Alison Gresik: A Web Marketing Example for Artists, Writers, and Coaches

Alison Gresik is a writer and creativity coach currently based in Vancouver, BC, whose work I've encountered through the literary journal I work for, Image. Since many of our blog posts focus on larger companies, I thought I'd take a look at what constitutes excellent web marketing for a personal brand--and Alison's creativity coaching site immediately came to mind. I'd describe her approach as one that's perfectly tooled towards "web-based word-of-mouth."  

Alison's website (self-titled, with a byline of "Design Your Art-Committed Life") has a bifold purpose: to promote her services as a creativity coach and to showcase and promote her writing, published in Alison Gresik's Field Guide to Truth and Beauty and the upcoming Pilgrimage of Desire. As a creativity coach Alison clearly needs to gain the trust of her clients even before they make the commitment to sign up for coaching, and the warm, personal, self-revelatory blog posts she publishes on her website are a wonderful way to make a connection with potential clients. One of her most widely shared posts details her journey through what she calls "walking depression," an illness that took her longer to acknowledge because she was still functioning (in the practical sense) as normal. Alison's story of her illness and her recovery is a relatable one to many creative people, and whether online or in-person, making yourself vulnerable to others is a way to disarm them and create a bond. Plus, when you feel like you know someone, you're more likely to want to talk them up, whether in person or on the web (as I'm doing right now!).

Speaking of connection, Alison's website always shares the love with a sizable list of shout-outs and links at the end of every post. She never fails to point out other creativity coaches, artists, friends, and articles that have inspired her--which works on so many levels that I don't know why more bloggers or web-based entrepreneurs don't do it. More links is better for SEO, and it's rewarding for readers who are looking for a variety of content. Plus, giving others recognition builds relationship and goodwill with them, and builds an image of being confident, curious, and interesting to third-party readers.