Approaching the RSPB - subject line to get my email noticed?

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Approaching the RSPB - subject line to get my email noticed?
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earthyvirgo

Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 7972
Location: creating prints in the loft, Gerlan

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 11:36 am Post subject: Approaching the RSPB - subject line to get my email noticed?

I've decided to be brave and approach the RSPB with my current Twelve days series of 'bird' linocuts.

I just picked up the phone and got a name and an email address for their purchasing department but I want to make sure my email doesn't get lost/missed amongst the rest.

What would get my email noticed if it landed in your inbox ... that won't go directly into the RSPB's junk mail/be deleted by their spam filters?

Thank as always for ideas/suggestions
EV

Went

Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 6968

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 11:44 am Post subject:
Bird sightings Rare bird prints RSPB Member gifts Artist request Would a letter and samples not be better?

DorsetScott

Joined: 23 Oct 2011
Posts: 500
Location: Bournemouth

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 11:49 am Post subject:
Bomb Threat - This is not a hoax! Well, it would get it noticed

earthyvirgo

Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 7972
Location: creating prints in the loft, Gerlan

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 11:56 am Post subject:

DorsetScott wrote:

Bomb Threat - This is not a hoax!

Well, it would get it noticed

I think it would also mean I wouldn't get a look in!

EV

Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 12:03 pm Post subject:
What do you want them to do?

DorsetScott

Joined: 23 Oct 2011
Posts: 500
Location: Bournemouth

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 12:33 pm Post subject:

earthyvirgo wrote:

DorsetScott wrote:

Bomb Threat - This is not a hoax!

Well, it would get it noticed

I think it would also mean I wouldn't get a look in!

EV

You said you wanted to be noticed. There's no pleasing some people

I'd go with something like hand crafted bird themed traditional lino prints for christmas.
I'd also suggest that whatever you send it will get read/noticed. You have the address for their purchasing department, and a name too so you're targetting the right people. Why not send the email and then follow up with a phone call 24 hours later or something to confirm it has reached the correct person/department?

I do however agree with Wentworth, an actual sample landing on someones desk showing the quality etc will probably be worth 10 emails

earthyvirgo

Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 7972
Location: creating prints in the loft, Gerlan

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 12:42 pm Post subject:

Behemoth wrote:

What do you want them to do?

I'm approaching their Purchasing Department with a view to them using it for printing as cards, calendar maybe, something like that, or maybe commission similar work - I imagine (if they're interested), they want to have it for use under some sort of license ...which I'll need to swot up on!

EV

Went

Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 6968

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 12:43 pm Post subject:
You might have to accept that the purchasing cycle for this Christmas might have already passed you by. I suspect that stock for this year is already taken care of but there is always 2014...nationally - might need a scaling up of production if you won that one.

earthyvirgo

Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 7972
Location: creating prints in the loft, Gerlan

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 12:46 pm Post subject:

Wentworth wrote:

Bird sightings
Rare bird prints
RSPB Member gifts
Artist request

Would a letter and samples not be better?

Mmm, possibly - I know they are very IT focused at HQ, so my gut feeling was that email with a good quality image or two would be less hassle for them ...if I offered to send samples f they were interested, that would save me time and postage initially.

With it being B + Wh work, there's no issues with inaccurate colours.

EV

earthyvirgo

Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 7972
Location: creating prints in the loft, Gerlan

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 12:47 pm Post subject:

Wentworth wrote:

You might have to accept that the purchasing cycle for this Christmas might have already passed you by. I suspect that stock for this year is already taken care of but there is always 2014...nationally

- might need a scaling up of production if you won that one.

Absolutely, several months ago I imagine

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46340
Location: yes

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 2:21 pm Post subject:
get a name ,make a call,arrange a visit

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 2:26 pm Post subject:
Buy My Art Or The Avocet Dies...

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 4:29 pm Post subject:
I'd approach Mark Boyd and see if he can give you any insider tips.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 13 10:03 pm Post subject:

dpack wrote:

get a name ,make a call,arrange a visit

This, to be honest. Email is a fairly poor communication method, far too often.

Somewhere-by-the-river

Joined: 16 Sep 2013
Posts: 56
Location: West Wales

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 13 11:20 am Post subject:

I'd go with sending a sample (copy of images, not originals) then a follow-up email/call. Most card producers start looking for Christmas images in January, so now is probably not a bad idea with a view to Christmas 2014. As for licensing, I'm not sure how such a big charity would work (some would expect you to donate images, rather than have to pay), but most places that do pay for images would give you a nominal payment with an agreement to allow them to use the images for a set number of years (for as many runs as they wanted within that time). They do, however, get approached by a lot of artists - it's worth a go (great images), but they might not get back to you.

Just as an extra point of interest... have you seen this (as a potential outlet)? https://www.downtoearthgift.co.uk/

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