How not to court a designer

This is a little tale which may be instructive to thread companies who are wanting designers to use their threads. You see, sometimes, thread companies send samples to designers in an effort to entice them to use their threads. It’s one of the perks of the job. It happens rarely in these economic times, but occasionally it does happen.

“Un-named Thread Company” once sent me a skein of thread as a sample. Unfortunately they sent me the most revolting poo brown. Why they ever thought that would entice me, I have no idea.

Instead of encouraging me, it’s done exactly the opposite, because every time I see their threads I think of that awful skein. (I know that probably makes me really shallow, but there you have it.) It makes me wonder why they even bothered. Have they completely misunderstood how important appearance is to a designer? If they misunderstand that, what else are they going to misunderstand about designers?

So if you have a product that you want to send out as a sample, whatever industry you’re in, send your BEST example, not the one you simply have lying around in oversupply. If you want to encourage someone to use your product, put your best foot forward. Make them feel special, not like you’ve sent them your leftover dregs that no-one else wanted. Send them something that will be useful to them, as then they’re more likely to try it! It may mean you need to learn more about the person you’re sending it to, but surely that effort may pay off?

Maybe this has just been a chance to get something off my chest, but maybe this will be helpful advice for someone, or some thread company. I do hope so!