by Rebecca Sciullo | Jan 8, 2020 | Blogging, Learning
Happy New Year
It’s a new year and a new decade! With all this newness, I’m excited to announce a new focus for Artisan Advantage. Effective immediately, my content will be devoted to teaching artists and creatives how to use blogging to build a visual art business.
Why the change?
As I posted about in My Latest Project, I recently revamped my father’s website and blog. Before starting that project, I felt I needed more focus in my business. I enjoyed sharing information on topics such as creating a vision, constructing an art business plan, planning, time management, pricing, and social media marketing. But the subject matter was too broad, and I was having trouble delivering consistent content. My mind was all over the place.
So with this in the back of my mind, I started the work on my father’s site. Through this work, I decided it was time to focus on building an art business through blogging. It’s an area where I would like to help artists for the following reasons.
1 – I love to blog.
I’ve had experience blogging in a couple of different industries, and I have always enjoyed that work. It was the primary marketing tool that launched my father’s art business in 2007. Blogging is my nerdy passion, and I want to share it.
2 – Most artists overlook the value of blogging in their business.
They either consider it a waste of time, or something they are not equipped or know enough about to do. I firmly believe that both of these things are false and want to help change minds about this.
3 – Blogging is something that every artist can use to further the, no matter the medium, project, or career stage.
4 – Focusing on blogging will help me to deliver more consistent content.
As mentioned earlier, the broad topics of “art marketing” and “visual art business”, I often struggled with what kind of information to provide in my blog posts. This focus will allow me to deliver you consistent, useful content.
So, effective immediately, you will be learning everything I can tell you about how to build a blog and use it for your art business.
What if you don’t want to blog for your art business?
Even if I can’t convince you to blog about your art, you should have a web presence for your art business. I assure you that much information provided will also be useful for any artist with a website.
But what about other art business topics?
You still need knowledge on essential art topics such as licensing work, working with galleries, or selling prints. I will refer you to experts and information that I have found in the course of my business. Look for me to share at least one new resource with you a week in an area outside of blogging. And, the Artisan Advantage Book Club will continue, so stay tuned for reading suggestions and a chance to win a book.
Follow and Share
I hope you will continue to follow my work and share this website with any artists that you think could benefit from my information.
Here’s to a great 2020! Let’s go get it.
by Rebecca Sciullo | Dec 19, 2019 | Artist Websites, Learning, Resources, Tools
What’s Going On…
Earlier this year, I decided it was time to refresh my father’s website. I built his first site with the now discontinued Microsoft FrontPage back in 2007. About five years later, I had a new site built on Squarespace. At that time, it was a solid reflection of his work. But web design trends change quickly. The website looked outdated, and as I’m more familiar with WordPress, it was not the easiest for me to maintain. After a round of art marketing round tables this fall, I took some time off from this blog to update his web presence.
It took some time, however, to decide how we wanted things to look. The Squarespace site provided a complete gallery of his artwork, which was becoming unnecessary, as we now use Artwork Archive to keep all of the work up to date online. We decided to use the WordPress.com platform to build a blog based website, and then link it to Artwork Archive. Once a decision was made on how to proceed, the website came together in about a week.
Above is a snapshot of the site before the refresh.
Below is a preview of the new look. Click here for a full view.
Back to Blogging
Quick success with his first website was a direct result of using a blog to promote his work. It was time to recommit to this tool and set his blog as his home page on the new site. We plan on using the blog to reconnect our network, promote his art, and get back to giving his audience more of the story behind his work.
Artwork Archive Component
Artwork Archive is an integral part of his web presence. We’ve been using it for several years to inventory work and keep track of sales. We are now using all features of this system, including the ability to build an online portfolio for different audiences. So, instead of creating an extensive gallery on WordPress, his website links directly to his Artwork Archive profile. Visitors are always viewing the most current work along with relevant information, such as whether or not the piece is still available.
As I move forward with this project, I look forward to posting more things I’ve learned while revamping his web presence as well as the transitioning of his brand from Appalachian Studio to Robert Yonke Art.
Are You Updating Your Website in 2020?
Do you have plans for building or updating your website in 2020? Stay tuned to Artisan Advantage for more content focused on building your web presence.
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
by Rebecca Sciullo | Jan 26, 2018 | Events, Learning, Uncategorized
Are you struggling to figure out an appropriate pricing strategy for your artwork? Are you concerned that your pricing might be too high or too low? Do you have a consistent strategy that is working for you?
Pittsburgh and surrounding area artists are invited to participate in an Art Marketing Roundtable, hosted by Gilberti Fine Art Studio and Gallery in Coraopolis, PA. Art marketing consultant Becky Sciullo and artist/gallery owner Cindy Gilberti will lead a discussion focused on “Pricing Your Artwork”. There are two different opportunities to attend in order to accommodate schedules.
The roundtables will start with a short 15-minute overview of the topic, followed by group discussion with an opportunity for artists to ask questions, share ideas and listen to what other artists have to say about the topic.
The events are free of charge. Size is limited to 15 participants per session and pre-registration is required. Please register at one of the links below.
Sign up for one of the sessions below!
Thursday, March 8, 2018
10 am – 12 pm
Saturday, March 10, 2018
10 am – 12 pm
