Vendor's Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I have to have my own site? What if my designs or products are sold through another site?

A: No & no problem. You don't have to have your own site.  DigiFavs can link to any site that hosts your designs or products as long as the work and/or product is yours to sell. 

Q: I can't really afford a large ad, can a smaller ad still work for me?

A: Absolutely!  Small ads are still effective at DigiFavs because all vendors are linked from their respective departments, which are alphabetically listed.  DigiFavs offers three categories for everyone's convenience, see here for your reference.  Remember, you can upgrade the size of your ad at any time (DigiFavs offers upgrade incentives)  and I do have some ala-carte premium services.  Feel free to inquire webmaster@digifavs.com

Q: I really do want a larger ad, but can't afford it all at one time, can I pay in installments?

A: Sure! Installment plans are available and considered on a case by case basis (in advance) please e-mail us for further information.  We'll work something out that will work for everyone involved.   Also, there aren't any tricks or hidden terms other than if approved, you must pay your installment on time.

Q: Do I have to have a logo, or will any image do for the homepage?

A: Any image you have the right to use will work and can be linked to your designs or products, or I can make a simple one for you for no additional charge.

Q: Can I downsize my ad for a refund of cash or other services later?:

A: No, this complicates my work too much.  While I can add to your space, by comparison downsizing or removing it and owing you funds or service is far to complicated to deal with for what I charge.

Q: I already promote myself and/or use other promotional venues, will you charge me more & may I h ave a copy of your list of venues?

A: No & No, but please, by all means, be proactive in your own promotion with as many sources as are available to you.  My list of venues is not for sale or trade.  No wise agent shares such information, Coca-Cola did not get where they're at by sharing their recipe in other words. 

Q: Should I be concerned about posting duplicate ads if I promote myself or have another advertising resource?

A: That depends where you're posting & whether you have hired me for DigiFavs or a Dedicated service ads.

    If you have hired me for a Dedicated Service ad, I require that you do NOT post anywhere on the days I advertise.  Doing so is grounds for termination of service.  Please cooperate with this important guideline for both our sakes, otherwise we risk getting banned and that hurts everyone involved.

    If you are concerned about duplicate postings in regards to the the rotated synopsis version of the DigiFavs ad, most groups & forums don't consider your more detailed ad a duplicate ad compared to the DigiFavs synopsis ad where several vendors have one eye catching one-liner; in any case, the best thing to do is to follow the guidelines of any group.  Note: Please do not ask me for my list, this is akin to sharing a trade secret (it's not done) after all if I passed it out to everyone, no one would need me would they? LOL.    

Q: Is DigiFavs a mall?

A: No, DigiFavs is an embroidery product promotional service only, we re-direct to your product.

Q: How do I know I will see a return on my investment with DigiFavs?

A: The only person who can guarantee your success is you.  No agent, mall or agency can guarantee such things and I would urge caution regarding anyone making such claims. Though DigiFavs can help.  I work very hard to promote every vendor I represent, and to maintain good relationships with venue owners.

What I can say is that if you hire me, you will have hired a dedicated professional whom you can count on to do what I'm supposed to do, when I'm supposed to do it (within the guidelines of my terms, which are quite generous and extensive to the client).  I take my job and responsibilities to my clients very seriously.

Also, consider how much you'll spend elsewhere.  I'm  keenly aware of how much it costs to advertise via various venues (remember, we digitize too) so I know and appreciate the value that DigiFavs offers for an annual fee of your own choosing.  I'm also aware that at some venues, you need to do the uploading of content, at DigiFavs you don't have to worry about that AND you pay less.

In fact in most cases, DigiFavs charges less in one full year than it costs per month, or sometimes even per week or day via other venues.  Considering there are no set up or maintenance fees at DigiFavs (save for upgrades or premium services) and  DigiFavs doesn't take a percentage of each sale you make it's probably one of the best values you'll find anywhere.  Do I need the money? Sure, I do . . . but so do you right?  I am trying to make a living, not gouge people.

You see, I don't just care about my own success, I care about yours as well . . . yes, really . . . and my standard of service has born this out. Now this kind of thinking won't make me a millionaire, but you'll sleep better knowing that there is one less thing for you to worry about and the rest will take care of itself.

You choose your own ad size, and then just keep me posted on your new content and I do the rest, for an entire year!  Not a day, not a week, not a month . . . a full year . . . it's the best value available right now.

The hardest thing you'll have to remember, is to keep me informed of your new products and sales (via e-mail or DigiFavs Yahoo is fine on either count) and for as little as I charge and the level of service I provide, that's a bargain and make no mistake, I know it LOL  . . . and I have to add this: I could claim *I will keep track of your new content or sales for you*, but I won't, know why? Because it would be impossible for anyone to actually make good on such a claim (think about it).

Q: Where & how do you promote me (the vendor)?

A: First your product, name and/or business name is promoted *through* DigiFavs, I don't post as you (some agents do this and it's generally considered a no-no) venues want to know who they're dealing with and with me they do, always.  DigiFavs focus is getting the word out to online embroidery communities which is vital. Though this is just one way DigiFavs works for you, since ads are posted online on groups and forums where such ads are welcomed, nearly every day of the week within the parameters specified by individual group/forum owners and moderators (this is another great thing about DigiFavs, I keep track of the multitude of group rules so you don't necessarily have to if you don't want to).  I work hard to strike an acceptable balance in advertising, to avoid over-doing ads from DigiFavs itself.

DigiFavs minimum purchase requirement is just 8 blocks ($80) for a year of quality representation, equal to just pennies per day. Though you are welcome to purchase as many blocks (as large an ad) as you wish to.  Have a look at the grid here http://www.digifavs.com submit an image to represent yourself for that page and make payment at the bottom of this page (after reading the terms and conditions, sorry . . . boring but necessary) I provide hover text seen on mouse over on both the homepage and the Vendors* listing, limited to 50 characters, please let me know what you want to say to potential customers (*Hover text on the Vendors page is reserved exclusively for introducing new vendors at DigiFavs and from there on to keep customers informed of new product or applicable sales of said vendors). Remember, you are responsible for letting me know what your new products and sales are.

When you first place your ad with DigiFavs, you will be welcomed for approximately one week via our regular advertisement on groups and on the Vendors page; this will repeat again thereafter whenever you have a new product or a sale with the exception of times when you have more new products within that weeks time frame, in which case the new product will take the place of the previous product (unless I can squeeze them in together in a reasonable manner). Note: Please avoid running eternal BOGOs, the goal of DigiFavs is to let visitors know about new content or new sales; if the terms of a sale never change, well . . . it's not really new is it?  Thus isn't not the best business decision.

After your first week, there are two modes of promotion at DigiFavs, active and passive:

Active:  Applicable to new vendors, and any current vendor thereafter offering new content or who has rotated a sale (even a new sample qualifies).  When any of the aforementioned is in effect, that vendor and their product/sale/sample will be in the promotional (summarized) postings throughout the online embroidery communities (my targeted listing of communities allowing such postings is very large and includes the best groups available that are relative to your product) as such, ads are therefore being seen by existing and potential customers who want to know what you have to offer.  For each new instance of a new product/sale/sample, you will receive 1 full week of postings as well as having the animated twinkle next to your name. So really, active promotion is directly related to how often you have new content, sales or samples, which is entirely up to you, but rest assured, this is one of the best ways to drive new and repeat customers to your site.

Passive: Applicable to vendors who are not new, do not have anything new (sample or otherwise) or a new sale going on.  However; it's important to note that even vendors in passive mode often still get visits because they are still linked actively (visitors like to explore thankfully).

For those who are interested in more intense advertising, I am available for separate advertising, but that is on a case by case basis and based off of an entirely different pay scale, it does cost quite a bit more because it takes a significant amount of time, but my pricing is competative.  Note: I only suggest this for high volume producers or high levels of sales, since while I need to make a living, I have no interest whatsoever in gouging people financially, a happy vendor is a vendor who stays and my renewal rate is in the upper 90% percentile.
When a vendor leaves, it's usually for other reasons unrelated to DigiFavs.

Purchasing annually though, is by far your best value, especially for smaller vendors who don't produce very much, you can start for as little as $80 annually (and I work just as hard for you) .

Q: What size ad do you feel will serve my needs best?

A: If you are a vendor who does not produce very frequently, I suggest that you place a $80 ad only, if you can't afford it all at one time, you are welcome to arrange payments with me. That's right, you read that correctly.  So why don't I want you to place that $300 ad?  Well I do, but by the same token, I want you to have a good return on your investment, so if you're just getting started or don't have new product very often, start smaller, it really is okay . . . you can always upgrade later.

Q: If I place an ad with DigiFavs what is expected of me in relation to DigiFavs?

A: Simply keep me informed of your new products and sales and I'll do the rest, I offer "no mess/no fuss service" to help make your life easier =0)  Other than that, if you have your own website, DigiFavs requires that you post our representative logo on your site and link it back to DigiFavs.  Read our terms here.

Q: Can I *pay* for blocks/advertising space/services by trading my designs or product?

A:  LOL, sometimes I wish I could.  In all honesty, my husband has made me promise not to do this for my own good, LOL.  So the answer is no.  Though I have to admit I am often the customer of my own customers.  Occassionally too, apparently because I do offer so much for so little (comparatively) clients sometimes decide to gift me a set of designs, or a tutorial or some other sample, while this is appreciated, it cannot logically obligate me or DigiFavs to exchange any service in return.  Thank you for understanding (just I have to have some money for bills, LOL).

Q: Does DigiFavs charge a setup or any sort of maintenance fee?

A: No, there are no setup fees or maintenance fees of any sort at DigiFavs (upgrades, renewals and premium services are excluded).

Q: Does DigiFavs take a percentage of each sale?

A: No, DigiFavs takes no portion of your individual sales.

Q: Are there any other fees I should know about at DigiFavs?

A: No, the only time payment is required is at the time of subscription for services, renewal or when upgrading to a larger ad (Note:  When upgrading, you only pay for additional blocks) or when premium services of your own choosing apply.

Q: Does DigiFavs have a mission?

A: Yes! Quite simply, to provide affordable advertising for everyone, responsibly, effectively and without a lot of complications.  Reading all of this stuff in the beginning is about as complicated at it gets =0)  

Everyone is welcome to apply to advertise here, whether their business is large OR small, we do screen everyone, but this does not mean we operate on a preferential basis either.  Part of DigiFavs mission is to help insure a viable venue for all independent embroidery vendors to advertise, not just a select few & DigiFavs is a good, healthy way to achieve that goal.

Q: Do you put my product on sale *for me* or dictate in any way *what* I put on sale, or when or how often I produce product?

A: Nope.  This is completely up to you, though please understand that your sales may not be as high if you produce infrequently. 

Q: Do you *require* a certain amount of sales or free samples?

A: No.  Though sales and samples are obviously a great way to get more customers.  Samples are promoted as PinkLinks at DigiFavs (PinkLinks are pretty much a DigiFavs thing, so I'll go on record here, that if you see them elsewhere, they got the idea from me ;0)

I also want to add that balancing product release with quality is very important (for your own sake).  I discourage high volume production if it means sacrificing quality.

Q: Is there a minimum purchase requirement?

A: Yes, the current minimum purchase requirement is 8 blocks ($80).

Q: Why advertise with DigiFavs and not someone else?

A: Well, first of all, you should advertise elsewhere, in addition to advertising with DigiFavs.  There are a lot of vendors to choose from, so get the word out as much as you can within reason!  I truly believe there are enough customers to go around (many customer tastes and needs = room for everyone in my opinion) nevertheless our market is a very competitive one, so it stands to reason the more promotion the better.

Remember, DigiFavs is dedicated to a targeted audience, that audience is comprised of those interested in one thing when they visit DigiFavs, and that is machine embroidery, and as such, this particular audience is interested in what you, the vendor has to offer!

One reason to add DigiFavs to your promotional budget is because unlike many promotional sites I am very active personally in it's promotion, after all, I'm a vendor there too "The Enchanted Cottage" is also our site and it stands to reason we want visitors to visit and use DigiFavs as well.

DigiFavs is a dynamic site, with new content updated and rotated frequently, that in and of itself keeps visitors coming back. Also DigiFavs is easy to navigate.  In any case, each visitor to DigiFavs is a potential visitor for you.

Q: What are your terms for refusing or termination of service regarding a vendor?

A: You know, this is a tough one, but sometimes such things are necessary. 

• Violation of copyright laws or intellectual propertly law
  
• Failure to provide the product you're having me advertise
  
• Failure to pay your bill with me
  
• Failure to cooperate with my guidelines
  
• On very rare occassions, vendors who are just too difficult to serve (for lack of a better description)
  
• Other reason (case by case basis, dependent on circumstances)
  
  

     I have the latter three in place because while I get along with most people, there are always a few even I can't get along with (LOL) but those always tend to have difficulties with many others as well; in other words, if I have reservations about someone, those reservations will almost always be echoed by the embroidery market.

     It's not like I can afford to toss away clients, and I don't want to, but when I make a decision to do so, it's in the best interest of DigiFavs as a whole, and that means everyone I serve.  Example:  If I have a rogue vendor who doesn't care to abide by my guidelines, the few I have have been put forth for good reason, and after they've been spoken too, they just feel like they want to continue to do their "own thing" thus jeopardizing DigiFavs ability to serve "as a whole" (duplicate ads are a good example of this, if you can't abide by the guidelines and cause us both to get banned, then  you've hurt every vendor at DigiFavs by a failure to cooperate) it's not hard to do the math on this.  Please use common sense and act accordingly. 

     Note on copyright infringement, etc:  I am quite aware that some don't like my policy regarding termination of service.  It seems some would expect me to just operate on their e-mail that says "Hey so and so is doing this", NO ethical person or business would terminate service with so little information and verification.
Now mind you I have, but the circumstances were such that I knew it was the right thing to do.  So, with that being said, if you feel the need to notify me of any infringement, you're welcome to, but please don't expect me to act solely on that (that in and of itself would be unethical) I need to investigate privately first any claims made.  Ultimately, though, if the product is yours (thus making you a principal party) you should be primarily writing to the other principal party (the alleged infringer). Why? Because those are the parties involved; as a third party, DigiFavs doesn't have the ability to police or enforce what anyone else does with their products or service.

     Remember:  Anyone can blame anyone for anything at any time, aka: hearesy and that does not make it true! Food for thought: Gossip and hearsay can easily be proven and considered to be slander and/or defamation of character, which is also a punishable offense by law.

More education on this matter . . .

I've decided to add the content below based off of what I've witnessed on groups and forums over the years, and because as an outsourced promotional agent I do get questions occasionally, I'm very much pro-education on such matters, so here's some information to help all who care to read it:

Did you know that many vendors use the same clipart for the creation of their embroidery designs?
Did you know that some vendors share similar names and this can cause problems for them? Yes, it's true (I've seen it happen).  Do you believe that people are guilty simply by association? Have you ever known someone, or been related to someone who did something wrong that you never thought they'd have done? Something you would not have participated in and would go against your own values? So were you guilty by association? I sure hope not.

What I'm trying to convey to you is, be careful before you point that finger at another vendor because it might just be the finger of slander, a punishable offense by law, but regardless, for the sake of my own values and in the sense of fairness, I take such situations very seriously and so should you, not just from a moral and ethical standpoint, but from a legal standpoint as well (reminder: you wouldn't want to be treated in such a way at the very least). 

I've seen a lot of mud slinging and yes, even reverse marketing done by other vendors (large and small) to eliminate their competition, this is not good business and will in and of itself cause those participating in such to lose business. Take a stand against such behavior! Don't do it! When people accuse others without substantiation, operating on hearsay or what "they think to be the law",  this only casts their own character in a poor light and also makes them look foolish.  Make a choice. I hope that choice is not joining in with such individuals.

If you read nothing else here: I am totally against blackballing and strong-arming and am the last person you want to write if "you just have a bone to pick with another competitor". We all have our opinions, and that is fine, but that's also as far as our opinions should go.

Q: I have more questions, how can I contact you?

A: Absolutely ~ I'm happy to answer any questions you have, you can always write me at: webmaster@digifavs.com

Okay . . . I'm sold!  How can I purchase blocks?

Hooray!  and Welcome! You can purchase here, but please be sure to read all the terms there before purchasing since your purchase is a contract.