How to Be a Working Web-Based Artist

Yesterday I blogged about my visit to Key West painter Fran Decker, and how much I loved her work. Today, I'll fill you in on details of a coaching session I did with Fran on how she could build more platform on the Web, and subsequently sell more work.

Believe it or not, Fran already sells a fair number of paintings on the Web. (We're not doubting Fran's abundant talent, but simply that folks would buy an actual painting based on a fairly small digital image of it.) But buy they do … and the fact is, they could buy more.

We looked over Fran's energetic site at www.frandecker.com and I discovered a few things which I thought might help Fran sell more.

First of all, Fran needed a new, better headshot. She already had one kind of neat picture on her About the Artist page. But we needed a headshot where we could get to know her right on the home page. After all, we aren't just buying a painting - we're buying a little piece of Fran who is an essential Key West-ian: vivacious, fun, and highly creative.

Also, I craved a blog for Fran - a place for her to share her musings about life in the keys. And I wanted her to talk about the Key West life in all of its ramifications - pre-hurricane worries, Fantasy Fest party blow outs, life with tourists, living in a grand house in the middle of town - the works. I felt it would help visitors to her site know her better and thus feel more inclined to buy her work.

I wanted Fran to have some kind of free take-away from her site. A downloadable sketch, suitable for framing, or a few e-cards that could be sent to friends. Anything that would share her work with folks and further endear her to them.

The big idea here, though, was the blog. Fran could really see how much fun it would be to just muse out loud on her blog and share the Key West life. I got so excited I went straight home and sent her a copy of Andy Wibbels great guide to blogging, Blog Wild.

Any other ideas for Fran?

Comments

[Marilyn]

This is not about Fran or your work with her...but about the connectedness of the blogosphere. I've been subscribing to your Joy newsletter for quite some time. In an unrelated (but not really) note, I've been reading J. Louden's blog since she started it. So now you two are going off to Taos to do your thing. But that's not really what I wanted to say...I wanted to say that I went to the BlogHer site this morning to see who would be liveblogging the event, one of the names listed was Yvonne D. So I went to her blog...and realized that I used to read it awhile back...and lo and behold where had she just been? With you. All roads lead back to Suzanne. ;)

[J. Baldini]

Sounds interesting but, though I also have an artist website, my concern would be, can I keep it interesting enough for readers. AND, could I find the time to update it regularly. I would be really interestd to hear other ideas which might be as effective.
I also have a workshop site www.artworkshops.homestead.com (if it sounds like I'm marketing here, please delete the site url) my intention is only to show that my efforts are divided but, I do try to keep that site more current. In your opinion, should I just stay concentrated on the workshop site?
Thanks
Jacqueline