a block is not a perfect rectangle. But I do expect that both faces of the block will be flat and parallel, and at least one edge will be straight and perpendicular to the faces, or as close as we can expect dry wood to stay. However, the remaining edge and ends should not look like they were hewn with an adze or gnawed by beavers. That snakewood block for example. I doubt the "tang" on the one end will be useful to whoever buys the block. Why should you take the time to cut it of when the buyer of the block will have to trim the end of the block to the angle they need? Because leaving the tang on implies you don't care so much about your product. There should not be wane or live edge on any block, and of course, no checking. If a block tapers, indicate the dimensions at both ends

You've got some nice looking wood on your website, I think better photos will help a lot with selling it.
 
Hey guys, So i did listen and here is what I have. I surfaced some blocks and got them quite square, photos and lighting are better, figure is better shown and you can see all 4 sides. How do you guys like these photos?
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Meant to tell you earlier but there has definitely been a large improvement in the photos you had in Instagram. Blocks all looked uniform/well finished and were presented well. You've got a considerable amount of superb pieces and wouldn't doubt if they move well for you. :):thumbup:
 
Well I took a leap and made a purchase of some blocks. The process was pretty straight forward. I would add in each item descriptive line (in menu or by pic) whether it's stabilized. It was only clear after I read the main description on the wood species that the blocks were stabilized. What no coupon code for the forumites!?

If you're in Santa Cruz, I could be convinced to come over to take photos with a pro setup and show you some product photography tricks.. ;)
 
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I thought I purchased a specific block (#11 claro) but it's still up and has the option to buy more than one under quantity. Is the picture block the one being purchased or not?
 
le0ne said:
I thought I purchased a specific block (#11 claro) but it's still up and has the option to buy more than one under quantity. Is the picture block the one being purchased or not?
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It is the specific block. I took it down from the site. Im still figuring out how to do unique items, as it is I just delete them as soon as they are ordered. Your block is wrapped up and dropped in the mail.

And I would be happy to stop by and perhaps trade you some blocks. Im going to be living on campus at UCSC again.

And I do often have formite sales going. Though keep your eyes out, Ill be doing a give away soon!
 
Ben is all your new stuff up? I'm not seeing much on my phone. Unless it sold already.
 
In Salinas now for work listening to the Hippo on the radio. Shoot me an email or PM or text when you're back in Santa Cruz and we can figure out a day that'll work for you. Cheers -Andre
 
Ben, when I hit the "shop all" button the newest stuff wasn't showing up, but I found it under the other categories.
Thanks, it looks great!
 
Those look so much cleaner :thumbup:
what did you do different as far as picture taking
 
Mostly found the right time of day. Everyone saying to use light boxes was sorely mistaken. Light boxes simply dont show good figure in wood. Messed around with camera settings and focus. Sanded the blocks higher
 
Greenberg Woods said:
Everyone saying to use light boxes was sorely mistaken. Light boxes simply dont show good figure in wood.
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What you meant to say, here, I'm sure, is that YOU don't have the knowledge, experience, or expertise to utilize a light box to show good figure in wood, right...?
 
Might I suggest taking an course in photography. I have had good luck using this online resource for learning software. You can actually sign up for a free 10 day trial and then cancel before the membership starts and doesn't cost you a dime. Much better than youtube.


Lynda.com- product-photography

Edit:

Just wanted to add, that good photography is a skill. Like anything else it takes knowing what you're doing and practice doing it.
 
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Hey Ben,
I'm a little late to the party, but here's what I look for:

Good figure/interesting grain

Dry

Large pieces that I can cut up myself

No or few cracks

Competitive prices

Good pictures
 
Greenberg Woods said:
Everyone saying to use light boxes was sorely mistaken. Light boxes simply dont show good figure in wood.
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In my experience in working with professional photographers, a light box is the very best way to photograph any product. Photography is all about light and and the box allows you to diffuse and control your light source or sources. If your having bad results, you don't have the right lighting (more than likely the problem) and/or your doing something wrong. The shot below was done with a cheap point and shoot camera, two photo flood bulbs and a light box.

figure.png
 
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