There are many reasons why you will want to start an art blog if you are planning on selling your art online. Even if you wish to only sell your art at craft shows or art galleries, an art blog will help you to keep your collectors up-to-date with any news about your art business. In this post, I will talk about different blogging options you have and how to start a successful art blog so you can start making an online presence.
Many artists come to me and ask, “Do I really need to start an art blog if I want to sell my art online?”
Here are some of the most important benefits of having a blog for your business:
- Boost Search Engine Optimization
- Develop Relationships with Potential and Existing Customers
- Establish Your Business as an Industry Leader
- Connect People to Your Brand
- Create Opportunities for Sharing (Source OpenVine)
You can read more by visiting 5 Benefits Of Blogging For Your Small Business
When you are selling your art online you are starting a business.
Think of it this way, the platform you use to sell your art online is a virtual brick and mortar store.
You have all of the tools available to build the best online artist store in the world.
After you spend hours creating a beautiful online store how are you going to get traffic there?
This is where your art blog comes in. Think of your blog as advertisements, commercials, bulletin boards and flyers. Your blog will help you to attract people who are interested in your artwork from all around the world.
Take a minute to think about that for a second. You will be able to sell your art to people all around the world.
Artists could not have dreamt of that less than 50 years ago.
How To Start A Successful Art Blog
Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links on this post are affiliate links and will be clearly marked as so. I will earn a small commission when you purchase a product or service from an affiliate link at no extra cost to you which helps with the costs of operating Nevue Fine Art Marketing. I will only recommend products I have used, found helpful to my business and are companies I trust.
Your art blog will the best tool you can use to brand yourself as an artist, sell your art, make an online presence, inform collectors of upcoming events, and drive traffic to your art listings.
Starting a blog might seem intimidating at first because you have no idea how to get started. I am going to make the proses easy for you and show you how you can have your blog up and running in just a few minutes.
Successful Artist Blog Sites Start With A Vision And Goals
Before we get started I would like to take a minute to talk about the importance of knowing exactly what you want from your blog and writing goals to achieve your vision.
Blog Goals help you create content with a focus so that your blog isn’t a just bunch of rudderless articles in a sea of content. (Source: Heidi Cohen)
I have started several blogs before NFAM (Nevue Fine Art Marketing) and they all failed. Once I understand the importance of having a vision, setting goals and treating the blog like a business, I was able to be productive with my time and build a successful art blog.
Related Posts:
Develop Vision and Goals Prior Blogging
How to Write an Artist Blog Vision Statement
How to Write Goals You Can Achieve Workbook
Best Free Blogging Platform
After you have your blogging goals written you will want to decide what type of blogging platform you will want to use.
You have the choice of using a free blogging platform or purchasing a domain name and building a site for your art business.
Here are a few the most popular free blogging platforms available:
It is important to remember that when you are using a free blogging platform you are building your business on rented land. What I mean by that is you will not have total control over how your blog looks. There will be limited themes available which will make it impossible for you to brand your business and separate yourself from all of the other businesses using the same platform.
There is also a possibility that the platform you will be using might go out of business or terminate your account.
These are just a few things to put into consideration prior to making a decision.
Review your goals and decide if a free blogging platform is in your best interest.
Best Blog Platform For Artists
In my opinion, if you are starting a business you will want to use a platform you own. You will want to have total control of the look, feel and what type of content you can publish on it. You do not want to always be wondering if your site is going to be live the next day.
WordPress is by far the most popular and user-friendly platform available.
Here is a list of most notable big name brands that are using WordPress on their websites created by WPBeginner.
- TechCrunch.
- The New Yorker
- BBC America
- Bloomberg Professional
- The Official Star Wars Blog
- Variety
- Sony Music
- MTV News
For more brand using WordPress visit 40+ Most Notable Big Name Brands that are Using WordPress
WordPress is a complete CMS (content management system) which not only used for a blog but also a website. You will be able to sell your artwork and create blog posts all on one platform.
Here is a list of benefits associated with WordPress:
- You own the site
- WordPress is user-friendly. You will be able to create and publish content easily with WordPress’s dashboard.
- Simple clean coding for search engines
- SEO optimization
- 100% customizable
- Have Multiple users
- Your site can grow as your business grows
- Options available to sell tangible and digital goods
- Social share options
WordPress Tutorials:
- WordPress Dashboard Guide eBook
- WordPress SEO Basics eBook
- WordPress Basics Video Course
- WordPress Basic SEO Course
Set Up A WordPress Blogging Site
If you have decided to use WordPress as your blogging platform you will want to go through the next steps to set up your WordPress site.
If you have decided to use a different platform scroll past the WordPress set instructions for some art blogging tips and resources.
Hosting
Choosing the right hosting for your blog is an important decision you will have to make.
What is hosting?
Hosting (also known as Web site hosting, Web hosting, and Webhosting) is the business of housing, serving, and maintaining files for one or more Web sites. More important than the computer space that is provided for Web site files is the fast connection to the Internet. (Source: TechTarget)
Basically hosting is a service that stores all of the content from your site and connects the website’s files to the internet.
The two most common hosting services for bloggers are:
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase by clicking on an affiliate link, Nevue Fine Art Marketing may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate relationships include, but are not limited to, Bluehost, Tailwind, Skimlinks, SareASale and StudioPress. To learn more visit Affiliate Link Disclosure Policy
HostGator (affiliate link)
Below is a list of what HostGator offers:
- Unmetered disk space and bandwidth
- Free website builder and 4,500 templates
- Easy to use control panel
- Unlimited email addresses
- 24/7/365 technical support
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- WordPress blogging tools
BlueHost (affiliate link)
Below is a list of what BlueHost offers:
- #1 recommended web hosting by WordPress.org. Every account features 1-click WordPress installation
- 24/7 support
- 30-day money back guarantee
- Easy to use control panel
- Unlimited emails accounts
Set Up A Hosting Account
After you have decided what hosting service you will be using it will be time to set up your account.
Setting up accounts on HostGator and BlueHost are very similar.
Below are the steps you will need to take to set up your account:
Choose A Domain Name – Your domain name will be the address used to visit your site. For example, the domain name for this site is www.nevuefineartmarketing.com.
For tips on picking the best domain name for your blog visit How to Choose a Perfect Artist Domain Name.
Enter Your Account Info – The next step is to put in your account info. Make sure you are using a working email because this is where you receive important information including login information.
Hosting Package – The next step will be to choose which hosting package you will be using.
Billing Information – After deciding on what hosting package you will be using you will have to fill in your billing information.
Create A Password – Once you have finished entering your billing information you will be asked to create a password. You will have the option to use the password generator or you can create a unique password.
WordPress Quick Install – You are now signed up and ready to get started installing your WordPress site. Locate the WordPress quick install and follow the easy instructions. This process will only take a few minutes.
Congratulations you now own a professional WordPress artist website.
Art Blogging Tips
Now that you have your art blog live you will want to develop a theme and create a content marketing strategy that will drive traffic to your site so people can see and purchase your artwork.
Related Resources:
Writing goals is an important task for any business. You can not get to a destination if you do not know where you would like to go.
How to Write Goals You Can Achieve Workbook – This is designed to have you write actionable goals you can achieve.
How to Write Goals Video Course – This video course will walk you through all the steps you will need to take to write goals you can achieve.
Create an Artist Brand Workbook – This workbook will show you how to build a unique brand for the art business you step-by-step. Learn how to separate yourself from your competition.
8 Effective Blogging Strategies For Art Blogs – Article
5 Blogging Mistakes Artists Must Avoid – Article
How to Write Pillar Content and Why it is Important for Artists – Article
28 Day Blogging Challenge for Visual Artists eBooks – This ebook is a step-by-step daily strategy that will help you to build an art blog that will attract art collectors.
Content Marketing For Artist Video Course – The course is everything you will need to develop a content marketing strategy that will attract your target audience to your art listings.
Conclusion:
In order for you to become successful in selling art online, you will have to invest in your business.
This means you will have to invest your time into learning everything you can about digital marketing.
Now that you have your art blog up and running, take some courses or grab some eBooks that will teach you how to build a successful blog that will separate you from your competition.
How To Start A Successful Art Blog Overview:
- Successful Artist Blog Sites Start With A Vision And Goals
- Best Free Blogging Platform
- Best Blog Platforms For Artists
- Set Up A WordPress Blogging Site
- Art Blogging Tips
28 Day Blogging Challenge for Visual Artists
Are you ready to start building an online presence?
Available on Amazon or Download your copy today.
The Productive Artist How to Live Your Dreams
The right mindset and time management skills are essential for any business. These topics are often not talked about but are key elements for your success. You will learn how to have a winning mindset and time management skills necessary for operating a successful art business.
Available at Amazon or Download your copy today.
Get More Done in Less Time The Part-time Artist
Proven strategies that will help you to get more work done in less time so you can sell more art and earn more money.
Available at Amazon or Download your copy today.
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