[Hidden-tech] artist portfolio website tools?

Bruce Hooke bghooke at att.net
Fri Feb 26 12:40:11 EST 2010


I just noticed this thread and have a few random thoughts to add:
 
1. I would look closely at the many website "templates" out there designed for artists. I have been wracking my brain trying to remember one in particular that I heard recommended but can't think of it. If I do I will let you know. A template approach means it can be her own website, which gives a more professional appearance, without getting to the point of paying for a fully custom design. Unfortunately there are a lot of templates out there, some good, some definitely not so good. 
 
2. I saw a reference or two to iStockPhoto. I just want to note that the professional photographers I know view iStockPhoto (and similar microstock sites) as a complete joke (but not a funny one given what they have done to the stock photo marketplace) when it comes to actually trying to make money from your work. The prices are so low that there is no way you are even going to come close to just covering your costs let alone actually earning money. These sites basically cater to people who want the satisfaction of selling their work but have not actually figured out what it takes to earn money selling their artwork. In general when it comes to selling through third party websites I would look very carefully at the deal being offered (for sites that license work (e.g., Getty Images) look especially carefully at sites that allow for third-party marketing, which can result in the original artist getting just a few percent of the licensing fee. This can be a big issue even with the very well known stock photo agencies). Sites like Etsy, which just host your artwork but leave the selling to the artist should be better but it is worth thinking about whether the presentation fits the artwork and also doing some checking to see if the prices other artists are charging for similar work on Etsy are realistic or so low that there is just no point in trying to compete.
 
3. In some ways I agree with those who say that it is not that hard to design and build your own website. BUT, what I would say is that it is not so easy to design a professional looking website. There is a reason why graphic designers and website designers earn good money. Also, a well built system for navigating through a "gallery" of images takes some work to design and build. Expect your first couple of websites to look like first tries!
 
For what its worth...I come at this all from the perspective of someone who earns most of his living from designing and building websites (mostly for artists, non-profits and small businesses) and who is trying to earn more of his living from selling my photography.
 
Best of luck,
Bruce

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From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net [mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] On Behalf Of Val Nelson
Sent: Friday, February 26, 2010 10:29 AM
To: Hidden-Tech Listserv
Subject: Re: [Hidden-tech] artist portfolio website tools?


Thanks to all who replied. These are all excellent and thoughtful responses. Wow. 

I definitely get that a professional website vs a do-it-yourself template site is in order for anyone who wants to be seriously in business (I wrote a blog post to that effect), but I don't think that is quite the case here, yet. 

Nonetheless, all those resources for selling are awesome and I will pass them on.

Stacy, will you be offering your online selling for artists class anytime soon?

Thank you
Val


On Thu, Feb 25, 2010 at 1:32 PM, Stacy Kontrabecki <swampdancer at comcast.net> wrote:


� ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
� ** If you did, we all thank you.




A good online resource is www.emptyeasel.com <http://www.emptyeasel.com/>  

I feature the following turnkey websites for visual artist in my Online Selling Opportunities survey class, among others for writers, musicians, etc.:


www.artfulhome.com <http://www.artfulhome.com/> 	 Objects, furniture, lighting, jewelry, glass, wall art	
www.artwanted.com <http://www.artwanted.com/> 	 Originals, digital, repros on: canvas prints, promo type items like at RedBubble, Zazzle	
www.1000markets.com <http://www.1000markets.com/> 	 fine art; artisan jewelry, home, clothing, food	
www.artfire.com <http://www.artfire.com/> 	 fine, handmade, vintage & supplies	
www.artspan.com <http://www.artspan.com/> 	 contemporary art	
 <http://www.discoveredartists.com/> www.discoveredartists.com	 wall art, photo, art objects	

	
	

	
	
 <http://www.imagekind.com/> www.imagekind.com	 prints,frames,canvas, posters, cards on demand	
www.absolutearts.com <http://www.absolutearts.com/> 	 contemporary art	
www.allposters.com <http://www.allposters.com/> 	 fed from www.artistrising.com	
www.art.com <http://www.art.com/> 	 fed from www.artistrising.com	
 <http://www.artistrising.com/> www.artistrising.com	 photo,paint,digital,mixed, draw, watercolor	
www.fineartamerica.com <http://www.fineartamerica.com/> 	 giclee fine art prints, photo prints, and fine art originals; frames, canvas	
www.zatista.com <http://www.zatista.com/> 	 original wall art	

	
	

	
	
 <http://www.photoreflect.com/> www.photoreflect.com	 custom(er) photo galleries	

	
	

	
	
www.gettyimages.com <http://www.gettyimages.com/> 	 license your images, footage, music	
www.images.com <http://www.images.com/> 	 royalty-free photos & illustrations	
www.istockphoto.com <http://www.istockphoto.com/> 	 photo,illustration,flash,video, audio downloads on demand'	
www.itunes.com <http://www.itunes.com/> 	 music, video	
www.stockillustrationsource.com <http://www.stockillustrationsource.com/> 	 stock & custom illustration & animation	

-- 

Stacy Kontrabecki, MBA



www.linkedin.com/in/stacykontrabecki

www.facebook.com/stacy.kontrabecki


Val Nelson wrote: 

   ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.

   ** If you did, we all thank you.





  

  _____  


Hi folks,
I wonder what you would recommend for this. I have an artist friend who wants to put her own portfolio on the web in a simple, do-it-yourself low-budget way. She's not looking to pay for a professionally designed website at this time.

I have heard of http://www.icompendium.com but are there other tools for this that you know of? Any you would avoid?

Thanks
Val


_____________________________________
Val Nelson

Coach/Consultant 
Make Your Mark. On the Web. On the World.

Helping introverts and heart-centered people 
mobilize their unique superpowers 
so they can make their mark.


413.320.2182
val at valnelson.com
Northampton, MA

Website & Blog: www.valnelson.com <http://www.valnelson.com/> 
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