Steering a slightly different course

This past week has taught me a lot about business. I'm realizing the importance of branding, especially online, and what a mistake it was for me to split up my articles into topics.

Well, no, let me rephrase that: The mistake was creating the smaller, topic-focused websites that don't very clearly reinforce their connection with me.

Now is not the time to overhaul what I'm doing as Aisling D'Art. I am literally sitting here waiting for the moving company to arrive.

After we move, I knew that I was going to re-integrate my smaller websites into one larger site. The site design that I'm using at The Business of Art makes that possible; I'll be using that design for most of my websites.

What I've seen this past week confirms my decision to reorganize my online presence, but for an added reason: Clearer branding.

Freebies, and a chance to help

Three things are going on right now -- an ebook, a website relaunch, and a move -- and they're all connected.

We're moving from Texas to coastal New England next week. This is a 'leap of faith' move, and we're heading out with excitement... but some anxiety, too.

I don't like to ask for help, but this is a time when I need it.

That's why I've written an ebook, Sites that Soar! It's also why I'm offering one-day specials at the relaunched SantaFlamingo.com, as well as daily freebies, Monday through Friday.

I want to make it easy for people to help us finance this move, by offering great (and often unique) products, at low prices and in abundance.

Please visit those sites and tell others about them, too. If everyone who visits my sites purchases an item for just $1, it would make a huge difference to us.

It's not easy for me to ask for help, but I am counting on my friends. A link to my projects, or even a small purchase... it all adds up.

Also, I want to thank everyone who's already donated to our moving fund, and/or linked to my book or the new SantaFlamingo.com. I really, really appreciate it, and I will not forget those who are helping us.

Thank you!

Other sites for art marketing tips

As you know, I'm very interested in marketing art. That's why I created my other website, The Business of Art.

This morning, I read a great article posted by Barbra Sundquist, called How to Sell Art: The Artist's Guide to Marketing. It's written by Alice Parmalee Rich, who has posted several interesting, business-related articles at her website, as well.

I'm thrilled that artists and home business experts are sharing their tips for success in the arts. For a long time, there was an invisible barrier between artists and the mainstream business world.

Though artists generally choose modified versions of commercial marketing models, we can still learn a lot from others' approaches to sales and marketing.

That's one reason why I keep recommending Seth Godin's blog. Of course, I'm enthusiastic about his books, but he also shares massive amounts of useful marketing information -- free -- at his blog.