Want to get feedback on your website?
Go enlist the Feedback Army!
While talking with Kim Beasley (my webmaster extraordinaire and the woman that did the Ask About WordPress for Artists call – it’s free – do you have your copy?) I learned about the Feedback Army and thought I should share this new info with the group!
For $15, you can get 10 anonymous reviews of your website and better understand what someone “sees” when they visit. While they aren’t manufacturers, feedback from someone who isn’t familiar with what you do could be quite valuable. SO… if you want to give it a try, head to www.FeedbackArmy.com
Here’s to your creative success and effective website!
– Tara Reed
Blogger and Blogspot and common misconceptions – guest post by David Darrow
David Darrow has been in my online life from the very beginning of this blog… he was one of the first subscribers to my Art Licensing Info eNewsletter and I remember him sending one back to me with a note: “Do you realize this is what this looks like?” That was when I was “following directions” and keeping it all text, never more than 70 characters per line, like I was told to do.
David wasn’t the only artist to think this was a BAD IDEA so I realized artists want something a little more visually pleasing. David helped me figure out how to do it. A talented artist and techie – he’s passed on more good information that I can “Share with the group”. When he was listening to the replay of last week’s Ask About WordPress for Artists call (do you have your copy yet?) he sent me the following information that I thought would be helpful.
He knows of what he speaks since he has a blog – on blogspot – called “Where art meets technology”…
One thing that caught my ear right off was what I believe is a misconception about Blogger vs. Blogspot.
Even that phrase is misleading, because they are the same thing.
The best way I understand it is that
1. Blogger is the on-line tool which allows one to create new
2. posts, which are individual, chronologically ordered in reverse “entries” or “posts” in your
3. “blog,” which is your journal, diary, log or web-log, from which we get the word [we]blog.
Blogspot is actually blogspot.com, a domain where all the Blogger-created blogs are stored or hosted.
You cannot use Blogger to create a blog and store that data ANYWHERE else but on blogspot.com — Both are owned by Google. Additionally (corollary) you cannot create/edit a blog with any other tool but Blogger and have it stored or hosted by Blogspot.com.
***Every Blogger-created blog is stored as a unique “subdomain” of blogspot.com, which is why every Blogger blog address has in common “blogspot.com.” A subdomain is the unique “areacode” that comes before the phone number, and the phone number is always 2 items: domain name and venue, “terareeddesigns” and “com” — you could have a separate site at store.terareeddesigns.com; it would be a “subdomain”
Like Kim said, one issue to consider is that all Blogger.com blogs cease to exist the moment Google decides to stop supporting them. WordPress blogs will only disappear if you delete them or stop paying your domain-hosting bill. You control that. If WordPress.org disappears, you will still have all your data and your most recent installation of the version of the code that runs it.
Wordress.org is a group of programmers worldwide that work together on standards for an Open Source blogging service. WordPress.com is a Blogger-style tool that allows a simpler blogging method and can raise money (through more premium blogs) for WordPress.org costs.
One other thing; people with Blogger.com blogs VERY often misaddress their blogs, adding a “www” ahead of their blog address. Both will work, but one is wrong.
http://www.EverydayPaintings.blogspot.com is wrong
http://EverydayPaintings.com is right
Thanks David!
Learn more about David Darrow at www.DaveThePaintingGuy.com
Be sure to check out his painting classes too – I’m told they are amazing!
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
P.S. If you don’t have your copy of the Ask About WordPress for Artists free replay, go to www.AskAboutWordPressForArtists.com and register today!
The June Ask Call covered great information about using WordPress for your online needs – get the free audio replay!
I had the pleasure of interviewing Kim Beasley, aka The WordPress Lady, about how artists can use this powerful platform (on which all Ask Call websites are housed as well as this blog!) for their online needs.
I made the shift from self-created Ask Call websites and moved them all to WordPress platforms back in April.
The change has helped me standardize the system of creating the sites (we have quite a few these days!) and better update and manage everything. Kim has shown me that WordPress is as flexible as a self-designed site (I’ve used Dreamweaver since 2000) with so many plugin options that it simply makes life easier.
My next plan is to move my art website, www.TaraReedDesigns.com, to a WordPress platform. With that in mind, and since that would also change how my password protected area works, I was very excited to get more nitty-gritty information!
Here is what we covered on the call:
- What is the difference between WordPress (WP), Blogger and Typepad?
- Why should an artist consider WP instead of setting up their own website?
- What is the diff. between WP .com and .org?
- If I am new to blogging & websites, where should I begin?
- Can I transfer an existing bloodspot or blogger blog to WP without losing information?
- There are so many WP plugins, are there any you feel are essential?
- What is the diff. between WP & the many online portfolio sites?
- Are online portfolio sites meaning to drive people to your website?
- What is the best way to have a password protected gallery with WP?
- Can WP look more like a website than a blog?
- Will I be able to see who logs into a password protected area?
- If people forget their password, can it be sent automatically so I don’t have to look them up and email them?
- If I want to sell products on my blog, how do I set that up in WP?
Just to warn you – if websites and options are new to you, your head might spin a bit. But you don’t have to understand it all, just get that this is a powerful and flexible way to build a website that will allow you to grow and add things without recreating the wheel!
Since this was the first call from Kim, we are making the audio replay available for free!
If you already receive the emails before and after each monthly call, you will get a link to the audio in your inbox. If you don’t, simply give us your name and email address and you will be added to the Ask Call series email list and receive an email with the link.
To learn more about Kim and the services she can offer to get you up and running (once you are up and running WordPress is a dream) visit her website.*
We talked a bit about a the WishList Membership Plugin as a great way to have a password protected area on your WordPress website. Don’t be confused by the “Membership Website” references everywhere on their site (I was at first!) you can use it for an online portfolio without ever charging a dime. Again, it’s flexible and gives you lots of options. There is a one-time fee for this plug-in but no monthly cost after that. I’ll be investing in it soon – see what WishList is all about.*
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
P.S. Next month I’ll be answering your questions so head to www.AskTaraReed.com whenever you decide what you want to hear next!
P.P.S. Since we’re talking websites and online strategies, don’t forget about the SEO for Artists call I did with Daniel Tardent in February. His replay, discussing how to optimize your website for search engines so people will find you, it full of great tips! If you missed it, head to www.AskAboutSEOforArtists.com to sign up for your free copy today.
* FTC disclosure: Links with an * are affiliate links. I never promote products or services I don’t believe in but I do let you know when I will potentially earn a commission – which I do on affiliate links. They help me offset the time and costs involved in all the free information we love to provide and I appreciate you clicking them!
Are you ready for the June Art Licensing Monthly Ask Call?
Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 16, 2010, we will be focusing on technology – specifically, how the WordPress platform can offer artists ease and flexibility with their online needs.
Join me at 5:30 pm Pacific / 8:30 pm Eastern as I ask Kim Beasley your questions about how WordPress differs from other blog platforms, how to create password protected areas and more.
The call is free if you listen live and because this is Kim’s first call – it will be free even if you don’t! (The replay will be free when we are done the quick-edit.)
Head to www.AskAboutWordPressForArtists.com to register for the dial-in details if you haven’t registered for a call before.
Hope to talk to you tomorrow!
– Tara Reed
P.S. Don’t forget! Let’s get social on Twitter (use #ask when tweeting so we can find you!) and Facebook during the call. CLICK HERE to download all the details.
P.P.S. Find Kim on Twitter at twitter.com/kimbeasley
Here’s what we covered on the April “Ask Tara Reed” call… were you on the line?
Another great call is completed – thanks go out to everyone who submitted questions because as I say every month - YOU create the content. So do you want to know what we talked about? Here’s the run-down…
The burning art licensing questions covered…
- Starting out, is it better to have an agent?
- How long should it take to get feedback for art submissions?
- How much art should I have on a website before trying to find an agent?
- How many collections should I have before approaching a manufacturer?
- Can I show past work I’ve done for clients to prospects or do I need my own collections to offer for licensing?
- How and what do you paint each day?
- What was your biggest lesson learn when you started?
- Do you ever “give up” on a potential client?
- How important is showing product vs art at a trade show?
- Please explain “Direct to Retail” licensing
- Where do you think art licensing will be in 10 years?
- Should you avoid worldwide contracts at all costs?
- What file formats do I save art in and do I send it to licensees on CD?
We got social again – it was fun to watch people tweet on Twitter and post on the Facebook Fan Page while I talked – interesting to see what strikes a chord! Here are some excerpts -
Excellent audio stream! Microscope or binoculars, agent or no agent, numero 12 items in portfolio a good number. Thank you!
I always learn something new in these ASK calls!
Biggest Lesson learned early in art licensing @ArtistTaraReed #1 Never give up for more than half a day.
The personal experience about the company she has been sending post cards to since 2005 and just started working with 6 months ago is inspiring.
Listening to the Art Licensing call with artist Tara Reed and Kim the WordPress gal. WordPress is great by the way. Looking forward to her interview and will have some questions for her then.
Thanks, Tara, for a GREAT call! Fun to tweet with the group, too!
Great! As always, powerful questions and answers! I can’t wait till next month!
If you missed the call, the audio replay is now available to purchase.
The cost? A mere $15 through May 1st and then it goes to a whopping $25. Have you looked at the cost of live classes? This is a deal… no, a steal! Get your copy today!
(Plus, to be honest, selling some audios helps offset the cost of creating the infrastructure and time spent on these calls so … much appreciated!)
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
P.S. Wondering who is up next?
May 26, 2010 www.AskPaulBrent.com
June 16, 2010 www.AskAboutWordPressForArtists.com
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