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Social Paths: Unrestrained Love for All Social Media Avenues
January 28, 2011 by Regina Garay in Business / 10 Comments.
Contact Regina Garay by email or visit Regina's web site, http://www.garayartisans.com/aboutus/meetartist_regina.htm
Befriending the Hydra
In Greek mythology, there is a mythical water beast called the Hydra. The Hydra had multiple heads – the zinger is that once you chopped one head off, two grew back in its place. So, you can imagine it would have been a challenge to conquer in that way. Many artisans view Social Media as a Hydra of sorts. There you are, finally understanding and conquering one site and boom! – another two pop up. Plus, the time spent on social media frequently gets in the way of being creative and generating new finishes and patterns for your business. Sound familiar?
My name is Regina Garay and I, along with my brother, Jason Rosales, own an Orlando, FL-based business called Garay Artisans. I also pen a daily blog called Fauxology. Because of both, I have kept up-to-date on many blogging, online marketing and social media platforms. I get excited at shiny, new sites and love to know everything about tech and web updates. It has been quite a lot of fun for me to play around with the Hydra. I have to tell you, though, I’m nowhere near a tech-guru! (Seriously. Ask my family. They’ll shake their heads in pity.) It takes me a bit to ferret out how exactly it can benefit me as an artist and maximize my business. But I do…and that’s why we’ve come together.
Social-Paths is the column that will help you navigate the World Wide Web. I keep on top of many social media sites and tech stuff because I like to know how they can specifically help artists. In solving my own questions about what’s out there for our industry and our businesses, I hope to help you understand them as well. Sound good?
Our first column will revolve around a topic close to my heart: blogging. I write daily on my blog and have quite a bit of info to share. Many of you have established blogs and most of you have thought about starting one. Shall we dig in?
Beginners
Ahh, you and your beautiful, new blog. Young love. I can’t say “I remember those days” because heck, I’m still in love with mine and it’s been close to four years. One of the best sites to get information on setting up a blog, finding your voice and finding a good rhythm for yourself is About.com – the Blogging section (Link: http://weblogs.about.com/). Susan Gunelius, who is the Blogging Guide, is a genius at what she does (Link: http://weblogs.about.com/bio/Susan-Gunelius-39478.htm). For instance, you will find information on selecting your blog software and designing your look, finding your voice and gaining a readership. All in an easy to understand manner – because that’s important. There are also many articles that experienced bloggers will find useful, too. Trust me, a fantastic resource.
A funny thing is that in all of America, where does Susan Gunelius live? The town over from mine. To tell you how I found out would violate my restraining order.
Pros
Ahh, you and your beautiful elder blog. Still in love after all these years. Now, though – you want to update the look, increase traffic and possibly monetize it as well. One of the very best sites to get great information is both a blog and a podcast series. The Blogging Angels get together once a week to dish on all things blog. They talk about branding a blog, using Facebook effectively, blog conferences…so many great subjects. The Blogging Angels are: Rebecca Levey (Link: http://beccarama.com/), Nancy Friedman (Link: http://fromhiptohousewife.com/), Amy Otzan (Link: http://selfishmom.com/) and Heidi Leder (Link: http://www.coast2coastmom.com/).
All four recently returned from CES, which is the world’s largest technology trade show. I had a chance to get their thoughts on their collaboration and the future of blogging.
What do you think is the most important direction coming up for bloggers this year?
Nancy: At CES, connectivity was key. So many products we saw worked together, coordinated and communicated across different platforms. In a way, that’s what the Blogging Angels do, too. We are four different bloggers with four different levels of experience and points of view. Apart, we have our own followings, blogs, and relationships with brands, but working together, we’re much more powerful.
Rebecca: I totally agree with Nancy and have to add that bloggers need to constantly be aware that they are their brand and their best ambassadors.
Amy: I would also add that the reason companies are turning to bloggers as opposed to “faceless” anonymous writers is in part because we are individuals, with personalities and followings and real lives. The more I inject myself into my writing, podcasting and videos the more I’ve been courted by companies for paying deals. We’re not just being paid for our writing and our opinions, we’re being paid for who we are.
There are many benefits to blogging for an artist. The good thing is that you can pick and choose which subjects are important to you and access the info and the podcasts right on their site. Easy! Their blog also lists a podcast overview and all the resources they provide in case you can’t access the podcast right at that moment. A wonderful resource — thank you, Blogging Angels!
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As to the name of this column? Well, it came about as my brother and I were on a scaffold working on a hotel commission. He said “You know, people who love to be on Facebook, Twitter and all those sites a lot, they’re like…social-paths!” He laughed heartily and I laughed nervously with him because…I resembled that remark. So, I figured I would embrace it, the insanity of my love. I’ve given you a lot in this first column, I know. We’ll be evolving this together. Oh, and how was that Hydra dealt with? It was wrangled as a team. Please do send me questions and/or comments because this social-path is going to help you befriend this Hydra. Care to join me on this adventure?
Regina Garay helps run Orlando-based Garay Artisans, a sibling-owned business. Together, she and her brother, Jason Rosales, have tackled numerous residential and commercial projects, such as the Orlando International Airport and various Grand Bohemian Hotel properties. The company has won two Top Job Awards from American Painting Contractor magazine. Regina also pens the daily blog, Fauxology, which focuses on the love affair between Decorative Painting and Interior Design.
Garay Artisans: www.GarayArtisans.com
Fauxology: www.Fauxology.com
Twitter: @Fauxology
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Fauxology
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10 Comments
steve shriver
YAY!! I look forward to following up on some of this great info. When I’ve posted a years worth of “Picture of the Day”s, I’m thinking of trying a blog as a way of continuing all these great connections I’ve made through Facebook, and branching out hopefully as well. Thanks for sharing this Regina!
04 Mar 2011 11:03 pm
Scott Burt
Great article, Regina. Looking forward to your column!
05 Mar 2011 08:03 am
Regina
Thank you for your comment, Steve! BTW, I *definitely* think you should start a blog. Facebook can limit you on that but you can always use Facebook to help let Readers know you have placed a new post on your art + works blog. Win/Win. Let me know what other social media avenues you’d like to see more info on as well. I’m here to help answer them!
05 Mar 2011 12:03 pm
Barbara Rocha
Hydra is right! The more I learn – the more I don’t know.
So here is my Question: How do you stay on top of the changes and once you choose the avenues you want to follow – how do you keep up on your original info or posts?
Barb
05 Mar 2011 03:03 pm
seksrandki
I spent last 3 hours reading your posts ! And must say: awseome blog ! !
seks randki
08 Mar 2011 03:03 pm
szybkieodchudzanie
I can’t wait for more articles!!! When will you update your cool blog?
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09 Mar 2011 04:03 am
UFCfreak
Many cool content here, i see
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10 Mar 2011 01:03 pm
stegnapokoje
I’m really happy that i found your blog you wrote a lot of interesting posts Kepp working !
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29 Mar 2011 05:03 pm
Debbie Viola
Regina,
I am looking forward to reading your column and learning as much as I can about this phenomenon called blogging! I started one not too long ago, and even without being properly designed, nor SEOized, I’m amazed that people from other countries have found it.
DebbieViola
19 Jun 2011 11:06 pm
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