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08/08/2011 04:26:03 PM · #1 |
| I've just been contacted by this outfit, who claim to have seen my work and are "inviting" me to include it in their next publication. The inclusion is not for free, and the fee is pricey to me. Has anyone heard of them, or are my scam alert warnings justified? |
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08/08/2011 04:31:10 PM · #2 |
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08/08/2011 07:56:58 PM · #3 |
| Does sound like it, doesn't it! |
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08/08/2011 07:59:15 PM · #4 |
My BS meter is redlining.
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08/08/2011 08:24:04 PM · #5 |
| yup - SCAM. Everyone that enters 'wins' a place in the book they try to sell you later. |
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08/08/2011 08:26:41 PM · #6 |
Does the offer come with a Four Leaf Clover?
(You lucky lady, you.)
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08/08/2011 08:26:54 PM · #7 |
Look, I don't know about the Fine Arts trade, but back in my day (which was pre-computer, for all practical purposes) books like this were a legitimate marketing tool for illustrators, graphic designers, and photographers. They were called, if I recall correctly, "Sourcebooks", and art directors in agencies would use them to look for particular styles and approaches that matched their vision for a particular campaign, and to get creative ideas. And yes, we'd pay a substantial sum to be included. If I recall correctly, we paid around $1500 for a single page back in the late 70's, early 80's, or thereabouts.
There were, however, competing Sourcebooks and some were much better at reaching your particular market than others.
So this is not an alien concept to me. Is THIS particular one on the up-and-up? You'd have to ask around and see. Contact some local people who are listed and see what they say. It does seem extremely expensive to me, and I am suspicious, but nevertheless a single sale could recoup all of that and more.
R. |
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08/08/2011 08:55:33 PM · #8 |
That's what I remember as well, Bear. I was in advertising in the 80s, and we used Sourcebooks all the time. That's what this seems to be to me. I checked out their site, and they say it is a marketing tool to be used as you say. The say up front that this is not for free, and I don't "win" anything. I'm paying to be included in the book.
Of course, there's the whole "why me" aspect, and how did they find me, etc. I've done a search for scams, etc., and they do not show up anywhere. |
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08/08/2011 08:56:55 PM · #9 |
The Editor claims that it's not a scam, but you really wouldn't expect anyone to claim their business is a scam.
//www.pentaxforums.com/forums/general-photography/150241-international-masters-photography-volume-i.html
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08/08/2011 11:56:28 PM · #10 |
never mind
Message edited by author 2011-08-08 23:57:35. |
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08/09/2011 12:04:06 AM · #11 |
Run the other way.. If they think your photos are worthy of being in their book, then they should be paying you!
And just let me say, your photos are worthy oh having their own book! |
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08/09/2011 12:14:40 AM · #12 |
You guys don't seem to be understanding, I'm sorry. This is NOT in the same category as Photo Laureates or one of those places. This is designed for marketing & advertising purposes, plain and simple. The publisher is making books and distributing them to the industry. The artists are paying to be included in the books. It's like paying for an ad in a magazine, or something. You DO understand that concept, right?
Whether this particular publication is a valid marketing outlet or not I have know way of knowing. Like I said, back in my day some Sourcebooks were immensely valuable to be in, and others were a waste of my promotional dollar. It's up to the artists to work this out for themselves, via due diligence.
But the business model, in and of itself, is not a scam. It's a proven way of marketing for the creative fields. There are Architecture Sourcebooks, Interior Design Sourcebooks, Photography Sourcebooks, Graphic Design Sourcebooks, there's nothing new about this.
You can throw around all the opinions you want about whether it's "too expensive", but that's entirely dependent on the distribution the book gets and the leads it generates. What it's NOT, IMO, is what some of you are saying: a "vanity press".
R. |
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