In this “real time” world of Twitter and Facebook there have been several people who have fostered the opinion that – blogs are dead!
They couldn’t be more wrong! Especially for the Artisan!
A “blog” according to Wikipedia is:
A blog (a blend of the term web log)[1] is a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. Blog can also be used as a verb, meaningto maintain or add content to a blog.
For the Artisan a blog fills the gap that you are able reach across at an Art Faire or Gallery! it is basically your handshake across the table…
Are you selling online? well I think that was a resounding YES! …so how do you get the “personal” information across to your customer? the stuff you would talk to someone about face-to-face? you start a blog!
I come from the Art Faire/Craft Show circuit and I can tell you that it is much easier to convey the message of “hand-crafted” in person…the customer, after all can see you (a person), talk to you and feel the passion you have for the work.
Well this is what a blog can do for you!
Let say you have an Etsy or ArtFire shop…what can you blog about?
- YOU! tell your readers about who you are…where you come from what your goals are…if someone were standing in front of you and asked you what you do – what would you say?
- Things that inspire you – sunsets, the still evening ocean, the frenzy of a lightening filled sky…you get the picture! Oh and that is very important – remember to add photos to your blog – we are a very visually stimulated culture!
- Do you occasionally do local shows – trunk show in a local gallery? your blog can also be a newsletter.
- Is your work taking a new direction? talk to your readers about the new look – what inspired it – you get the idea…
- Are you taking classes to learn a new technique – share your successes and failures with your readers (failure isn’t a bad word – especially if you explained what you learn through failing).
- A personal favorite of mine is to “romance a stone” – do you use gemstones in your jewelry? are you a lapidarist (lapidary) ? Take the time to study the chemical, physical and optical properties of a gem that is new to you. Follow it up with the history of the gem and some of the metaphysical properties. Now you have enough information to “romance” the story a little…easy to do as most stones have history.
- Take them through you creative process – nothing says “handmade” like seeing it! …from sketch to completion.
- Talk about related things you do that further your expertize – do you go to Gem Shows? Tucson Gem Show? give them the experience.
- Ask questions…so important – this is a two way conversation…just because you don’t have comments on your blog posts doesn’t mean stop blogging. Are people commenting, liking and asking questions when you post your blog on Facebook & Twitter? then they are commenting.
- What stones would they like to see? Do they like this piece better with a ruby or a rhodocrosite? Show them a selection of stones and ask them to chose a 3 stone grouping for a new piece…
Robyn Hawk
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