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Business Stuff – Page 2 – Bill Swartwout Photography

Category: Business Stuff

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Yes, I am Still on Twitter

And I plan to remain tweeting as long as it is beneficial to my business.

There has been a lot of misinformation spreading around social media about the “demise” of Twitter after its acquisition by Elon Musk. I’m not seeing that demise at all. In fact, I am seeing increased engagement, fewer scam posts, fewer (obvious) bot posts and fewer misleading advertisements.

twitter screenshot for article
Twitter profile header as might be seen by a “follower” of my twitter feed.

However, many people are being led astray by the naysayers and meme posts on Facebook and other social media sources. Many of the people sharing, adding negative comments and bashing twitter have little or no first-hand knowledge themselves.

Here is a recent interchange I experienced on Facebook that illustrates the twitter-bashing that has become prevalent. I created a Facebook post asking people to head on over to my Twitter Photography Page and give me a follow (thanking them in advance).

  1. Please hop on over and “follow” my (more general) Twitter Photography Page at https://twitter.com/Beachy (TIA).
    • 5 comments
    • 1) Commenter: you’re on Twitter? geez.
    • 2) Reply: (to Commenter) – been there (started for business) back in 2007. Why “geez”?
    • 3) Commenter: because Musk is a lunatic.
    • 4) Reply: (to Commenter) – Evidently you are not a Twitter user – who can actually see improvements in the platform over the last several weeks. Sadly, you must be a believer of Facebook memes (which are mostly created by foreign bots).
    • 5) Commenter: Oh please…resorting to personal insults? get over yourself.

I must apologize if that someone took offense, thinking I intended a personal insult. I actually believed the commenter was not speaking from personal experience. (And, somehow, I do not believe that person has any real Twitter experience. )

Well, anyway, I’ll stick with the platform and am even happy to subscribe (pay a few bucks a month) to be a “Verified” Twitter user (with the small blue checkmark). That small fee may help support the platform but, more importantly, it will also discourage the nefarious plague of demons (spambots and scammers) emanating from the depths of Hades. (Maybe Facebook should take note.)

Finally…

Twitter has been, and will remain, one of the marketing tools I use for sharing (and selling) my landscape/seascape photography. Why? Simply because it works.

If you are a twitter user would care to give me a follow on Twitter, click here: https://twitter.com/Beachy. Thank you.

office studio at the indian river inlet bridge
My office/studio at the Indian River Inlet Bridge near Bethany Beach, Delaware.
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Bill Swartwout Photography on Redbubble

Check out my store on the Redbubble platform for unique items.

Redbubble.com, or for my store Swartwout.Redbubble.com, is now gaining more of my photographs for use on their products. Check it out – and please give the shop a “follow” and a few likes (if you see something you like, that is).

redbubble store header image
This is the current header for my Redbubble Store emphasizing 2023 as #AYearForArt.

From the “About” page on their website: “Redbubble was born in 2006 in Melbourne, Australia. The dream was simple. Give independent artists a meaningful new way to sell their creations. Today, we connect over 700,000 artists and designers across the planet with millions of passionate fans. A brave (and dare we say stylish) new world of self expression.” I am now one of those 700,000+ designers and artists.

Link to: Bill’s Redbubble Store

Here is a sample of a December upload with an unique holiday design on shirts.

crab basket christmas tree on redbubble shirts
Here is how the Crab Basket Christmas Tree Watercolor looks on T-shirts at Redbubble. A wide variety of shirts and sizes are available.

Do artists actually buy art from Redbubble?

Yes they (we) do. Here is an item that arrived as I was creating this post. I needed a small spiral bound notebook to keep near my keyboard and this one caught my eye. It is the creation of a Florida designer known as Pen and Rose Stationers. The item arrived only four days after I placed the order, it was exactly as described, well packaged and is perfect for what I need.

Victorian Starry Night Sky Memoranda Notebook by PenAndRose at redbubble
Victorian Starry Night Sky Memoranda Notebook by PenAndRose at Redbubble.

Here is a related post about: buying one’s own art.

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Bill Swartwout Photography Has a Verified Twitter Account

The “Blue Check” indicates that I am now a paid subscriber to Twitter.

Why not? I’ve been a Twitter member since the first year of this popular social media platform. I joined in June of 2007, only a few months after the Blue Bird spread its wings and took to the air (Internet).

Twitter header with 'Verified" Blue check.
Twitter with ‘Verified” Blue check for Bill Swartwout Photography.

Twitter is still a viable form of social media for marketing my photography. Being a “Verified” tweeter gives my account a bit of extra credibility. Perception and a positive image is beneficial to any sales endeavor. If you also use Twitter please go ahead and click on over there to give my Twitter account a follow.

Sure, there have been a raft of social media memes about how badly the new ownership is doing but I do not believe it is going to fly away any time soon. Twitter had a lot of “problems” that have been ignored for a long time – mainly fake accounts, run by bots, that spread like wildfire. I do believe that problem is being addressed because I am seeing fewer “bogus” advertisements every day.

Do YOU have a twitter account?

If so, leave a link in the comments section (below) and I’ll give you a follow.

I also have twitter accounts for two of my commercial websites. They are not, however, “verified” accounts. Yet.

Link to: Ocean City, MD – (Active since May, 2008)
Link to: South Baltimore Peninsula, MD – (Active since March, 2009)