new forum idea

[Treecycle Hardwoods]

Ok I did an experiment over the last 2 days and invited everybody on my FB friends list to like our WB FB page. I started with just the woodworking guys I knew from around the world and eventually just said ta heck with it and invited everyone to like it. To my surprise I had friends like the page who were not woodworkers but some of them who really admired my work over the years.....

So my suggestion is possibly a new section titled "Artisians for hire" where non-woodworkers can post requests for the guys/gals here who can make what they are looking for??? Just a thought but if we continue to integrate FB with WB we could get some traffic to our site in yet another way. It will likely be used between members as well seeing as some guys only turn or only do flat work and may have an idea for a project outside their comfort level.

Is the idea worth kicking around at all???

 

[NYWoodturner]

At first glance it doesn't sound like a bad idea. I think its worth at least kicking around.
Random thoughts:
We have had several inquiries of a similar nature here and have yet to see one pan out...
What happens if the Artisan doesn't deliver or the customer isn't happy? - need a WB disclaimer of sorts, but still a reflection on WB.
I'd like to hear some other thoughts - pro and con...

 

[Treecycle Hardwoods]

A sticky in that forum could outline a disclaimer but good point. It should be kicked around but I think it may a similar situation to selling wood if a customer isn't happy.

We have the woodworking services section already maybe it could be tweaked to be more non - woodworker friendly section where people would feel comfortable engaging with our members.

 

[ButchC]

A sticky in that forum could outline a disclaimer but good point. It should be kicked around but I think it may a similar situation to selling wood if a customer isn't happy.

We have the woodworking services section already maybe it could be tweaked to be more non - woodworker friendly section where people would feel comfortable engaging with our members.

I like this sentiment as people can be intimidated by a large group of people. In general, I find that most people truly admire a well crafted object in wood, and may have questions, comments, or requsts they may not be able to express elsewhere.
My Pops hates going to woodcraft. Too many things he has no idea about!!!

Butch

 

[Mike1950]

Just to chime in- I agree with Greg that no matter what we can get people that are unhappy. I assume disclaimer will have to get larger as WB grows anyhow, m

 

[Alan Sweet]

OK I like the idea, of course here comes the but..

I know in our local area there are "free" referrals services which will provide me with numbers or emails of "professionals" that have registered with them.

I have attempted to use them a couple times and I was not pleased with the results. And that was just getting to the "give me an estimate" and getting them to at least show up.

While I am a firm believer marketing, I have found that a large percentage of "non-woodworking" people don't know the difference between a carpenter and a wood worker. I don't know about others, but when asked about what I am doing and if I say wood working, I get one of two reactions 1) it must be a hobby so I will do something real cheap or 2) I must be a carpenter. I find when you really investigate people's idea they see wood workers as "arts and crafts" at best artisans. In either case it is more of a retail related relationship (pens, bowls, boxes, furniture, ornaments, decorations, ...) rather than a custom build related relationship (build a thangy).

Outside of living the "artsy/crafty" world in festivals, I find most of my clients by word of mouth from previous clients or people I have met at a festival. But, I'm retired so I have the freedom.

I think what you are suggesting can work. I'm just not sure how, I would be willing to give it a try.

If it is just going to be listing of people that call themselves wood workers and their contact means, that is on thing.

If however, it is going to be a means of providing quality custom products to customers at fair and reasonable prices, it will require a lot more than just a list.
I think some way is needed of demonstrating work, providing resumes and portfolios, price protecting, protecting the members from bad fall out of shoddy work, ... a million other little things

 

[Treecycle Hardwoods]

I agree with you Alan. My personal vision for that type of forum would likely be shaped by shipping costs. In other words It is unlikely you will bid a kitchens worth of cabinets or a kitchen table. I think the items you would get asked to make would be smaller/lighter items. The only exception I see would be catching a local customer where you could meet with them at there home/office.

This leads me to another possibility.... A voluntary sign up for a mapping widget where members can post their location as a dot on the map so people can look for someone local if they want.

I think I remember some thing like this on the old software but didn't have many people participating. I think using the map widget would go over well because the talented people we have here likely want to be found.

 

[Alan Sweet]

I think Microsoft has something that may let you do that. (From my previous life. Which I have gone to great lengths to forget.) And there maybe better ones that are a lot cheaper. I would not mind helping on some of the organization or logistics. But I am not a programmer.