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Artist Bewares: Facebook [reupload]
7 years ago
General
So, its been brought to my attention that there are 'a shit ton of bewares' popping up on facebook about me.
I have no desire to enter these closed groups to see whats being said about me but I do desire to know who it is to take proper action and try to fix things. People are talking about me behind a secret wall rather than being open about it on the more common un-hidden livejournal artist beware site.
A lot of times, these people have messaged me once and then leave it at that. I have no way to know who these people are since theyre being secretive about it all. Like for instance, I have one person who keeps ignoring my response comments and hasnt read my note asking what theyd like to do, yet Ive gotten messages from paypal saying theyre trying to file claims with them (which doesnt work because theyre outside their buyers protection).
With that being said, this is all I can say:
I can only work as fast as I can work. With this being my only source of income I HAVE to take on new work in order to give refunds or to pay bills.
I KNOW I made mistakes a couple years ago but overcoming these mistakes and trying to fix them isnt going to be an overnight fix. I can only do so much.
I tried offering smaller options for donations in order to avoid taking on more work than I have to. Ive tried getting loans in order to pay people back and in a perfect world Id have been able to get this loan and everyone would be taken care of. Its the only thing I desire.
I dont want to keep owing all this work. I dont want to have a huge list of people waiting on money for me.
But you have to understand I can only work so fast and I need to take on more work in order to eliminate this huge backlog.
Im not dodging anyone. I havent moved accounts to avoid any of this. I havent made a new paypal to avoid claims. Im still here and Im still working. I make journals/updates daily/weekly to let people know whats going on. Its not like there are months between my owed work submissions and updates and all that. or telling people im moving constantly and cant work or even give excuse after excuse as to why I cant work. I try to do what I can despite my health and despite what Im going through.
I have noticed a decline in people willing to get work from me which hurts my heart because I dont think people actually understand how much that affects me being able to get money back to them. If I cant get work in, I cant make the money to pay people back.
Ive tried everything that I can, even trying to get loans in order to pay back the >2,000$ I owe people. But Im in a really bad financial situation BECAUSE I owe all this money and Im just basically in a hole I cant get myself out of.
Im pretty sad this morning and hate waking up to news like this.
I guess the I have no other option but to take on a huge load of work in order to get this money back to people who are getting really impatient with me..I tried avoiding this by opening a gofundme and donations and offering smaller pieces because I can afford to take on a massive amount of work...but at this point I have no choice..
Id just like to know these people who are making these posts and know if theyre people waiting on art still so I can move them to a refund list...I have no desire to finish artwork for people who, at my face, are understanding and gentle to me but then behind my back are hurting my business and making it harder for me to try to fix things.
So yeah...Im at a loss right now and I dont know what to do...not a real nice way to start my day..
I have no desire to enter these closed groups to see whats being said about me but I do desire to know who it is to take proper action and try to fix things. People are talking about me behind a secret wall rather than being open about it on the more common un-hidden livejournal artist beware site.
A lot of times, these people have messaged me once and then leave it at that. I have no way to know who these people are since theyre being secretive about it all. Like for instance, I have one person who keeps ignoring my response comments and hasnt read my note asking what theyd like to do, yet Ive gotten messages from paypal saying theyre trying to file claims with them (which doesnt work because theyre outside their buyers protection).
With that being said, this is all I can say:
I can only work as fast as I can work. With this being my only source of income I HAVE to take on new work in order to give refunds or to pay bills.
I KNOW I made mistakes a couple years ago but overcoming these mistakes and trying to fix them isnt going to be an overnight fix. I can only do so much.
I tried offering smaller options for donations in order to avoid taking on more work than I have to. Ive tried getting loans in order to pay people back and in a perfect world Id have been able to get this loan and everyone would be taken care of. Its the only thing I desire.
I dont want to keep owing all this work. I dont want to have a huge list of people waiting on money for me.
But you have to understand I can only work so fast and I need to take on more work in order to eliminate this huge backlog.
Im not dodging anyone. I havent moved accounts to avoid any of this. I havent made a new paypal to avoid claims. Im still here and Im still working. I make journals/updates daily/weekly to let people know whats going on. Its not like there are months between my owed work submissions and updates and all that. or telling people im moving constantly and cant work or even give excuse after excuse as to why I cant work. I try to do what I can despite my health and despite what Im going through.
I have noticed a decline in people willing to get work from me which hurts my heart because I dont think people actually understand how much that affects me being able to get money back to them. If I cant get work in, I cant make the money to pay people back.
Ive tried everything that I can, even trying to get loans in order to pay back the >2,000$ I owe people. But Im in a really bad financial situation BECAUSE I owe all this money and Im just basically in a hole I cant get myself out of.
Im pretty sad this morning and hate waking up to news like this.
I guess the I have no other option but to take on a huge load of work in order to get this money back to people who are getting really impatient with me..I tried avoiding this by opening a gofundme and donations and offering smaller pieces because I can afford to take on a massive amount of work...but at this point I have no choice..
Id just like to know these people who are making these posts and know if theyre people waiting on art still so I can move them to a refund list...I have no desire to finish artwork for people who, at my face, are understanding and gentle to me but then behind my back are hurting my business and making it harder for me to try to fix things.
So yeah...Im at a loss right now and I dont know what to do...not a real nice way to start my day..
I think the rudeness might be maybe I gave them an answer they didnt like? Not being able to hand something over immediately, be it art or a refund?
BUT that said, I absolutely understand any and all frustration people may have! I get it. Im in the same boat with another artist I gave 180$ to a while ago and Im still waiting on a piece with little to no progress and no updates whatsoever.
So experiencing the other side of it, I understand! Which is why i try to to be as open and communicative as possible and I try to make people happy whether it be to get a refund to them as soon as absolutely possible or getting art to them!
I am sure if you put as much hard work and dedication into chewing through this hard time you can get through it and start reconstructing to get yourself better.
I usually take these things with stride and I take everything I read and hear into consideration and do my best to work with what I have. It just got to be a little much to come to learn this first thing in the morning!
I appreciate your comment and kind words 💖 Thank you!
Is that maybe something feasible you could try? Or something similar?
Maybe if 100 odd in a day isn't enough, maybe bump it up for $25 or $30 half body sketch commissions done same day if you think it's something you can manage?
Then if you sell ten slots of those and can get them done in a day, that could push you to roughly 300 a day and you'd be able to pay people back in no time!!
(If That's possible that is, I don't know your going rate prices or how large your queue is!)
But just taking small commissions that you can turn around quickly, I always find that a huuuuge help, and if you think it's something you can do, I'd totally recommend it!
As for getting in more of a client base after your rough patch, I'd probably say getting a 1month $15 ad on FA
A lot of people use adblocker, but a lot of people also don't, I used it a couple times, and when I have, I'd say it gives you a steady stream of new watchers, and new people getting exposed to your fa page and your art, and more people exposed = more potential commissioners! :)
You've probably already thought of /considered all that though ;o; But I figured juuust in case you hadn't it might be worth mentioning. I know how tough it can be, I really do.
I've literally been forced to move 3 times in the first six months of 2018, and it was a fucking nightmare - but I managed to stay on top of everything just by taking things one day at a time, taking on small things whilst working on the massive queue I'd had to take on to afford moving etc.
If it's doable, it's totally a million percent worth it ;o;
I wish you the best of luck!!
I read this comment earlier and this is something Im completely considering. I feel like I can handle the workload as long as its quick stuff to do.
I normally charge a little extra for my work but with things being the way they are and me slipping into desperation mode, I may have to swallow my pride and offer things a little cheaper!
I think this is entirely doable as long as Im smart about it!
Thank you for commenting and for your kind words!! 💖
LOVE your art! <3
In regards to fixing the issue, have you thought about opening commissions with a VERY clear extended deadline, while finishing some of the owed work rather than swamping yourself with new work just to refund them? Clearly some of your past commissioners aren't very open minded to getting a money return than their product. Or perhaps offering a sketch for their troubles while they wait for their refunds. It might do good to hold some angry commissioners from running your name through the dirt.
Unfortunately there will still be some people who will hold onto the fact that they didn't get it when promised and no amount of apologizing or compensation will deter them. The best thing you can do is keep on trying your best to fix it, post public updates for all to see, that way any sensible person who comes across a beware will come to your account to find your side of the story, and see the beware was more posted out of hate than anything. I've had my share of bad decisions and just the worst luck with life issues after taking on commissions and I'm very fortunate to have had understanding commissioners who were happy to work with me on fixing the issue once I explained and did what I could to help them.
I wish you the best of luck, try not to swamp yourself or you might fall right back into this all over again :(
Which is why I try to be as communicative and give as many updates as I can so people arent waiting 1+ months for some type of word from me. I know how it feels and I try to be very open in that regard.
I could definitely try the extended deadline route! I just feel at this point, more people would be iffy with trusting my judgement and commissioning me. People would rather have the image quicker rather than waiting to see if Ill stick true to my word. WHICH, i do and would not blame anyone at all!! I totally get why new and older clients of mine would be reserved and cautious moving forward, given what theyve experienced in the past and what have you.
But youre right, as long as I try to do the best thing possible for everyone and try to remain as transparent as possible, people who dont make snap judgements can come to my own account and read for themselves.
And besides whoever has been making these hidden remarks and bewares behind me, I do have some of the most understanding people on my queue and I couldnt be more grateful to them!
Thank you so much for you taking the time to comment and for your kind words!! 💕
Not only that, it’s technically a DONATION not a purchase, so anything they may get in return is simply a perk for donating. Donating means GIVING not buying, first and foremost.
They really need to have patience. It takes time to create artwork. Plus life happens!
And it’s not like the artwork is going to go bad or get lost in the mail.
These people need to GROW UP.
Maybe you should reconsider selling on FB, it’s toxic on FB...
Take care
The only places I sell are on here and occasionally twitter!
I understand peoples frustrations though but I do try my best to be available and to communicate!!
Thank you for commenting and for your kind words!! 💖
Like, I appreciate people being upfront with me more than anything!
*tosses you a fluffy blanket of protection +100*
Your art is worth any length of wait, and if other people can't see that, I don't think they're worthy of your work >.< (If only that was how the real world worked heh T.T) But really, don't let them in your head. You're an amazing artist and an even better person. We're all here for you if you ever need to rant or talk or need advice.
I can understand them being frustrated but if you're doing the best you can then there's not much you can do about it other than just keepin on at it.
I definitely second what kriticalerror was going on about though.
To be honest, I'd just take a month of just solid doing Same-Day-Turnaround pieces, making at LEAST $100 a day and after a month, you should have 3K in the bank (give or take) which is enough for food expenses as well as a HUGE chunk out of refunding people~ : )
best of luck~