5 reasons you need a blog for your creative business
Updated Jan 2023: Maker’s Tech U is no longer open.
Have you ever wondered whether the next step in your your journey as an artist should be to start a blog?
Many creatives view blogging as a hobby, as a fun way to share creative pursuits… and it can be. But it can also be a lot more than that. I remember back in 2004 I saw my first blog and knew I wanted one! I had no idea what I was going to blog about and I didn’t have a plan. I mostly shared random thoughts and day-to-day life events. It has evolved over time and when I started my creative business, I knew my focus had to change.
You might be thinking that blogs are so last decade and do I really need one. I know that there are varying thoughts on the subject but consider these five reasons before you make up your mind.
“A thoughtful, well-planned blog can be the thing that takes you from creative dabbler to artistic entrepreneur.”
A creative blog…
1: positions you as an expert
It tells the world, or at least the internet, that you are a forward-thinker. You are someone who aims to grow your business and bring others along for the creative ride. Today’s blog is a marketing tool and a way to position yourself as an expert in your field.
2: works as a living, breathing portfolio
No matter what kind of art you make, your blog is the hub where you can showcase your work. This is where people get to explore your style and fall in love with what you do. Yes, this can be done with a gallery of images, but a blog allows you to share your process, your thoughts about your art and why you do what you do.
3: is a way for you to share your message without a filter
We are not creative robots making art in a bubble; we all have a set of values, a set of things we stand for and are passionate about. That side of things is what will help you stand out as a professional artist. Think about what you want to be known for, then become known for that through your art blog.
4: helps you build your own engaged community
Sharing snippets of your art (and artistic process) can be a fantastic way to build an online following… and building a following is a “must” if you truly want to turn a creative hobby into a business. Blogging gives you the opportunity to share your art as a series, offer giveaways, feature videos and more!
5: gives you the ability to repurpose posts
You don’t need to put out a new article every single day; but by being smart about how you plan out blog posts, you can increase your level of exposure and community-building on social media. Pull valuable tips from your posts and use bits of them as captions on Instagram. Pull quotes from your posts and turn those into graphics or Tweets. Here is an example:
These are just five of the many ways that a blog can really help boost your creative career. Stay tuned for more blogging tips to come!
Have a blessed day!
