So you're thinking about selling your art?




You need to start learning marketing.  That's what I've been up to these past few months.  I've been studying and learning marketing. 

My art and my blog take up so much time that I've I've often thought I could make it my business.  What do I have to lose?  If my art business doesn't work out, I'll still have it as my hobby.  So why not try?

I would rather be an entrepreneur than an employee anyway. What I would like to do is sell online classes and my artwork.   


If you are interested in doing this as well, follow along and get tips from me as I document my journey into becoming an entrepreneur. 



It doesn't matter if you sell your art, a product or would like to write a better blog.  I will do the leg work and post my findings so that you can benefit as well. 

So let's get this business started. A blog is the best way to begin selling anything.  So if you don't have one... get one.  If you do have a blog you are well on your way to becoming an entrepreneur.  A website is good to have but a blog is where you will develop relationships and attract potential buyers.




The number one rule of attracting readers is having VALUABLE content.  This is what attracts and keeps them coming back to your blog.


But, and this is a big BUT....you need to give your readers more than valuable content.


Just when I thought I had a this most important message down that "Content is King".  I read an article by marketing giant Brian Clark.  He wrote that it's a mistake to rely solely on your content.


Brian's view is that just writing great content is not enough.  Some bloggers fill their blog with valuable content that nobody reads.


Valuable information goes unnoticed all the time.  The internet is so overloaded with information and blogs.


So what do you do?  You must ask yourself, if people could hear me, what would they want to hear?



What is the best strategy for  giving your readers what they want to hear?

It’s not making a blog and hoping they will come.

it’s not exhausting yourself by churning out page after page of content no one reads. 

It’s also not about what you do.

It’s about listening.

The main reason that blogs don't get a lot of traffic is not because their content is bad.  It's because  they are publishing what they want to say and not thinking for a moment about what anyone wants to read.
The more you understand your reader the more people will want to read your blog.

So listen to those readers.





How do you listen?  By emailing readers who comment on your blog.  


Ask your readers what they would like to hear you write about. Ask them to comment and following up on those comments with answers.








So I am going to ask you... what is it that you would like to hear more about?  

Would you be so kind as to take a moment and leave a comment below? I'd like to know what you would like to see more of on my blog.  What kind of art marketing, blogging,art tips or other things are you interested in learning? 




If you are going to follow along with me, you now have your first homework assignment...
 Go ask your readers what they would like to hear more about from you.

Liebster Award


Thank you so much to my blogger friend Mary http://tincantart.blogspot.com/ who gave me this Liebster award.  I was awarded once before and never got around to awarding others.  Shame on me!

Award

The Liebster Award takes it's name from the German word
meaning Beloved, Dearest or Favorite.
It is given to bloggers who have a small following - under 200 followers.
As part of the tradition it is passed along to 5 bloggers that have
motivated and inspired.
To accept the award you must:
1. Link back to the person who gave it to you and thank them
2. Post the award to your blog
3. Give the award to 5 bloggers with less than 200 followers
that you appreciate and value.
4. Leave a comment on the 5 blogs to let them know that they have been offered this award.


Here are 5 blogs that I enjoy:
1.  Clare http://clarehudsonreed.blogspot.com/
2.  Black Pumpkin http://timelessrituals.blogspot.com/
3.  Marcia http://marciabeckett.blogspot.com/
4.  http://hybridj.blogspot.com
5 Palma http://athena-myfirstbloggy.blogspot.com/