Art Blog - Calligraphy: A Scribe's Notes

Part Two: Getting the most out of your website

So, you have taken the time and energy to get your work online. Take a minute to give yourself a pat on the back. This is no small thing. Now you can sit back and wait for the orders to start. Um, I don't think so. You can use your site as a sales tool and/or as an online portfolio. Either way a web site needs to be maintained, updated and refreshed. Because of the nature of my work, my site has been invaluable as a place to direct interested parties to see what kind of work I do, which has resulted in quite a few commissions. On ArtId, our marketing and advertising efforts are paying off in a substantial increase in traffic to the site. We are a sponsor for the PBS series Terry Madden's Watercolor Workshop and our artists are featured on The Independent Coffee Network and our efforts will be stepped up in 2009 to attract more designers, architects and art consultants to the site to post jobs and consider our members for their projects. Check your site - right now. Is it as good as it could be?

On ArtId, the last image that Gold and Silver members upload will appear on the home page under Recent Additions. These images are much more likely to get clicked, so the more often you upload new work, the more often you appear on the homepage and increase the chances that someone will look at your work. If you have a PayPal account, (and I suggest you do, see PayPal: http://artid.com/help/artists/paypal/) and the PayPal logo appears on your item.

Check your profile and biography and keep them up to date. People want to know about you, reading your profile and bio helps them connect with you. They are more likely to purchase work from someone they know something about, their background, education and most importantly their philosophy or artist's statement. The more content on your page, the longer they will stay, but resist the urge to write a novel, keep it pertinent, listing every show you have ever been in, every award you've received and every collection you are in, is not necessary. List a few of the most recent - they get it like any resume, keep it to a page or two.

Describe your work, beyond the mandatory category clicks. Include additional information, details about exactly what it is and what the buyer should expect. Is it an original, limited edition print, an open print or a giclee? Does it come matted and framed, only matted, rolled in a tube? Invite questions. Let people know that you are available to give them more information. Answer inquiries promptly. Look at other artist's sites and ask them questions. Many of our members have been striking up a dialog, exchanging information, ideas and support and nothing could make us happier. We built this site for you to not only show your work, but to engage with other artists and connect to the community. So, work your site so it can work for you.

Contain your excitement - next, Part Three: The Blog

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