Blogger Q + A: Indiefixx

I’m so happy to have Jen of Indiefixx over for our Blogger Q + A this round! She talks about how bloggers get tons (no, gajillions!) of emails a day and how to best approach blogs for a mention. Enjoy!

How would you describe IndieFixx’s blog style?
Hmm, that’s a difficult one for me. It is always easier for me to describe other’s blogs, work, and design rather than my own. It’s just like you can always tell if a pair of jeans looks good on a friend, but it’s impossible to tell if yours make your butt look big!

I guess if pressed, I would have to say that Indie Fixx is fresh, whimsical, playful & sweet. I like to think it is a reflection of the better parts of me. 😉

What catches your eye, and what would make you decide to blog about an artist’s work? (Is there a certain style you’re looking for?)
One thing that catches my eye without a doubt is good photography and photography styling. I cannot stress that good photos are hugely important to getting featured on blogs, in mags and selling your goods.

Who are some of your favourite artists (and is there a particular reason why are they your favorites?
Oh, there are so many to choose from and I can’t really say that I have favorites, since it really depends on my mood, the time in my life, etc. Sticking with print artists, I am drawn to work that is sweetly melancholy and to work that is what I call ‘prettyugly’… meaning that there is something both beautiful and ugly about it. I also like things that are reminiscent of storybooks and I collect portraits of girls and woman.

A few current and past faves are:
Angie Mason – Love her birdhouse collection
Kathleen Lolly
Kate Dolamore – Love her Faery Collection
Eloise Hidden
Catherine Campbell
Fontaine Anderson

And are there specific genres that you think might not be a good fit with your blog?
I don’t generally cover children’s products, so many other blogs can do that better than I can. Other than that, I will take a look at everything!

We know that some bloggers prefer to get submission emails in a certain way — are there any preference to how they should send in submissions to your blog?
I am not all that picky about the format. Email jen@indiefixx.com, my contact form, Twitter, Flickr mail, whatever. I take a look at each and every submission. It is really important that people actually look around my blog before sending a submission though.

I also do like it when people have a story idea or suggestion on how I can feature them as opposed to the ubiquitous; “Check out my site, just because I think it’s fabulous.” Also, make it short and sweet. Don’t send a diatribe and please, please don’t send large images files. Links will do or 1-2 image files under 200k or so. I am also interested in receiving tutorials, images from indie craft shows, free downloads and other fun stuff that can be a fun way to help me introduce someone’s work to my readers.

Are there any other tips you’d like to pass on to Pikaland’s readers about selling/marketing their work?
The best advice I can give is something that it took me many years to figure out… Realize that the worst that someone can say is “no” and then realize that’s really not all that bad and try somewhere else.

Also, realize that bloggers and mag editors receive gajillions of submissions and it’s just about impossible to respond to all submissions, and that not hearing back in no way should be taken as a rejection. Also, just because they don’t use your work or feature you doesn’t mean that they don’t like it. I personally receive so many submissions from super talented people and I just cannot feature everyone. There’s either just not enough time in the day, it’s not the right season, not what I looking for at that moment since I tend to plan my coverage out 2-4 works in advance. I do, and I know lots of bloggers and editors do as well, save submissions for a rainy day though.

{Thanks so much Jen!}

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To read the other bloggers who we have profiled, see here!

4 Replies to “Blogger Q + A: Indiefixx”

  1. aprintaday says:

    nice interview! i love indie fixx 🙂

  2. Jen Wallace says:

    Thanks for asking me, Amy! And thanks, Yas! I love A Print A Day!

  3. Rachel says:

    Great tips! I love the idea about submitting a story with the product. I’ll be linking to this interview.

  4. Sam says:

    So interesting! Real food for thought! Many thanks Amy!

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