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Can you be an artist today and not have a website and a blog? I suppose so...but I think you are missing a Golden Opportunity. More and more, the public expects it and they ask for it. Times have just changed and our marketing must also change. The Internet has opened up opportunities that never before existed. Europe is just a click away. Why shouldn't we artist benefit?

Galleries are closing and from what I'm seeing personally, the Art Fair venue is also suffering...the "real world markets" that we have been so familiar with and so comfortable with are disappearing. We can either sit around, reminiscing about our past success or we can forge ahead.

The Internet is here to stay...it's time we artists got on board in a big way.

So why do you need both a website and a blog? How are they different? First of all they are very different and work together to compliment and strengthen each other. Your website and blog are the foundation of your online presence. They aren't all you need to do but they are most definitely the start. (I will write about other venues later)

Your website is your 'Professional Venue'...It says to the public "I'm an artist and I'm in business". It's where collectors and yes 'just lookers' can visit and comfortably view your work.

Your website should make the viewer feel as though they are in a gallery...quiet, easy to move through, and friendly. Keep your colors soft and neutral...let your art shine and be the center of attention. (When you look at your website what do you see first...the website colors or your art?)

Tell them about you, your vision, why you paint. Provided answers to their anticipated questions...perhaps a FAQ page. Make sure there's an 'obvious' way to contact you. Provide a way to purchase. Lastly, Put prices on your work...don't make them ask.

Your website is not an ad agency...it should be about you and your art.

Now...the Blog is a different animal indeed. This is a more casual setting. Here you can express yourself (within reason)...get personal, let them 'see' who the artist really is. Learn to write in 'speak'...less professional. I've said it before and I'll say it again...for those of you who think you can't blog because you can't write...you don't have to write well, you just have to write often.

I actually have two blogs. One is provided by FASO and is integrated into my website. The other is a Google Blogger site. They both carry the same post...and with good reason.

"My Studio Blog"...is integrated into my website, it's secure, and keeps my website, my name, and my art fresh and alive on the Internet.

When the viewer clicks on My Studio Blog, they never leave my website. All my collections and other pertinent information are just a click away. (Try it...click here to go to my website, then click on "My Studio Blog")

Why an Integrated Blog? Search engines love fresh content. Most websites tend to become static with time. After the initial setup the information and yes the art become stale...search engine rankings drop and your website ends up on page 86 when someone does a related search!

The integrated blog provides new content to my website every time I post an article...keeping my website fresh. For Example: If I write an article about the methods and materials I use to create my drawings...it will get indexed in the search engines and could be pull up if the keywords were good. My Studio Blog is a valuable marketing tool for my website.

My second blog..."The Extraordinary Pencil" is a Google blog. It serves as an additional Internet presence and traffic driver to my website. It is heavily linked to my website and has a more casual format. The down side is this...it is totally vulnerable to Google's whim.

I've experienced two shut downs in the last year because they marked The Extraordinary Pencil as a spam blog. My blog was held hostage several days each time...some innocent people have never had their blogs returned to them. Free is not always the best. Just make sure you have some kind of backup.

Can you put ads on your blog?...I suppose so. I don't personally care for them. I don't care for the way they look on my site and I feel they are distracting to the viewer. Do they pay off?...perhaps in some cases. The question would be how much monitoring does it take and is it worth the time it takes away from creating your art? Is the 'clutter' it creates worth the effort and payoff? I think you will find this article by Clint Watson enlightening....Why I dropped Google AdSense.

I guess I'm saying all this to acknowledge that today...more than ever before we are all trying to decide how we are going to 'best' survive until the economy turns around. I used the word BEST because WE WILL SURVIVE. It's just human nature. But the hierarchy will change...many of those who were 'on top of the pile' will no longer exist. Many business, (well known business) are going to disappear. While those who wisely adjust the dynamics of their business will remain and be poised to move forward when the time comes.

Where will you be?

I want to be on the top of the pile and ready to run when the economy turns around and it will turn around. We are all making tough decisions but when I see an artist close down their website it saddens me.

I know many of you have paid hundreds if not thousands to have someone set up your site and continue to pay each time it is updated. Others are sitting there with sites they're not pleased with...and some artists have no web presence at all and wondering, should I?

My website and the features it offers is the back bone of my art business. It is the glue that holds everything together. To give it up would be like hanging a CLOSED FOR BUSINESS sign on my door.

As an Artist...this is not the time to decrease your visibility. It's a time when we need to figure out how to ramp up our marketing...using methods that are proven, and affordable, if not a little creative.

PS...It's a time to share what works for you... so others can benefit.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

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In the 1989, the movie "Field of Dreams" staring Kevin Costner was a big hit. I'm sure most of you remember it. The movie was about a struggling farmer named Ray, who while walking through the cornfield, hears a voice whisper, "If you build it, he will come." He imagines a baseball field in his cornfield. Annie, his wife, is skeptical but she encourages him to follow his vision.

Ray works on the field for the next couple of days, hoping the old players will come. Neighbors stop along the road to watch and heckle as he plows under the corn. Ray waits and watches all year to see what happens...and nothing happens, leaving Ray dejected and confused.

For many artists today just venturing into the world of internet marketing...you are in essence building your own "Field of Dreams". There is much to be learned from Ray's experience.

Just as you, Ray had a dream. He plowed up his cornfield and built a regulation size baseball diamond. You ventured into unknown territory and built a website or perhaps a blog. Now you both are waiting for the people to come!

After waiting a year with no results Ray saw he was going to have to get out there and shake some bushes....let people know his "Field of Dreams" existed. You need to do the same.

You say "how do I do this?"...here's the short list.

• Put your web address on every piece of literature, on the back of each original and reproductions...always carry business cards. Talk about your website.
• Add "text" with every image you post. You need to understand, Google does not read images...it only reads text. Write about your art, and how you created it.
• Be sure to title each artwork with a keyword rich, descriptive title. "Old Train Depot in Lincoln, Illinois" is a MUCH better title (for search engines and humans) than "Trains #11."
• Submit your site to Google http://www.google.com/addurl
  
• Use a "Links" page...Ask other artists to EXCHANGE LINKS with you. When you place another artists link on your site it's a free add for them. Why should you advertise for someone who is not advertising for you? This is not personal, it's business.
  
• Submit comments to online Art Forums and Blogs
  
• Send a Newsletter...at the minimum, once a month
• Start a Blog...Every artist needs a blog. This is absolutely the best traffic driver out there.
• Blog regularly...you don't have to write well, just write. Search engines love fresh new material.
  

Marketing is difficult for most artists. We would rather be in the studio doing our craft. Some well established artists will succeed through the momentum of their art alone, while others will create websites that are only viewed by a few family members and friends.

Many artists are like Ray, in "The Field of Dreams"....They build their websites or blogs and wait to see what happens becoming frustrated and discouraged because no one comes. It doesn't have to be this way. Incorporating just a few things from the list above can change this pattern.

The Internet is just another Cornfield.  It is vast and easy to get lost in. There are over 13 million blogs out there at present and over 75 thousand more being added daily. Whether you have a website, a blog, or both...a clear marketing plan is needed to let people know you exist. Marketing is time spent now that will pay off in the future.

As the Movie ends you see Ray and his father playing catch on the "Field of Dreams" and in the distance we see a long line of cars begin approaching the baseball field...people were coming to watch the game.

It took a while, but marketing my website and blog is now a habit...just part of my weekly to do list, part of my thought process. I realized that if I didn't learn how to market my art I was going to end up with a very large private collection of my own personal work! Not a desirable ending.

The three most valuable things I've done to generate traffic are my two blogs, my links page , and my monthly newsletter...in that order. It took some time to get them set up and going and 6-8 weeks to see consistent results as I waited for Google to re-index my site. I'm now experiencing a monthly increase in traffic...both new and repeat visitors. Do they all buy, no...have I had significant sales, yes.

"Build It and They Will Come"...not even in baseball! Ray had to promote his "Field of Dreams". He had to develop an interest and gather his players. THEN THEY CAME and they came from everywhere to see the game!
Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment Read More

"You've begun your journey, you have your map, and you know your destination. Myself, I'm destined for the "long road". Like many artists, I began my career later in life. I have no "Fine Arts Degree" and to top it off, I live in a small Midwestern town...right in the middle of corn country. Yet against all odds I've managed a satisfying degree of success."

On a personal note: I've been touched by everyone who sent emails and posted comments...the response to this series has been overwhelming. I believe as we share our own experiences we encourage others. Thank You

Developing Real World Marketing Strategies:
As an artist, it's my creativity and my passion for the "vision" that inspires and moves me forward. The process involved in the development of a new piece gives renewed energy and purpose. Where as the idea of "hitting the streets" with portfolio in hand to garner gallery representation can put me in a fetal position in the corner of my studio! Well...sort of.

The internet is a great marketing tool for today's artist, but it's not the only answer. If you read the blogs or websites of professional artists you will notice they are also mentioning other venues... private shows, juried exhibits, teaching, and galleries.

The truth of the mater is this...unless you get out there and promote your work you're going to end up with a huge private collection...your own "private collection" to pass on to your children. I would much rather be in my studio working, but it didn't take long to realize that I needed to get out there and personally market my art.

First things First...promotional and presentation materials:

• Business Cards and Brochures...I designed and printed my own for my first few exhibits, keeping them simple and professional. My first brochure was a half page...It had a photo of my art on the front, with a short bio. and artist statement on the back.
• Presentation of your art...all original art should be properly matted and framed, unless using deep edged canvas. Prints need to be either in mats or mounted, and packaged in clear bags for protection.
  
• This is your introduction to your public...present yourself and your art as professionally as your budget will allow.

Exhibiting at Juried Art Fairs:
1. A good starting point...join a local art club. My first exhibits were group exhibits held by the art club I belonged to. Exhibiting with others was a secure feeling. I could test the waters without a huge investment and get feedback from the public. I made connections with other artists that proved helpful when I began doing my own shows.

2. Preparing for my first "solo" art fair...Where better to find out the truth about the art fair circuit than from an art fair exhibitor. I spent the summer before my first show going to juried art fairs close to home. I was not there to see the art but there to see how the art was displayed.

I "tent shopped", checked out displays, packaging of prints, framing, quality of art being shown, and in general how the artists set up their area for traffic flow. I asked questions, made notes, getting names of suppliers for display materials I thought I might want to use the following season, and a list of other recommended art fairs.

• Local Art Fair Listings: Every state has a registry for arts and craft fairs. You can usually contact them for a free catalog or view a list on line...a good place to start.
  
• CraftLister.com...Art Fair Source Book...Art Fair Calendar are national registries for juried and non juried fine art and fine craft venues.

Juried Art Fairs have proven to be both an excellent source of income and exposure. I was careful of my set up costs and able to pay it off with my first summers income. Hundreds, of people pass through my both each weekend. They look at, touch, and talk about my art. They're able to make a deeper connection with my drawings as I answer their question and explain the process and inspiration for my work. It's a personal connection.

Sales for the most part have been good. I read somewhere that 80% of your sales will come from 10% of your shows...and this has proven to be true. I book most of my portrait commissions during the summer months as a direct result of my art fairs. I build my mailing list and get names of those interested in classes. For me it's been a win win experience.

Creative Marketing:
1. Specialty Shows...I once raised and showed Standard Schnauzers...there's usually a vender's area at these shows, selling breed specific items, and there was always at least one person offering commissioned portraits and selling prints.

If you specialize in a subject such as dogs, cats, horses...this could be a good venue to try. Thinking "out of the box". How about wedding shows, home shows, or antique car shows?

2. Talk to business owners about hanging your work in their establishments. Good venues for this would be car dealerships, libraries, furniture stores, interior decorators, frame shops, banks, hair salons, and restaurants. With some thought, I'm sure you could come up with even more.

• Have a portfolio and a plan for each call you make.
• Be ready to explain how your exhibit will benefit them.
• For some you could just do a "hanging"...bringing in new pieces every few months.
• For others you could present the idea of doing an "opening night" to meet the artist...with invitations and refreshments.
  

3. Plan a "Private Showing". Consider doing a private show from your studio...it could be just the excuse needed to get it de-cluttered! Your patrons enjoy seeing your work space. You could even leave out a partially finished piece. It's spring...plan a garden party. One of my artist friends had a very successful one man show at a "collectors" home.

Bonnie Luria of St. Croix-nicity converted her breezeway into a beautiful gallery setting for a one evening show. Be creative in your thinking. A large invitation list is wonderful, but not a necessity. JUST GET YOUR ART OUT THERE TO BE SEEN...as your reputation grows so will your sales.

4. Email and "Snail Mail" Marketing...I know this sounds like "Internet Marketing" but I would rather refer to it as "Personal Marketing". I purchased a piece of jewelry from an artist two years ago. I receive a note from her twice a year...around the Christmas Holidays and again in the spring to let me know her show schedule. She is a wonderful artist and I've worn the earrings often, yet I would have forgotten about her had she not done this one thing.

Court your clientele...by regularly communicating with those who have shown an interest in your art or have made a purchase. In order to do this you need to have an organized mailing list.

Clint Watson of Fine Art Views has some of the best information I've seen on the subject of email marketing...and you can learn how I conquered my mailing list challenge here.

In closing I would say this...Marketing is not my favorite thing to do. Like you, I'm an artist first...I'd rather be in the studio making art. As for the marketing end of things, it was the learning curve that got me...I simply had to figure out how to make it palatable.

Is it easier today than six months ago? Yes. Has it been worth the time it took away from creating my art? Absolutely Yes!

"It's The Journey That Defines You." Internet marketing alone will not get you there, but combined with a good real world marketing plan and done consistently your journey will become much easier.

Success is no accident...Success is hard work...Success is sweet!

This article continues here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3


Links:
Marsha Robinett Fine Art...website
My Squidoo...drawing techniques


My Website Hosting Service:
Fine Art Studio Online...Easy Artist Websites
FASO requires No Technical Knowledge and offers
Positively Remarkable 24/7 Artist Support!

*Sign-Up...using this link or use the code (3209)
and extend your FREE TRIAL period to 90 days.


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment
Read More

"At a minimum today's artist needs a website and a blog. Your website is your online "gallery" where collectors and others interested in your art can view your works in an organized manner.

The major difference between a website and a blog is that a website needs to be promoted to be seen. Blogs on the other hand are like the "Energizer Bunny"...with the ability to announce themselves and keep on doing so with every posted update you make."

Link your blog to your website and like magic it will pull your website right along with it."

Don't Be Left Sitting on the Curb.
The above quote is from part one of this series...I put it in front of you because you need to read it again...you need to digest it, you need to believe it, and you need to do it.

The internet is here to stay. Businesses, large and small, are making their presence known to the world. Why should you as an artist be left behind? In the right hand column there's a list of marketing blogs for artists...they all say the same thing "Today's artist needs a website and a blog".

I'm just guessing, but I'll bet if you are familiar and comfortable with computers you already have a website. It's those of you who don't know how to do much more than send an email or do a simple web search that find the idea of setting up a website overwhelming.

I've been there, I was you. I exhibited my art for the first time in the summer of 2004. At every art fair as I passed out my brochure, people ask about my website. I told my friends that just hearing the word WEBSITE was a threat...and they told me I needed to get over it. I have brutally honest friends!

I spent every evening for the better part of two months searching the internet, looking at artist websites and web hosting services. I looked at so many sites that I had to start cataloging them.

The artist websites that I found most pleasing to the eye were all from the same web hosting service...Fine Art Studio On Line.

Developing a web presence that works:
The following is my "personal journey" into the world of internet marketing...the steps I took and the resulting growth in visitors to my website.

1. In late October of 2005 I set up my website. I chose FASO (Fine Art Studio Online) for two simple reasons.

• I loved the websites other artists had developed. They may have chosen different layouts and color schemes but they all had one thing in common...THEIR ART WAS THE FOCUS. There were no advertisements and nothing jumping around at you.
  
• FASO offerd 24/7 Technical Support. This was a huge deal for me. I even contacted several artists to verify that this was true...I needed the security of knowing there were "real people" to talk to. Remember, I barely knew how to email!

The basic set up went smoothly...I had a few questions but on the whole I have to say the instructions are clear and everything went quite well. Any questions I had were answered promptly...and YES there are real people if you need them! Very pleasant real people!

The Results...after all my friends and relatives did their "look see", things calmed down to where by December 'o5, I had 46 real visitors/with 510 page views. I was so excited...people I didn't know were actually looking at my work. Google had my name!

Traffic dropped off in Feb-May and then took a jump again when my art fair season began in June of '06. When my art fairs ended traffic dropped again drastically. The reality of it was this...I was no longer out there promoting my website!

2. In the April of '07 I set up the blog that was integrated into my website...calling it simply "My Studio Journal". This blog was part of my website package and had been there all along, but I never fully comprehended it's importance.

The Results...my monthly website traffic for May increased to 261 visitors/3271 page views and continued to increase monthly. December totals for '07 were 580 visitors/7721 page views compared to December of '06 (27 visitors/346 page views) ...close to 300% increase!

• I need to say this...In the beginning I wasn't a good blogger nor was I a faithful blogger. You can read more about my beginnings here.

3. In January of '08 I set up my first "Squidoo Lens" Squidoo is a website hosting hundreds of thousands of web pages called "lenses". Each lens is one person's look at something online. It's FREE and totally non-techy. I first became familiar with Squidoo on Katherine Tyrrell's website, Making a Mark, when I clicked on her Artist Resources link.

My Squidoo Lens, Drawing Techniques: using carbon, charcoal, and graphite, is just a baby compared to the information for artists found in Katherine's lens. Here's what I did.

• I chose the subject I'm ask about most by my customers.
• I kept it simple,concise and interesting.
• I linked back to my website and blog liberally and I put links to my new Squidoo Lens on my website and blog.
  
• Most importantly...I included the "module" on my lens that contains an RSS feed. This means that every time I update my blog my Squidoo Lens is also updated with a link to my new article. This not only keeps my "lens" fresh in the eyes of search engines but sends people back to my blog to read the article!
  

The Results...To date, in three months, there have been 1127 visitors to my lens. In the past 30 days the "most important" stats are as follows.

Visitors coming directly from: My Website...38, from The Extraordinary Pencil, blogspot...128, visitors, as a direct result of blog articles I've written, clicking the provided Squidoo Link...45

Clickouts...Squidoo visitors clicking on links back to my website and blog: In the last 30 days alone there have been....246 clickouts to my Website and 105 clickouts to my Blogspot.

The beauty of my squidoo lens is this...I never have to do another thing to it. It updates regularly via the RSS feed from my blog just keeps sending people my way through the links I provided. It just sits there working for me.

4. In February of '08...I set up an additional blog (outside my website) with Blogger...giving me yet another web presence. I'm not going into great detail here because by now you should be getting the picture of how linking to yourself delivers. But I will tell you this, since The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot went on line, the page views on my website, Marsha Robinett Fine Art, have increased to over 12,000 per month.

I still post in regularly in My Studio Blog that is integrated into my website because it keeps my website updated and the search engines love fresh material.

I give you this information to encourage you.
To prove to you that someone who once considered the word "Website" a threat can do this. I could have used percentages instead of actual figures but I wanted you to feel the impact as real as I did, as I took these steps forward.

I'm not going to feed you a line and say this was all quick and simple. None of it was as difficult as I thought but it does take time to do it right.

• Once your website is set up, you need to upload your new works regularly and update your "About The Artist" page to keep it current...otherwise, unless you desire to make changes, your website is fairly maintenance free.
  
• Your Blog...I'm of the opinion that you should post at least once a week, two or three times is better. This could be as simple as a photo of your art and a short explanation of how you did it or what it means to you.
• Squidoo...if you decide to do this...keep in mind, it's not a "stand alone" answer. It doesn't take the place of either your website or blog. It compliments them.

The Secret is This...link to yourself.
On my website in the center of the home page is a link to The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot and my squidoo lens has it's own topic on My Studio Blog. On my blogspot, close to the top in the side bar, are links to my website, and squidoo lens. On my squidoo lens, people are referred back to my website and blog. It's just that simple.

In addition...every newsletter, every email, and every blog post now have links to my sites at the bottom. As you can see I keep my "E Bunny" hoppin!

Note: Your Google ranking, your page views, and the number of visitors to your website will in time increase sales but cannot replace a personal contact with your customer base.

In the final part of this series I'm going talk about this and the importance of "Real World Marketing Strategies".


Remember, it's the Journey that defines you.

• Are you prepared?
• Do you know your destination?
  
• What do you need to do to get there?
• Why are you waiting?

This article continues here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 4


Links:
Marsha Robinett Fine Art...website
My Squidoo...drawing techniques


My Website Hosting Service:
Fine Art Studio Online...Easy Artist Websites
FASO requires No Technical Knowledge and offers
Positively Remarkable 24/7 Artist Support!

*Sign-Up...using this link or use the code (3209)
and extend your FREE TRIAL period to 90 days.


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment
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I remember taking family vacations when my daughter was young. She would wear us out asking "Daddy are we almost there?" We finally gave her a map and a marker and every time we passed a city she put a mark on her map. Of course then she wanted to know.."How much longer to the next town!"

Developing an art career is very similar to taking a road trip:
You have to make plans for your destination and you need a map to get there. You have to keep focused on the map and the road ahead. If you get lost or take too many side trips, arriving at your destination will take longer. If you don't pay close attention to others while you're driving, you could crash and not make it at all.

Don't rush things:
I know sometimes it seems like others always get the breaks. But in truth some artists simply get on the "road" closer to the destination. A fine arts degree would certainly do this for you, so would living in a large metropolitan area or having connections with other successful artists.

Many artists, including myself, are starting at the beginning. If you want to succeed you must have a plan...your plan is the "map" for your journey.

Hone your skills, build a cohesive body of work, and get feed back from others in your field. If like me there's nothing in your area, check out some of the many art forums on the internet...Wet Canvas and Art Papa are just two. You can view the work of others and post your own art for critique. Posting in forums will also help you develop a web identity.

If you have no formal education in the field of art, some classes from a local Art Club or Center for the Arts might be helpful. I also took workshops from well known artists in my field. Like many artists, I had a natural talent but it needed to be refined and stretched. Just being with other artists gave me a high!

Develop a web presence. At a minimum today's artist needs a website and a blog. Your website is your online "gallery" where collectors and others interested in your art can view your works in an organized manner.

The major difference between a website and a blog is that a website needs to be promoted to be seen. Blogs on the other hand are like the "Energizer Bunny"...with the ability to announce themselves and keep on doing so with every posted update you make.

Link your blog to your website and like magic it will pull your website right along with it! Or better yet get a website with an integrated blog.

Develop other "real world" marketing strategies. This is a topic on it's own...but for now, think about how you will get your art out there in front of people? I suggest you start locally...by joining an area art club...they usually have two or three exhibits each year. Check out the Juried Art Fairs in your area. Talk to business owners about hanging your work in their establishments. You could plan a private showing...inviting friends and business associates. Work on building your mailing list...getting both email and snail mail addresses.

Stay focused on the road ahead:
You've begun your journey, you have your map, and you know your destination. Myself, I'm destined for the "long road". Like many artists, I began my career later in life. I have no "Fine Arts Degree" and to top it off, I live in a small Midwestern town...right in the middle of corn country. Yet against all odds I've managed a satisfying degree of success.

Imagine if this were a real road trip, you wouldn't just quit 300 miles from home. You would at least try to get somewhere. True, you might stop for gas and to stretch your legs...checking your map for accuracy, and gather your thoughts. But you would get back on the road again until you reached your destination.

"Daddy are we almost there?"
Your career as an artist is a journey. The gift of the journey is what you see, experience, and learn along the way. These experiences build your confidence and hone your craft.

It's one thing to read about another artists climb to success but nothing can replace living the artist's life as you travel your own road to success. There are sure to be some pot holes and speed bumps along the way. You'll know you're making progress by the milestones and landmarks you pass as you mark your own achievements.

Remember, it's the Journey that defines you.

• Are you prepared?
• Do you know your destination?
  
• What do you need to do to get there?
• Why are you waiting?

This article continues here: Part 2, Part 3, Part 4


Links:
Wet Canvas...Art Papa...artist forums
Art Marketing Links...other articles of interest

Marsha Robinett Fine Art...website
My Squidoo...drawing techniques


My Website Hosting Service:
Fine Art Studio Online...Easy Artist Websites
FASO requires No Technical Knowledge and offers
Positively Remarkable 24/7 Artist Support!

*Sign-Up...using this link or use the code (3209)
and extend your FREE TRIAL period to 90 days.


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment Read More

The internet is not a book  Few people, including myself, read it as if it were a book...they scan the headlines.

---

I don't find a large block of text exciting nor will I read it.  I'll move on to a smaller block of text, perhaps one or two sentences...hoping to find out what you're writing about.  And many times I just leave out of frustration!

We live in a fast paced society...people want to gather what they need and move on.  When I sit down in the morning with my coffee to check my feed updates there's a lot on my mind. I first scan the titles, marking some to read later, opening the most interesting ones first.

If you got me with your title you will loose me if I can't quickly scan your text and acquire a "mental outline" of what your article is about.  And while I'm doing this, I'm asking myself "Can I benefit from this information?, Is it worth reading the entire article?".

Wikipedia refers th this style of writing as "Chunking"...a method of presenting information which splits concepts into small pieces or "chunks" of information to make reading and understanding faster and easier.


So...How do you write Scannable Content?

1.  Make your first paragraph a "Grabber".
By this I mean...tell them what to expect...make it interesting yet concise.  You have just a few seconds to grab their attention, pique their curiosity, and make them want to read on.

2.  Make sure your text size is readable.
If you're not sure about this, ask your friends.  Don't choose a smaller text just to shorten your article...if it's scannable people will scroll down to read your next topic. Readability is a big deal.  I know there are ways for the viewer to increase the print size on their screen...but they won't tend to do this for one blog or one page.

Page color and text color can make a huge difference.  Experiment by trying different combinations.

3.  Use an appropriate page width.
Again, we are not reading a book...if you have to move your eyes and your head to follow the words across the page, your text area is probably too wide.  The eyes get lost and begin to skip a line here and there.

The blog you're reading here came preset...and I think it's perfect.  When deciding on the template for "The Extraordinary Pencil..blogspot" I specifically kept the text box width in mind.  I know the Bible is a book...but have you ever tried to read a Bible passage where the text was in a single column that spanned the entire page width?  Very difficult indeed!

4.  Keep your paragraphs short.
This is not an English class...break your text into smaller paragraphs, sometimes even using a single sentence to make a statement.  The separation between text blocks makes your article more scannable and the added white space will give the eye a place to rest, making your page more attractive and inviting.

5.  Learn to write in "Speak".
Wow....this has probably been my biggest challenge.  We are taught "formal" writing in English class and it's hard to change.  Your blog needs to "sound" friendly...even though there is no sound!  The printed word can be cold and harsh.  For a technical blog this might be fine but for most blogs you need to show your softer, friendlier side...without the need for a "smiley face" icon.

6.  Use headers and subheaders liberally.
The use of headers and subheaders will improve your visitors experience.  Your readers are now able to get an idea of what the article is about before they read it.  This is the "mental outline" I spoke of earlier.  When this is in place I can move easily between topics.

7.  Lists and bullet points...this is another method useful for breaking up a long boring block of text.  Your page will be more interesting to the eye and readers will find your text more understandable.

8.  Incorporate Bold and Italic type faces...This needs to be done artfully and with some taste.  Don't splatter them around haphazardly.  Set a standard for your site and stick to it.  I use Bold to accent important words or phrases and use Italic for quotes, book titles and the like.

9.  Lastly, remember images are your friends.
Images add interest to your articles and they attract your readers attention.  Use them wisely.  I've always believed the image should relate to the text.  When it doesn't, I feel somewhat misled.

Let me know what you think...was this article helpful, would you like to see more like this?


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As artists we are told that our in-house mailing list is our greatest business asset...

yet I've found this to be one of my most difficult things to accomplish. I've shown my art three years now, looking at a fourth season of juried art fairs just around the corner...and again I'm faced with the same question; am I going to be able to get those names and addresses!

The first year that I showed my drawings, I was so darn happy to have a tent and some art to put in it that I didn't even think about a mailing list. Knowing this was important, the second year I had a Guest Book for people to sign. It didn't take long to realize that few people were willing to fill out the information and most of those who did...well, I'll just say this, cat scratches would be complimentary. If you can't read their information, you can't use it.

I finished my '05 season in the fall and set up my website that winter...now I really wanted that mailing list because I had something to tell people about. I started publishing my Email Newsletter with only 58 people on my mailing list and I'm embarrassed to say most of those were friends and relatives!! However, it was a start.

In the spring of '06 I went after this illusive mailing list with new gusto. When my art fairs began, I had a plan....simple as it was, it worked. And it had been in front of me all the time.

Since most people paid with check or charge card, it was only logical that I ask for their contact information. I bought a sales book larger than I needed so the top portion had plenty of space to write. If things were slow, I filled in their information myself while we talked... asking permission to add them to my mailing list. If I had other people waiting, I ask them to do it...while I wrapped their purchase. I then compared what they had written with their drivers license, correcting anything I couldn't read, and wrote down their email address. At the end of the season I had a long list of firm, readable, contacts...and the best part, they already owned at least one piece of my art. I was ecstatic!

The downside to this method is the time it took me to enter them into my data base, and copy their information onto a 4x6 note card for the hard file that I keep on each customer...and I have to admit that sometimes when things were really hectic, even my handwriting was difficult to read. And I would occasionally forget to ask for their email address. All in all, I was still miles ahead of where I was the year before.

My last effort was to increase direct sign-ups on my website and blog. This area had been growing...but virtually at a snails pace! I began to think about the guest book I used that second year. Looking through it again, I realized that those who were interested in my drawing classes wrote down their contact information very carefully....you see, they knew if I couldn't read what they had written, they wouldn't receive my fall class schedule. I had possessed something of value that they wanted!!

My question was this...Could I recreate this situation and this time use it to my advantage? I decided to offer a free "mini print" to everyone who signed up for my email news letter. Yet I really struggled with the word Free and ask myself...Can Free have value? After considerable thought I decided the answer was yes, if presented correctly. Here's how I approached it.

• I changed how I listed my newsletter...from Email Newsletter to "Newsletter Group".
• I wrote a post announcing the "New Membership Gift".
  
• On the Home Page of my Website are the words Free Print, and when the cursor rolls over these words, the text box says..."are you curious yet?"
• On my Blog it is mentioned again at the top of the page simply as "New Member Gift".
  

What did I do here? First of all, they aren't just signing up for a newsletter but joining a Newsletter Group that has benefits. The links on my Home Page and Blog create curiosity. The "New Membership Gift" announcement explains what they have to do to get their free print, how often the newsletter is sent, what information will be in it...and finally, I let them know that "I will never share their personal information".

The results after less than two months...close to 30 new "members" have joined my Newsletter Group, and I have both their "snail mail" and email address!

So...Can Free have value? I say, absolutely!

Let me know what you think. What comes to mind when you here the words free print or free original? Is it compromising your standards? Does it lower the perceived value of your art? Does it generate business? What's your opinion...Can Free have value?

Links:

• Art Biz Blog
• Clint Watson...Fine Art Studio Online
• Barney Davey...Art Print Issues
• Pumpkin-Patch Marketing...by Jonathan Fields

My Website Hosting Service:
Fine Art Studio Online...Easy Artist Websites
FASO requires No Technical Knowledge and offers
Positively Remarkable 24/7 Artist Support!

*Sign-Up...using this link or use the code (3209) and
extend your FREE TRIAL period to 90 days.


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So...What is a Blog anyway? 
Darren Rowse of Problogger says it perfectly.."Blogs are usually (but not always) written by one person and are updated regularly.  Blogs are often (but not always) written on a particular topic.  There are virtually blogs on any topic you can think of.  From photography, to spirituality, to recipes, to personal diaries, to hobbies...blogging has as many applications and varieties as you can imagine.  Whole blog communities have sprung up around some of these topics...putting people into contact with each other in relationships where they can learn, share ideas, make friends with and even do business with people of similar interests from around the world."

A Blog is a Type of Website:
After I started my blog, I started telling my customers and friends about it.  I soon discovered that many didn't have a clue about what I was talking about...they had no idea what a blog was.  Darren Rowse, in his article, "What is a Blog", says it like this..."A blog is a type of website that is usually arranged in chronological order from the most recent 'post' (or entry) at the top of the main page to the older entries towards the bottom".  Just for reference, you might like to take a look at these blogs.  They are each quite different, yet all are aimed at the same audience..."The Artist."

Four Examples of an Artist Blog:
1.  The Extraordinary Pencil...I am going to start with my own Blog.  If you'll recall from the previous article, my blog is integrated into my website and powered by FineArtStudioOnLine.  The blog is listed as one of my web site categories on the upper left side of the page.  When you click on "The Extraordinary Pencil", my blog page opens.  On the left side of the page, between the Categories for my website (at the top) and the TOPICS list for my blog (further down the page), you will see an orange RSS feed icon (which we will discuss later), and icons for My Yahoo and Google, (used to add my blog to your favorites)...and then the Archives for my past blog entries.  Each blog entry includes at the bottom of the page a  list of topics for further reading and an opportunity to leave your comments.

2.  Karen Hargett's Fine Art Journal...Karen's Blog is listed on her website as "My Art Journal".  Although this is another example of an integrated blog, this one is powered by Blogger...signified by the large orange 'B' found in the upper left hand corner of the page.  As you look at other blogs you will see many different styles of  "Blogger" blogs, most are free standing.  I like the style of Blogger.  Karen has kept hers clean and uncluttered...it's easy on the eye and user friendly.  You see a short biography, a list of her other websites, and an archive of past articles on the left.  Her articles for the current month are well presented and easy to read...with each containing an area for your comments.

3.  Jana's Journal and Sketch Blog...The art blog of Jana Bouc is a stand-alone blog.  It is well organized with everything you're looking for on the right side.  You will notice that she includes a short biography, her main website link, recent posts an archives...further down the page you see interesting reads, links (to her other sites), Flicker Photos, and her category list. As with Karen's blog, mentioned above, Jana has kept her blog clean, uncluttered, and concise...showing off her art work to it's best advantage.  Her images are nice and large and her articles easy on the eye.   Jana's blog is powered by Word Press. I'm not usually fond of the layouts that I see when people use Word Press...however, this is really quite nice, I may have to change my mind.

4.  Making A Mark...is an example of a stand-alone blog by Blogger.  Making A Mark is the brain child of Katherine Tyrrell...and is packed with information for artists.  Katherine writes about making marks with pastels, pencils, and pen and ink.  She discusses the development of both artwork and art careers.  You will find interviews with artists and information about resources for both artist and art lovers.  This is a jam packed blog...yet I find my self wanting to read it all because everything is relevant to what I am doing and I return again and again, to soak up the information she so freely gives.  THIS IS THE SECRET OF A GREAT BLOG...she updates regularly with fresh, pertinent, useful information.  In fact, Katherine has a new lens on SQUIDOO called "Blogging for Artists"  that I highly recommend. 

OK...Let's see how you did...If you checked out the blogs listed above, you should have learned at least two things;
      First...that there are basically two types of blogs, website blogs, which I referred to as integrated or dedicated...and stand-alone blogs, which function outside the parameters of your website.
      Second...that blogs, although containing the same basics, (current posts, main categories list, and archives), can be expanded using additional specialized category sections and "add ons"...giving them your own personal signature.

NOTE:  "So...What's a Blog Anyway?" is the second in a series about basic blogging.  I hope you found the information useful, please check back for more about Blogging for Beginners.

PS...make a "Point"...post a comment
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Lack of Knowledge: equals lack of direction...
I am new to blogging myself, and I will be the first to admit that I began blogging without knowing nearly enough .  The one thing that I did do was to look at some of the different blogs that other artists were using.  I was more interested in the general layout of the page, what information they included on their page besides their main article, and how easy it was to read...I didn't bother to learn how a blog functioned, and didn't give a lot of thought to what I wanted to accomplish with my blog except that I wanted to promote my art. 

What I learned was that I had two options...
I could use the Blog provided with my website or sign up and develop on my own one of the many "free standing blogs" that are out there such as Blogger and Wordpress.  My first option...the blog provided with my site was still being developed and didn't offer all the options that the "free standing" blogs did...but I was familiar with the layout and I understood how to work with the pages.  It complimented my site and my experience with the Technical Support Team had been fantastic.  My second option...was to use one of the stand alone blogs...for me this was a frightening thought and I knew it was more than I was equipped to handle on my own.  Since I know just enough about computers and the internet to cause permanent damage, I decided to use the integrated blog provided by my web hosting service, FineArtStudioOnLine.  Their Technical Support Team was invaluable...but my blog still came close to failure because I did not properly researched the complete picture, nor had I set any goals.  I ashamed to admit that I didn't even know that my blog entries would appear in reverse chronological order!

My Blogging History...
This is not something I am proud of...but it is out there for all to see, so I may as well admit to it and move on with the dedication and promise to do better!  I started my blog in April of 2007 and made entries monthly through July.   By July I was in the middle of my art fair season (my excuse) and because I had no goals for my blog (my reason) it simply dropped to the bottom of my priority list.  I finished my 2007 show season with renewed enthusiasm and commitment for My Blog.  I'm back and I'm ready to stay!

Knowledge is Power...
With my show season finished, I spent the next few weeks researching, researching, and doing more researching!  According to Sir Francis Bacon..."knowledge is power."  My research gave me knowledge, which gave me direction, which did indeed give me a since of power.  I no longer felt incompetent...I knew what I wanted to say, (at least most of the time), I knew what I needed to do, and I had a plan.  I started to seriously blog again in November 2007.

I am sharing this research knowledge with you, in the hopes that by alleviating some of your questions...you will also have the knowledge and confidence to enter this new fast growing blogging hemisphere. it is fun, it is exciting, and it makes you grow personally and professionally. 

I hope you will check back to read additional articles..."Happy Blogging"

Marsha Robinett

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