Poll on Tutorial pricing! Bell flower tut

[Bright-eyed Beads]

Hi all,

I have had some generous constructive criticism and was wondering how others are feeling? Plus how do you price your efforts when writing a tutorial? My Bell Flower tutorial took a while to write and whittle down to the bare essence on how to make these beads. The graphics were time intensive so while it may only be 19 pages, there is a deceptive amount of time and information that has gone into it. Apart from the way in which I make them, I have had to figure out by myself the variations on making them on mandrels. In my introduction, I do say that others have made their own versions of these beads but these are based on my own discoveries and observations.

A little about me...I sell my work mainly at the Rocks Market in Sydney and have been lamp-working for 4 years. I am not a bit one for posting on forums but I do lurk! This is my first poll so please be honest and well thought out in your responses before hitting the post button. You are not only helping me but others who have tutorials they are writing at the moment. Thank you so much and I will follow what you have to say with great interest,

Cheers

Jenny

[Bright-eyed Beads]

Thank you all so much for voting! Guess no one really wants to elaborate their reasons why?

[ironmountainglass]

If money wasn't such an issue right now I would by every tutorial there is. I could learn something from your tut. Even the smallest detail that you do that I might not have thought about would to me be worth it.

[Natsprat]

Good luck with the tutorial Jenny,

I am probably a bad one to ask about this because I do NOT buy tutorials or even use the free ones either.... I find it stifles my own creativity (just my own weird quirk). I have bought one once which was Pipyrs eye cane tutorial which I tried once, then changed completely to suit myself in both construction and application but otherwise I think using Ryans free clownfish tute was the only other one I have used. Price is not a factor at all for me.

I think tutorials are great for when an artist has developed a special technique and they are ready to move on, but want to continue to earn an income by selling that specialised knowledge. Being isolated here in Australia it can also be the only way we can access some of the cool techniques, so I do understand people purchasing them. I am really uncomfortable with the idea of someone writing a tutorial just for the income.... ie. hasn't take time to really develop the techniques fully themselves or if it is based on common intermediate level knowledge for example - that would feel sort of like taking advantage of newbies to me.

Oh well, its a hot topic and everyone has an opinion on it.

I have written a couple of simple tutes for people and done some instructions on some of my beads but no way would I want the headache associated with selling that info.... sort of leaves a person hanging out in the wind for critisism - someone won't like the photo quality, or the writing is confusing, or the technique too simple/complex or its too cheap or too expensive or you forgot to list the requirements prior to sale or ....... or.....

Like I said good luck with it luv, its a minefield I am sure.

Nat :-)

[Bright-eyed Beads]

I was ok with it not being everyone's liking necessarily but it spun me out when it was suggested that I sell it for $5 in the pm I recieved. So I thought "fine, I will let it go and just ask", knowing of course that I do not have to take anyone's advice. The thing is I know that the photos are good and so are the graphics. The knowledge is salt of the earth stuff and I know people have really wanted to be able to make these flowers. I call it Easy Bell Flowers because that is what they are! Just working on not letting one conversation colour my whole vision and mood!!! Plus is at least I feel better now regardless,

Cheers

Jenny

[Cosmo]

I think $10-15 is a fair price. Just judging from the others I've seen, that seems on par with them.

[Bright-eyed Beads]

Thank you all so much for all the help and advice that you have given. I have decided to adjust the price if my tutorial to $10 but I am not sure if I will be able to do it staight away as I am at work at the moment. Should be done by tonight for sure! Looking forward to hearing what you all think,

Cheers

Jenny

[Bright-eyed Beads]

I have sucessfully changed the price in my Etsy stall so I look forward to hearing from you all again soon,

Thank you

Jenny

[Karen Hardy]

I went with the 10$ price too. Hope you sell tons!!!

[Bright-eyed Beads]

Thank you Karen! I am hopeful and for those who have bought tuts, I sent then out as soon as I got the orders and payments so I hope that you are all having a lot of fun playing xxxxJenny

[tikiterri]

I think my 5 needed an explanation. I already know how to make them but sometimes I'll buy a tute to see if they are different than how I do things. If I didn't know how to make them I'd jump on it for 10. I should of thought it through before voting.

[Quicksilverart]

If someone has taken the time to learn a technique and then put together a tutorial, they should be fairly compensated for the work. That being said, I try not to spend more than $20 to $25 per tutorial, if it's a one technique type thing. If it's something I can apply to many things and will expand my understanding of glass, I will pay a lot. Like Loren Stump's class. The more info added, the more I will pay.

[Bright-eyed Beads]

I can understand what you mean but even if I have already mastered a technique of a making a particular bead, I always learn something. Just a balance to be reached! Thank you so much for all your comments and feedback,

Cheers

Jenny

[simvet02]

I'm a tutorial collector. I really appreciate people who are willing to share what they have taken the time to develop and perfect. I have learned something from every tutorial I've purchased, even if it was just an easier way to shape a bead. I rarely make the exact bead that is in the tutorial but as I said before I have learned something valuable from every tutorial I've purchased.
That being said, your time and experience is worth at least $10 if not more.

[Bright-eyed Beads]

Hi Jan,

Thank you so much! I hope that you enjoy the tutorial and I look forward to seeing what you have made,

Cheers

Jenny

[firebreathingdragon]

A $10.00 tutorial is still cheaper than buying a $30.00 book that only has basic techniques in it or than purchasing a $150 + beadmaking class when you only really need help on one particular technique. I would proably jump on a $10.00 tutorial if it was something I was intrested in, and if I had a credit card, and if I wasn't a poor broke college student.

[Gayetha]

I bought it, can't remember what I paid but it wasn't too much. Very nice tute, good ideas, nicely presented. Hope you sell lots of copies. Thanks very much for going to the trouble of writing it. I appreciate people sharing their expertise with me!

[Bright-eyed Beads]

Thank you so much, Gayetha :) I am so glad that you are enjoying making bell flowers so much and I look forward to seeing what you make of these. It has been my pleasure to share,

Cheers

Jenny

[blong2001]

I love the flowers! I have made several from your tutorial and think they are too cute! Thank you!

[Bright-eyed Beads]

I love the flowers! I have made several from your tutorial and think they are too cute! Thank you!

Thank you Bethany:biggrin::biggrin: