So I figured out that the best way to get some info on websites and blogs was to ask a friend who has just started up there own internet profile. She just recently started her own website and is a continuous blogger and social networking animal. A lot of these questions came to mind when thinking about what artists have to consider when looking at going online.
the questions first relate to websites and how and what they are needed for. The second half a devoted to Blogs and Social Media platforms that i felt were more mainstream.
take a skim through some of the questions and i hope they can help fellow artists in their process creating an online Profile.
Website:
What do you feel your website has done for you?
It has most certainly gotten me a lot of work! I am often receiving emails and calls from clients who have found my website by surfing the internet for “Vancouver artists” and other similar phrases and words in various search engines such as www.google.com. This indicates to me that my website is doing its job
When did you decide that you were needing a Website?
I decided to get an official website earlier this year when I began to get more clients. I was in a meeting with a new client when she passed comment about the fact that I had no official website. She felt it would be easier for clients to simply go to one place to find all of my information rather than numerous social networking sites such as facebook and twitter. An official website would establish me more as a business and a professional service.
How did you go about finding information on websites?
I am clueless with technology! I needed help so I got all of my information from my web designer. He told me all I needed to know in a simplified way so that I could understand how best to use my website without it taking up all of my time. I know there is complicated aspects to run and construct a website out there that I need to learn about, but since the launch of my website was crucial I barely have any spare time to progress on that. So having a designer help me with the small parts and is as much as I need at the time.
Did you get help? If so who and how much help did you get for creating your website?
Yes, I most certainly got help! Help that I am very appreciative of as this would have been an impossible task alone. I put an ad out on craigslist in search of someone who may wish to collaborate in the creation of my website. To my surprise, I had multiple responses! I spoke with a few people on the phone and one particular person wanted to meet with me right away. I met him and had a great feeling about it. I think this is important step in that you have to have trust in who you are working with. Make sure this person knows what they are talking about and are open to new ideas. He had my site on the internet in a matter of a day! We continued to meet as well as exchanging emails and phone calls a few times a week to make changes and adjustments until I was satisfied. I really can’t take too much credit. The information and the pictures are all mine. The maintenance is all mine, but getting that thing posted and learning how to use it can only be credited to Paul (web designer).
What kind of questions did they come to you with?
I knew what I wanted. I had the design in my head, the pictures I wanted and the information I needed so he didn’t need to ask me too much. It was more a case of communication to be sure we were both on the same page and heading toward the same goal with our ideas. Paul had some great suggestions and advises to give as he knew what I wanted but also knew what was possible and what could be done to make it even better! He was the technical side of things, that’s for sure.
What kind of questions did you go to the designer with?
Just don’t come with a blank mind and expect the designer to have endless possibilities, you need to pull together what you might want or have a reference or two. Come with a website that you had in mind that looked good in your opinion. Or another option is ask them what they might think is a positive website. What creates buzz on the internet or hits.
What were the costs for his fee (average)?
There was no fee. There was no financial cost within this collaboration, only the cost of buying the template, the domain name and hosting the site. We also decided that he could use my website in his portfolio to promote his business as well as having his icon and website posted in small print on my site. My concerns were more to do with making this collaboration fair.
Do you have costs that are continuing?
Yes, the hosting of my site is an on-going cost. I have signed up for three years for now but expect to keep it for most of my life.
What were you wanting from your website?
A professional and clean layout that creates simple a site that is easy to navigate around. Somewhere that client‘s can get all of my information and see all of my work. A place that connects all of my social networking sites together. A place where I can blog.
Did you ever consider using an online “design your own website” ? If yes or no why?
Well I bought the template for my website so I guess it was kind of a design your own website. Paul just customized it for me. This made the creation of my website much faster and easier for him. I didn’t want this to take up too much of his time.
What do you think makes a good website?
One that works! One that is aesthetically pleasing. One that is fun to spend time on! One where all of the information you need is right there in front of you. No searching for hours and hours.
How often are you controlling or changing things on your website?
Pretty much daily as I blog when I get images back from jobs. I also change up my portfolio pictures during these times. So most days I am on the site.
Is there anything that you would do differently now that you have a website up and running?
Not really. My life is insanely hectic these days as it is. I know there are so many improvements that could be made but I don’t really feel the need to make them right now. Or don’t have time to at least.
Where would you tell someone that doesn’t know how to start or make a website to proceed with doing so?
Get help! Like I said previously, I was clueless about all this so help was my only option. Looking on the internet is a good way to start. Get your own name out there and tell people that you are wanting help. People wont approach you unless they know you are wanting help.
Do you feel your Website has brought attention to what you are pursuing?
Most certainly! I am always getting great feedback from my site. People recognize me and my work because of it. It is doing everything I wanted it to do.
Blogs + Social Media Platforms
Do you use any of the above platforms/ if so which ones do you use?
Yes. Many; Facebook, Model Mayhem, Buzz, Twitter, efashionista, fashionberry and more.
Which ones do you feel are your most relevant?
Facebook and Twitter by far!. I am on Buzz every single day but more so as I am a business partner with the creator.
Do you link these platforms to your website? If so how have you done this?
Yes I do and I have no idea how I did it, Paul put the little icons in my contacts and on the bottom of every page on my site. You can click on these icons and they take you right to that site. I also add in hyperlinks into my blog when I am writing. I do that for all sorts of sites, not just the social networking ones.
With social media platforms there are people that use it on a personal level as well as a professional tool. Do you split them apart?
On Facebook, yes. I have a separate and private profile for my personal life.
Do you consider what you put on these platforms, meaning are you aware of both you professional and personal platforms running side by side? Does this worry you?
No I am not worried. There is not a single thing in my life that I am doing that I should be ashamed of. But if you do have something that your not fond of, consider it. you never know what people find about you and you have to be prepared in knowing what yourself is being portrayed as.
What kind of topics are you discussing within your business side of blogs and social media?
I like to use my blog to broadcast my work. I make sure to find images from every single job that I do and report a write up of what I did, who I did it with and what the experience was. I also use my blog to promote people who I work with. I have also been known to blog competitions for my readers where they can win something.
What kind of time are you putting into these things daily?
As much time as I can in one day. My job is a 24:7. When I am not physically working I am either on the internet working or out buying things I need for work.
Would you consider getting someone to do them for you?
Possibly although I would find it hard to trust someone to do it the way I want it done. It sure would be nice to be able to have more spare time, although I do enjoy maintaining all of my sites, it is continuous work.
Do you feel that there are any negatives to having these accounts running?
I know that when you put your images on the internet they are easily stolen. I have found so many sites where people are using my pictures and information to promote themselves! All I can say is make sure you are prepared with copyrights or know that your images are going to be used differently throughout the internet.
Have you found that networking online is easy or more productive then
networking by older methods or methods not on the internet?
Yes. The internet seems to be everything these days. To the point that people have the internet on their phones now! I think that says it all.
How much more do you feel that these platforms have increased your overall awareness for new people looking for you?
A lot! I don’t think many people would have seen my work if it wasn’t for these sites. I haven’t even bothered to get a printed portfolio yet!
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