Tag Archives: calendars

CALVENDO self-publishers in conversation: David Ireland

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David Ireland’s photographic ventures started when his nephew appointed him as ‘official wedding photographer’. Since then, his camera has never been too far away and his Calvendo calendar portfolio reflects his passion for photogenic locations and motives, with castles, cathedrals and steam trains.

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David, can you talk a bit about your background as a photographer and how and
when you took up photography?

About 10 years ago I was asked by my nephew to photograph his wedding but at the time only had a cheap compact digital camera. I bought a second-hand Canon 300D (which I still own) for the job. Not many days go by now when I haven’t pressed the shutter button for one reason or another. I only use my cameras fully manual now and take 90% plus photos in RAW format.

David's Anglican Cathedrals calendar, part of the Calvendo Gold edition

David’s Anglican Cathedrals calendar, part of the Calvendo Gold edition

From the Anglican Cathedrals calendar

From the Anglican Cathedrals calendar

How would you describe your style and approach as a photographer? Continue reading →

Self-publishing = Self-marketing

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Once a product is created and put on the market, the work of a self-publisher is not quite done yet. Actually, marketing your calendar is vital to the success of your endeavour. And luckily, spreading the word has become so much easier in the age of Social Media and there’s a lot you can do to attract buyers that won’t cost you any money:

  • Spread the news on social networks such as Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest and use product gallery links to show sample images
  • If you’ve got your own website or blog, promote your calendar there, link to the product gallery and provide links to online retailers where your calendar can be ordered
  • Get involved in online communities that might have an in interest in your calendar topic, e.g., on Facebook
  • Speak to your local book shop and see if they want to sell your product. Retailers can order your products through our wholesaler (see Retail)
  • Send a press release to your local newspaper. In particular if you have produced a calendar of your town or region, this could be of interest for them! The same applies to special interest magazines or websites: If your calendar topic fits the bill, why not let them know? The more niche the topic, the more likely that your calendar is the only one out there which raises demand.
  • Tell your family, friends and colleagues about your products – don’t be afraid to send out an email to blow your own trumpet!

Marketing info also on our website here.

 

Lots to be inspired by: Calvendo’s creative calendar makers

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With calendar season on our doorsteps (yes, autumn is finally here!), we see new users on our platform as well as ‘old hands’ cracking on with their ideas and producing fresh calendar material. Here are a few projects that caught our eye over the past weeks. If you haven’t logged into the system yet this year to start a new project, take a look and be inspired by this snapshot of our talented Calvendo community (and there’s much more!):

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  • Whimsical and delightful: Japanese Kokeshi doll illustrations by Capucine with cleverly woven in seasonal references. (Don’t miss the December Kokeshi!)
  • The eyes have it: Great use of our new cover design templates by David Knowles in his ‘Just Nature’s Eyes’ calendar
  • Yearning for the countryside: Christian Mueringer is tapping into the zeitgeist with his ‘Charming Country Houses’ project and collection of rural gems around Europe.
  • Retro with a modern twist: Stephen Millerships’s travel poster style illustrations of Manchester and his hometown Ilkeston are fabulous. Take a look!
  • Delicious: Atlantismedia’s ‘Sweet Dreams’ selection is mouth-watering. Pretty perfect for everyone who has a sweet tooth.
  • Intriguing: Wildlife Art Print’s produced some amazing macro shots of beetles clear, crisp and rather stylish.
  • Reflective: David Chennell’s Wirral calendar features beautiful reflection photography, showing Merseyside’s hidden gem in a different light.
  • Niche interest: Airline tails – yes, that’s a thing! Craig Russell had enough material for not just one but two calendars featuring airline tails. If you’re not an aviation expert yourself, you’ll be surprised how varied and colourful they are
  • Twilight zone: Sue Burton has taken a closer look a the hours of twilight and found different  Degrees of Darkness
  • Flower artistry: Terry Hewlett’s Floral Attraction brightens up every wall,  a real mood booster!

Continue reading →