Comments on: Give to Get on Your Blog

By: Guest Blog Posts Encouraged at Art Biz Blog — Art Biz Blog

Wed, 05 May 2010 19:51:07 +0000

[…] much larger virtual space + your images and credit. With a guest blog post, you’re being helpful to a community and generating good karma. Not so with an […]

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:12:54 +0000

Lin: Thank you for sharing that lovely story. It speaks to the power of art. Your art spoke to her!
You’re absolutely right about content being the attraction.
Brad: I found the post! I wrote about giving away something to encourage mailing list sign-ups. Be sure to read the comments because people added their own thoughts on the subject.
https://aaartbizold.wpengine.com/offering-something-of-value-that-encourages-mailing-list-sign-ups

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By: Lin Collette

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:38:54 +0000

Brad, I started my blog in an effort to regain writing and cognitive skills that had deteriorated because of an illness. I felt I also needed to write more about the challenges I was facing and about simple, stupid things (today’s post, for example, was about the river that flows through my city). I also wanted to write about my thought process as a writer and artist-in-training but didn’t expect that people would really be interested in how I “did” art. I was doing it more for myself, to record what I was doing since I seem incapable of maintaining a paper journal for very long.
Much to my great surprise and pleasure, my readers LOVE the process pieces. They love seeing stuff in progress and the finished product. I get ideas from readers. I find out about cool stuff I didn’t know about. If I mention I’m having difficulty figuring something out, they tell me. And they even like the “stupid” posts when I’m venting about the 10 things that aggravate me. While people appreciate the freebies I offer, that’s not why they read it. It’s a gimmick that gets them in the door. Sure, you might not have a “paying” customer every time, someone who stays and reads every day, but you will get some.
So, I think that if you wrote about what you do, why you do it, and how you do it, you’d be surprised by how many people would read it. I personally would love to know more about color theory so there’s one reader for you.
Give it a shot. You just might be surprised how addicting it can get.
lin

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By: Lin Collette

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:30:06 +0000

I definitely think there’s a difference between giving the shop away and giving away one’s process and images that I have scanned from old photos and other things that I have. When I do finally have time to run my etsy shop adequately you can bet that there will be things that will be strictly for sale. The blog, however, is for giveaways and will eventually be a good promotional tool.
I think the important thing is to be gracious about it if someone does ask for a freebie and say, “I’m sorry but if you want freebies you need to go to my blog (or other site. The stuff in the shop is strictly for sale.” Hopefully by being gracious you will get and keep a customer.
As far as giving art away, I was working a fair last month (and not being particularly successful) when a developmentally challenged woman came by and was captivated by my stuff. I knew she didn’t have any money but she was looking at everything very closely. I asked her if she’d like to have something. The look in her eyes was a wonder to behold. I told her to pick anything that caught her eye that she’d like to have. She took a bookmark only but I would have gladly given her something more expensive just to get that look on her face again. And the gratitude from her parents…. All because I took her need for art seriously. I barely made my table, but I consider myself well paid for that day. That’s why I give things away.
lin

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By: Spit Shine Your Image — Art Biz Blog

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:01:53 +0000

[…] You Do you speak kindly of other artists and festival organizers? Are you generous or guarded? Do you dress like a professional when you go out or do you find yourself embarrassed at […]

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:57:04 +0000

Nadine: Thanks! I always like hearing that someone is listening to the podcast. Because you can’t really “talk back” to me, it’s hard to know its effect.
Eleanore: Yeah, karma is kinda cool like that. I’m so happy you’re here and that you decided to stay awhile.

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By: Eleanore Brown

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:35:06 +0000

Boy I just love this..”It’s karmic. The more you give, the more you’ll get in return.” It’s a basic concept that just proves true over and over. It’s a concept that someone never learns until they actually practice it. A nifty little trick of life that takes a lifetime to learn for some. I really like your blog, it’s my first visit and I’m off to investigate further.

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By: Nadine Mnemoi

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:58:01 +0000

I have been listening to your podcast everyday,while I’m working since I discovered your blog about 1 week ago. I didn’t get the time to read your posts yet, but I sure will, I really love your podcast, so I’m sure it’s going to worth it and enjoy.Anyway, just this post to say Thank you, it’s a pleasure to listen you everyday.

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By: Debra Russell

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:03:34 +0000

Or it could just have been me – rushing thru …
🙂

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:50:49 +0000

Debra: Of course. I tried to acknowledge that in my comment, but guess I wasn’t clear. Thanks for the clarification.

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