How to Customize Your Browser Icon in Squarespace 7.1
In this post, we're diving into the art of customizing your browser icon or Favicon, in Squarespace 7.1. This is a small detail that sets professional websites apart from the amateurs, so if you don’t have one yet, there is no better time! It's easy to do. Inside you'll find a step-by-step tutorial on creating a simple custom browser icon or favicon in the free version of Canva, and uploading it to your Squarespace 7.1 website.
From Ordinary to Extraordinary: Elevating Your Portfolio Website with Expert Insights
Are you eager to make your portfolio website the best it can be? I've got some valuable insights to share with you. In this blog post, we're going to focus on the key areas that will make your portfolio website shine and leave a lasting impression on your visitors. From design elements to content strategies, we'll explore essential aspects, in the form of tips, that can help transform your website from ordinary to extraordinary.
Connecting with Your Audience: Visual Artists Who Lead with Authenticity
As a visual artist, the process of creating something meaningful and beautiful is what drives you. But when it comes to promoting your work, finding the right balance between self-promotion and being genuine can be a challenge. You don't want to feel like a pushy salesperson or risk turning off potential customers. So, how can you market your work to your audience in an authentic way? In this post, we'll explore inspiring examples of artists that lead with authenticity.
10 Leading Online Marketplaces for Artists: A Comparison
In this post, I provide a brief comparison of 10 leading art marketplaces, including popular platforms like Etsy, RedBubble, Saatchi Art, Artfinder, and more. We'll examine the benefits and drawbacks of each platform, as well as the associated costs and fees, to help you make an informed decision and find the best platform for your art.
The Power of Chat GPT for Fine Artists Seeking Gallery Representation
In this blog post, I explore how the power of AI, and specifically Chat GPT, can be used to gather important information about ideal customers. To put the tool to the test, I used a simple ‘role play’ prompt and a ‘conversation’ between an artist and the head of a leading art gallery in New York or LA, to try to bring some clarity to what this ideal client might be searching for when it comes to adding an artist to the gallery roster.
“Can Squarespace Host My Domain?” What You Need to Know
One of the questions I get from clients who have an existing site is “Can Squarespace host my domain? The answer is yes. But, you need to know that you have 2 options. The first option is to transfer your domain to Squarespace when you launch your new site. The second option is to keep your domain with your existing registrar and connect to it from your new site. In this post, we’ll review each of these options.
Telling Your Story Through Images: Planning Ahead for a Meaningful Photoshoot
If you’re in the process of creating/revamping a website or social media, it helps to get organized when it comes to planning a photoshoot that will yield a range of images for your creative business.
Whether you are taking the images yourself, enlisting the help of a friend, or hiring a professional photographer, planning ahead for a photo shoot also allows you to think carefully about what you would like your pictures to convey about yourself as an artist.
This post is designed to help you think about incorporating a broader range of imagery that can help capture the attention of your audience and set the tone for the kind of relationship you’d like to have with your fans and collectors.
Leaving Mailchimp, and Ready to Step-Up Your Email Marketing Game?
Email marketing is, hands down, one of the most powerful tools you can use in your creative business. A well-maintained email list can drive traffic to your website, help attract potential new fans and customers to your work, and boost your overall revenue. However, as you may have heard, Mailchimp recently announced a major change to its pricing plans that may make it more difficult for small business owners to fully take advantage of the power of email marketing.
How to Customize a Free Lead Magnet Template for Visual Artists, in Canva: Step-by-Step Instructions.
As a creative business owner, I know, from first-hand experience one of the things we all struggle with at one time or another is building an email list. And, because I work with a lot of artists, I know that coming up with a lead magnet (or opt-in freebie) that is right for their particular audience can be challenging. I got to work, and created a lead magnet specifically for visual artists that is better aligned with what you do, and also addresses an audience ‘pain point’ or FAQ. In this post, I provide step-by-step instructions on how to customize the shared template inside Canva.
Etsy Versus Squarespace: Which one is right for you in 2024?
One of the things I sometimes get asked by illustrators and designers who are considering launching their own website with Squarespace is “how does this compare to Etsy?” In this post, I provide a side-by-side comparison of Squarespace and Etsy to help you figure out what would work best for your creative business.
Are You Using These Email Marketing Features to Powerfully Level-Up Your Newsletter?
You’re probably already using an email marketing service in your business as a way to share your new works and launch special promotions with your subscribers. However, you may not be taking advantage of some of the lesser known and newer features that are available to make your newsletter the best it can be — both in presentation and in performance. In this post, I provide three email marketing features that will help you power up your newsletter.
Three Ways to Easily Embed a PDF in Squarespace 7.1
Here is a step-by-step video tutorial that goes over three ways you can embed a PDF document in your Squarespace 7.1. website.
Should Artists Include a Hero Statement On Their Portfolio Website?
Did you know that adding a hero statement to your portfolio website can help to retain first-time visitors AND improve your site’s SEO?! Because it contains all the information a person needs in order to know if you and your work are right for them, it is a simple way to retain visitors who are discovering you, and your work, for the first time.
Seven Ways To Quickly Strengthen Your Home Page
Your website’s home page is a crucial part of your online presence. It’s usually the first thing people see when they visit your site, and it sets the tone for the rest of their experience. It’s also critical to get things right on your home page because it is the page that gets the most attention.
But what if you don't know where to start? I've got you covered with seven ways you can optimize your artist website home page.
How to Implement a Video Background in Squarespace 7.1
One of the features Squarespace recently introduced is the ability to upload videos directly up to a site. In this post, I demonstrate how to use this feature to incorporate a background video in a header or banner in Squarespace 7.1. Use this effect to achieve a unique, and engaging visual experience on your site.
Four Inspiring Visual Artist Videos, from Delightful Intros to Engaging Studio Visits
In January of 2021, Contently, an industry authority on content marketing, surveyed their community to find out what they thought their most important content format would be, based on what best aligns with consumer preferences. Survey said (in my best game show host voice): “blog posts,” followed closely by “videos.”
Five Signs You’re Ready for a New Website
If you’re wondering if you’re ready for a new website, or if you’ve been putting it off for some time, this post covers some sure signs that it’s time to take the bull by the horns, so-to-speak, and step up your game!
How to Optimize Images for your Portfolio Website
Did you know? One of the most important things you can do to set up your website for up for success is to optimize your website images for better SEO. In this post, I’ll cover a few things you can do to prepare your images before and after you upload them to your website.
A Basic Guide to Choosing Fonts for a Cohesive Visual Identity
Professional designers will usually agree on this point. You can separate great design from average design by the use of typography. There is a lot to learn about typography, as in any field, but there are also a few basic rules that will help you avoid making mistakes related to font use. In this post, I’m deliberately keeping things simple so that you can create a standout brand identity without getting lost in too much detail.
10 Common Artist Website Mistakes, And What To Do Instead
An artist’s portfolio site is so much more than a collection of artworks. It is also a business and marketing tool that is capable of attracting new business, and generating profitable, sustainable growth over time. Whether you are thinking about creating your first site, or if you've had a site for years, here are a few things to avoid, and a few things you can implement instead.
Free Customizable Lead Magnet for Visual Artists: Framing Guide
Build your email list with this pre-written, beautifully designed 14-page editable Canva template. Give your fans and art collectors a framing guide, with expert recommendations and resources. Customize as much or as little as you want.
Drag and drop images of your own work into the document;
Modify the color palette with your brand colors;
Edit the text as desired.
Or, simply personalize the guide by adding your name and contact information. It’s all ready to go, so it really is THAT easy!
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Welcome! I’m Dr. Elizabeth MacLean.
I’m a media and communications consultant, art director/designer and educator who helps visual artists and creatives launch and grow their online presence through custom Squarespace services, training and writing. I built my consulting business by helping my creative entrepreneur clients shine online - without the overwhelm.
When I’m I'm not working, I’m dedicated to my own creative projects, and to being a dog-mom to my 10-year old rescue pup. I live in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and Austin, USA, and am originally from Venezuela.
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