The upsurge in online presentation has skyrocketed over the past decade and many artists not only have websites, but blogs to post current work. To add to the mix, many artists now Twitter and have Facebook profiles to further their exposure.
All this is good, provided the artist keeps in mind that online presentation means the world–more specifically, collectors and art buyers are viewing your work AND you.
Many artists forget this fact, and this is especially clear when viewing their blog. It's okay to make your blog entertaining, in fact it’s a sure fire way to attract viewers. but if you’re posting personal rants on your blog or using your blog more for political posts, religious posts i.e. promoting your religious/political belief system in a strident manner, or filling most of your posts with endless pictures of grandchildren, family and pets; many readers might think twice about subscribing to your blog and following your work. Is it really worth it to alienate potential buyers?
Remember, a blog is global. A diverse population is reading your posts.
As an artist member of two online juried artist groups, plus a member of some listservs-one that counts 700 members with collectors lurking, I’m often amazed at how some artists conduct themselves online. As the founder and leader of an online group of artists I’ve been the brunt of angry, rude emails. I don’t engage in a battle with these people as I don’t have the time, and my goal is to focus on the majority of artists who behave professionally and if they have an issue they know not to publicly drag it in to the group, they email me and the co-leaders individually.
When I was younger, naive and generally stupid, I related to the world in terms of how it related to me. Young people do this. But as one grows older and interacts with the world at school, in shared living quarters or at work, one quickly learns that many things aren’t ALL ABOUT THEM. There are artists who've worked in the confines of a lone studio upon graduation, how fortunate they have the opportunity to do so-or who've been enabled by family members/patient co-workers for too long. These people haven’t interfaced in an environment where they’ve been forced to compromise, negotiate and generally get along with someone they personally don’t care for or disagree with- the call to professionally promote themselves and think beyond their ego is a challenge they usually dismiss.
And these argumentative people can be a pain to manage, they’re the first to feel shunned, or slighted or react inappropriately to an innocent misunderstanding. And usually the situation IS innocent, but because it’s ALL ABOUT THEM and not US or YOU the drama begins. They make a dramatic exit and generally state how THEY FEEL about WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM. They dis the leaders who spent voluntary time promoting their art, and helping them with technical issues-not a wise move. . .
What these folks don’t understand is negative outbursts never win favor with the public, and for the lurking collectors and art buyers-( and I include myself in this group) I’m not so sure I’d want my hard earned income going to such an immature person-especially, one who saw fit to publicly insult me and others, people the offending party only knows briefly through online conversation. And if I were a gallery owner viewing a flaming post, I’d immediately blacklist them as unprofessional and difficult.
However there are times when an unpopular post is acceptable, if it pertains to your art and presented in a calm, fact-based way.
Seven years ago I was approached by an editor to create a paper doll for a national magazine. I agreed, despite the low pay, I typed up my purchase order/contract stating I was selling first rights to the magazine and the editor abruptly told me “I won’t do business with you.” Startled, by her abrupt retort and refusal to negotiate a simple contract accepted by most editors I'd created paper doll art for, plus her hanging up on me-(what?!), I went online to my doll artist group to discuss my frustration with an editor who didn’t respect artist’s copyrighted material. I didn’t name the magazine or editor by name, I simply stated that it hadn’t been a problem for me in the past and due to the labor and low fee this was what I could negotiate for.
My response met with a few who were “bothered” by my post the listserv manager even stated she “allowed” me to continue posting but wanted the copyright posts to discontinue. Some artists posted to explain the importance of copyright law and why it pertained to everyone in the group-hobbyists who thought they could copy patterns and create work as their own to sell, artists who’ve seen their designs bootlegged in large chain stores and those wishing to know more on how to protect their doll art.
Now discussion of copyright law and how it pertains to artists and their work is openly discussed and information shared from time-to-time. My intent wasn’t to blast a misinformed editor or to post angry indignation, but to illuminate how contracts are needed to protect one’s art. And more importantly what happens when an artist loses negotiation leverage. I had to quit my freelance career due to Work-For-Hire contracts, and take a day job seven years ago. I compared this situation to the jobs Americans lose to oversea companies everyday. When American workers–artists included– aren't protected–we all lose. Every American artist should have the right to negotiate for fair pay.
So again, the rule of thumb here, state your case calmly and back up with facts.
Last but not least, think about what artist’s blogs you love to follow? What are the elements present that keep you coming back to read and view updated work? The following are what engages me to return again and again:
- Humor
- Update posts of artist's work
- Work-in-Progress pictures i.e. initial sketches
- Tutorials
- Informational posts
- Frequent updates, musings from the studio, daily life of the artist
- Contests
- Well-written posts-no slang
- Graphically appealing blog that give me a sense of their signature art style.
So there you have it. Artists need to remember, if you're selling your work you're a professional, you''ve left the ranks of hobby-dom and with a blog, all eyes are upon how you perform.
I would be interested in hearing comments from viewers on what makes them subscribe to a blog!
One addendum to this post. My spelling of the new term "Netiquette" was publicly corrected by an individual on Facebook. Publicly correcting someone online in front of others instead of through private email really isn't the kindest way to inform someone of their mistake, my apologies to all for the glaring oversight, I've made the correction. In the future I plan to use spellcheck twice not once, but I also deleted this individual from my Facebook account as I found her choice of how to correct the error uncomfortable.
About this post and drawing: ©2009 Suzanne Urban all rights reserved.
