Comments on: Why Some Artists Shouldn't Have Blogs

By: June Rollins

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 19:16:48 +0000

I’ve been blogging since Feb. 2010 and love it. Step-by-step demos and tips for other artists. Post once a week and thought that was enough. Didn’t want to wear out my welcome. But sounds like that’s not enough?
My students say my blog is really helpful, so in an effort to expand readership, I started twitter couple days ago. I now have three followers: a local photographer, a business advertising their products and Alyson! Maybe there’s hope for me yet.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:46:38 +0000

In reply to Clinton.

That’s a good one, Clinton. I’m very fortunate that almost everyone who comments on ABB is nice and respectful – even when disagreeing with me.
If I get disagreeing emails, I encourage them to post them on the blog so that we can have a healthy conversation. It does take awhile to get to that point. The first disagreements are uncomfortable.

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By: Clinton

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:42:59 +0000

I’d also add, “have thin skin” to your list. Excellent blogs allow commenting, it builds community and permits additional exposure. However, some people may not agree or what you are doing does not satisfy their tastes. Be prepared for constructive criticism and a few trolls.

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By: Randy C. Brown

Sat, 04 Dec 2010 02:24:46 +0000

I’m one of those artist that have both a website and a blog. My blog gets twice as many visits as my website even though the two are linked together. People seem to like to read articles. Your article was great. Thanks for the tips.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:53:46 +0000

Casey: It’s so good to know your limits. Sounds like you have your hands full.
Mary: Get your Web guru to install WordPress (free!) onto your website and configure it. After that, it’s pretty easy.
Carol: That’s great! Just do it–regularly.

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By: Carol McArdle

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:37:17 +0000

All this talk about blogging had re-inspired me to keep trying! Nothing replaces just doing —like the Nike slogan says!

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By: Mary Palmer

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 16:58:18 +0000

Ready, Set, OMG
To Blog or not to Blog isn’t really my question …it’s where/how to start. Do I take a class? Do I read a book? Do I use an already active service or start my own? Too much information (perhaps I should put down this second cup of coffee?)
I know this is something I want to do and need to learn, but where to start??

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By: Jamie

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:33:11 +0000

I’m afraid I’m one of those floundering blog-ists who isn’t keeping up. A lot of trying as opposed to doing, I guess. Time to set myself a schedule!

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By: Casey Craig

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 18:00:09 +0000

I am also in the non-blogging column and I can honestly say I don’t think I will ever go this route. I have an 8 month old puppy who requires a great deal of time plus 2 kids…and oh yeah a husband. To say that I have a lot on my plate is an understatement, but this is MY choice and for the most part I’m happy with the balance with my studio time.
I also maintain my own website and update it regularly, send email newsletters and have an “Insight” page on my website for people to read about my process, media and inspiration. I have incorporated several of Alyson’s suggestions from her posts and her book to get my website, bio and artist’s statement where they are today – THANK YOU ALYSON!
But, I have also had really good success without a blog. In fact when the blogging craze first started I made a point to research the high end artists that were in galleries I really admired and I found hardly any of them had blogs – maybe they are just too busy painting for a living.
I think blogging is wonderful for artists and galleries IF you are posting on a regular (at least weekly) basis. I cannot commit to this or I would have to cut into my studio time and that is precious enough as it is. I think blogging is probably more effective for artists who are wanting to connect directly with their collectors. I am going the gallery route since that works better with my lifestyle and schedule. I also see so many supposed “art blogs” that wander into the personal and political which I see as unprofessional.
Carol, when I submitted my work to fine art publishers several years ago, I didn’t even have a website and my work was published and then sub-licensed as well. You can definitely make an impact with professionally submitted materials and Alyson’s book and posts cover this as well.
Hope this helps.
Thanks for all you do Alyson!
Casey Craig

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By: Carol McArdle

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 15:06:30 +0000

Hi Alyson and Artists,
I started a blog twice and stopped posting twice because it took too much of my time (I’m a little too perfectionist in what I write and how I write it, thus the time.) Instead of a blog I update my website all the time and post each new painting. I also use emails, facebook and my facebook posts go to twitter.
One of my most popular series of paintings is my mangrove series and if you google ‘mangrove paintings’ I am #1. I am also high on google for other key words that lead people to my site and among other things this has led to new gallery representations, multiple sales of artwork and prints and commissions with a new business relationship from a dealer—all without blogging.
I would be very interested in hearing more concrete, specific stories about how blogging has advanced artists’ careers in terms of actual sales, finding new galleries and other places to exhibit work, finding a rep, licensing opportunities, and other benefits. I am still not convinced that blogging is the great marketing panacea that it is touted to be but I highly respect Alyson’s advice and want to understand what it is I am missing, if anything.
I look forward to hearing what some of you have to say —and Alyson too if you have the time! 🙂
Thank You!
Carol McArdle, The Mangrove Artist!

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