Hi Everyone! Below is a progress update with some fun bits of info regarding how The Untapped Source is coming along…Remember to use our suggestion box in the Artist Access Center and give us your thoughts or suggestions regarding the blog or any improvements you’d like to see regarding The Untapped Source.

Per usual, I’ve highlighted the main points in orange if you’re just a skimmer of text…

BELOW YOU WILL FIND GRAPHICS THAT ILLUSTRATE WHAT WE’RE UP TO!

1.) Viewing the Artwork Update

2.) HTML in BIO Section

3.) New FREE Color Paper Samples!

4.) Tutorial Program

5.) Big Things Still in the works

6.) The Little Things

7.) PROMOTE YOUR WORK TO THE FULLEST With Our Help!

8.) Artist Buy Program doing very well!

1.) In keeping with our goals to update the viewing experience of the gallery, we’ve decided to change things up a bit in the way artwork is viewed. We’re working on a method that will be friendlier to viewing the artwork and with multiple views in mind. We are working toward a method where you will be able to show off the print image, as well as multiple CLOSE UP images so you can REALLY SHOW YOUR WORK OFF and let viewers/customers know what it’s really all about! It will all be in a very simple, clean format as well. This is something being worked on and incorporated into the automation process. Look out for this, it’s really gonna turn out to be a powerful tool.

2.) You will soon be able to use HTML in your Bio section. You will be allowed to format text and add limited images to your page as well. This is the first preliminary step to personalizing your page. More additions such as this are coming along well and will be available in the future. Bio’s will still come through our admin for verification, but in the future will of course be automatic when automation is complete. We’re still working out a few kinks with your personal pages to keep the formatting clean, but it should be up and running very soon.

3.) Order your FREE PAPER SAMPLES…NOW WITH COLOR GRAPHICS to show off the ins and outs of each paper type! The order form is located in the Artist Access Center under “Artist Buy Pricing”. We’ll send the samples out within 48 hours of your request! Here’s what the graphic printed on each sample looks like:

4.) We’ve just finished working on a few tutorials and are working on many more. Check out the tutorial tab now available in the Artist Access Center. If anyone has any tutorials they would like to submit, you can submit a link or send an email regarding the tutorial to tutorials@theuntappedsource.com.

5.) We’re still plugging away at the Automation of the site, and getting VERY CLOSE to finishing up the Artist Cart System which is going to be very cool and very useful. You’ll be able to buy prints that are currently available in your gallery at The Untapped Source…and you’ll also have the ability to upload files and get prints at ANY SIZE…IE, 5×35” inches if you like!

6.) The little things…really do mean a lot! Here are a few little things we’ve updated and added to make things better.- Portraits and Character Portraits now re-classified as “Portraits > People” and “Portraits > Characters“…we’ve also added the size 22×28″ to our list of sizes, so resubmit images you feel better fit that size, and make sure to make a note of it in the “notes” section…and just plain old keep the size in mind for the future!

- Crop/Border and Optimal Sizing Boxes in Artist Access Center

-In the Artist Access Center, when you add new artwork, you are now asked to state whether you would like us to Crop or Border your work if necessary, as well as what you feel might be the optimal size for printing that work. You can choose to border in grey, white or black if you chose border as your option. If your work is sized in the proper format (ratio) it will of course be left alone regardless of your crop/border choice

-We’ve removed photorag bright white from our paper type offerings. It’s much too similar to our premium matte paper offering. We’re looking into some satin papers at the moment to add to our listings.
-Groups/Studios page will be removed for the time being until we revamp the program

7.) Last But Not Least:
IMPORTANT: Remember to use your artist banners that we provide in the Artist Access Center in the FAQ tab for advertising your work at The Untapped Source. Those making the most sales and drawing the most users are advertising. The banners are great looking and come in all kinds of sizes! Here’s 1 example (there are 7 different sizes and designs to choose from):

Here’s the reference code:

<a href=”http://www.theuntappedsource.com” target=”_blank”> <img src=”http://www.theuntappedsource.com/link/artist-468×60.jpg” alt=”Buy my Fine Art Prints at The Untapped Source” style=”border:1px solid #cccccc;” /></a>

NOTE: you can replace http://www.theuntappedsource.com in the first line of the code with your direct link or subdomain to go directly to you page.

8.) Thanks to all the artists using the ARTIST BUY PROGRAM to purchase your own prints! It’s been a resounding success and a big reason we get to keep putting money back into making the design and services The Untapped Source provides EVEN BETTER! You can view the Artist Buy Pricing in the Artist Access Center to check out the great prices on the best printing materials available anywhere.

Drew

Artist/Admin/Founder

The Untapped Source

Tags: advertising, artist buy pricing update, Artwork Update, Banners, Color Samples, HTML bio's, Paper Sample Program, Project Work, Tutorials

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 at 12:14 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.