Why Blogging Matters (for Self Promotion)
July 16, 2011 in For Artists
When you work in the visual art world, it’s easy to neglect other forms of media. Especially the language of the web – writing.
Let’s face it – painting and sculpture are pretty difficult to represent well online. Instant problems arise when you consider converting large-scale artwork to a webpage, as well as colour accuracy, let alone working out how on earth to convey texture on-screen.
But let’s assume you’ve overcome this. You’ve published some nice photos of your work online, maybe you’ve joined some social networks for artists like Saatchi Online too. But it hasn’t generated any new enquiries, and the number of visitors to your site each month is low? Advertising isn’t the only way to get your work out there.
So… Why write?
Think about the way you use the internet each day. Most of your interactions involve text, from the web address that you type in, to the search results on Google, to an article that keeps you absorbed for a while.
In comparison, it’s hard for people to describe visual media, and it’s also hard for computer systems to accurately make it searchable.
So text is a big part of the internet. It’s an opportunity to get your work out there and to help people understand each piece. If you’re currently self-promoting, then you’re simply going to have to get good at creating written content in order to attract visitors to your site, your portfolio, and ultimately – make a purchase!
Why blog?
Rather than creating an online book or catalogue, a blog can be a nice way of organising your thoughts. A blog is just a way of publishing content in a chronological order – think of it as diary or journal format.
But unlike a diary, a blog used for self-promotion is going to be public-facing, which means that you don’t need to say what you ate for dinner – instead, stick to subjects that are relevant to your art practice, art theory, or the concepts behind your particular work.
Don’t be afraid to be human, this is a rare opportunity in which you can actually engage with your viewers, buyers, collectors, gallery owners and who knows who else. Learn to interact with your online audience and open a conversation about your work. Learn to thrive on feedback!
Post to your blog regularly, but not too often, as it can easily become a big distraction from your creative work, so find a good balance between the two.
And don’t worry, blogging doesn’t have to cost a fortune either. You don’t have to hire a web designer to get one set up, there are plenty of free, hosted solutions out there. We really love WordPress because it’s very flexible and easy to scale up when you want to expand, but something like Blogger would be super-easy to get started with too.
The great thing about tools like WordPress and Blogger, is that they’re built to work well with search engines like Google. They manage search engine submission for you and let them know when you’ve added a new article. This can make life simple if you want to be seen by a wider audience of people searching for all sorts of subjects.
The other great opportunity a blog presents is a chance to involve your audience in your work itself. Viewers who post comments on your writing will leave both positive and negative feedback that you can (if you wish) take onboard. This could be a great opportunity to get an early opinion on an idea, or show people something you’ve been working on before it goes out to a gallery perhaps.
catherine meyers said on August 1, 2011
I am so glad to read this article!
Writing is a very important practice in my creative life. I have written in journals for many years and made the serious commitment to long hand pen to paper for about years now, mostly because of reading the life changing book “The Artist Way” by Julie Cameron. This book was recommended to me by an Artist/Art Therapist friend of mine. In this book the daily practice of writing is considered an essential practice as a way to keep the creative energy flowing.
To this day, I am reaping the benefits of doing so. I also blog regularly and this, as well as my journaling have become a very vital part of my art practice on many levels, since 2008. It generates my creativity and work along with networking and reaching a wide audience all over the world, almost instantly.
It is also a tool for me to encourage others to live a rich creative lifestyle, which opens the mind, heart and spirit. With out that daily practice of writing whether it be in my journaling or blogging, I’d me lost.
Thank you for posting this. Fantastic article!
Catherine Meyers
Richard said on August 1, 2011
Hi Catherine, thanks so much for your comment. Writing is an often neglected part of working in visual arts, but it’s really critical for so many reasons.
I had seen this book before but never given it enough attention – maybe it’s time to make a purchase!
For our readers, you can find a copy of The Artist’s Way on Amazon.
Brennen McElhaney said on August 24, 2011
Thanks for this post and the reminder that text is critical and blogging is a great way for an artist to get his writing out there.
I have been wrestling with a question that I’d love to hear your perspective on.
How transparent should an artist’s blog be? I’m not talking about anything weird or inappropriate, but transparent – in the sense of vulnerable.
I feel that “good marketing” dictates that I need to put forth the persona of a successful artist, and that in order to be taken seriously, I need to “fake it ’til I make it.” But that is not entirely truthful. I have fears, misgivings, false starts, and failures. I don’t have it all together. How much of that should I allow into my blog?
Looking forward to your thoughts.
My Blog – http://www.brennenmcelhaney.com/journal
Richard said on August 24, 2011
Thanks for your comment Brennen.
Well, that’s an interesting question isn’t it. Personally I believe that there is probably more to gain from being honest, than from pretending you’re more sorted or more developed than you actually are. You may find that visitors / readers / viewers find your work more endearing as a result – and you know there are big advantages to being small, just starting out and that great part at the beginning of starting anything where the world is your oyster and you can turn in any direction without a dragging history (or a big body of past work) around.
Certainly when I’m browsing for artwork, honesty is always a key factor that I’m considering anyway. Just my view
Hazel Rayfield said on September 6, 2011
An interesting article, I too believe blogging matters
As a web designer I know the importance of a good (and appropriate) web presence and as an artist I am finding that self promotion is even more important. I am currently building myself a website (a busmans holiday!) as an online gallery and portfolio which will go live at the end of this month, a blog is an integral part of this and is in fact already in place awaiting content http://www.artinwax.co.uk/blog
Adilson Pinto said on October 14, 2011
Very nice site you have here … i loved it.
my best,
Adilson Pinto
Sharon Ward said on March 29, 2012
Hi, I read the article on blogging and, to be honest, I wouldn’t really know where to start! I do like to talk to people about art but pmuch prefer to see a face. Any tips?
Richard said on April 2, 2012
Hi Sharon – if it’s your first start in the blogging game, then I’d sign up at wordpress.com or blogger.com for a simple account that you can use to just get started. Later down the line you can take that somewhere more convenient to represent you (maybe you could register sharonward.com for example) – but my best advice is to just write! Try writing a 200-300 word piece, twice a week – about any arts related subject you like. It’s good practice and will get you in the swing. Good luck!