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We have a brand new interview today from top selling FlashDen author VectorFlower. What’s amazing about VectorFlower’s FlashDen sales statistics is that he has had over 3,000 sales, in just under 9 months, with only 3 files. How does he do it? What advice can he give other authors? Read on!

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from, what do you do for a living?

My name is Ramesh Kumar, 30 years old male, living in Chennai, India. For the past 3 years I was a full-time freelancer and presently I spend most of my working hours creating stock Flash. Other than Web design, I have had a variety of past work experiences; as a comic book artist (as a teenager) and I also worked in the Electrical Engineering field for 4 years.

2. How long have you been using Flash and what made you start selling items on FlashDen?

I have been using Flash since version 4. Back then, there was no enterFrame event. We could only use frame actions and loop a 2 frame movieclip if we wanted a similar result! Before getting a job in Web design, I had a lot of time to experiment with Flash and I ended-up spending a lot of time using Flash 5.

I worked for a Web design company for 4 years on a wide range of projects (Graphic Design, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Flash Animations, Interactivity, 2D/3D Animations, and much more). I then started freelancing from my home which saved a lot of time (traveling hours) and enjoyed the improved efficiency of work. However, while serving multiple clients, I personally couldn’t feel relaxed due to other people’s personal schedules and priorities, even if the projects were completed efficiently ahead of time. So I was in search of new ways to keep me relaxed while working, and one day my friend initiated the idea of experimenting with stock flash market places and so here I am! And of course, I’m now really relaxed!

3. Do you create files from scratch for FlashDen, or do you re-use work that you’ve created for a client?

I do both. One of my files (zoom controls) is a re-coded version of a project I did for a client (I removed 50% of features as well to make it fit as a stock item!). My other 2 files are created from scratch but I always include the previous ideas/features that save time for users while also improving usability.

4. Where do you get your inspiration from for your FlashDen work?

Either from past works or the ideas/inputs I got while doing those works. Due to the vast amount of challenges we face while working as per clients/users needs, we have to stop somewhere to find solutions. Sometimes we get solutions (creative or productive) which we always keep in mind to implement on future projects. Those are the things that become either core features of my item or at least part of the item.

5. What is your work flow like when starting a new file? Could you walk us through the steps you take when getting ready to create a new file?

• I decide my next file if I come across a feature (or concept) that seems to have good demand in the market but still not available from free resources.
• Then I live with that idea for at least a week (before I start work on it) and analyze about adding/removing options to cover a wide range of buyers.
• Before creating an item, it is important to consider the level of support the item needs from its users. So accordingly, I decide what the features are that can be allowed to be altered through xml/variables and what should not.
• Then I prepare some quick experimental files to make sure I am able to create those new features without any usability issues and not become trapped within Flash Player’s capabilities/limitations.
• While doing all the above, I may either reject the whole concept (this is what happens most times in my case. That’s why I have only 3 items) or start preparing the file if it seems feasible.
• After all the above, I start preparing the file and at the end there may be few options added/removed to improve the front end.
• I usually show the completed version to my friend (a Flash guy) to get some opinions and discuss a lot about possible variations.
• Then another major process is preparing the preview file in such a way to demonstrate important features/variations.
• Then finally the file gets uploaded after finishing the help files and description.

6. What do you do to market and brand your files?

I link all my files to Adobe Exchange, hotscripts.com and some other directory websites.

Until now I couldn’t think about branding the items. Each file has its own set of buyers, features and previews so I allow the design to form by itself according to the nature of the item. However, I’ve found that I always tend to use rounded rectangles with a certain radius!

7. What advice can you give to authors that might help them increase their overall sales?

• Promote your files through relevant resources.
• Adding an FAQ section to your profile page can give additional traffic through search engines.
• Make sure all your item description pages have all the necessary details and are really descriptive.
• Make sure the preview conveys the full potential of the file.
• Adding a list of FAQ on the item description can save you from unnecessary negative comments.

8. Besides yourself, who is your favorite FlashDen author and why do you like them?

• RimV - For the excellent 3D files
• DigitalScience - For User friendly yet unique design elements
• ParkerAndKent – For Minimal design, unique navigations and level of support
• ranfirefly - For Nice Animations and design elements
• Webmarbles - For Unique and perfect files and excellent support

9. Which file do you think is your best file so far?

In the stock business I consider the files which save user’s time are valuable and so those are my best ones. I think my zoom-pan control is that kind of file. Due to its simplicity, a lot of buyers customize it in various ways for large projects with little support from me (most of the time just with a single email reply with information about updating just 2-3 lines of code). I must also point out that this file was significantly improved after following the advice from several talented buyers.

10. What one thing would you like to change about FlashDen if you could?

At present, the SWF preview has a size restriction of 590×300. It would be helpful if we were allowed to vary the height more than 300 pixels and up to a certain extent (say, 600 pixels).

Also I would like to see a FAQ tab and the ability to add screenshots to enhance the description.

11. When you aren’t developing cool Flash files, what do you do for fun?

I try to be silent and relaxed. I have commitments and work loads from my family. So whenever I get precious free time, I try to do nothing during those times. However I do try to give myself a break by reading religious / philosophical / science related things, watching / observing everything around my house such as plants, animals and even people running back and forth for their daily needs.

12. Would you like to give a sneak peek or some information about the latest file you are currently working on to our readers?

A curved and custom shaped scroll bar component. The back-end technical details behind it is very complex but usability is the same as regular scrollbars. I haven’t started working on that yet but experimented with a prototype version to make sure how reliable it is. Although there is no market demand for this per se, I believe designers will consider buying it for their future projects. If that ends up with poor sales, my next item will be a generic file such as gallery or text ticker!

View VectorFlower’s portfolio.

Read more interviews with FlashDen authors.