A special blog

Hi Everyone, this is a very special blog and after you read all about the fun stuff it is important that you keep scrolling to the end for something you need to know about...

What A Summer!

People have been traveling; by plane, by train, by motorcoach, by car.....anyone by motorcycle?

What is the best thing you have done this summer??????

So much happening in Gig Harbor this weekend, wonder what you will be doing?

  Wonder where you will find your FREE Art??  

Friday night in Skansie is the movie THE LORAX.  8:30 is the time.  Dr. Seuss' The Lorax is a 2012 American computer-animated 3D musical fantasy comedy film based on Dr. Seuss' children's book of the same name. 

This sounds tooo good to miss!!

 Saturday is 1st Saturday of the month art walk; 

 1 - 5pm.   

 Come and enjoy 3 potters at the Full Moon Gallery, 3155 Harborview Drive.  Victoria Hamilton, Mary Hosick and Kristin Love create beautiful pottery.  Lots to see in this gallery!


 
 

Stop by Kit's at 3104 Harborview Dr for unique jewelry.  Mostly one of a kind or limited series.  Always something special to admire at Kit's.

 

 Ebb Tide Gallery is a favorite in town, 7809 Pioneer Way.  This is one of Mark Ritchie's photo.

 Artist Ford Smith is featured at Water's Edge Gallery & Framery at 7808 Pioneer Way.  There's always great work to see here!





"In a world full of people who couldn't care less, be someone      who couldn't care more!"

The 14th Annual Juried Maritime Art Exhibt" is on display through August 25th at the Harbor History Museum and you'll see all kinds of great art all with a marine theme.

Saturday night in Skansie is FERN GULLY.  8:30 is the time.  
The magical inhabitants of a rainforest called FernGully fight to save their home that is threatened by logging and a polluting force of destruction called Hexxus.

 Gosh, we all love the Tuesday concerts downtown, the movies, the artwalk.  We have a great downtown area. Smithsonian magazine, Travel magazines love to promote our little harbor.  We are unique as we can still see our harbor, the water and the boats.
  Our Harbor is endangered.  If you enjoy your downtown, please take a moment to read and act cause this is really important.
  The City Council has before it a proposal to changing the zoning rules in downtown.  Some of that is good...but this zoning would also change Harborview Drive by turning it into one long corridor of 27', flat roof buildings.

 

The current view from Pioneer to Tides

 

The same view with the proposed corridor creating zoning

The Citizens for the Preservation of Gig Harbor Waterfront have a facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Citizens4ThePreservationOfGHWaterfront

 and an email address  citizens4ghwaterfront@gmail.com

 On this facebook page you will find more photos of  what will happen if you do not sign the petition for No new zoning anywhere on Harborview Drive.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?  

Simple:  Top of the page on the right is a petition button.  Give it a click and sign the petition and please share with your friends.

 This is urgent and you will make a difference to your town!

Thank you for signing, thank you for sharing!!! 

Where ever your footsteps take you,
go with great joy
and great kindness to one another!!!

Ding!! Ding!!! It's REason #11!!!!!

 If you are here to report on KINDNESS, kindly click on the Kindness page....
 
Yes, this is it.  Together we have made it to reason #11 Folks are not responding to your Facebook posts.
(By the way, I've been out of town for a bit and all the posts and blogs have been prescheduled....wonder if they worked....:})

11. You’re forgetting the most important thing…

I’ll let you in on a little secret – I personally have a very high standard for outright “liking” a post. So do 99.5% of fans of the top 200 brands on Facebook.

That’s right. A study found that just 0.5% of fans of these 200 brands were actively engaging the Page on a given week.

Don’t forget that people come to Facebook to connect with their friends and family first. Everything else is secondary.

There are a lot of lurkers out there – just because no one is responding doesn’t mean no one is reading!

Thanks for taking this ride with me. 

 I learned a ton of information on how I can make better Facebook posts. 

 Have you learned a lot?

 Well, this blog continues.  If you have marketing ideas or subjects you would like to know more about.....just leave me a note!!!  

It is all about social engagement, you know!

Where ever your footsteps take you,
go with great joy
and great kindness to one another!!!

Is this your story too?

Is this your story too???
 About this time 14 years ago Del and I visited Gig Harbor.  We had been looking for a place to move, from where we were living close to Pasadena in Southern California.  We walked down Harborview Dr falling in love with the harbor and it's view, sat on the deck at Tides Tavern, took in the beauty of the surroundings and said, "let's move to Gig Harbor!" 

  I imagine this is the story of a lot of folks who came to Gig Harbor for a visit.

We wanted to live in the harbor area, in downtown.  It was December of 1999 when we moved into our little house and set up a home and, as we were artists, set up our studio.  Here we have lived and worked and fallen more in love with Gig Harbor as the years have gone by.  Met lots of new friends.
  Our business prospered and when the economic slow down came, we found we could also slow down and it became time for us to give back.  Give back to the world in celebration of our new home, our good health and loving people we met in Gig Harbor.
  Del and I both became involved in volunteer activities.  I am so grateful to meet wonderful patients and staff when volunteering at Multicare Oncology.  As an artist, I have been so lucky to meet other wonderful Gig Harbor artists.  As one of our Arts Commissioners, and a volunteer for the Gig Harbor Film festival, I am fortunate to meet artistic people, and great volunteers  all the time.  We have a little project called Feel Good Free Art.  The purpose was to place little pieces of free art in local businesses and public locations where you might find them, be happy to be in Gig Harbor and visit again and again to that store or park.  
  What I have really found is that everyone you meet pretty much loves Gig Harbor and everyone, including you, give back to this community.  It is an honor to know some of you and see how much you care for our town and the people who live here.  Gig Harbor has lots and lots of unsung heros.

  There is one common thread for all of us. 

 When we need to think,

 looking for inspiration,

 want to spend time with friends

 or just enjoy nature..

.we all head down to this gorgeous waterfront, our harbor.

  Can you just imagine what the first settlers to Gig Harbor must have thought when they sailed into this beautiful spot of nature....the most beautiful place on earth.  To be able to look out at the water and shore and boats. You know, it doesn't get any better.

  We all love this waterview of our harbor. 

 But this view of the water and the boats and the shore is endangered. 

 Our harbor cannot talk but if it could, perhaps it would say;

 "Hey remember me? 

 You who come to me to enjoy my shoreline,

 you who come to me to enjoy nature,

 you who come to me for inspiration,

 you who come to me for outdoor adventure,

 you would come to me for the view...

.I cannot speak for myself. I need you to protect me for generations to come.

 I am in trouble and need you to speak for me." 

Monday evening, July 22, 5:30pm, in the Council Chambers in the Gig Harbor Civic Center, there is going to be a vote taken on whether to preserve your waterview of our harbor as you walk along Harborview Dr. 

 It is very simple.  

This new zoing change would mean that buildings along our waterfront could change to be 27 feet high, flat roof, 2 story buildings.  Changing from a pitched roof to a flat roof design means more square footage, more advantageous to build and this means your view of the waterfront will begin to be covered with buildings. 

 This first zoning concerns Harborview from about Rosedale to the Green Turtle. 

 The city has said that in 6 - 9 months it will look at zone changing for Finholm.  

There are plans in the city's planning department for Dorotich and Harborview.  

This vote on Monday evening could set a precendent for new 2 story, flat roof buildings on the waterside of Harborview. 

 Once a precedent has been set, it won't take long before those buildings cover the water view from Soundview to Peacock Hill.

Currently, the waterside of Harboview Drive is zoned differently from the uphill side of Harboview Driver.  

We all need to stand up for no new zoning rules for Harborview Dr. waterside.

Really, the remaining view of the harbor  needs to be protected for your kids and their kids and generations to come.

 Don't let anyone say this change is trivial. 

 To zone for covering up the view of our water is an insult to it's natural beauty. 

 If it is so trivial, why the big surge to push it through.  If no one has asked for it, why do it?

Do we want to model to our kids that buildings are more important than they natural beauty of our harbor?

Are you getting a little angry and don't want to take it any more?  Your caring and passion for this harbor is needed, and this is the last chance.

  You are needed to fill a seat at the Council meeting, 

July 22, 5:30, Council Chambers, Gig Harbor Civic Center

This is the exact case where one person, you, can make a real difference for either keeping the waterview or covering it up with buildings. 

Please feel free to share this link with your email list. Our harbor will thank you!

 

Perhaps you would like to send an email to our Mayor and Council members:

Chuck Hunter, Mayor  hunterc@cityofgigharbor.net

Tim Payne   tpayne@ema-Inc.com

Michael Perrow  perrowm@cityofgigharbor.net

Steve Ekberg 

EkbergS@cityofgigharbor.net

Jill Guernesy  guernseyj@cityofgigharbor.net

Paul Kadzik  paulkadzik@comcast.net

Ken Malich  MalichK@cityofgigharbor.net

Derek Young  YoungD@cityofgigharbor.net

 

Where ever your footsteps take you,
go with great joy
and great kindness to one another!!!

Reason #10

 If you are here to make a report on KINDNESS, kindly click on the Kindness page...
 
Reason #10 of 11, why folks are not responding to your Facebook posts....

10. You’re giving up too fast

Prepare for more than a few awkward dinner room silences.

 Building up an audience on Facebook takes time and

 engaging them can take even longer.

Your goal should be to establish a personality and establish what,

 exactly,

 people will find when they come to your Page. 

The rest should follow naturally.

Nonprofit FairyDogParents recently ran a survey to find out what fans wanted on the Facebook Page.

OR

You could have a survey on your page

 and ask folks what they would like to know more about.

DO REMEMBER 

Where ever your footsteps take you,
go with great joy
and great kindness to one another!!!

Reason #9....

 If you are here to make a report on Kindness, please click on the Kindness page...
 
Reason # 9, of 11, why folks are not responding to your Facebook post...

9. You’re not offering anything

Some businesses choose to use third-party apps like Social Campaigns to create contests that mandate fan participation as part of the entry:
 

 You can put together your own contest.......
BUT
Facebook says you need to use a 3rd party to run your contest...that seems to be important if you want to keep your page...and you do.

For every new "like" 

perhaps a art card from an artist,

 or

 how about for every like people can be entered in a drawing to win.....

one of those famous widgets,

or tickets to something

  So, likes in the bucket and draw out of the bucket for the winner.

  Heck I would like you!!!  Of course, I already do...

Where ever your footsteps take you,
go with great joy
and great kindness to one another!!!

Reason #8....

 If you are here to report on KINDNESS, please click on the Kindness page...
Reason #8, of 11, why people aren't responding to your Facebook posts....

8. Your Page has an identity crisis

Before your organization steps foot onto Facebook,

it can pay off to design an editorial calendar. 

(Now, I suggest this......)

This can give you a sense of what you’ll be posting on Facebook regularly.

But don’t get stuck on an editorial calendar, either. That risks putting your Page in a bobbing bubble of boring.

 Give yourself some flexibility to engage about current events in your business and in the industry at large.

(Really, weather can be pretty boring, but the below is not..)

Give your opinion when you’re sharing these things: that gives your Page a personality, and that personality (and your expertise!) is what fans will want to see.

 So, what can you say and how can you say it that will make me enjoy your widget...and make me want to know more about your widget, or your cause???

Where ever your footsteps take you,
go with great joy
and great kindness to one another!!!

Reason #7

 If you are here to make a report on KINDNESS, please click on the Kindness page....
 
Reason #7 of 11 why folks are not responding to your Facebook posts?
  We are making progress.....

7. You’re not returning the favor

Speaking of “return,” don’t forget to return the favor. 

Commenters should feel like their feedback is appreciated –

 otherwise, 

what’s the point of getting involved?

 Be sure to respond when appropriate.

 So, this one stands on it's own. 

 Facebook is a site for social engagement..

.that means 2 way engagement, and in a timely manner.

Heaven forbid, should someone not like your widget, 

 just offer them an opportunity offline to discuss, make things better...

By All Means

Engage!  

Some organizations have actual engagement teams, 

whose purpose is social engagement online

 and in person,

 especially in the nonprofit arena.  

Where ever your footsteps take you,
go with great joy
and great kindness to one another!!!

Reason #6

 If you are here to make a report on KINDNESS, please click the Kindness page...
 
Reason #6 Folks are not responding to your Facebook posts.....

6. You’re not asking ‘why?’

Every time you post something to Facebook and expect engagement,

 ask yourself,

 “Why would someone “like” this?”

People like posts because

 they agree with them,

 find them interesting,

 or

 find them funny. 

That’s about it.

 If there’s no passion in the post, then you won’t get any in return.

This site sends out updates on where the donated money goes...

If you are a nonprofit, are you showing folks where the donated money goes???  Start today

Where ever your footsteps take you,
go with great joy
and great kindness to one another!!!

Reason #5

 If you are here to make a report on KINDNESS, please click on the Kindness page....
 
Reason #5 People Aren't Responding to Your Facebook Posts...

5. You’re not sharing the right stuff

Since fans are passionate about your industry, you can bet that they expect news, tips, and photos that are from that industry.

 The idea is to start becoming a great community and,

 most importantly, a resource.

Confusing?

 Let’s say your business is a gym. 

You can share exercises and routines,

 but what else is your audience interested in? 

Well, it’s probably safe to assume that they wouldn’t mind healthy recipes, beauty advice, or posts that help them get to know their trainers a little better:

So, you become a knowledgeable resource in the area of all things fitness.

 

My cause is Kindness, and Peace

 to celebrate people and to inspire us.....

 to walk 1,000 miles in someone else's shoes before....well, you know the rest.

Where ever your footsteps take you,
go with great joy
and great kindness to one another!!!

Reason #4

 If you are here to make a report on KINDNESS, please click on the Kindness page..
Reason #4 People Aren't Responding to Your Facebook Posts...

4. You’re trying to sell without getting to know your customers

Fans Like your Page because they’re passionate about your organization, but they’re also passionate about your industry.

That means that the occasional post about a product is fine, but make it clear that there’s a reason behind the post.

 Maybe the product just came in,

 maybe it’s a solution for a recently published news article … 

 or maybe the photo just came out really well and you know your fans will love it:

Where ever your footsteps take you,
go with great joy
and great kindness to one another!!!

Reason #3...

 If you are here to report on KINDNESS, please click on the Kindness page.....
Reason #3 people aren't responding to your Facebook..

3. Every post is a block of black-and-white text

A Facebook Page that is crowded with an army of text isn’t just painful on the eyes, it’s boring. Smartphones and digital cameras have made it extremely easy to share pictures of what you do, so don’t neglect those opportunities!

OR 

Post pictures of your widget!

Post pictures of your painting......

Better Still

Post photos of people using your widget or you painting...

or volunteers in action 

Photos make it engaging and fun and interesting...

Where ever your footsteps take you,
go with great joy
and great kindness to one another!!!

So, folks are not responding to your facebook?

 If you are here to make a report on KINDNESS, please click on that page..
 
So, folks are not responding to your Facebook with a "like"?

One thing everyone needs to remember is that it is not important to get lots and lots of "likes".  You are after "likes" that matter. 

Reason #2 could be that the tone of your post is uninspiring.  

This does not mean there needs to be 100 !!!!!!!!! points at the end of every sentence, just make a little post about your passion.  Ok, I might just be talking to myself here cause I think I use a lot of those !!!'s.

Why are you so passionate about painting?

Why are you so passionate about widgets?

Why are you so passionate about your cause?

Kindness and Peace are my passion. 

 Perhaps my post should be:

 "what is the kindest thing that anyone has every done for you?"

or

"What is the Kindest thing that you have every done for someone?"

Just short and sweet and simple

Where ever your footsteps take you,
go with great joy
and great kindness to one another!!!

Are you feeling a little "unliked"?

Is Facebook making you feel a little "unliked"?

You know that silence during a dinner 

when, 

suddenly, no one has anything to say?

That uncomfortable silence is being recreated on Facebook Pages everywhere.

Businesses are asking questions

 that go unanswered

 and posting news items and product pictures that tragically go

 un-liked.

There are 11 reasons, perhaps more or less,

 that you might be getting the cold shoulder from fans, 

1. Your questions are too personal....

Many small businesses and organizations know that questions can get fans involved, but it’s a certain kind of question.

 Don’t ask people what they’re doing for the weekend – if they want to share those plans on Facebook, they’ll do so with their friends.

Instead, 

focus on questions that directly engage what you know your audience is interested in

. How do you know your audience’s interests? 

 Well, they liked your Page, so they must like your industry. Go with that:

example: 

" If you would paint a landscape, where would it be?

If you knew your donation was going to educate girls..how would you help?" 

OR.....

Now you come up with a question folks will want to answer on your topic/cause.

(Come back for #2.......)

Where ever your footsteps take you,
go with great joy
and great kindness to one another!!!

Are you feeling Unliked?...

  If you are here to make a report on Kindness, kindly click on that page...

 Reason #2 for feeling "unliked" on Facebook... 

2. The tone of the post is uninspiring

Remember, Facebook isn’t necessarily a business environment. 

You want to keep things conversational and inspiring.

That doesn’t mean you need to throw eight exclamation points at the end of every post, just be positive and try not to sound like a robot......or put in tooo much color...:-)

The best part is that, 

if you do hit the right tone,

 you can post about almost anything:

 How about....

Instead of you raised $20,000 for cancer research

Tell a story of what exactly the $20,000 means..is it a research assistant for 3 months..?  Tell a story that people can relate to....

If someone purchases a landscape, give them a story about where it was painted and what was happening....

If you are selling a widget, what has that widget done for another customer? 

(What do you suppose reason #3 will be???) 

Where ever your footsteps take you,
go with great joy
and great kindness to one another!!!

Social Media for Artists

If you are here to make a report on Kindness, kindly click on that page....

10 Social Networks for Artists

Are you looking to network with other artists around the world?
Are you looking to connect with galleries, art collectors and curators?
Are you looking to post your portfolio to more sites on the web?
Are you looking for call for entry, competitions, exhibitions, freelancing, and art licensing opportunities?
Are you looking to keep up with all things artistic?

The below 10 Social Networks for Artists..

...those are a great place to start!!!

1 - CultureInside Gallery

Culture Inside Gallery is a gallery run social network, and includes space for artists to add artworks, biography, artist statement, and an art blog.

 2 - LabforCulture.org

Lab for Culture is a European social network for artists and art lovers. Members may create a blog, start an art group, and add links to other profiles and websites.

Read current art news, keep track of art events and exhibitions, and find art jobs in Europe.

3 - Artreview.com

Artreview.com members are curators, art galleries, collectors, and artists. Artists may create their a portfolio, and include audio, video, blogs, and artwork, which can be rated by other Artreview members.

. Keep track of art events from around the world with Artcalendr, a public listing of exhibitions, art shows, and more. Old and recent articles from Artreview magazine may be read directly onsite. 

4 - Artslant.com

The free membership at Artslant.com is available to all artists. At Artslant, artists can include a profile along with an unlimited artwork slideshow… and a personal blog. Artworks are also showcased at Artshow, to be seen by thousands of daily art buyers.

 Include your best artworks, as this is an exceptional place to receive art world connections.

5 - Artbistro

Join Artbistro to network with other artists, participate in art groups, and benefit from the many resources for artists.

Artbistro is filled with resources for artists, which include  tips on art careers, freelancing, art galleries, art marketing, portfolio tips, and art licensing.

6 - Artlog.com

Artlog is a place for following contemporary fine artists from around the world, as well as museums and galleries. It is a community to oversee current art trends.

Artlog has a listing of current art events, resources, and articles.  Artists may add a short bio, and an artist website, but no artwork. This site seems to be strictly for keeping up to date with gallery shows and exhibitions.

7 - Artists2Artists.net

Join Artists 2 Artists to socialize with artists, art gallery owners, curators, art collectors, and more. Members may exhibit a portfolio of their art, and create forums, blogs, and groups. Artists2Artists also includes recent art news, and listings of artist opportunities.

8 - Rhizome.org

Rhizome.org free members may add a portfolio, and submit artwork to Artbase. The site includes discussion forums, calls for entry listings, an art jobs board, and listings of events and exhibitions. The blog articles feature contemporary art issues and happenings.

9 - Artrise.com

At Artrise, artists may build their own portfolio site and network with other artists, galleries,  and collectors from around the world.

Join art groups, find galleries, apply for calls for entry and art competitions, and search for art job.

10 - Behance

At Behance, enter information within Career Manager to let companies know you are available for freelancing and consulting work. If you would like to list artworks as for sale, search for instructions in the Sell my Products section.

Thanks to artpromotivate for the links.

Where ever your footsteps take you,
go with great joy
and great kindness to one another!!!

 

Top of Form