In the past few weeks I have received a number of emails from customers, asking where I purchase my supplies (blacklight fabric, eyes, etc.). I also teach a number of workshops and people have asked for my notes (not my handouts, my notes).

I guess they expect me to be flattered. However, I have spent a long time putting these workshops together, finding sources/suppliers etc.  I am shocked at all the questions people ask.

I am sure I am not the only one with this problem. How do you handle it?

Since I don't rely on puppetry as a source of income, this does not bother me. I openly share online information of sources to buy puppetry products. I do think you have to draw the line with which you give out information if you are a business. You certainly do not bite the hand that feeds you. So protecting your business is a must.

I would tell those that ask that you buy wholesale but will offer to sell to them at a retail price. Thank them for there interest in your company and offer some retail alternatives that they can buy these products if they choose not to buy from you............ or just send them to me I'll help them find what they are looking for on the internet. There is plenty of places to find stuff.

As for your notes.................. tell them to bring a notebook and listen.

Billy D.

I think as Billy says there is a line.

I post a lot of free info on my website. I'm happy to share on where I buy stuff (maybe because it's all so hard to find here in Oz), but there is a limit on how much I share.

Recently I had a call from a woman who's son is deaf and wanted to do my puppet building course, but wasn't sure it would suit him. I've never taught any classes before, and felt a little worried that perhaps things might get lost in translation. Instead of saying to her that I couldn't help, I've offered to send her son a free muppet pattern (with instructions) via email. I just felt so bad about it...

On the other hand, I've had someone email me to tell him how to make a muppet. No description of what he wanted to make, nothing. I gave him a long spiel about how there are plenty of free patterns out there (gave him a list) and advised him to check out the info on my site. (Granted, my how to post on muppets refers people to The Foam Book and Project Puppet; that's because I didn't want to have a two or three thousand word pattern or instruction; too much work on muppets to give away my pattern for free to everyone). I said to him that I was in the middle of making an instruction set and pattern, but as it wasn't finished it's not available on my site yet. However, if he wanted, he could let me know a bit more about what kind of character he wants to build and I could modify the instructions for him and send it to him free of charge (I figure why not, I'm doing just the same amount of work and I'll end up with my finished pattern at the end to sell anyway). Anyway, he ended up writing back a month later, saying something along the lines of "can't you just tell me"....Wasn't even interested in getting a proper pattern FOR FREE! In this case, I told them that I still hadn't finished the pattern (which is true) and that he should check out the other advice I had given him.

Basically, there are two type of people: the ones who will take your advice, listen and find more resources and learn by themselves. And there are others who just want a quick and easy freebie.

(I say this with every respect to those people who do ask. I've spent a lot of time and effort providing free info to people in theatre over the past 6 years, and I've learned that there really are two types.)

If you don't want to give your handouts to just anyone, why not do something where for the cost of the photocopying (and maybe a little profit margin) you can print them out for them.

I like to see it this way: being courteous and helpful is always a good tactic for customer relations.

I would say keep your notes and paper work and encourage them to use the web as a great spring board.....hey......why not invite them to puppets and stuff and let them do searches and find stuff.  I get the same requests from time to time....I just give them general information about doing workshops and puppets.....such as.....how many I do at a time how I got into the school system ...I never give details about what goes on in my workshop because what works for me does not work for others.  I also believe that if you know your art (puppetry) enough you can pass that information on to others without asking other puppeteers what they do.

I am pretty liberal about the information I share but I don't give out every detail on everything. 

So be polite/re-direct but you have NO obligation to give away anything that potentially will take business away from you.

Just my 2 cents and a little vent....

Daryl H

When I do get information on puppet making I am doing so with the intent of selling puppets so I can support my puppet addiction. So it could end up taking some business away from you. On the other hand, if you are theteacher and I was the student, you most certainly will be making better puppets than me and  attracting most of the business. I've seen the work of some of the people on this site and it is very good. If you keep a method a Secret too long it may die with you one day, and that would be a terrible loss to the world of puppetry and the world in general. Write a book or manuscript and make us pay for what you know.

One thing I've been doing is making patterns available on my site of simpler designs or easier to make. Those things that require a little more skill or experience, I'm keeping to myself.

People will respect and value whatever it is that they invest in either $$$ or time and effort.  I haven't spent any money, other than materials, on learning to build puppets.  This has meant that I had to glean information from many different sources to find what there is on the net and I have had to learn some things by simply doing and improving.  Because it has taken me time and effort to learn puppet building I value what I have learned.

Other than helpful tips and suggestions, I don't think any of you should simply give away your knowledge.  If people aren't willing to go to the same work you have (not to mention search through the archives of the forum) then they should be satisified to pay.

I'd like to mention that resources ten years ago when I started were not as readily available as they are now. All one has to do now is Google search words such as puppets, free puppet patterns and poof there is just about anything you want to know. I will admit that some folks do want the easy way out and do not want to search for information. In my journey I have had  several builders that I reached out to for help and they were not interested in helping me................( I have since became very good friends with those same people) It did not stop me though I persevered and kept searching and writing letters to those  for more knowledge. My point is don't turn a deaf ear to someone who is just starting out in puppetry.............. If you can't help them be kind enough as Daryl stated to refer them here to Puppets and Stuff or to someone else who may have the time. I'm a firm believer in what my Grandmother use to say " What goes around comes around "

Billy D.

I get alot of people asking me for my suppliers, free patterns, instructions on how I make my puppets and also if I have any `spare` puppets to donate! The basic answer I give to people in the nicest way possible is no. People will have the cheek to ask you to give away your experience and skill for nothing and as its been said, dont be rude, simply send them here or somewhere where they can access help without asking for the skill of someones living/business. Dont sell yourself short.

Cheers,
Dan

Some people try to get something for nothing.It happens all the time at craft show,especially if they know you.You have a set price for an article,and they try to get you to give it to them for next to nothing.They seem to think it's a yard sale or fea market.Be as polite as you can be and tell them the internet is a good place to start collecting information.