Expose Yourself
as an Artist
Send Smoke Signals!
Artists are notorious for lack of self promotion. We
are not good at selling ourselves or what we
do. However in the past four years as a Business Partner
at Apple, I became aware that this was not just a problem
plaguing artistic types.
Well "GET OVER IT!" Even the caveman sent
smoke signals telling about their accomplishments ("Hey
look guys I just invented the wheel!"). Here are
some ideas to get you started on your first smoke signal,
a web presence (how to build a site).
Start with a URL (Web address). This is your
"store front" so you want to Make it stand
out. Don't use common names, terms. The more unique
the more visibility. (Examples: susanjonesart.com not
so good. jonesartisticcreations.com better.) You don't
have to use your name but if this is what makes you
stand out, use what you got baby! For instance, my last
name is Straub, my artist site is StrauberryStudios.com.
You can purchase a URL and hosting at places like GoDaddy.com,
Register.com etc.
Design your site.
Not a designer? Don't panic.There are some great programs
that come with templates you can start with. On the
PC side check out: Homestead.com, Microsoft.com, webstudio.com.
On the Mac side: iWeb, Freeway Express (softpress.com)
or Rapid Weaver (realmacsoftware.com). Once you have
your program of choice look for a template that has
the feeling you want to project. Most of these templates
will let you change colors, add images, and personalized
items like logos.
Content. You need
to tell your story. You might include an artist statement
or a Mission Statement, what makes you an expert, accomplishments,
showings. These are your who, what , when: a resume
of sorts.
Get the Look. Make
the site visually appealing. Not an artist? Find photos
that convey the mood you want. Sites like: istockphoto
and 123rf.com have reasonably priced photographs. Look
at examples of sites in your field for more ideas. Have
a way for your fans/clients to reach you. Support this
with fonts and colors that tell your story.
Avoid: Flash
with no substance. I see folks get so involved in
the flashiness that they lose sight of content. Too
much content. Make your information short, concise,
just the facts man! Too many different fonts!
Keep it simple and clean. Complicated navigation.
Make it easy for your visitors to get around in
your site. If it is to hard to get around you won't
hold visitors' attention.
Double check everything and
upload. Check all links to make sure they
work. Check spelling. Send it up to your host. Then
check it online to make sure everything looks the way
you want it to.
Advertise. Now
that you have a site, advertise it. Put it on your profiles
pages on Linked In, Biznik, MySpace, Twitter etc. Put
it on your business card. (You would not believe how
many people forget this.) Send out notices, postcards,
press releases. Remember: your site is your store front.
You wouldn't open a store and not put a sign on the
door, right?
In this day and economic times you have to have visibility.
It doesn't matter if you are an artist, a banker or
an Indian chief. If no one knows you are there they
can't hire you, buy your product, or use your services.
We were told as kids not be self promoting. As adults
we have to be. Start sending your smoke signals. Get
noticed.
Contact Information:
Susan Straub-Martin
Strauberry
Studios
Copyright Protection and Reprint Rights: This
article is fully copyrighted by the author, but can
be reprinted without permission provided the article
links back to this page: http://www.800Muses.com/muse-profiles/muse-susan.htm
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