For some reason artists, authors etc. tend to have beautiful websites but these sites are failing them. Do you want to know why?
For one many of them don’t give ways for people to contact them. I don’t know if it’s an ego thing or if they are afraid of SPAM, but either way it’s suffocating their sales.
Far too often I hear artists complain they are not selling their work, not getting opportunities and I ask them for their website to find out why. The first place I visit is their contact page and this usually tells me right away what’s wrong. What I find is usually no phone number or e mail address. Sometimes they have forms to fill out, but forms alone can scare people away.
Unless you have a PR Company or agent or someone working for you in that caliber, you must put down a way for people to contact you. If you have someone like an agent or PR firm representing you, then put their information down… but even so customers like direct contact with the artists.
That goes hand in hand with Authors, Musicians and Artists. It’s amazing how just a simple way for the customer to communicate with you, and the response is genuinely from you, how important and special you make them feel. That can lead to further sales, referrals and a strong fan base.
Failing to put your e mail at least in addition to a form is like driving by a subdivision with a big wall around it. Sure it’s beautiful and you can only imagine the wonders inside but the wall says “Keep the hell out… I’m way too important or busy for you”. Is that the message you want to send to your fans?
Some people tend to use forms, while other s like to send an e mail directly to you. They do this because they can have their reply sitting in their sent file for follow up if time elapses.
If you are afraid of spam, simply create an e mail just for website correspondence, and honestly you don’t want to put your personal e mail on your website anyway. Doesn’t mean you can’t correspond with your fan base with this e mail, but it keeps your work separate from your personal life.
To avoid SPAM I suggest this:
- Upload your e mail address on a .jpg file so it’s a picture not text
- NEVER hyperlink your address
- Do this j.dowd [at] dowdstudios [dot] com
- OR open a brand new e mail account just to receive correspondence from your website
However you should offer both e mail and form… PERIOD!
Another major flaw is that artists tend to be vague, and we are very well known for that, but never the less if you are running a business, that website has to work for you. The site is your 24 hour 7 day a week secretary. It must sell you when you’re not around or sleeping.
Did you know most people check for you on the web before deciding to come to your establishment? That’s how important a good website full of content can be.
With that said, you can’t be vague. You need a good online portfolio, bio, and history containing important clients, pieces, and gallery affiliations – bare minimum. Yes it will take work but if you want good quality shows and clients this is your ELECTRONIC PRESS KIT. A press kit and CV for an artist is like an artery for the body… it’s your lifeline. Remember this website is your business so put your best foot forward. Let people critique it for easy navigation, silly mistakes and see if they learned enough about you.
Regardless how much info is on the site, update it often. Nothing kills a site more than outdated info. Plus updating your site helps Google and other spyders come to your site for good indexing.
That’s all it takes and it could turn your sales around
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