Seven Must Have Elements Of An Artist's Website

Show Notes:

Season 3

350 - Seven Must Have Elements Of An Artist's Website

You’re an artist, and you started a website or maybe you’re thinking about starting one. This is the episode for you! This week John and Barb share seven essentials of an artist’s website.

Here’s the list:

1. A URL that identifies you

2. A clear and well-arranged menu or navigation

3. Fast load speed

4. SEO Strategy

5. A clear Call To Action (CTA) on every page

6. Curated images

7. A place (or places) to sign up for your email list

In this week’s Art Fact Minute your hosts discuss the difference in CMYK vs RGB color spaces and why that matters.

Here are the resources discussed:

1. Cyber Security For Artists

2. Barb’s blog post on Color Spaces

Past episodes referenced in the show:

Cyber Security - #339

Check out the longer video version of the show inside Members Circle. The video podcasts are extended, more in-depth, and ad-free!

As always, you can reach out to the show if you’d like to offer any suggestions: podcast@sharpenedartist.com

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Artists Signature Chart (16-Page PDF E-book) - John’s List of 65 curated colors:

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120 Scheduling Social Media

Show Notes

Sharpened Artist: Colored Pencil Podcast

Release Date: September 4, 2017

Topic: Scheduling Social Media

Points of Interest:
Did you know you can schedule your social media posts? Yes, it’s true! John and Lisa use this episode to share their tips for scheduling social media: how to create posts in batches, favorite external tools for posting across platforms, and reasons why scheduling is beneficial to your productivity.

Links Referenced:

Buffer: Social Media Management

https://buffer.com/

Meet Edgar

https://meetedgar.com/

Ready to take your business to the next level? Check out the copywriting and blogging services at Clarity & Flair:

www.clarityandflair.com

Free 30-day Audible Trial:

www.audibletrial.com/cppodcast

John’s Twitter: @sharpenedartist

Lisa’s Twitter: @lachri

As always, thanks for listening! Tune in next week for more from John and Lisa. In the meantime, be sure to visit www.sharpenedartist.com for additional updates and information. You can also join our Facebook group, Colored Pencil Podcast, or contact us by email at podcast@sharpenedartist.com .

Stay sharp!

104 Interview with Hannah Scott

Show Notes

Sharpened Artist: Colored Pencil Podcast

Release Date: May 15, 2017

Topic: Interview with Hannah Scott

Points of Interest:
Hannah Scott is a copywriter and blogger who works with creative business owners to put their best foot forward online. John and Lisa talk with Hannah about the value of web content for artists and the benefit of hiring a writer rather than doing it yourself.

Links Referenced:

Check out Hannah’s writing business, Clarity & Flair:

www.clarityandflair.com

***Sharpened Artist Podcast listeners will receive 50% off Brand Evaluations! Just mention the podcast when contacting Hannah for your discount. Offer expires May 25, 2017***

Free 30-day Audible Trial:

Audibletrial.com/cppodcast

John’s Twitter: @sharpenedartist

Lisa’s Twitter: @lachri

As always, thanks for listening! Tune in next week for more from John and Lisa. In the meantime, be sure to visit www.sharpenedartist.com for additional updates and information. You can also join our Facebook group, Colored Pencil Podcast, or contact us by email at podcast@sharpenedartist.com .

Stay sharp!

084 Blogging for Artists

Show Notes

Sharpened Artist: Colored Pencil Podcast

Release Date: December 26, 2016

Topic: Blogging for Artists

Points of Interest:

This episode addresses an excellent question from a listener:

“Is it worth my time to start an art blog?”

John and Lisa answer with a hearty YES, and discuss the importance of identifying a target audience and specific post ideas that you are passionate about. Additional points include the need for consistency and the ways an art blog can solve problems for readers.

Links Referenced:

Lisa’s Twitter: @lachri

John’s Twitter: @sharpenedartist

As always, thanks for listening! Tune in next week for more from John and Lisa. In the meantime, be sure to visit www.sharpenedartist.com for additional updates and information. You can also join our Facebook group, Colored Pencil Podcast, or contact us by email at podcast@sharpenedartist.com .

Stay sharp!

076 How to Set Up Your Email List

Show Notes

Sharpened Artist: Colored Pencil Podcast

Release Date: October 30, 2016

Topic: How to Set Up Your Email List 

Points of Interest:

This episode is dedicated to all things email: why an email list can be a great tool for your brand, how to get it set up, and how to get people to sign up once it’s in place on your website. John takes the high-tech approach while Lisa prefers simplicity, so you’ll hear tips and suggestions from both ends of the spectrum.

Here’s a semi-comprehensive list of email providers you can use (there are hundreds out there):

-Mailchimp - Very easy to use and free to get started
www.mailchimp.com

-Aweber - Very easy to use

www.aweber.com

-Convert kit (affiliate link) - Very easy to use and more flexible than Mailchimp and Aweber.  Super easy pricing structure because it's only based on list size and you still get all the features of a huge list.  This is the provider that John uses and recommends.

www.convertkit.com

-Campaign Monitor

www.campaignmonitor.com

-Zoho Campaigns

www.zoho.com

-SendinBlue

www.sendinblue.com

-Constant Contact

www.constantcontact.com

-Infusionsoft

www.infusionsoft.com

-Ontraport

www.ontraport.com

-Campaigner

www.campaigner.com
-Emma

www.myemma.com

-RedCappi

www.redcappi.com

-GetResponse

www.getresponse.com

Lisa’s Twitter: @lachri

John’s Twitter: @sharpenedartist

As always, thanks for listening! Tune in next week for more from John and Lisa. In the meantime, be sure to visit www.sharpenedartist.com for additional updates and information. You can also join our Facebook group, Colored Pencil Podcast, or contact us by email at podcast@sharpenedartist.com .

Stay sharp!

040 Starting Your Website Part 2

Topic:  Starting Your Website part 2

This week John and Lisa continue the discussion of starting your own website.  

Here are some of the topics discussed:

• Colors - Colors on your site should be subdued and muted.  Look at Lisa’s site: lachri.com  (she does push the envelope just a little)

• Fonts - Some of the fonts that I like right now are: Trebuchet, Merriweather, Amaranth, Promixa Nova.

Read the documentation from Apple on their new font:  https://developer.apple.com/fonts/

What is a plugin?

A plugin is a small feature set program that performs a specific function on your site.  For example, you may have a plugin for a form, and a different plugin for a gallery display of your images.

Be sure and test each each plugin and give it about a week before adding another.

How many fonts should you use and will too many create a performance hit?

Try and keep the number to somewhere around 10.  Keep a log of the plugins and what each is doing on your site.

Is mobile important?

Google has announced that they will factor in a sites mobile experience when they consider search rank.  

About half of your visitors are using mobile to visit your site, so we want to create a good experience for them as well.


Links mentioned in the show:

keyword research tools:

https://websiteadvantage.com.au/Google-SERP-Emulator

http://www.longtailpro.com/

https://www.semrush.com/

Affiliate link:

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Do you need help building your own website or blog?  You can contact me to discuss the options I offer.   Click here for help building your website or for a free site evaluation.

As always, thanks for listening! Tune in next week for more from John and Lisa. In the meantime, be sure to visit www.sharpenedartist.com for additional updates and information. You can also join our Facebook group, Colored Pencil Podcast, or contact us by email at podcast@sharpenedartist.com.

Are you ready to increase your presence online and maximize your art career? Click here to start the conversation today!

Stay sharp!