around the world. I spend an average of 30-40 minutes on Twitter daily, and about the same on Facebook. The information I glean on Twitter from other filmmakers and film fans helps me on many levels. I often get technical advice, connections to grant and financial aid opportunities, and practical business suggestions.


On Facebook, friends and family often give me strength when my confidence muscle weakens. For an artist, often your greatest fans are the people who know you best. Keeping in touch with them can give you a sense of purpose. Sometimes it is as simple as not wanting to let your wonderful support group down, so you keep pushing forward when you might have given up.


Have I gotten famous yet from using Twitter and Facebook? No. But there are a lot more people who know about me and my work than before I used online social networking.


Blogging and Beyond Another way for an artist to get known online is through blogging. You may say, “Great. I have a blog and no one goes to it.” I feel your pain, but there are some ways to get people reading what you have to say. First of all, make sure your blog is interesting. I don’t mean mildly engaging. It has to have what writers call “a hook.” If you are a graphic artist, for instance, you might want to post a blog about a well-known


artist in your field. Consider picking up the phone and calling that person. You’d be surprised at how many artists would love to be interviewed and talk about their work. Try to get them to send you a photo you can use it with your article.


Have I gotten famous yet from using Twitter and Facebook? No. But there are a lot more people who know about me and my work than before I used online social networking.


Once you have posted your interview article to your blog, post a link to it on Twitter and/or Facebook. Be sure to retweet it from time to time, so that you can reach a larger audience. Often, someone on Twitter or Facebook will like your post and will send it to all their friends. This is a great way to create interest in your blog and to become an expert at the same time.


Blogging About Events in Your Area of Expertise Another way to get your name out there is to attend events and blog about them, either while you are there, or after you get home. Recently, I was asked by a friend to go to an


29 ®


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40