Diana Mannino on mon 5 jan 98
After viewing quite a few of the group's personal links, (and seeing
some really nice pots!), I was wondering if those of you who have them,
do any actual selling of work via the net. I'm considereing setting up a
page of my own and would be interested in knowing if this is in fact a
viable way to do any serious marketing. Who are the clients...? Other
ceramists? Anyone willing to share their experiences?
Diana Mannino
Cortona, Italy
Darrol Shillingburg on wed 7 jan 98
Hi Diana,
I have been creating a presence for my work on the web and may have some
experience that could help you with your decision.
I first approached the web as a marketing tool, a way to sell as well as a
way to develop dialogue. Along the way I discovered a real value for me in
being self published somewhere that required no collaboration from others.
Galleries, shows, museums ets. all have reasons for showing my work.
That's fine, but I enjoy showing, where and how I chose. Much of my work
has content and concept to it and my narratives are or are not included
when the work is shown my others.
I have not sold anything beause of my web site, yet. I think, yet, is the
key qualifier. I find that the galleries and art consultants that show and
market my work are in general not participating in the art web, yet.
Eventually, I expect they will, and I will be there. I am still listing and
promoting my site, and it's too early to make decisions about success. If I
never sell anything because of my web site, I will keep the site and be
very satisfied with my efforts. I have spent much more on other forms of
marketing and gotten much less satisfaction in return.
Having a web site does not guarentee you any visits, or interest, or sales.
The web is so hugh, that being found, and refound is a critical part of
planning and designing a web presence. There are many sources for web site
design and promotion both in print and on the web. Some that I have found
valuable follow:
123 Promote http://www.123promote.com has an online forum that is very
instructive about the realtionship between web site design and promotion.
Their downloadable software saved me many hours of work stummbling arround
finding promotion sites and learning how to position my site so that others
can find it.
Web Marketing Today http://www.wilsonweb.com is a web marketing company
that publishes a free web marketing newsletter (and also a subscription
service) that is a wealth of information about setting up a web site
designed for selling. A store front. with shoping carts and the works!! You
can chose now, just how sales oriented you want your web presence to be.
Those decisions will influence how well your site works for sales.
On the Artswire web site at http://www.artswire.org/spiderschool/ there is
an online educational program that is very thorough and will educate you
about how arts organizations use the web, which includes marketing. I found
it an incredible educational resource, weather or not you subscribe to the
New York Arts Foundation.
There are many many other excellent resource out there on the web, which
says something about the value of having a presence there. Too many to list
here, but these should provide you with an adaquate beginning.
I think that a web presence is an essential part of any serious art
marketing plan today. Might as well be in the lead, others will follow. By
the way, My email provider hosts my web site for free. I produced it and
maintain it. It is the cheapest (least expensive?.hummmmm) presence I have
anywhere!
Good luck in you endeavors.
Darrol in Elephant Butte, NM
DarrolS@Zianet.com
on the web at http://www.zianet.com/DarrolS
-------------------On Monday, January 05, 1998 8:40 AM Diane Mannino wrote
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> After viewing quite a few of the group's personal links, (and seeing
> some really nice pots!), I was wondering if those of you who have them,
> do any actual selling of work via the net. I'm considereing setting up a
> page of my own and would be interested in knowing if this is in fact a
> viable way to do any serious marketing. Who are the clients...? Other
> ceramists? Anyone willing to share their experiences?
>
> Diana Mannino
> Cortona, Italy
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