First things first: set up Google Reader

If you are serious about selling art online you need to get to the important information others share about the topic.  One of the most useful tools to accomplish this is a feed/rss reader. It lets you subscribe to your favorite blogs so you don’t have to actually go to the site all the time to check for new content. Instead you get an account at Google Reader and let it deliver all new posts to your reader inbox. It actually works quite similar to an email account.

Here is a quick video on how it works:

And here are two nifty little tools I recommend to use with Google Reader:

Subscribe Bookmarklet: Open Google Reader and go to “manage subscriptions ” in the left bottom corner of your screen. This opens up your settings. Find the “Goodies” tab. Now you can add Reader to your phone, to iGoogle and do other useful stuff. What I want you to do is to scroll down to “subscribe as you surf” and drag the bookmarklet to your bookmarks bar (the one below your search box).  Next time you like a blog, just click on the “subscribe’ bookmarklet to add the blog to your Reader.

Google Reader Watcher Firefox add-on: If you don’t have Firefox, get it now! I promise , you will never regret it. Then install Google Reader Watcher. All you have to do is click a button. It will now show you how many new posts are waiting to be read in your browser bottom bar.

.

Blogs for Creative Entrepreneurs:

1 Empty Easel:

Empty Easel is an online art magazine with practical advice, tips, and tutorials for creating and selling art. Especially the business advice section includes articles on the following topics: marketing tips, selling art online, seo for artists, online advertising and more

2 ArtBizCoach:

Alison B. Stanfield started out in the art museum business and now runs ArtBizCoach. Her services are especially geared towards artists and helps them  to learn about promotin, marketing and business. She also wrote a book: I’d Rather Be in the Studio! ( ArtBiz Coach was suggested by  Robin Maria Pedrero)

3 Photopreneur:

A photopreneur is anyone who wants to earn income from their photography, whether as a full-time professional or as an occasional photographer. It’s anyone who can turn their skills behind the lens into cash.  If this is you, go subscribe to Photopreneur.

4 Design Sponge – Biz Ladies:

Design*Sponge is a daily website dedicated to home and product design run by Brooklyn-based writer, Grace Bonney. Biz Ladies is a weekly column on Design sponge every Tuesday. Interviews with and tips by successful creative entrepreneurs.

5 The Creative Entrepreneur:

The Creative Entrepreneur is a visual, results-oriented, step-by-step method of business development for creatives from all walks of life who want to turn their passions into viable business opportunities. Lisa Sonora Beam is an artist herself , wrote The Creative Entrepreneur book , runs online workshops and doesn’t believe in starving artists.

6 New Media Photographer:

The New Media Photographer blog is run by Rosh Sillars and is the place where he combines his two passions social media and photography.

7 Prosperous Artists Academy:

The Prosperous Artists community memebership site is designed to support the creative spirit as well as develop the skills and knowledge to build the creative life of your dreams. They have a free weekly podcast designed to support your growth as a creative person.

8 Right-Brain Business Plan:

After 10 years in Corporate America  Jennifer Lee made the leap from  a change management consulting career to finally pursuing full-time her passions around coaching, creativity and living in alignment with her values. If you want to learn how to make a business plan that is also a bracelet, you should definitely subscribe to her two blogs: Right-Brain Business Plan and Life Unfolds

9 IttyBiz:

As independent artists we all also have to take care of the business side. That’s where IttyBiz comes in. It’s a place to get tips, advice, motivation, and support for your very small business (read you and your laptop). If you think business is boring, check out IttyBiz and laugh your ass of while learning how to become an artist entrepreneur.

10 Bakery:

You won’t find any bread here, because this Bakery bakes businesses. I just discovered this blog, so I don’t know to much about it, but they have their own Etsy shop, seem to work with a lot of artists and their categories are Blogging, Business, Getting Started, and Social Networking.

11 Rise of the Innerpreneur:

Tara Joyce says that an Innerpreneur is someone who has realized their purpose/life work and started a business to pursue it and also has the creativity to see the world in unique ways and an impulse to make things different. Her blog Rise of the Innerpreneur will help you  with ideas to grow your business and your mind.

12 Ancient Artist:

Ancient Artist is a blog about creating art in Oregon, starting a second career instead of retiring, developing a marketing strategy, and philosophical discussions about art.

13 EBSQ:

EBSQ is a creative space that provides art marketing tools and serves as a hub for the self rep and indie artist community. Their blog has an extra category on Art Biz.

14 The Storque  – Indipreneur:

The Storque is the blog that belongs to Etsy, the social shopping site where you can buy all things handmade. They frequently post about all things Indipreneur which also includes interviews with people that quit their day job because now they are earning enough with their art, design or crafts. Other topics include promotion, marketing, cooperative advertising and much  more.

15 Zazzle, Imagekind, RedBubble, Deviant Art:

all of these are online communities that let artists sell  prints, posters, cards, shirts, shoes, skateboards, mugs, aprons etc.  If you are a member, make sure to follow their blogs, so you are always up to date on new opportunities and tools.

16 The Art List:

Since 2003, TheArtList has been the leading online resource for visual artists and photographers looking for income and exhibition opportunities to enter.

17 Seth Godin:

Marketing guru Seth Godin is the bestselling author of more than seven books. He writes about marketing and the spread of idea. His books have been read by Obama’s campaign advisors. You should read his blog and his books too, because they will teach you how to create a remarkable business for your art. You can get his books for free here.

18 Mashable:

The famous social media blog is a must read for all Indipreneurs. Why? Because being up to date on all things social media is essential to selling art online. You need to know your tools and Mashable will help with that.

19 Problogger:

Problogger is a blog about making money with your blog. It is not specifically geared towards artists, but there is a LOT to learn here.  Advertising, Affiliate Programs, SEO . If you don’t know what I’m talking about – go subscribe to Problogger. Currently he is holding a free 31 Days to Build a Better Blog Challenge you can still sign up for.

20 Zen Habits:

Zen Habits, simpl productivity is one of the top blogs on the internet and covers achieving goals, productivity, being organized, GTD, motivation, eliminating debt, saving,  happiness, and successfully implementing good habits.

21  Creative Web Biz:If you liked this post, please also subscribe to  Creative Web Biz (see top of sidebar) as I will be posting more tips and tricks for artists, designers, musicians, crafters, photographers and all other Creative Entrepreneurs .

.

Update: I knew I forgot a blog but luckily I was reminded. So here it is:

22 Artdictive Habits:

Have a look at ARTDICTIVE My amazingly creative  and productive friend Webgrrl knows all about Zazzle, Red Bubble, Imagekind, CafePress, Blurb and all the other sites that let you print your art on prints, posters, cards, mugs, shirts , books etc.

.

Do you know of any other blogs that might be useful for independent artists ? Please  share them in the comments, so we can all start living our dream!

.

Creative Web Biz - the art of creating an online business