Short answer:  You should utilize both a blog and an email newsletter.

Occasionally, however, an artist will ask us something like, "If I can have only a blog or an email newsletter, which one should I go with?"

Our answer:  hands down - an email newsletter.

Blogs are great for increasing traffic to your web site and for engaging in a more informal discussion with your fans.  However, if your goal is to sell your art, blogs don't always bring the right kind of traffic - buyers.  Blogs also require the reader to actively visit your blog or subscribe to it with RSS, and either way you don't really know who is reading your blog.

Email newsletters are better at increasing sales than blogs . . . and we'll take sales over traffic any day.  In addition, email newsletters require your prospect to subscribe with an email address...so you know who is getting your message.

Our bottom line:  there's no reason not to utilize both a blog and an email newsletter.  Each have their place and they work together.

If, for some reason, you had to pick only one (due to your desires, commitments, available time, writing ability, etc) however, go for an email newsletter over a blog.

Sincerely,

Clint Watson
Software Craftsman and Art Fanatic

PS - Our sister service, FineArtStudioOnline, offers both an email newsletter module and a blog module with every Gold account.

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