subject: Google Alerts Rescue Exhibit [print this page] Google Alerts Rescue Exhibit Google Alerts Rescue Exhibit
Google provides so many wonderful tools that some of the most helpful of these may go unused and virtually unknown. The one I would like to praise is Google Alerts. When I first employed this tool, I thought I was initiating an alert to let me know when someone was using Google to search for me or one of my websites. The purpose of Google Alerts is actually to keep you updated on any news that appears on a given search topic. This could include news items, press releases, or newly published information about a website that you are interested in keeping tabs on.
Once you have set up an account with Google and navigated to the products page, you will see Alerts tops the list. Once you follow the simple instructions, whenever a related news item is published online, you will receive a notice in your email account.
On one particular occasion this handy tool saved my bacon. I had entered artwork in a juried exhibit in another city and state. The date for notification came and went, and since I had heard nothing from the entity, I assumed that my entry had been rejected. Thankfully, before the deadline for shipping had expired, I received a Google Alert keyed to my name. I was surprised to read a press release from the gallery listing the selected artists, of which I was one. After several calls to Chicago, I was able to contact the juror and confirm that my work had been selected for the exhibit. Somehow, I was skipped when the notifications were sent out. But, because of Google Alerts, I was able to contact, confirm acceptance, and get my artwork shipped in time for the opening.
If not for this handy alert, I would have never known of my accepted entry. I would have missed out on an opportunity to have my artwork viewed in a very important venue and an excellent new market.
