Name of your website?Bingtopia
Your name?
Tessla Queen
Your Location (city, etc)
Groton
Please give us a short summary of your website?
Bingtopia.com is a showcase of my most recent art. Its purpose is to share fun images created by me, Tessla Queen. My imagery is fantastical and unique. A quirky sense of humor and a desire to make people smile drive me daily to create art.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
My characters have been pestering me to show them off for a number of years. For a long time, I spent day after day writing in hopes of being published by a major publisher. So far, I have only gotten praise and rejections, but no book contract. Editors like my writing style, but still did not want my story.
So, I am doing it my way. My characters are demanding action and I can't ignore them any longer. I will write their story and put in on my website, and all the while, I will draw them as they come to me and ask to be shown to the world.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
My very first web site was "The Character Factory". It is the site that I got my first trademark. It is also the umbrella name that I do all of my work. It can be seen at The Character Factory
How did you decide on a name for your business?
The Character Factory name came from my realization that I am a character creator. It is a curse. My characters visit me in my sleep and at all times of the day and night wanting to be drawn or put into some skit, scene or story. They seem to come out of the walls. The Character Factory name is very appropriate for I feel that characters are popping off a production line, and then they sit around waiting for me to do something with them.
Bingtopia, though, came from the "Bings" that I received on my cell phone. It is hard to explain. You have to read the story on my web site to understand.
What makes your website different from other, similar offerings?
Look around the web, look at art galleries, and search google images. My art looks like no other. I have spent many, many years developing a unique style. Sometimes I wonder if it is too unique, like, will anyone ever get it?
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
My goal, truth be told, is to create world famous characters. I would love for one or many of my beloved characters to reach international fame. Sunshine bugs me regularly, though lately she has been quiet. It is unnerving, like maybe she is planning a rebellion...
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
Right now, my investment far outweighs my success.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
If money was not an option, I would hire artists and train them to create in my style. I would love to have a staff of artists to work with to help me get the hundreds of drawings and sketches "production" ready.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
It is my hope that all the work I am putting into streamlining the processes and offering things to buy with my art on it, would help pay the bills if the site gets really busy. I have limited ads on the page, so I hope that people will buy prints, cards, and items that I offer from my site and my other galleries.
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
New computers. I just bought a new MAC and the scanner and printers needed are real expensive. I am hoping the current scanner will last just a bit longer until I can get some income flowing from all these pictures I am creating.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Getting the word out. People tell me they love my work when they see it, but I have not been the best at telling the world about my art. My goal is to change all that.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Being active in online communities and posting my art in various forums. Eye catching pictures and humor seems to catch people's attention.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
Getting the word out has been a bit slower than I had hoped. I still try to remind myself that every picture I do has the potential to be loved and shared.
How long have you run the site already, and how long will you continue to keep it up if you don't enjoy big gains in traffic, income or popularity?
Bingtopia.com has been running now for about 6 months. I will keep my domains for as long as I do my art. Maybe one day, someone will mention it on her TV show :)
What would you like your fans to know?
My art is for you to enjoy. Share it with others. Bing a friend, Make a smile.
What is your website address?
Bingtopia
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