From my post 5 Mistakes Many Artists Make, I always harp on the fact that visual artists hurt themselves by their lack of having a website that showcases their work and their background as an artist.I would leave the issue alone, but the irony that I see is that many of these same artists use the internet a great deal every day, visiting social networks, email and websites but still have no site of their own.These artists have admitted their need for a website, want to eventually have one, and even have spent 5 minutes here and there shopping other artists sites to get ideas for their own...but for one reason or another it’s still not there.So I ask you, my community of fellow artists...why do you think this happens (or rather, DOESN”T happen)?Is it lack of knowing where to start?Concern about affordability?Failure to move and launch a basic site as a start due to waiting for a “mega site” first?Old fashioned procrastination?What say ye?
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In fact, a "blog" and "website" to me are now becoming synonymous.
My concern is that as easy as it is to launch a blog as the artist' web pressence, many have not even done THAT as of yet!
Tony-
Matthew M. said:
I think the wave of the future is creating a blog, as opposed to a website. They are easy to set up and free. You have to be visible to get traffic, but you have to do that with a website as well. I know a bunch of pro-artists and even some writers who have gone this route as well.
I think the wave of the future is creating a blog, as opposed to a website. They are easy to set up and free. You have to be visible to get traffic, but you have to do that with a website as well. I know a bunch of pro-artists and even some writers who have gone this route as well.
I REALLY do recommend a Wordpress.com blog/site.
I have a time-starved lifestyle, and the issue I dealt with was maintaining a site after launching it.
Wordpress solves that since it's basically a content management tool with a website built around it.
It's the only way I can post content to my site once or even twice a week, build my audience and still have quality time for my family (and, no, I'm not getting paid to endorse them! :) )
Procrastination and I was learning to build my website, but it just comes down to procrastination and also for me it's I'm very busy and to maintain a site right now would be hazardous to my health, lol. But I am looking to have one up 2010.
Procrastination and I was learning to build my website, but it just comes down to procrastination and also for me it's I'm very busy and to maintain a site right now would be hazardous to my health, lol. But I am looking to have one up 2010.
What I meant by a site being "always in beta" was that you should go into a buildout of a site with the mindset that that the version you're planning to launch by _(DATE)__ will be modified 6 months later, a year later, etc.
Some people or organizations that had NO current web pressence have delayed the launch of a much needed site until they where able to finish with EVERYTHING. In some cases, getting a great looking "Phase 1" may be the answer (not sacrificing quality, of course).
A friend of mine and I both set out to launch our individual portfolio sites. Both of us planned strategically. After 3 years, I am about to launch my 3rd version where he just launched his first. The hold up for him was deciding on things back and forth, getting it "just right" while not being online for atleast 2 years.
The other thing I recommend that you give yourself a target date. It doesn't have to be written in stone, but it should be present. Every goal needs a projected date in order to keep the progress moving.
Gerhard Oosthuizen said:
Thanks Tony! I don't have a target date. I'm a bit worried that if I do a beta version, it might look unprofessional.
I started a blog in 07, using blogger. It was amazingly easy to do and to update. (and free!) It took me a while to get in the habit of adding entries, but now it is a discipline that helps me stay focused on my work, and sharing it with others. I launched a web site this year, which is able to showcase work in a more organized way, and allows for pdf downloads from the site. Keeping it simple, I use Web.com which is relatively inexpensive. it's a bit clunky at times, and does not have many bells and whistles, but at this point it does what I need it to do.
Yeah, Patrick, I agree with you on the "picky" part.
What I've learned over the years is that I must not allow the perfectionist in me to keep the project from finally going live.
I've learned from working on weblaunch projects in the news media industry that "your website should always be in 'beta' " so, not to plan on waiting to launch the perfect site, but to launch a good site to get in the game, then grow it. At least this way, it's out there rather than still on the drawingboard.
Patrick Hicks said:
I see were your coming from. I can speak for myself and say that its a mixture fo not enough time and procrastination. I have just registered a domain name and have started sketching disigns of what i want my sight to look like. Im really picky i just cant put up anything. So its taking me a while. But i do understand the importance of an artist having one. It realy is important.
I see were your coming from. I can speak for myself and say that its a mixture fo not enough time and procrastination. I have just registered a domain name and have started sketching disigns of what i want my sight to look like. Im really picky i just cant put up anything. So its taking me a while. But i do understand the importance of an artist having one. It realy is important.
Replies
In fact, a "blog" and "website" to me are now becoming synonymous.
My concern is that as easy as it is to launch a blog as the artist' web pressence, many have not even done THAT as of yet!
Tony-
Matthew M. said:
I hear yah!
I REALLY do recommend a Wordpress.com blog/site.
I have a time-starved lifestyle, and the issue I dealt with was maintaining a site after launching it.
Wordpress solves that since it's basically a content management tool with a website built around it.
It's the only way I can post content to my site once or even twice a week, build my audience and still have quality time for my family (and, no, I'm not getting paid to endorse them! :) )
Take a look:
http://artlessonsfromgod.com/
Charles said:
What I meant by a site being "always in beta" was that you should go into a buildout of a site with the mindset that that the version you're planning to launch by _(DATE)__ will be modified 6 months later, a year later, etc.
Some people or organizations that had NO current web pressence have delayed the launch of a much needed site until they where able to finish with EVERYTHING. In some cases, getting a great looking "Phase 1" may be the answer (not sacrificing quality, of course).
A friend of mine and I both set out to launch our individual portfolio sites. Both of us planned strategically. After 3 years, I am about to launch my 3rd version where he just launched his first. The hold up for him was deciding on things back and forth, getting it "just right" while not being online for atleast 2 years.
The other thing I recommend that you give yourself a target date. It doesn't have to be written in stone, but it should be present. Every goal needs a projected date in order to keep the progress moving.
Gerhard Oosthuizen said:
I would welcome feedback on either of the sites. www.lookbothwaysartandfaith.blogspot.com, and www.earnestillustrations.com.
Peace
Earnest
What I've learned over the years is that I must not allow the perfectionist in me to keep the project from finally going live.
I've learned from working on weblaunch projects in the news media industry that "your website should always be in 'beta' " so, not to plan on waiting to launch the perfect site, but to launch a good site to get in the game, then grow it. At least this way, it's out there rather than still on the drawingboard.
Patrick Hicks said:
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