Attracting Viewers to a Collector Blog, Notes From the Studio

I had a frustrating day without phone or Internet service, so this is going out quite late.

A reader asked me to blog about ways to attract visitors to your Collector Blog. I really think artist blogs and collector blogs are two different animals. They shouldn't necessarily be combined. What I write about on this blog is not particularly of interest to most of my collectors. They aren't really interested in the process of painting, or how I market my art. Some do read this blog I'm sure, but I like to have a separate blog for their interests. It took me forever to get around to creating a collector blog, because one, I'm lazy and two, it takes me more energy to maintain that blog. It is always easy for me to post to artist readers because we have much in common. Though I am an art collector, my motivation is quite different from non-artist collectors. I buy art primarily to help other artists and to give them a boost in their careers. Secondly, I give the art to my daughters to foster appreciation for original art in their own lives. I want the next generation to love and appreciate art as we do.

Here are some things I have done to promote the collector blog.

I always include a blurb about it in my email and postal mail newsletters, giving a hint of what is there in the blog.

I include the blog address and stress that it is a Collector blog in my signature lines for all emails.

I have it automatically fed into my twitter posts, so that each time I post to it, it goes out to twitter with a live link.

I always use the label system for that blog,typing in art collecting in as many variations as possible.

When I write about a place I visit or a restaurant review, I always send a link for that story to those who would have a special interest in that topic.

I try to often tell stories and describe interesting places like Cedar Key boat trips, farms where I paint, good restaurants, travel information, gardening and stories about my dog. Essentially, I am writing to people who have similar interests to mine.

I always include an image of a painting, but that is not the focus of the blog. I try not to make the blog about selling, but instead about interest in art and myself to potential collectors. I let my web site do the selling most of the time.

I read the local style magazines and newspapers and when I see an interesting person who I feel would relate to my blog, I send them the clipped article from the paper and a note about my blog story, inviting them to read it and view my web site.

I am thinking about adding a weekly recipe to the collector blog too.

I think adding gardening tips, recipes, framing,books, stories about museums and galleries are all interesting topics which will add interest to the Collector Blog.

I think the main issue is keeping the posts up for a collector blog. Once a week is fine or more often if you have something cool to share. Be aware that it can take up to 2 years before a blog has a decent following. Art Notes was dead as a door nail for about a year, but I never gave up posting.

Try to think outside of the box with your collector blog. people want more than "Buy My Art", or lots of paintings on a collector blog. That blog should send them to your web site to buy if possible. No sense in confusing them with too many buying sites. Use the blog to direct them and to peak their interest.

Send out some interesting post cards about our collector blog and leave them around town in offices and businesses.

Feature collectors on the blog. I tried to develop this myself but so far, my collectors don't want to be featured. That may change at some point.

I sometimes have a contest on the blog to attract visitors. A poll can be fun for visitors as well.

Ask friends to share the blog with their friends. Visit and comment on other collector blogs.

Invite an art dealer, Interior designer, Frame company, museum director to write a post for your blog. Do some preadvertizing for the post with interested people.

I'm so tired, I can't think!! I'll try to think of some more ideas soon.


Notes From the Studio





I have started a very ambitious project. I am doing a 20x24 inch acrylic painting on a birch panel. Got started today. I don't know how it will turn out, but I'm sure I will learn a great deal in doing this painting. I am so slow with acrylics it will probably take forever, but that's ok. I'll have fun in the process.
I'll share it with you as I go along.

My other project for the day was starting to pack frames, panels, paint, brushes and my tools for Wekiva River. I have decided to take only 3 sizes frames and panels. 12x16 for oils, and 8x10/5x7 for acrylics. I'm going to keep the paint outs simple and low cost this year. I found some W&N canvas panels which look very good. They sure make these things a lot better than they used to. These are archival. They are considerably less expensive than my Birch panels, and I like saving them for a less pressured, more leisurely pace of painting, away from paint outs.

I now have two boxes full of supplies and framed wrapped and stacked up all over the studio. I must confess, it's nice not ordering frames for the spring events. If I run out, that mans they sold, so i will be able to afford new ones. if I don't run out, I have not spent money I can ill afford this year. Still lots to pack but at least I got started.

Today's recipe

Snack Mix

1 box rice chex
1 box corn chex
1 box crispix
1 pound mixed nuts
1 pound butter
2 pounds brown sugar
1 cuo light corn syrup
1 tsp salt
2 tsp vailla

Mix cereals with nuts and put in large baking pan. Set aside. Bring butter, sugar,syrup and salt to a boil. Simmer 5 minutes without stiring. Rmove from heat and add vanilla. Pour over cereal mixture. Bake at 200 for one hour, stirring frequently.