Online Painting Classes
In the coming year, many exciting changes will be announced at the Society of Decorative Painters. Perhaps the most highly anticipated of these is the introduction of online classes. Both members and nonmembers will be invited to take part in these quality lessons, and the good news is that they present our business members with a unique way to stretch their advertising dollars, too.
How can my business benefit from online classes?
SDP is currently seeking underwriting for the classes it will be offering on its website. For a moderate fee, businesses underwriting classes will receive:
- Advertising on the SDP website, reaching not just members, but anyone with an interest in painting worldwide.
- A full three months of exposure to consumers who have already demonstrated their interest in painting and painting supplies.
- A link from the lesson directly to the business’s website and the opportunity to offer a complete supply kit tailored to the lesson.
- By-name recognition on the SDP website and in e-mail blasts, and all other print and online literature concerning online classes.
- Product placement in the Supplies list for each sponsored project.
How can we be sure that online classes will be successful?
 On April 23 of this year, SDP responded to members’ requests by offering a test course in colored pencils on our website; this course was sold for a period of one month only and was announced only by two e-mail blasts to our membership, the first sent on the very day the course was posted. Despite the virtual lack of advertising, the response was tremendous—selling to both members and nonmembers!
Word of mouth has been enthusiastic to say the least, and we’ve responded by working out the bugs in our system and developing a slate of courses that reflect SDP’s ongoing commitment to offering the very best in projects and instructors.
How do online classes work?
Online classes are announced on our website one full month prior to becoming available for enrollment; during that time, students may shop among the classes, downloading supplies lists and choosing which they wish to take. After that first month is complete, the class becomes available for enrollment. Students who purchase the class are given immediate access to the complete videotaped lesson and may review the lesson as many times as they like, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for a period of 30 days. Classes will be available for a month during this enrollment period, and will remain on the website for another month to ensure a full 30 days’ access to students who enrolled later in the month. In terms of exposure on the website, that’s three full months.
Why are online classes important now?
Independent shops catering to painters are declining in number as a growing segment of the population turns to the Internet to answer their consumer needs. Expanding SDP’s reach onto the Internet not only helps to compensate for that loss of exposure but also fits with our mission statement: to educate and spread information about decorative painting.
How can my business be a part of it?
Providing top-notch art instruction online requires an investment. Underwriting by one business (or many businesses combined) to cover the $2,000 needed for each online class would be greatly appreciated. More than that, you’ll be associating your business with the very best in decorative art instruction—and our success is yours, too!
If we can assist you in any way please contact:
(Be an underwriter and your logo will be advertised here.)
|
