Why a decrease in daily uploads on SCS
 

Over the past several weeks, I begun to recognize a significant decrease in the number of daily uploads into the gallery.

I know things have really changed in the card making world over the last few years, but I've tried to remain optimistic throughout the changes. Recently, I have begun to see a significant decline in the number of daily uploads into the galleries. I am so hoping, perhaps against the odds, that SCS will continue to encourage, share and maintain its posture in the stamping world.

I know this community continues to be encouraging and supportive to stampers, but what's your feeling about what might be behind this significant decrease in uploads?

Do you think the interest is no longer as appealing, do you think stampers tire of making cards and/or uploading? Do you think it might be due to cost. We all know how costly this passion of ours is.

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts.

Hugs
Anne

I will speak for myself. I make as many or more cards as ever, take a picture and post to Pinterest. I find so much more on Pinterest as far as card samples go. And it's so easy to upload there. Some people don't like the organization style of Pinterest but I appreciate many things about it.

What I love being here for are the forums. You can't beat the fantastic people!

It actually happens every spring. :) People can finally go outside.

you are right you can't beat the people on here and all the help they are willing to give. So that bring said, by up loading cards on here you return the help with your ideas. Hope you change your mind and remember all here. This is a wonderful place and I hope it never goes away.

Forums
 

I really never look at Galleries. I love the forums and check a lot. They seem pretty active.

Maybe people are posting on their blogs instead of here?

I still miss some of the original SCSers who moved exclusively to their own blogs.

I rarely check the gallery anymore. I don't upload anymore for a few reasons. One is that it takes too long to fill out all that information. It would be much easier to just list what you used in one place, instead of all the different fields. I, too, prefer Pinterest. I get more views there, and my cards are re-pinned and liked. I do love the forums, though, and the sharing of information.

You can always list your supplies, etc. in the description section! Sometimes I just grab the copy from my blog and paste it there.

There's no issue if people prefer to copy and paste details and info from a blog post straight into the main field instead of filling in each separate field; once the basic info is supplied it's all good.


I don't have a Pinterest account and my blog isn't primarily for cards so anything I make gets uploaded here; I just have less time for card-making at this time compared to a couple of years ago :-(.


I think at this stage it's not so much blogs that have affected traffic, it's more Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram...the more social media there are, the less time people have to spend on any given one.

Ha, Dina posted exactly the same thing while I was still proof-reading and refining mine :mrgreen:.

Guilty as charged. I just checked, and I haven't uploaded anything to my gallery here since January. To be honest, I don't get a lot of feedback from anything I post here, and it rarely drives any traffic to my blog, either. I get a lot more exposure from Facebook and Pinterest and company blog hops. The same holds true in reverse for the inspirational side, where I tend to find a lot more on those other forums. I suspect others feel the same way.

I am not a web designer, but I do think that SCS could use a makeover. It feels a little cluttered and chaotic now, with so many splintered factions. Maybe it's time to get streamlined, cleaned up, and simplified. I hope that SCS can Konmarie their proverbial closets one day. Just my two cents, for what it's worth.

It is simple enough to post from here to Pinterest and with copy and paste from one's blog to here or vice versa. I guess my motivation has been to give back to a community that has been such a blessing to me and a source of information and encouragement. As for traffic and views, participating in challenges is the best way to get more visibility.
Personally, I have been MIA for a while during a season of grief as well as a shift in priorities towards things that had had to get less attention during the last year of mom's cancer journey.
Screen time with social media and games is a factor that sucks up lots of time without our realizing it if we're not careful too. I've had so much more of a battle with that myself since we got better phones a few months ago.
I appreciate the community here and have missed the interaction so I'm looking forward to the end of next month when our home school year will be done!

During the winter, I'm inside and have time to play in my craft room. Come spring, there's too much yard work and by the time I'm inside, I'm too tired to play :( There's also that marvelous fun in the sun thing too ;) I'm doing good if I get one card made and uploaded a week.

Not that I am anyone to talk as I dont have a gallery at all...

But I would like to point out a happy thing-the total numbers may down, but I am seeing new faces in the gallery which I think is terrific. And nice talent too! So I would ask that people comment on them and support them Just my PSA for the day. :)

As noted, if people dont get comments they get discouraged and go elsewhere. I find it hard sometimes to tweeze out the regular people from the DTs,etc-which is NOT me saying dont have them at all, but just why I may miss some (plus limited time). Also that level of talent might be scaring off regular people? Just wondering. It isnt a competition but people may still feel outclassed.

Maybe others have been hindered by a computer, as I have. I downloaded Picasa after being told it was free, simple and easy way to edit photos. It messed up my photo archives from the beginning. I was able to download some card photos and post to SCS.
The next time I tried to empty my phone-camera into Picasa it would do nothing. I get very frustrated with computers, as it's not intuitive for me.

I haven't blogged in months, so I wouldn't be able to copy & paste into the description in the Gallery. Pinterest is a lot quicker. Now, that doesn't mean that I don't share other things on Splitcoast. I share a lot. I just don't use the Gallery much. I think that everyone has her/his own way of contributing and participating in the community. I appreciate everything our members share.

I totally agree that contributing is more than just uploading cards.

And tons of people don't blog.

I don't draw any correlation between the number of uploads and what that says/doesn't say about the interest/appeal of paper crafting, stamping, card making and uploading. IMO the two are not related.

Currently what I'm hearing - and seeing for myself - is a big resurgence of an interest in stamping (be still my heart!!). And with the popularity and introduction of mixed media and all of its related products and creative applications to the paper crafting/card making/stamping community, I think interest is at one of the highest levels that I have seen in many years and I find this thrilling.

I am an active participant in SCS card and other swaps for a number of years now, and I have not uploaded any of my creations for some time and I am always creating something and having so much fun. My reduction/lack of uploads is not indicative of any lack/loss of interest in card making and paper crafting.

I usually browse the challenge galleries, rarely upload now and not sure why! I am on SCS daily and Pinterest daily as well. My Pinterest gallery of cards is much larger than the SC gallery of faves, however, it also seems I am seeing the same thing over and over on Pinterest

There are many Facebook groups that may have taken the place of the SCS gallery. That may be one of the reasons.

For me personally, I've been a bit more selective in the challenges that I do. I have tons of "stash" cards which I don't necessarily need to add to. So I check out the challenge and see if I need a specific card to send to someone or if I really get hooked by the challenge.. I also joined a gym last fall so that has been taking more time. I may load more when the school year ends and my volunteer gig is up for a few months. :p And I agree with Lydia that folks are enjoying the weather after being cooped up for several months.

I'm one who typically uploads several times a week and often does the challenges here, but have been in a bit of a stamping slump for the last several months; that happens to most of us periodically, I think. That said, Splitcoast has been my creative home for so many years and I have learned most of what I know about stamping (and all that goes with it) here on this wonderful site where people are so congenial, kind and generous! It's important to me to share here with the people I've come to know, as well as people who are newer to this craft, as I was once upon a time!
I've never gotten too involved on Pinterest. I follow a few companies I like on FB and read certain blogs, but for me, this site is home. I actually made and uploaded some cards today : )

I use Pinterest, FB and have a blog but when I have had to take a time out from stamping it's not Pinterest, FB or even my blog that feels like home when I post, it's uploading here at SCS that feels like home. I enjoy viewing the cards in challenge galleries where I have played and seeing how others interpret the challenge. I so enjoy reading the card descriptions, reading what tricks and tips were employed, what frustrated or excited and then leaving comments and receiving them! After awhile we get to know one another and it adds to the overall fun of creating and sharing!

I hope if you haven't uploaded in awhile you would think about playing a challenge and check it out. :)

Claudia, I saw your cards and loved them! I am so glad you were able to play along and upload!

My thought is.....because there are so many different stamp companies / design teams nowadays, who each have their own fan pages on facebook, people are more likely to share on those pages. But that probably has been the case for several years now.

I've been bad at uploading here too, but really want to start again, and happy I have already posted two cards in the last 7 days.

I like the idea someone had about maybe giving SCS a new look, but I also like how easy SCS is now to use and navigate the forums. Maybe change the gallery format? Would be nice to have larger photos on the home page and maybe add the "heart" /favorite button onto the home page of the gallery pictures, so you don't have to actually click each one to "like" and then you have to click "back" again, etc. to continue viewing the gallery.

Oh, and another thought I just had when I realized today was Sunday and my card won't be approved today. (I used to be a fanclub member but I am not currently).

The waiting on approval for cards might be another reason why some choose not to post here. I think when people upload to a gallery they want it to be seen right away. I wonder if instead of the approval, SCS could introduce a "turn in" button, if anyone sees inappropriate content they could click it to turn that card in?
I know instant uploads are a fan club perk, but maybe another one could be introduced in place of that one?? I have no idea...just thinking out loud:)

Angie, thanks so much! It felt great to get back into the groove a bit yesterday : )

I just checked out your cards. They are beautiful!! Love the bright cheerful colors. I left you some love!

Y'all made me feel guilty, so I uploaded a few today! :)

I need to get much better about perusing the gallery and leaving some love.

I just uploaded 2 from my phone! My problem is I'm tech challenged and having trouble getting upload from cloud to computer. I'll keep trying. My camera isn't working well, so my phone has become my primary camera

Awww! No feeling guilty! Just encouragement!!! :) Your cards and Bible journal page are beautiful!!!!

I do understand the tech thing. I have struggled with getting things from my ipad. I just don't quite understand the how to's, I know it can be done because I know ladies that do it but I struggle if I am not loading from my computer.

I am off to check out your uploads!

Frankly, I think there are less uploads because there are less people stamping, at least in 'my world'. When I started stamping in 2000 there were 5 or 6 of us who would get together to stamp every few weeks. Of those, only 1 still stamps but mainly does mixed media. (I like mixed media too.) Add on top of that Facebook, Blogs, etc as others have mentioned and yes, there would be a decrease.

A group I'm in that used to do twice yearly retreats now is lucky to have one every few years, and less people attending. But if I go to a stencil and acrylic paint class, it is packed!

I love Splitcoast! I have had an account for a long time now but only started to post cards in March of this year. The reason I didn't post before was that I wasn't creating new cards, I was copying (mostly) someone's card idea in the gallery and didn't feel that I should post those. In March, I decided I wanted to stretch my skills and I started doing the MojoMonday challenge. I don't blog so I started posting my cards here. I have found Splitcoast to be very encouraging and supportive and I am so happy that I decided to stretch. You are all so lovely - and such talented card makers. Sometimes I'm a bit intimidated to post a card because I'm my own worst critic but the comments and support you have given have been outstanding for this "words of encouragement" person. I also try to leave some love for all you talented people though I find that my vocabulary needs expansion because you all amaze me with your talent! Thank you for being such a wonderful community! (By the way, since I've been participating in challenges and posting on Splitcoast I find I'm on FB and other social media less!) =)

I think there'd be more usage if there was an app for mobile devices for uploading to and viewing the galleries and for viewing the forums as well, much like 2Peas used to have before they folded. I find it cumbersome to look on Splitcoast from my phone when I'm away from my home computer whereas Pinterest and Facebook are very easy to use an maneuver from mobile devices.

We do have a mobile uploader - and it's easier because you don't need an app. I know you haven't uploaded in a few years so you should check it out :)

It used to really be a pain to use mobile but the new mobile forums and uploader are nice.

PMs used to drive me crazy - I actually like them way better on mobile than desktop now.

My only request for the gallery would be files for my favorites. I am finding it time consuming to save some for me, and some for posting to weekly favs and having to jump around in my favs to separate to post to weekly favs. Therefore I am not doing weekly favs like I used to. I also save some specfically b/c I want to buy something that was used so that would be another file for me.

I know that isnt about posting to the gallery directly but is gallery related and I figure if I keep begging maybe it will happen someday :) I am going to connect it by saying since it's such a nice boost to be a weekly fav, it would promote people to load more to the gallery! :)

Slinking away now before Lydia beats me with a wooden spoon....one man's begging is another's nagging....

Wavejumper, what about pinterest boards?

Dini-Are you suggesting that I pin the cards I like here in the gallery? And then folder them? Then just have the weekly favs in my favs here?

Um...I dont know Pinterest well. Can I do that? Tech and me have a mutual hate relationship.....

I admit I surf the net a lot to shop but I dont belong to any groups other than here and a chat group...I dont do social media at all.

Would it be ok for me to pin people's cards from the gallery there? I know the challenges often go to pinterest for inspiration, but I dont know if people here would be ok with my doing that with their cards? They feel safe here...would they be ok with my doing that?

Wavejumper, There are people Pinning cards from SCS all the time. You'll often see a Pinned and Faved comment on a card. Personally, I'm flattered if I see one of mine floating around. I use Pinterest to save cards I plan to CASE and techniques I want to try.

Me too! All the time! My card ideas board is BIG :)

I first write up my blog post then copy and paste it into the SCS description box. Sometimes I will tweak it a bit, but that makes it so easy to post for the gallery on this website. I may not have the time to play in many challenges like I once did, but I still search for ideas here and still post all my creations here.

Another suggestion as an alternative to Pinterest...from someone else who has a very low social media footprint ;-).
For your weekly favourites, how about keeping a text file document (Notepad, if you're Windows, and I believe there's a Mac equivalent) on your desktop or somewhere handy, pinned to the start bar or Quick Access...
Then when you see a card you want to add to the weekly thread, just copy and paste the address from the address bar into the document. Because it's a text file, it won't autoformat. Come Sunday, you can just paste the entire contents of your text file into a post in the Favourites thread, and when you click Preview...bingo, you should see them all nicely hyperlinked, and you can add in extra spacing of you like. This is how I compile my Favourites of the Year post a little in advance.

I don't upload much for several reasons:
HATE having to resize my photo files.
Have trouble figuring out and finding which gallery I should post to.
Rarely do anything original.

LOVE the gallery - it's my 'go to' place to look - too much irrelevant stuff comes up on pinterest. But I have to admit with people posting cards to facebook groups where they just show up, with no effort on my part, that is where a lot of my ideas come from.

It's been at least a couple of years now since it was necessary to resize files. You should give the now not-so-new uploader a test drive!! If you've used SU sets, they are easier to select than in the previous uploader. And if you're not SU, then the upload default, making no choices, is,as it always was, your member gallery.

Dumb question but how do I find this mobile uploader? I find trying to look at SCS via Safari on my iPhone very tiny to read so is there some other way to do this?

Click Gallery > Upload a Card and that will put you into the mobile uploader, which has very big print - you'll love it.

Oh! I do hope you give it a try again. It IS really easy now with not having to resize. As Sabrina says, you really don't have to add it to a gallery.

I noticed another person mentioned they didn't want to upload because they CASE cards. That's ok! If you are taking someone's photo and saying it's your own, that's not ok but if you are taking someone's ideas and creating a card that is what we call: Copy AND Share Everything (CASE). It's ok to say, I was inspired by so and so or I saw this on Pinterest. It's still a creation from your heart and we love to see! :)

I just looked and noticed I haven't uploaded a card since 2013! I have a group that comes to my house every month and we make cards. I just got away from taking pictures of what I have made and uploading them. I don't find Pinterest all that exciting and I didn't even know there are Face book groups. Between work, family, home and church,- who has time to look at all that stuff?
I love the gallery here! I always look at the cards that have been made with a stamp set before I buy it.

This is still my go to place and I try to do at least 3 challenges a week. It is kind of discouraging when there doesn't seem to be as much activity and comments, but life gets busy for people. I still keep my membership paid up because this is still my most favorite place to keep up my own gallery. I love how you can check on comments, views, etc. for the entire existence of your gallery. And there are so many friends I have not met in person but feel so connected with here on SCS because of our common passion for our craft.