Why Every Artist Should Blog

These days, most everyone knows what a blog is. Blogs have gotten so popular that some people have actually been able to create a full-time income from blogging. There are numerous web platforms that offer free space for anyone to start a blog. People literally blog about everything - personal to professional. The possibilities of expression and benefits from blogging are endless.

So why should an artist start a blog?

Writing a blog is an excellent way to express yourself – it’s quite a therapeutic release to get out all of your thoughts out of your head and onto paper (or more applicable - on computer). Even if it’s not an all-out, stream-of-conscious style of writing, you’re getting your mind to release itself. It’s amazing how many ideas and thoughts remain dormant until you start writing.

Writing a blog gets your creative juices flowing. A good blog requires technique, organization, and creativity. Not everyone who writes a blog cares about writing techniques - some would rather express themselves in free-style format. However, if you want to create an audience or start a professional-style blog, then you should be working on your writing techniques and create a consistent style that keeps people interested in what you have to say.

Blogs are excellent for marketing yourself. No one likes spam or feeling blatantly persuaded to buy something. Blogs allow you articulate yourself and get people to know you more personally. An active blog connected to your professional website makes your website more noticeable online. Google and other major search engines give preference to websites that exhibit activity and update regularly. Getting ranked higher in organic searches for your art or service is a massive way to get regular exposure to new clients or people interested in your work.

I update my blog nearly every day because I want to get better exposure. I want to share what I’ve learned related to photography, art, and life - so that other photographers, artist, and clients can benefit from the experiences I’ve found to be personally helpful. I’m ardent to share what’s been learned from the classroom, behind the camera, and in life. If we share resources and focus on creating better art, then everyone benefits. When artist become better at their art, clients have better access to more effective artists – and of course, we all have better art to simply appreciate.

Everyone has a unique style and preference on what good art is. My style of photography is not what everyone may like. There may be another photographer who can provide a style of photography that better serves the preferences of a client. If that photographer is effective and adept at what they do, then the client will get the kind of photos they want. That is more important than me making money off of a client who has different preferences than the style I provide.

The real purpose of art is to create something true – not to force sales out of people and prioritize commodity over creativity. For further related thoughts, read: Contributing to Humanity; Not Competing for Profit.