October 17, 2005

Technology isn't going away. You can't hide from it or pretend it doesn't exist. It's everywhere and it's getting more and more complicated. If you don¹t catch up, you're going to be left in the cold.

Last week, Apple unveiled a video iPod. You can watch TV shows and videos on a 2.5-inch screen! Not only that, music and still photos can be loaded onto the same gadget. Traditional television media should be shaking in their boots and undoubtedly are. No one knows where this is going, but everyone knows that fewer and fewer people are watching the old standard networks. Who will be the leaders in the race to capture the new audiences and who will be left behind?

As an artist--a person in business for him/herself--you can't afford to ignore technology. Through technology you can:

1) Learn stuff you can't find anywhere else. It's mostly free to those who look for it and the rest (teleclasses, audio files) are inexpensive. You need to be reading newsletters and blogs and attending classes where you can learn. I'm absolutely amazed at the number of people who can't download a file from my Web site. Unfortunately, I don't have the staff to help them all and I know I'm not alone. Artists who can't perform these tasks are going to have to do without.

2) Run your business as if it's part of the 21st century. That means having a professional Web site, blog, email newsletter, computerized database, etc.

Yes, technology takes time, but you don't have an option. That is, unless you can afford to hire someone to run your business for you.

Take the Art Biz Techno Quiz and read an example of how you can integrate technology into your art marketing--all on the Art Biz Blog at http://www.artbizblog.com