I spend far too much time online. I do a ton of research, and I see a lot of websites. Some of them are inspiring, some are cringe-worthy. There are a number of problems I encounter frequently, so rather than rant about poor design, here’s a list of 15 tips.
Dave J’s comment on The big problem with marketing reminded me of the other big problem with marketing: not doing it is easier.
In fact, not doing just about anything—your workout, bookkeeping, the dishes—is easier, at least in the short term. Watching your income drop? Not so much.
Getting a business started (and keeping it going) is hard work. You set up your website, open a sales gallery in your studio, make a MySpace page, let some people know about it, and hope for the best. A lot of people take that route.
Are you uneasy about marketing? If so, you’re not alone. Lots of people get freaked out about it. I get freaked out about it. Marketing itself isn’t the problem, of course. The big problem with marketing is how you think about it.
I just went all psychological on you. Sorry. But it’s true. It’s tough putting yourself on the line. It’s worse when you’re in the startup phase, but even if you’re already in the midst of a business or professional creative practice, reaching out to find new clients can be scary. You might worry that you’ll be ignored, or rejected outright. And that will make you feel bad.