Looking after Leaping

Typical me: I begin writing a blog without really knowing what I am doing (leaping, then looking). Not something I recommend in general.

So, when I finally do a little research into what I’ve jumped into (blogging), I discover that I need to do more research. But here is what I have learned so far:

• DO YOUR RESEARCH! – apparently, I need to master at least these to begin properly:

  • SEO (Search Engine Optimization). My basic understanding of this is that I need to learn the proper language and then drop words like crumbs for the hungry SEO beast to follow. This SEO creature will in turn lead viewers to my blog.

  • Pinterest – yikes! I’ve dabbled with this site before and gotten lost trying to find what I’m looking for. Its layout and procedures confuse me. But, apparently it will lead people directly to my website more effectively than posts on FB or Instagram. Who knew?

  • Pictorem/Etsy – there is something on Pictorem called Dropship where Pictorem becomes my printer on demand when people order something from my Etsy shop. While I understand the concept, I have yet to figure out how to list all of the options Pictorem offers on my Etsy site efficiently.

My plan is to do my research and become an expert on all of the above. However, since I will be out of town and acting as a part-time nanny in the coming weeks, I am not sure how quickly I will progress. Below is my workspace before packing it up.

Another thing I learned is that I need to forget everything I’ve learned about writing - easier said than done - and learn the blogging way. This means less formal, more conversational and shorter chunks. It also means visuals so I will be inserting them whether they are necessary or not (see above).

In addition to learning about what I don't know and need to learn, I accomplished a few things this week:

• drove 80 miles to deliver mosaics for scanning, then repeated the process 2 days later to pick them up
  

• drove 120 miles to pick up and deliver some prints to a different venue

• filed my excise taxes (is it okay to admit that I'm fumbling in the dark here?) for the small amount of sales I made this quarter

• packed up my art supplies, including a box of eggshells

• redesigned my business cards

• set up a new bank account for BFY (I am still working on how to set up a separate budget within my budget app, You Need a Budget - which I highly recommend)

Is this remotely interesting to you guys? Hard to believe but I will press on.

I also was reminded of the importance of consistency so I will plan to post at least weekly for awhile with the goal of twice a week once I get the hang of this.

Thank you for your patience!

[the above was typed entirely without the help of Ai, except regarding spelling - just FYI]