I'm tired of being a bump on a log LOL, so I'm hoping to figure out some kind of release schedule for my CW thread/shop. I'd love to hear what works for other releasers!!!

Typically I release one item at a time, once or twice a month (rip), with occasional 24/48 hour unlimited releases. When I have a backlog or matching items, I sometimes release 2 items at a time, but I always worry that this is too taxing on buyers. Depending on the item, with this method I'm usually able to fill at least 10 slots, sometimes 20+ if it's particularly popular.

Ideally, I'd like to release one item per week, with maybe one completely new CW per month or every other month (excepting events/special occasions.) What's your ideal schedule?

Before my current hiatus I was doing uh... like 8 releases a month? :S 2 recolors / 2 new / 2 recolors / 2 new (so releasing 2 things a week) and that was... a lot. I'm considering lowering it down to something like maybe 4 or maybe 6 max a month, but even that's hard when you just get really inspired for something? For example when I did a bunch of rift themed items I didn't want to JUST release rift items in case some people didn't like the theme... but also it was a LOT of extra work :S

I'm mostly on hold RN though because of 1. my hiatus and 2. waiting to see on the updated rules / stuff keith has been mentioning in the bg. I want to make sure my items are being submitted properly / at the right time based on those factors.

Wow, so many! I've seen a lot of folks releasing large numbers of items all at once lately, and couldn't fathom how that worked. It's really interesting to see how others space out their releases.

I've been pondering the idea of sets lately, like your rift items. I think it'd be fun to tie them into a small event or something! That would require quite a bit of extra work, though.

The idea of doing a new cw every month is a great one. I know people love new designs.

I am a strangeo and I can range from 2-8+ releases in a month. It really just depends on how many of an item I want or if other users want it. I am of the opinion that if I can fill one batch of any item/color I will put it on site. I don't go for popularity or profit, I generally don't care about those things. I just enjoy making pretty things and will basically do anything anyone else wants (as long as the batch fills).

I know this is "terrible" philosophy that others dislike because it means I put out (sometimes) a bigger quantity of items in a row. -shrug- I don't usually hyper limit things though, so anyone can get them later on. I do tend to put things in my shop on a rotation or seasonally though. So if I release a lot of bunnies in the spring, for example, then I will likely only keep them in my shop through vesnali/spring or shortly thereafter, not forever.

I do sometimes forget to move things into my shop or retire them on time, but I fix it as soon as I remember.

I am not sure if this helps you out or not. ^^

As a buyer I typically will only buy items I actually like (since funds are super limited for me now), so if you released 10 of that item in a month I'd try to find a way to buy most of them. :P lol Yet, it would be cool on the wallet if only one or two similar items was released every week (if that is what you are going for), so everyone with different tastes can grab different things and spread out the cost burden? (So a wig and drape at the same time but not like 5 drapes?) IDK -- some people do not have a burden of cost being an issue.

I know for me lately the real issue is not finding and new designs that entice me to buy them. I just have had a harder time loving anything new lately. :/ There are a lot of great and wonderful items begin produced just most are not up my alley. Thus, I wait for the ones that I really want and need and try to not miss them before they are sold out. :P

I typically have to fund item A with item B because my interests aren't that... interesting (widespread I suppose). I'm very into fantasy themed stuff, but as I've been told countless times by a thousand different people, they want me to focus on modern items. I just... literally could care less most of the time about modern themed items. :S I usually end up selling those designs because I don't care.

This also means I end up buying very few items, because what items that do come out that are fantasy themed are either: in a color scheme I will never use (pink for example) or in a skin tone I'll never use (anything below I think 4 or 5). It usually means that I don't slot on barely anything... but I'm just... not interested. :S This can also be said for wig items. I'm also not really interested in most long hairs (especially if they cover a bunch of the HA) and if I am interested, it's going to be in blacks or browns. I don't really like most other colors unless they're really special feeling.

Yes, I feel like I have been too reliant on recolors for the past year or so, and have been itching to do some new releases. For me, it's hard to choose what I want! XD That's why I had my recent design contest. I love crowdsourcing inspiration!!

Your method of releasing is totally a valid and personal choice! I love the fact that you mostly aim to fill a batch to get something submitted, but then allow for more copies to be available later. Since I have been seeing a lot of multi-item releases and/or quick succession releases lately, I wonder if the aim to get 4-5 initial slotters is more universal than I thought. I suppose it makes sense if you have a lot of items and/or colors that you want to get on site for your own use, especially! I think I've just been really apathetic about my own releases for a while, I've forgotten what it's like to be really excited to get something on site. :p

I like the idea of releasing dissimilar things if releasing multiple items at once, to appeal to different tastes and possibly put less pressure on the wallet. I love how beautiful sets look, but I usually get overwhelmed with the idea of needing to buy 2/3 pieces to achieve that gorgeous homogeneous look. I'll probably reserve sets for events.

You just made me want to dig into my reserve sketches for design ideas! It's been too long since I did a sale!!!

I like that you stick to releasing what you enjoy! I do personally go for more modern stuff myself, but it is a JOY to see variety. If I had more CSC to collect things and build awesome HAs (and....was my creative about building HAs), I would love to do more fantastic outfits. I love it so much when I see a truly outrageous and creative HA.

Also like....what's even the point if you're wasting you effort and money/csc on releasing things you're not personally interested in! Go you!!

I've been trying to make a point to tell releasers when I see something I especially love, just because I know it's hard to gauge feelings for that on this site at times. Even slot numbers don't always tell a full story. Like, is releasing this elemental set, and I made sure to tell her how awesome it was even though I haven't personally bought any yet. Love seeing variety and passion about CWs, even if it's my not my personal jam. So that's my thing now, at least I'm trying to be more vocally supportive anyway. :p

Oh yes, I did not mean sets in particular, though sets are nice (I rarely buy them since they don't often look great if you don't get the entire thing). I meant like totally different items. Sort of like what feral did (and mentioned above) for rift. She released rift items and then random other colors for people who might not like rift. :D
Yes it is fun to dig up sketches and make them come to life. c:

I hope you figure out a scheme that works for you. ^^

I just release stuff when I have it, but I do have pride releases I need to get out. I suppose I should do that today. :) The month's half over!

Work is always very busy for me in June because that's when the academic year in medical & surgical residencies switches over and I have to redo all the call schedules and rotations for the year.

have you noticed any commonalities between the fantasy items that sell well, and the ones that don't? I know there are certain styles of yours that are instabuys for me unless I'm broke af.

There's a big market for shorts, oversized sweaters, pigeon-toe shoe mods, and sleeveless crop tops, but there's also a very large number of people releasing those items. I have the general impression that getting first batches filled on those types of items is not at all guaranteed. Besides, there's no point in releasing items that you yourself don't want to use.

To be honest I couldn't tell you. It seems to be entirely random what's popular and what isn't. I have items I swore would get interest, that I barely got 4 other people on... and I have items I figured only I wanted, that sold 10+ copies. I really don't know. If I did, I'm sure my shop would be more successful.

sometimes it do be like that. I failed to fill a first batch for the first time in ages on the Lizza thylacine, but I've come to the conclusion that the people who buy the Lizza stuff and the people who buy thylacines are generally not the same people.