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AAW Web Advertising Campaign

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AAW has won a $10,000 per month Google Ad Words grant (available to non-profits) that will be kicking off in the next week or two – and I could use some help. The objective is to use this tremendous resource as a new member recruiting tool.

If there’s anyone out there who has practical experience with Google Ad Words (building a campaign, building ads, selecting key words, etc…) I’d like to hear from you.

Here’s a new purpose-made webpage I’ve just put together that will serve as the landing page for anyone who clicks on our Google Ads. Comments and suggestions are welcome...
 
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It has a nice collage of championship works, but they might be a wee bit intimidating, especially to Newbies.

I suggest adding some more "ordinary" pieces, preferably at random, even if the collage has to be re-built. There's enough room for a larger picture, expanded to the left and below.
 

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It has a nice collage of championship works, but they might be a wee bit intimidating, especially to Newbies.

I suggest adding some more "ordinary" pieces, preferably at random, even if the collage has to be re-built. There's enough room for a larger picture, expanded to the left and below.


I agree with you, Joe. For instance, one or two spindle-turned items would be a nice addition, too.

As for words, I'll give that a thought and see what I can come up with. Thanks, Ed -- this sounds like a fun project!


Betty Scarpino, editor, AW
 
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New members or Master members?

I fully agree with Joe and Betty here. I can recognize each and every Master Turner who did each of the pieces in the collage. Some of us may never be able to attain that level in our lifetime and the suggested intimidation surely would be a factor. We need to attract new turners with a good coverage of all styles of turning in the collage - somehow. Just my 2 cents worth.
 

Tib Shaw

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Ed-

This is such an exciting opportunity! I know that you and Linda Ferber worked hard to make it happen - congratulations!

A few thoughts:

When I talk with potential members here in the AAW gallery, one thing that makes their eyes light up is having access to the back issue collection online.

I agree about having a range of works shown, but would add that people who click on the link aren't necessarily going to be 'newbies' - I am surprised how many turners don't know about AAW or have only a dim or outdated idea of what we offer.

A few people pictures might warm things up a bit!
 
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I agree with Joe, Betty and Bill!
I suspect, that even Internationally, a vast majority of the Uber Turners already know about us and have joined or decided not to. Rank and file seems like a much larger market, both in terms of bulk numbers and as candidates for membership.

I thought this "Join AAW today - take part in our community of enthusiastic hobbyist, improve your woodworking skills and learn how to turn." might read: Join AAW today - take part in our community of professionals, and enthusiastic hobbyist, learn how to turn and/or improve your woodturning skills. Add woodturning to your bag of woodworking tricks.

For that group, key words like first, bark, edge, bowl, vase, hollowform, hollow, form, HF...
 
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Here's a second pass: http://woodturner.org/gaws/ - better?

Better? Yes.

Here's my stab at the text portion:

Want to make 14,000 new friends? Join the AAW today!

The American Association of Woodturners is a community of close to 14,000 individuals across the globe who share a passion for woodturning. Together, we teach each other how to be better turners and foster a greater appreciation by the general public of turned items. The AAW is for everyone interested in turning -- from those who are just starting out to experienced professionals and serious hobbyists.

The AAW sponsors more than 300 local chapters throughout the world where chapter members gather to learn and teach each other about the ancient art of woodturning. Six times a year, AAW members receive the American Woodturner, a full-color magazine that is full of how-to articles, turner profiles, tool reviews, information about upcoming events, and other items of interest to our membership. Members have access to our website which provides hundreds of articles and a photo gallery of member-turned items. Members also receive a discount on AAW produced instructional videos and books.

Join the AAW today! Become part of our growing community of professionals and hobbyists. Learn how to turn, increase your skills, and share what you know with others. We're sure you'll make a lot of new friends in the process.
 
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I think we're really getting somewhere now - keep those suggestions coming. Here's the latest cut: http://woodturner.org/gaws/

5a.jpg
 

AlanZ

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Second cut is very nice, Ed.

It gives a fine representative sample of the AAW's offerings.

I especially like seeing the kids...
 
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I think we are now in the ballpark Ed! Much much better. The collage is superb, showing several facets of all the endeavors undertaken by AAW. Sorry my reply was lagging here, computer problems to fix.
 
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I too like the second version a lot.
Hope we will also be able to use it as a hand out at our chapter meetings. Like most chapters, we have a large number of folks that are not members.

Member #38979
Pro AAW
 
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Well, my picture isn't in it, but I like this collage better and the text is better too.
Great Job!
 
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How much?

Did I read this correctly?

AAW has won a $10,000 per month Google Ad Words grant

Does that amount to $120,000 per year. How many months does it go for?

It does say "per month"

That 's a big win win for the AAW.

When was the grant applied for and who did it? Someone gets a big star next to their name.


Curtis Thompson
 
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Curtis,

Thanks - Linda Ferber (St Paul office manager) and I applied for the Google grant about six months ago. We were notified of the win about two weeks ago. And yes, it is currently valued a $10,000 per month. There is no time limit to the grant. In fact, the grant could be increased to as much as $40,000 per month ($480,000 a year) if we have a successful advertising campaign, fully utilize the grant resources and if Google is happy with the stats our ads produce. So, yes - this could be a very big deal.
 
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Curtis,

Thanks - Linda Ferber (St Paul office manager) and I applied for the Google grant about six months ago. We were notified of the win about two weeks ago. And yes, it is currently valued a $10,000 per month. There is no time limit to the grant. In fact, the grant could be increased to as much as $40,000 per month ($480,000 a year) if we have a successful advertising campaign, fully utilize the grant resources and if Google is happy with the stats our ads produce. So, yes - this could be a very big deal.

That's my boy ED!!!!!!!!!!
 
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Curtis,

Thanks - Linda Ferber (St Paul office manager) and I applied for the Google grant about six months ago. We were notified of the win about two weeks ago. And yes, it is currently valued a $10,000 per month. There is no time limit to the grant. In fact, the grant could be increased to as much as $40,000 per month ($480,000 a year) if we have a successful advertising campaign, fully utilize the grant resources and if Google is happy with the stats our ads produce. So, yes - this could be a very big deal.

Thanks to you and Linda for taking the initiative and time to look into and procure this VERY valuable internet advertising...

Ed,
Is it possible to use multiple or rotating image collages? And/or could some of the images (the ones with text, for instance) be clickable links with more information about the content for the picture? For instance, the image of the girls with the dibbles could link to the youth Turners Program page.
 
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Is it possible to use multiple or rotating image collages? And/or could some of the images (the ones with text, for instance) be clickable links with more information about the content for the picture? For instance, the image of the girls with the dibbles could link to the youth Turners Program page.

George, I'm not aware of an application that will allow links to be embedded over specific text that has been layered on top of an image that is part of a larger collage image file. If there is such an application, I'd like to get a copy.
 
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George, I'm not aware of an application that will allow links to be embedded over specific text that has been layered on top of an image that is part of a larger collage image file. If there is such an application, I'd like to get a copy.

Ed,
I'm not the answer guy on this, but IF I were going to try something like that, I'd have individual pictures in the collage that are actually separate but centered so as to look to be a part of the whole. So, I guess an image over an image with the higher image being a link... With or without text.
Could that work and would it be too confusing?
 
R

Ron Sardo

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Adobe Fireworks can do that ED
 
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John Van Domelen

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Several ways to do it - moving gif file, flash file, rotate out the entire image with a simple asp script - so that it loads a random version of the montage each time the page is hit - to name a few. Many ways to go about it.
 
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Ed,
If you link images of various special interests to another page, it might be wise to have those open in another page. Sign up could still open on the same page though.
 
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George, I'm not aware of an application that will allow links to be embedded over specific text that has been layered on top of an image that is part of a larger collage image file. If there is such an application, I'd like to get a copy.

For making specific areas of an image clickable, it's not an application but simple html coding can create an image map over any area of an image and make it a clickable link. Alternatively, CSS positioning of elements and layers can accomplish the same thing. Just takes a little time for you to do some researching and notepad or simpletext (PC or Mac respectively) that you already have on your computer.

As JVD said above, rotating images is a simple (javaScript) process (.asp is MS server dependent last I looked.. could be wrong though, it's been a while since I played with .asp pages)

Definitely doable for no dough though. :D

Jim
 
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Ron Sardo

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Nicely done Ed.

Two photos don't have links, I'm assuming that was done on purpose.
 
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Well, I have learned a few new things - check out the latest revision: http://woodturner.org/gaws/. Be sure to mouse-over the photos within the collage and click on the embedded links...fun, fun, fun.

Looks good, Ed! I'm with you on thinking that membership in the AAW can and will grow immensely in the next few years! This advertising campaign on Google ought to help considerably.


Betty Scarpino, editor, AW
 
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Fantastic !

Ed, you have done such a great job very quickly. You should be very pleased with yourself. I sure am very pleased with the results of a few days of hard work on your, and others, part.

Many thanks to you and Linda on getting the grant and to John V. and Jim S. for their computer savvy, and George, Ron, David W, etc. for all the great ideas and suggestions.

THIS is what the AAW is all about to me. Need something ? People jump up to help out and get it done ! Working together for the greater good is what woodturners do. Big pats on the back for all of you! It amazes me the wealth of talent, skill, and knowledge on this forum and among turners in general.

I hope the home office is prepared for the influx of new members.:D;)

Oh, and Russ, I thought that was you. You look good in a Tux !:eek::cool2:
 
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While I'm At It

Ed, you have moved the page forward SO MUCH!!!
I noticed that searching on Google Images page is interesting and might be an even further improvement to the newest and most improved page (I'm sure you have nothing else to do - like earn a living;)). Not important, but something to think about when you get time.
 
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Unrelated Question

All concerned,

What is a Master Turner? I have seen this term used on multiple occasions in multiple locations, but have never seen a definition/standards. Is/are there one/some? Or is this something that is subjectively applied? Just curious.

By the way, I agree with the points made concerning the ad.:)

Thanks,

Matt

I fully agree with Joe and Betty here. I can recognize each and every Master Turner who did each of the pieces in the collage. Some of us may never be able to attain that level in our lifetime and the suggested intimidation surely would be a factor. We need to attract new turners with a good coverage of all styles of turning in the collage - somehow. Just my 2 cents worth.
 
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Master Turner?

Hi Matt,

I have used the term loosly in the above post. There is a professional level reached where one is considered a Master Turner. Who bestows this title on a turner is a good question that maybe some others could elude to. I looked at the turnings that Ed was first picturing in the collage and they were all within those turnings which are for sale by galleries and owners in the AAW sale venue attached to this forum. If you look at the quality of turnings and artistic talent there, I think that you would agree that the person(s) who produced those pieces would certainly be titled a Master Turner, at least in my mind.

I would still think that some of us may not ever attain that level in our lifetime - depending on how long you have left in this world. Being in my senior years, I may not get there but am trying anyway. Sorry if this statement upset your thoughts. It would be nice to see who does bestow that title on a turner.
 
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Response - Master Turner?

Hi Bill,

You didn't upset my thoughts and I hope you didn't mistake my comments. I often wonder what it means to be a Master Turner and your use just happened to trigger the thought again. I haven't reached a concrete position on the use of the term, but often wonder why we don't have a set of standards. I agree with you that the pieces in Ed's collage are fantastic and would be hard for most of us to replicate, but wonder if producing a very nice piece that is hard for others to replicate is enough to be labeled a master or if just being able to sell a piece is enough. It seems to me that there should be a set of standards that encompasses the range of turning skills. That said, I make these comments in general and want to be clear that it has nothing to do with the pieces in the collage or those folks that produced them. My intent is really to seize the opportunity to ask the question in an effort to solicit comments in hopes of starting a dialogue on the subject. Sorry if I took your thoughts out of context as I understood your meaning. Thanks for the response!

Best regards,

Matt

Hi Matt,

I have used the term loosly in the above post. There is a professional level reached where one is considered a Master Turner. Who bestows this title on a turner is a good question that maybe some others could elude to. I looked at the turnings that Ed was first picturing in the collage and they were all within those turnings which are for sale by galleries and owners in the AAW sale venue attached to this forum. If you look at the quality of turnings and artistic talent there, I think that you would agree that the person(s) who produced those pieces would certainly be titled a Master Turner, at least in my mind.

I would still think that some of us may not ever attain that level in our lifetime - depending on how long you have left in this world. Being in my senior years, I may not get there but am trying anyway. Sorry if this statement upset your thoughts. It would be nice to see who does bestow that title on a turner.
 
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Matt,

Several years ago, there was a move to organize a completely voluntary participation program, where pen turners would have the opportunity to earn a series of graduated levels of merit. After several months of forum discussion, the entire program was shouted down by a few folks who thought the effort was elitist.
 
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Matt,

Several years ago, there was a move to organize a completely voluntary participation program, where pen turners would have the opportunity to earn a series of graduated levels of merit. After several months of forum discussion, the entire program was shouted down by a few folks who thought the effort was elitist.

I don't turn pens, but that word - elitist - keeps coming up on this site...
I'm wondering, did the "program" have some kind of curriculum and quantified levels of technical ability?
If so, I'm not sure I understand why people wouldn't want it. We go to all of the trouble to get knowledge, why not have a means of measuring it? AND, like in the real world, couldn't there have been some kind of "credit for life experience?"
 
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I like to think of myself as a turner. No where close to a master, like to watch the master turners at work. Placing a title on me would take the fun out of it, just my opinion and how I feel. Life experiance is a good thing George, just don't want a title other than Mr. :)
Now on to the turning shop.
 
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