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Nina, AW is an excellent source of traffic and sales, even without commenting by non-members.

Since I joined here, almost 11 months ago, my CafePress store's sales have doubled, and I'm currently receiving an average of 3 inquiries weekly wanting to hire me for projects or custom work. I have received more than I can possibly take on...and I make it a point to refer them to other AW artists when it's something I either don't do, or aren't interested in doing.

I have received more website traffic from AW than all of the other art communities I belong to combined.

In 50% of the inquiry emails/calls I receive, I am told they found my work in the Top Tens. The other 50% it's stated that my AW portfolio and website were viewed. It's also interesting to note that many make mention of the comments my work has received helping them to decide to contact me...what others think of your work is apparently important to many clients.

I haven't had a single client mention viewing the message board here, but it does seem logical that some would make the effort to do so. Not anymore tiffs than I've been involved with, it doesn't bother me much if they do so. =)

Ratings are a tool to get into the Top Ten lists, the Top Tens are a tool to generate more publicity for your work. I'm not going to die if something I do doesn't make the lists or get perfect 10s...in fact, I'd rate most of my stuff a lot harsher than most of you do. Guess you really are your own worst critic, hm? =)

All in all, AW has been the absolute best of any art community website I've joined, and I am looking forward to a very long, profitable membership here.

Original Post: Are only artists writing and participating in rating our artwork???

Hi, I am curious if anyone knows what the percentage of ratings of our artwork are from other artists?

When I have read about generating traffic on this site - are we discussing generating traffic amongst artists???

I received one comment, in the few months I've been here, that was an email from an admirer of one of my paintings (who was not an AW artist).

Artists buy art too. I am well aware of this.

But, don't we want "traffic" for this site by buyers?

(This is meant to be a friendly discussion, even though I have raised challenging issues)