Google Plus is an AMAZING Place for Artists

 

I have been using Google+ for a few weeks now, and I can vouch for it’s effectiveness in getting my art in the public eye. I post my art there regularly, and have been getting lots of feedback, along with plenty of website visitors.

The main element that I like about Google Plus is it’s convenience, and ease of use. It is very easy to check updates from my Gmail or even Google search. The number of updates appear at the top of these and other Google sites, and all I have to do is click to get a dropdown list.

 

Below is a tutorial for setting up a Google+ profile and Google+ page, for anyone who has not done so already. I have highlighted some of the main features that will help artists promote their artwork on Google Plus, to make it easy for you. 

There is a space below where anyone who has a Google+ profile or page already, can share it with us. Please read on for all the details.

 

Creating a Google+ Profile for Artists

1. Filling in Basic Information for Your Google+ profile

   
   At the top on your profile, click edit profile. Try to fill in all the information there you can, including a brief introductory  message about yourself, bragging rights, and your job. Ensure your Google+ profile is searchable by Google search at the bottom, and include any other websites and profiles, such as Twitter, Blogger, and Facebook. The videos tab can be hidden here if you do not plan to use it.
   
   

2. Choosing a Good Tagline

   
   This appears under your name, and can be a little additional information about you and your art. Visitors will see this right away, so try to keep it simple, interesting, and to the point. If you are stuck in finding a decent tagline, try checking out other artist profiles on Google+.
   
   

3. Setting Scrapbook Photos on Google+

   
   These can be anything you choose. Looking at other artist profiles and pages will help to come up with original ideas on how to use this.  Some artists choose five artworks to go here. Another great idea is to make use of Google Plus Banner Maker. Here, you may upload any image of your choosing, and divide it into five equal segments. I have made use of this cool tool at my Artpromotivate Google+ Page.
    
   

4. Creating Albums (Galleries) of Artworks

   
   Albums can be used in the same way as online gallery websites. You may create different folders to categorize your art. There is an option here for setting the privacy. For albums that contain artworks, I recommend setting them to “public” so that they may be viewed by others, along with being seen by search engines.  
   
   

5. Filling up Your Google Plus Circles

   
   Adding a person to a circle is similar to following someone on Twitter, or liking a page on Facebook. After adding them, they can share posts and other information with you. A circle can be anything you like.
   
   For artists, a good choice is to create a circle that includes only your artist contacts. You may go even further, and include smaller subcategories of artists, such as abstract, contemporary, sculpture, digital artists, etc.
    
   

6. Viewing and Sharing on your Live Stream

   
   Here artists can keep up to date with what others are posting. If you are connected with several artists, you may keep up to date with what they are creating, and what they are up to in the art world. You may do the same by posting a link, a photo of artwork, or a write-up.
   
   If artists want to keep track of a certain circle, this can be done by clicking on it at the right of the live stream page.
   
   

7. Building a Google+ Artist Page

   
   Google Plus pages are quite similar to your Google+ profile, but they are becoming the standard for businesses, organizations, and artists. Here, you cannot include others to circles, until they have included you first. This makes the contact list so much more valuable, and focused, than on our Google Plus profile. 
   
   The Google Plus page can broaden your horizons in the same way as a Facebook page. Having all your best artworks there, and posting regularly, you will steadily build an art following from others clicking +1 on your posts and images, and sharing them with their own Google+ friends. 
   
   
8. Tutorial for Creating a Page on Google Plus

   
   After you sign into your profile, go to your live feed page. Search for the “create a page” link close to your profile image.
   
   Here are a few simple steps to follow for creating a Google+ Page:
   
   
   
   • Choose a category for the artist page. “Arts…” is the obvious choice here.
     
   • Create a good title for your page. 
     
   • Include a website, maybe an art-blog or profile on Fine Art America.
     
   • Click on Create, and choose a profile photo and tagline like you did for your profile. Click on Continue.
     
   • Sharing your artist page. You may do this now or later. It is a good idea to do this regularly as you gather new followers for your Google Plus profile.
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • Place the Google Plus badge on any blogs or websites you may have. A good site to design your own Google+ widget is Widgetplus.com 
      
     

Share your Google+ Page and Profile With Us!

 

If you have a Google+ page and/or profile, you may share it by posting a comment. I will add everyone who posts here to my circles, and I ask others to do the same. As artists we need to stick together and support one another and the art community.

For those of you who have a Facebook page, you may post it at the below link in the comments, and we will be more than happy to give you a “like”!

How to Get Likes for Facebook Pages

 

So, if you do post your page or profile here, please share this page with your friends so they can have the opportunity of doing the same.