Bahns'+Big+Project


 * Nice job!! You're right, don't follow the middle schoolers! Good on following the top 10 from the magazine. Them not wanting to deal with Facebook comments is a missed opportunity for building relationships with his local community. It's really too bad, because everyone is on Facebook, and unless you stumble onto his website, they don't interact with anyone beyond that and Twitter. As you know, if one person comments on a Facebook item then all of their friends can see that and so on.But it is still worth having to post images of the latest work. It can still drive traffic to the website and store.**


 * Could you put your name at the top of this page along with any links associated with the gallery.**
 * thanks!**
 * Karl**

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 * LinkedIn Link:**

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 * Flickr Link:**


 * Week 4 with Saper Galleries**

I wanted to include this first photograph because I wanted to give people a feel for what's inside Saper Galleries' doors. I'm sure people, mostly students, walk by everyday wondering what goes on inside. This captures the use of natural light, as well as an overview of what type of artwork is on display. Secondly, is this shot of "Paris" by Paul Braslow, with a James T. Russell sculpture in the background. But this photo also helps to show the audience another interior shot of Saper Galleries, as well as the use of natural lighting inside the gallery. Furthermore, the shot aims to impress the audience, strike some type of nerve that makes them want to see these pieces in person. Finally, this photograph of another James T. Russell sculpture invites the viewer into Saper Galleries. Not only can this be used to showcase the artist's talents, but bring in customers who enjoy the paintings in the background. It gives the sense that there is a lot to see inside, so why not stop by. It's not showing the art, but the style that is Saper Galleries. What I had in mind for these first photographs was to make people feel more comfortable with Saper and to make Saper more approachable for anyone walking past. Everything might have a price tag on it or next to it, but there is no reason why this art cannot be enjoyed by all while on display.


 * Updates**

Things with Saper Galleries are going very well. Autumn and Jennifer are really getting the hang of Twitter and how the site functions. At the beginning, Roy Saper said he was going to leave all the social media activities, except for the website, in the hands of his other two employees. However, this did not last long. Now, he has developed a set of rules for tweeting. His main rule is that a link to the website and a link to a photo must be included in every tweet. This may seem like a good idea, but I let them know that sometimes there may not be a photo. So after discussion, we decided that at least once a day there should be a tweet that includes a photo and link, but there can be other tweets about general goings-on that may not need a photo. I do admire his sense of commitment.

Recently, the galleries have been hosting middle school spanish classes so they have been tweeting in Spanish. Jennifer also suggested that the students should go home and follow Saper on Twitter. They said that some of the students were following, but I was unsure on how to answer one of their questions: Should they in turn follow these middle schoolers? I said "No" because they should maintain a more distinguished feed filled with artists, galleries, customers and other businesses. But this was only my opinion, what do you think??

Finally, we spoke about moving on to a Facebook page. The only concern of Roy is that people will be asking questions on Facebook when he would like all concerns or inquiries sent directly to his email. This way he only has to answer to one online entity. I told them that they can use a Facebook page more like a news page, and not have any comments on it. Is this worth it? Facebook is all about commenting and liking, is there a way to direct all inquiries back to his email? These are questions that I will need to address as I start building their page.

And one interesting piece of news, one of the employees was reading an art magazine that Saper Galleries usually receives. Inside was a story on the top 10 people to follow in the art community. Jennifer was so pleased that she had a Twitter account and started following those top 10 immediately. It was almost an "Ah-ha" moment and it ensured them and myself that social media is no game.


 * Week 3 with Saper Galleries**

Saper's Twitter page is looking great! Autumn, one of the employees has taken to the role of Twitter updater. She is learning many of the features that Twitter has available, such as linking to the Galleries' website and photos of artists' work. Autumn has also grasped the concept of writing a tweet, keeping them short, sweet and concise. She will be my contact for all things Twitter. Last week she asked for hints in increasing our following online. We are only at 9, including myself, and Saper is following 39 members. One thing for Autumn to start including in her Twitter regiment is the use of the Retweet. I told her that this will help broaden Saper's online network. Also, another idea for her to consider is the use of question asking, trying to spark a discussion or yield a response from someone.

When I first met with Roy Saper, he said he would like to run some type of promotional event on Twitter to check the effectiveness that the microblog is having. At this point, I believe we need to increase the amount of followers before this type of event but we can begin to think of ideas for what it might entail. So moving forward, I will have him, Autumn and Jennifer begin brainstorming ideas for this type of promotion. Hopefully as Autumn begins to feel more comfortable online, I can approach her about creating a Facebook page. I know Facebook is where the people are, but Roy was hesitant about the Facebook idea and wanted to work on Twitter first. He updates the website everyday and he is very busy. Autumn will be he most likely employee to undertake the Facebook project.

One of my selling points for the use of Twitter was that it can be used to attract a younger patronage. I felt that students just did not know that the gallery was open to anyone for free at anytime. In the week ahead, I must think of creative ways to bring in the younger customers, ways that will make people aware of the gallery's existence. This has been difficult for me, but I need to focus on what college aged, young people do. The gallery is the perfect place for a couple on a Sunday afternoon, for a relaxing break after an exam or for stopping in on your way home. Another mind map is in the works.

Goals for Next Week: 1. Develop ideas for pulling in younger customers specifically. 2. Mention the idea of a Facebook page to Autumn (there is one already, created by Facebook itself, just needs updating and upkeep). 3. Discuss with Roy, Jennifer and Autumn about ideas for some type of Twitter promotion. 4. Use my Twitter account to mention Saper and boost their network.


 * Week 2 with Saper Galleries**

This week we set up them up with a twitter account. This way they can start to build up a following as well as selecting certain businesses, artists and dealers that they would like to follow themselves. At first, they were hesitant about hopping on to the social media bandwagon, but at the same time curious about the popularity it has gained as a marketing tool. So they have decided to hold off on a facebook page for now and focus on their twitter presence. It is a museum and framing shop, so they have a bit of pride built up in their business and do not want just anyone posting on their wall. I will show them that facebook is not all posting and friending, but baby steps. This will take place next week after they begin to grasp everything Twitter has to offer. The people at Saper are very fun and I look forward to working with them more and more.

Below is my "mind map" that I created using bubbl.us. It was very easy to use and I think it will be utilized throughout this project and into undertakings in the future.



//**I saw your mind map. I was looking for it on this page. Curious that Roy's afraid of Facebook. That's where everyone is, and it's a way to drive international traffic to his website. I know he sells online. I saw you tweet about the gallery with your photo, but you should be using their logo or something that is about the gallery. I need you to go back and look at the instructions for this page and update it correctly. Thanks -karl**//

//**What's going on here? I get the feeling you did not meet with them. I know Roy Saper well, and he'll expect a lot more than this.**// //**you're missing your second week**// //**and a mind map outlining your strategy. Very disappointing—Karl.**//

For this project, I will be helping out the Saper Galleries in East Lansing. The Saper Galleries are located on Albert and Division where they hold different exhibits of art work and sculpture year after year. Next up is a Dr. Seuss show, beginning March 4th. They also run a custom framing operation to add the finishing touches to anyone's project. Also available at Saper is merchandising, such as calendars, prints and mugs, that are available for purchase.
 * Business**:

Saper does have a website but it is extremely difficult to traverse. The clutter and jumbled nature of each page hurts your eyes and it is not an enjoyable occasion. This is the problem. It should be fun and exciting to surf the website of a museum, checking out specific examples of art on display and news of upcoming exhibits clearly stated. They are not on Facebook or Twitter, so getting them started on these platforms will be one of the first moves.
 * Current Situation**:

I will begin to work with Saper Galleries weekly. First is to give my suggestions to their web designer. We need to relieve some of the clutter and make sure all pertinent information is clearly available. For example, it is difficult to find framing information on their website, which is one of their main attractions. Then we will get them started on Facebook and Twitter. This will give them the chance to connect with patrons and attract new ones from around town.
 * Future Plans**: