In Part One: I love me some Evernote! I use it all day long. It’s almost a computer within my computer. Super tool. Can be a free forever tool.
In Part Two: I put Canva in the spotlight. This is the most comprehensive design tool and free works really well. My only complaint: I have a very hard time breaking away from wanting to create and create and create. It’s so much fun.
And now for the final tool
It’s not at all what you are going to expect. It’s not “cool”, it’s not sexy, and it’s not revolutionary. And yet 97% of those reading this uses this at least once-a-day. Some of us use it dozens of times a day. It’s easy to forget what a terrific asset this simple tool can be.
It’s your email inbox. (I said it wasn’t sexy!) And the best part is that you control its effectiveness in just a matter of seconds. You control, with very few exceptions, every moment spent looking through emails. And thanks to ongoing and ever-better anti-spam efforts in the industry, much of what is there is stuff you asked to see…
You are the curator, the judge, and the jury. You sign-up to get offers, information, and alerts from people and or businesses that you are interested in hearing from or who will help you get smarter, make more sales or save money, and so much more! You have complete control.
Just as easily as you join, you can unsubscribe from irrelevant, unworthy, and bothersome emails. It can take under 15 seconds to sign-up for most email lists and it can take even less time to unsubscribe.
I am taking a big risk here
There are plenty of sources out there that can bring you excellent information about how to run businesses. There are plenty of smart people who might take your attention away from my posts. But, I have to say, that if I only relied on a few sources, I couldn’t bring the information to my blogs that some many of you seem to appreciate.
Therefore, while I hope you will stick around and keep commenting and being part of my adventures, I have a short list of blogs to suggest for you. I have about 20 people I subscribe to, but they are not all very “small” business oriented. And many don’t apply well to the art industry. However, I hope that selection below will be likely to be useful to your various challenges.
Marie Forleo – she is super cool, very well-financed, however, she creates slick and sometimes gimmicky offers which make her feel a bit manipulative. All that aside…she is very smart about all things marketing.
MarketingSherpa – I am a big fan of this organization. It’s a bit jargon-laden and over-produced in some ways, but the case studies are always interesting. And they give some great advice that often has me saying, “wow… that’s so smart!”
Seth Godin – hard to compare him to anyone or anything. Just sign up. You will thank me. And buy his books. And just keep an open mind: it’s required in order to follow his genius mind.
Constant Contact’s Blog – Their blog is superior for its simple and down-to-earth advice for marketing small businesses. Small single-location shops. They really offer some of the very best tools. Of course, you can also benefit by using them for your email service – learn more here. (Even the 60-day free trial will get you free phone access to their helpful marketing pros at their US call centers!)
I hope you will take advantage of the links above. Take a little time to investigate and invest some brain cells and check them out.
And I am sure you have some blogs you are already following and think are good sources – especially for artists. Feel free to put them in the comments!
Thanks for those recommendations Mckenna. I follow a number of art marketing blogs (possibly your competitors so I won’t mention them!)
Since I’ve had my Wix website I’ve followed the daily Wix blog which is chock full of useful information about how to drive traffic to your website, how to write good blogs and create effective marketing emails. It obviously refers a lot to its own platform but I think it would be useful to anyone starting out with online selling.
I follow the Constant Contact one which has useful info but I’m always amazed that they never innovate with their own email design. It’s quite drab and not even mobile friendly. You’d think as a market leader they would be shining examples of practicing what they preach!
Aha… yes. Wix is a good source and so is Shopify. Bottom line – you are a shining example of someone who is keeping the education train moving forward in your business.
As for CTCT….??? I just got a brilliant email yesterday – totally mobile friendly and very up-to-trend in design and very current topics. Maybe in England there is a different hub for the marketing? I will forward mine so you can see what I see.
Thank you for your kind words. I’ve become kind of obsessed with finding out and implementing the tips and strategies I can glean!
Yes I got that CTCT email. I’m not sure I’d describe it as brilliant! According to the training you’ve given me it has a) too much info (8 sec rule) b) not mobile friendly in size of text (unreadable on my mobile) and two columns instead of one. I know this is a summary of their blog posts but even the daily hints and tips are a bit uninspired looking, I’d say. And it took me forever to even find their blog as it’s so hidden on the main website. They never once asked me to sign up!
I don’t want to bore the world with my reply, but while you have made some good points, I think you might be trying to read the email on a horizontal plane? Emails (by any service) are created (coded) for best viewing on verticle. I have no problem reading the text, so maybe we are using different makes of phone? And as this is their “Hints and Tips” newsletter, they are including (plural) a selection of hints and tips. This is typical behavior for Information emails from all of the marketing blogs that I follow. One can read the headings in about 5 to 10 seconds. Each one was compelling, yes?
Anyway, no one (especially me) is perfect nor does anyone (especially me) have all the answers. But personal taste is just that. I like their graphics and this is their color palatte – like it or not – which I respect. I like your’s MUCH better! ‘-)
what do you think of artstorefronts.com— what kinds of tools do they use to make selling art so effective? do you think they exaggerate their results?
I can’t vouch for them one way or the other. What I can say to everyone who is trying to make a living that includes online sales is: Get your own website where you have 100% control. Wherever you put your work, you MUST drive traffic. YOU need to get eyes on the screen looking at your art.
As for their claims? I don’t know what those are, but, even if I did, I have no way of knowing if the results they are claiming will be reflected in your own experience using their service. They can’t guarantee YOUR art will sell.
If you currently have a website, contact me for a free review and we can discuss if there are things you can do to increase your effectiveness and conversions on your OWN site. icanhelp@mygoldenwords.com
Artstorefronts are doing a weekly podcast on art marketing that’s really good fun as well as helpful. They are quite clear that the artists who do well on their platform are the ones who are making an effort to drive traffic to their site. I don’t agree with everything they say but it’s great for getting fired up to take action!
In your remarks to Lisa above you say have your OWN website. I have my “own” website but it is through Artspan. I chose it for many reasons, one of which was the ease of setting it up and maintaining it, another was the ability to sell prints through it. What are your thoughts on Artspan sites?
It’s better than most! At least you have your own “site” within their site and you can be seen as an individual artist. (Have you tried to read your white text on black background on a phone? Just saying….) Do you know what kind of quality printing they are doing? That would be my only concern. Different labs can make a mess of your colors, contrast, and saturation. Many professional artists try to keep the printing under their control. But if these are unlimited “posters” then it probably doesn’t matter.
The only other issue is that you (at least I have been told this by another artist on ArtSpan) can’t use an email program other than what is built into this site. THAT – from a marketing point-of-view – is truly a burden and challenge to growing one’s business. Without professional email marketing, it’s nearly impossible to keep your message on track and to monitor your effectiveness. Most of the built-in email platforms are really sub-par and don’t give you the tools to really grow sales.
Your work is lovely by the way!
Thanks McKenna for your words about my art and your other wisdom. Actually I just became aware of problems with the print option because I asked to see the prints that a friend had ordered and was horrified. As a result she returned them and the next go round was better. Part of the problem was the paper she ordered them on. Part was their color saturation and focus. I’m thinking of removing the whole option or inserting a page to guide buyers on substrates. The truth is, however, that I don’t sell that many prints. I also use my Saatchi site for prints and assume they are better at it but I don’t know.
I’m not sure I understand your comment about the email program. In my experience I end up creating what I want to send and uploading it to their system in a PDF, then sending it. I don’t do well with their formatting system.
I also am concerned because I’ve uploaded my entire mailing list to their site and now can’t copy it in case I just want to send something out on my own. They’ve explained there was another way I could have done it and still can but I haven’t explored that and it sounds like a lot of work! I can’t remember what they said and will eventually have to go back and find out and put in the work.
Well! You kind of validated all my concerns. Considering your issues (and hearing about this kind of problem from many of the third-party websites) I feel more strongly that artists need to keep deeper control. Take a look at Rebecca’s site for an example that I adore using the very simple and easy to use web-building tool from WIX.
While some people are fortunate to have a local printing facility they can employ, finding a good printing source is not hard. (I love and trust White House Color) Having them drop ship prints from orders placed on your own website is easier than you might imagine. If you really want to keep it simple, you can use Squareup.com and create a totally free shopping cart that is very professional. Anyway, there are lots of ways to get really professional results that are YOURS to control. If you want to have a free 30-minute consultation, just email me and we can set up a time or click on the appointment page in my menu.
I contacted White House but find they don’t seem to do it any differently than Artspan. They take a jpeg and ship the print. No comparision with original or opportunity for artist to approve a proof so I’m not sure why they would be a better choice and wonder if you can explain more. I could always get the print locally but the print shops are almost 1.5 hours away so it takes a LOT of my time!
My only comment is that WHCC is a dedicated lab that specializes in working with professionals – particularly the wedding industry. Their reputation is highly regarded. Their quality is beyond reproach. Their service is precise. They must make those brides (in the case of the wedding industry) happy, right? LOL! Artspan may not even be doing the printing. They may job out to other printing labs. I have seen that in the past. Printing is a BIG financial commitment all on its own. If they are not doing the printing “in-house”, they might not even use the same printer from one order to the next and you can’t be sure what the finished product would look like nor would they have any ability to do a “proofing”. If you have local printers that you can ONE TIME meet with and get an established quality from and they can ship orders for you, that might be another way to do this. Clearly, the example you saw from ArtSpan left you, in your words, “horrified”. Why would you allow them to print anything for you again? And if that was one of your main reasons for signing up with them…. just sayin…. There are “easy-to-set-up” options and I would be happy to chat with you and get you moving into a better situation with better quality control and better marketing controls.
Diane, I have a lot of experience of selling giclee prints and I would never dream of sending a customer a print that I hadn’t checked, signed and packed myself. Print quality is nearly always rubbish if it hasn’t been carefully colour matched to the original by someone who knows what they’re doing. I wouldn’t risk having returns, complaints and poor reviews. As a small scale maker you can’t compete with the big boys in unlimited edition prints (unless you are getting royalties which is a whole other topic) – it’s best to go high end, high quality, limited edition.
Thanks Rebecca. I did go to the link for you that McKenna included. I gather that you sell only prints in various forms, not originals? Or perhaps you have another website for originals…
I sell very few prints – mostly just originals, very occasionally cards so this can be a troubling task for me but I will take your words seriously and think what I can do differently.
Hi Diane – the originals are on there – they’re called monotypes but think “paintings”. In the sold work section and shop.
AND… by the way, your etchings are also originals, Rebecca. Original Prints.
It’s a thing, Diane! Each and every print pulled from a copper plate and is individually created. It’s not a machine printing process like a giclee which would under a microscope be almost identical – a reproduction PRINT.
No… these are individually created by hand. Think of woodblock prints, or serigraphs, or lithography. Here’s a primer: https://www.artsy.net/article/editorial-nine-types-of-printmaking-you-need-to
But just revisit her site and watch any of the videos and you will see that these are originals! Some of the finest original prints I have seen in many years!
Thank you for your kind words about my prints, Mckenna. I’m always trying to explain the difference between original and reproduction prints! I don’t make it easy for myself by having both on my website. But I do try to give good quality info at every turn. I suspect my prints are a little mainstream for your taste – artistic people are always more avant garde in their art choices!
MAINstream? Oh, my! I love and see your work as very contemporary – even avant-garde! I would love to see one in person. I can’t imagine the depth and textures. You are one of my top 5 living artists. I might end up owning one someday in fact. My issue: I have dozens of framed pieces in storage and much more that are unframed, too. I have been collecting for over 40 years. I do rotate my home, but honestly, I don’t have the capacity anymore. If I was to add ANY more art, it would be one of your pieces!
Oh thank you Mckenna, that means a lot to me. I had it in mind that you liked abstract work but I’m sure you’re able to enjoy a wide range of art! In UK art schools anything like what I do now would be considered “commercial” and low brow. But art schools can be very strange places and I’d much rather my art was enjoyed in the homes of a wide range of people.
Hear Hear! I won’t paint too wide a brush, but academics can get in the way of reality. I don’t think of your work as commercial in the least. Good that you ignore that idea and just find loving homes for your remarkable art!