As for the store/freebie debate, it's kind of darned if you do, darned if you don't kind of situation.

Hugs,

Netta

I love freebies and also used to share rather much. I am hobby designer, can work rather slow.  Think every designers also love to read nice comments on free stuff. The bandwith on my site is about 10 -35 Gb monthly, so it means that have lot of visitors and downloads.  I am usually getting nice comment in my guestbook, monthly one or two that I really love to read, all other visitors  just dl what they see and go away. I've placed a "donation" button also, but nobody was so generous to place donation, even nor 1 dollar.

 In Hungary I do not know any scrapbooking store, there are some paper shops, where can buy very good stuff that can be use for scrapping... that's all...
So I would be interested in owning a store for my digital stuff. Would like to try if my kits worth or not to buy, also would be fine if can get some support to keep up the site ad free, family safe also bandtwith limit...but I am not convinced, that can setup or not the store and sell something.

So I understand and accept opinion of both side, and untill this question " sell  or keep free " is in the air, I'll share freebies and waiting nice comments...

Thanks for attention...

Hugs

Ilona.

I think the internet is big enough to support us all. I am a designer who has a store and still offer freebies for those who are unable to buy for whatever the reason. I personally think that if you are selling strickly for profit only, and your freebie is only offered to get someone to buy the kit, then you are not going to do well. People will always take the freebie but if you are offering it with no strings attached, then they see that RAK, and they in return will buy when they have the chance to repay your kindness. Yes, I know that some people will always take and never repay but I like to think that this is not always the case. I do well in my store but I also put a lot of hard work into my freebies that I offer, I do this for people interested in the hobbie to do so without the expense. Just because you are not able to buy, this does not mean you do not support the designer, you support them by thanking them and spreading kind words about your kits. I think I can pass on a sale in order to give someone a freebie to help them out, and your site is perfect for that, anyone says different is only being small minded to why your site exist and why it has become so popular. You allow designers to get the exposure they would not get by word of mouth only, and I for one I will always be grateful to sites like yours. When I first started creating freebies, I got hate mail from other designers, saying I was hurting the business and taking away from "legitimate" designers who are the real artist... I say that we should not be so quick to punish those who want to create for pleasure rather than profit, and if you are good at what you do and your heart is in it for the right reasons, you can succeed at both. Susan of Raspberry Road Designs

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z28/raspberryroaddesigns/RaspberryBlinkieLarge.gif

But to get back to the issue of freebies or not- I LOVE giving out my freebies- it's my reward for sitting here 24-7 designing and playing with new things- it's also a way of judging what works and what doesn't- But it's my way of giving back to those awesome people who continually support and encourage me in my designing career- which is not easy- there are TONS of awesome designers out there. I don't do it with snags- I do it because I love to, and it also gives those out there a sample of my work-KWIM?

Anyway- that's just my little 2 cents worth-LOL But what I will say is - is that I LOVE designing- have been as happy as a pig in sh-t for the last year as I am eventually doing something with my qualifications- if I get paid for that- it's a bonus, but it's the satisfaction of seeing a LO with your stuff being used that FAR outways the money! There is nothing nicer than seeing your stuff in a gallery and knowing that the scrapper thought it good enough to use for her memories.! And THAT is what keeps this little heart going-

But I also buy kits from different ones I seem to be drawn to the same designers over and over again... I could copy there work and not pay but it is not worth the time or effort I much prefer to buy and use my time on my own designs. So I am out here and I do buy and I do enjoy all your efforts....