Art and Creativity: Just Listed — Benefiting FROM Hive While Also Benefiting Hive!
I've spent a fair amount of time contemplating how to best make use of this Hive blog account I created for Alchemy Stones.
Certainly, my original intent was to use it as yet another social content platform where I could show off my work. Hive — being what it is — offers the additional fringe benefit that artists can earn at least some modest rewards here for sharing their work in blog formats.
From a holiday show, 2022
Reciprocity Matters!
I always like to pursue situations in which there is a reciprocal relationship between benefactor and beneficiary. That is, it's a two-way street. In this case, Hive is traditionally the "benefactor," and I am the "beneficiary."
So, I'm thinking about how this principle can be applied to the Hive community, and to the artwork I create.
My primary method of publicity — and occasional sales — through the web, take the form of listing newly finished items for sale on either eBay or Etsy, and then letting my customer base/followers know about it.
Typically, "letting them know about" it would take the form of tweets — I still can't get used to calling twitter X — and it would take the form of announcements to the Alchemy Stones Facebook page.
Of course, both of the preceding are somewhat short format venues, which got me to thinking that maybe I could use Hive as an additional announcement platform, but in this case have a little more detail about the new releases in the Hive posts that I wouldn't normally be able to fit in a tweet, or short Facebook announcement.
I suppose there are those who could argue that such an approach is not exactly "quality content," and because it would be somewhat formulaic and repetitive — although each item announced would be different — you could argue that perhaps it wasn't worthy, as content goes.
But let's get back to how this could possibly benefit Hive, as opposed to just how could it benefit me.
It occurred that perhaps it might get a few people to look at Hive if the short announcements I make to external social media sources were to include a statement to the effect of "if you'd like to learn more about these pieces you can also check out the entire process in my article on Hive" were attached to each such announcement.
I'm "small fish," of course... but everything counts, right?
I know these days we're trying to get more people to discover Hive, but I think it's important that we also invite people to discover Hive for reasons other than just to come over here and publish content and earn rewards. What if they were to just come over here and look at the art, as content consumers?
Again, this is just in the idea stage right now but I have a feeling it might be something I'd like to pursue as part of my own effort to get more traction with online sales.
Feel free to leave a comment, if you feel so inspired... engagement is part of what makes Hive such a cool venue!
If you enjoy painted rocks, do check out The Hive Rocks Project and help spread the word about Hive, while also being creative!
Because I am trying to make some semblance of income — a part time living, even — I now add this footer to all my posts, in the hope that someone, somewhere, might decide to take a further look at my work, and perhaps consider supporting independent art.
Thank you, in advance, for your consideration and support!
My Alchemy Stones Patreon appeal
Alchemy Stones web site and blog
Regardless, your upvotes and comments are always appreciated!
Thank you for supporting independent art!
2023.10.22 AS-TXT-177/145