Marketing or Altruism? Maybe A Bit Of Both

Howdy all! First, thanks so much to everyone who has become a fan during the shenanigans surrounding the Skelekitty.com Grand Reopening and to those of you who have been around for a while. No matter when you found me, I really appreciate your support.

I wanted to talk a little bit about why I am doing the co-giveaways with different artists and indie businesses during my grand reopening.

Admittedly, there is a bit of marketing savvy to this approach. By asking other people's fans to follow me on Twitter or like my Facebook page, I will gain some new fans. Maybe I'll even keep a few after the giveaways. That's what's in it for me and my business and, if I'm honest (and you know that I am, often to a fault), giving away my work wouldn't be worthwhile if there wasn't at least some hope to develop relationships with new clients.

However, the real reason I chose the artists I did is that I really like them, and think that many of my fans would too - if they knew about them. Each artist represents a different aspect of the indie business community and I truly feel that their works are treasures that have been undiscovered by many. You don't have to be the world's biggest fan of the sponsoring indie company to win their giveaway! Heck, it's OK if you just heard of them this second. I only learned about most of these people and their company/art/comic/band in passing, from friends or through similar promotions, so I encourage you to look at (or listen to) the items we're giving away. Read the background on each company in their giveaway blog post, then click the links I provide. Check out their shops, blogs and/or YouTube videos. Scroll around on their websites (listed below) and fan pages. You just might find something you really like. I took a moment to find out what each artist was about once, and since then they have come to be some of my favorite things in the world. No kidding.

Each of these artists is very good at what they do, and they're good people too (or I wouldn't be working with them). So go take a look at what they have going on. I don't expect everyone will like everything, but I would be surprised if each one of you didn't like at least one of them; very surprised indeed.

:)

Special thanks go out to these artists & groups (for returning my e-mails and donating stuff):  Ant Farm Studio, Bewhiskered, Brooke Van Gory Designs, EuroSunday, Geek in the City Comics (and Geek in the City Radio), The Kimberly Trip, Sara Lynch, and Madd Style Cosmetics.  They have all provided me with smiles and a quite a few of my favorite things.