Do This!
Artist Marketing Newsletter Focusing on Action Steps

What's Going On: Announcements /Classes
>>>Do This: Avoid Confusion
Tip / Find of the Week:  NASAA
Artists Respond: What They Have to Say

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WHAT'S GOING ON

: : Workshop: FROM FRAME TO FAME : :
March 5 in Fort Collins, CO
Last chance to sign up for this workshop that gives you step-by-step instructions for planning, installing, and promoting your exhibit. http://www.artbizcoach.com/fortcollins

"I have noticed that many Web sites use the term gallery for a group of images to look at on their Web site. I continue to find this term confusing. If you use the term gallery to look at images on the Web site, where do you put your gallery information (i.e. Places of business that actually sell your work)?

Sherry Tucker, Winter Tranquility, 2003.   Japanese brush painting watercolor   (greeting card), 5 1/2 x 8 inches.   ©The Artist   http://www.joyfulsumi-e.com

"Also it seems a little misleading to use the term 'gallery' as if you were at a gallery, when looking at a Web site is definitely NOT a gallery experience. In addition, many other terms would work equally effectively, or even more effectively, such as 'new work' or 'paintings' or 'sculpture' rather than gallery. Any thoughts?"

I am empathetic with Harriete. Unless your site visitors are accustomed to visiting a lot of artist sites, they wouldn't necessarily know that "gallery" is the link to all of your art. There is nothing wrong with using "gallery," but there are better words you could and should be using.

I encourage you to remember your Web site visitors when setting up or updating your site. "Paintings" or "Jewelry" is a lot more descriptive and inviting on your home page than just "Gallery." People have all sorts of negative connotations associated with the word "gallery." It might be the time they were snubbed by a snooty dealer or felt out of place amid the high-priced artwork. Or, as is the case with most people, they might not ever enter a bricks-and-mortar gallery because they fear they don't know enough and, therefore, wouldn't be welcome.

Encourage longer site visits by being as welcoming as possible and avoiding confusing terminology. Think about saving the use of "Galleries" for a page that features places people can go and purchase your work.

After your site visitors select "Sculpture" or "Prints" from your home page, break down your work into categories other than mediums or technique. Categorizing your work this way is kind of like going to a department store and having to shop for "polyester" or "cotton" instead of "shirts" or "pants." It makes it too difficult for buyers.

When I'm looking at a new artist's work, I rarely care what it's made of. I like to know the style or subject, but only after I'm interested in the way it looks do I care to find out what the material is. I get excited about "figurative sculpture" or "abstract paintings" long before I even think about turning my attention to "bronzes" or "acrylics." [Of course, there are exceptions, such as artists who make jewelry, whose materials are often paramount.]

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TIP / FIND OF THE WEEK: NASAA 

ARTISTS RESPOND: What They Have to Say

Kathi Peters, French Kisses. Casein on canvas and board, 5 x 7 inches. ©The Artist http://www.kathipeters.com

In response to last week's newsletter about improving your email, Julie Thompson of Spanaway, WA, wrote:

"Thank you for putting forth a topic that is far too often overlooked. In corresponding by email, people are too often given to throwing out all formalities and common courtesy.

"I would go one further beyond email, though. I would also emphasize the value of good penmanship in traditional correspondence. I have an 1894 Bills Manual that covers every conceivable form of written communication from shorthand to legal correspondence. Here is a quote from that book that explains the value of good penmanship very nicely:

'A beautiful hand writing is of itself an ornament and does honor to the executor. It is of that value which cannot be bought or sold but is obtained only by talents and application.'

"I have found it to be true that when one takes the time and effort to produce a hand-written note executed with care and attention to a pleasant appearance in the penmanship, it does make quite a difference to the recipient. They tend to remember it, and you, because the art of writing is quickly becoming a lost art.

"Thank you for your weekly newsletters. They carry so much information as well as food for thought!"

Visit Julie's site at http://www.featherlady.net.

Copyright © 2005 Alyson B. Stanfield, Stanfield Art Associates. All rights reserved. 

I encourage you to forward all or part of this newsletter as long as you include the above copyright information and this link: http://www.artbizcoach.com . Internet Explorer users can forward this page by selecting "File," then "Send" then "Page by E-mail." 

The Do This! newsletter is sent only to subscribers. You can subscribe using the instructions in the column at left. Instructions for unsubscribing and changing your email address are at the bottom of each issue delivered to your inbox.