The difference a photo can make

I knew when I finally bit the bullet and started reformatting all of my patterns, and getting them all new photos (which meant either reknitting the sample and doing a shoot or working with generous knitters kind enough to let me use their photos) that it would be a lot of work. An awful lot of work, but I also knew it would be worth it.

Now that I've got UK and US distributors for my print patterns, I've been looking over the stats, and they make for some interesting reading. I've been curious to know whether new photos would improve the PDF sales, and whether the same patterns that are most popular in PDF would also be the popular patterns in print.

One pattern has surprised me. It's quickly become a best seller both in print and PDF, yet it's an old design that in it's old format, hardly sold at all.

Trellis Beret. Here's a look at how it was originally knit and photographed:

Okay, so I guess the improvement is obvious, and I do kinda cringe a bit when I see some of these old photos! But I didn't know then what I know now, and I certainly didn't know the lovely Silvia, or anyone for that matter, willing to model for me.

What's surprising me is that this design, one that's at the simpler end of my range, has jumped to the top of my best sellers. There are about 4 or 5 designs that sell more than any others, but I didn't expect this to be one of them - it had always been a poor seller, before the lovely Silvia and my camera met.

One other thing that has been confirmed, something I can't always get my head round, is that it's often the simpler designs that sell best. The designs that I battle with or feel most proud of invariably aren't the ones that do well. (but hey, I don't pretend to have any idea of what's in fashion, or what the majority of knitters like!)

Here's some of the others that are doing well, either in print, PDF, or both...

Starburst	Sloochie	Whirly Rib	Sloppy Joe

Isn't it interesting? Whirly Rib, Starburst & Sloppy Joe have always been steady good sellers, but Sloochie, like Trellis, never did well, until it was worn and draped on someone who carries it of so beautifully, it's hard to resist. So it's not just the photo, it's the choice of model, the styling, the setting... all stuff we know but often need a reality check with.

Notice also, the beret/slouch connection? (I'm being facetious, this is me after all)

A photo really does make a difference, for the better, which is kinda good because it means all the work was worth it!

Comments

[Alison]

The photograph makes a huge difference, yes, but so does the new colour, it's much easier to see the detail. It's a lovely hat, no wonder it's selling well!

[Mandy]

It's so great to hear your thoughts on this. I've been struggling to get "the shot" of a new pattern and it's very frustrating. I am trying to save up my money for a good camera, but really I know that just having a new camera won't be the solution. It's about everything - camera, model, setting, mood, colors, focus, blah, blah. And maybe it's even a bit about luck.

[cottonon]

I think your monthly KALs and your personal imput into group threads has raised the profile of your patterns as well.

[erssie]

I always knew photos are a real seller, mainly because when I worked with publishers/book authors I used to think ''Are you really going to use that simple design, its ownly stocking stitch????''etc, and of course once a really simple design, even if it is just something like a wristwarmer that is a tube, is in a delicious setting and on a good model....it sells it.

I totally know what you mean about simplicity too. There are some of my patterns that seem so simple they should not need a pattern that sell over and over, and then I have got my Calacas Dazantes socks with a bit of colourwork, and peopple will ooh and ahh over those.....but do all those people make them? No. I am still getting pms on a daily basis saying 'ooh nice socks, maybe when I am a better knitter I will try those''. The colourwork is not complicated at all but has a definite theme, and I am proud of them, but they are free and still few people actually finish them. If I was selling those, I reckon i would probably have had 0 buyers!