I am always looking for ways to increase visibility. I love watching potters throw and follow many on Periscope and You Tube. I prefer the more interactive “live” feeds that then can be viewed later. I did a short Periscope at a support Planned Parenthood event, but then decided to bite the bullet and do a live pottery throw on Periscope. I get it all set up and then I have technical problems. Here I am, clay all wedged and tools out, ready to take the plunge and throw myself off the cliff and see how well I land and I can’t go live. I don’t want to waste this moment so I decide to throw live on Face Book. At first I started on my personal page, but soon realized (just a few minutes in) that it made more sense to do it from the Yellow Door Page. I quickly pop over and turn it on. I have to say I loved it for many reasons. It was fun, interactive, it allowed me to talk about my work and process, something artisans don’t get a chance to do often. Because FB live is still very new, it surprised people when I acknowledged them as a viewer. My sister, shared the live event and others started to follow. When I was done, I realized you could then post it on your page…great, let’s see what happens. So it’s not just live, but you can also preserve it so others can see it later. Amazing.
The next day, I do it again, but this time I announce it on my personal FB page and invite people to watch it on Yellow Door. Even more live viewers this time and people I never would have guessed would be remotely interested. The feeds take a life of their own on. People viewed and shared and soon I have a couple of hundred viewers for each live feed I do, most of them after the fact, on play back, but viewers none the less, who can spread the word.
I don’t do anything special, I just decide ahead what I am working on that day and turn on the feed and talk…or not sometimes…and do my thing. I have been doing this about a week, and not everyday as I still have that pesky full time job, but the total viewership of my 5 videos is over one thousand hits.
People are fascinated by something they think they can’t do and most like to watch other people work. I like to talk and I love to talk about pottery, it’s a perfect blend. There is still so much to explore in this area, but so far I would rate this new adventure a huge success.
I’ll drop a link to one of my first so you can get an idea. My technique, both throwing and as a video presenter is far from flawless, but it is just me with all my bumps and warts. The added bonus, which I didn’t expect, is I can watch it back later and critique my throwing technique.
Best…Teri