What I Learned About Getting Found by ChatGPT—And Why You Should Care Too

Spoiler: you can’t just “list” your work on ChatGPT.

May 03, 2025

I’ve been sitting with this question for a while now:

How do people find our work when they don’t even know what to look for?

It’s one thing when someone walks into your show, stumbles across your Instagram, or hears about you from a friend. But what about the quiet moments? The late-night searches, the questions typed into ChatGPT that start with “What’s a good gift for someone going through something hard?” or “Where can I find meaningful art about healing?”

AI tools are shaping how people discover things—and I decided it was time to figure out how my own work could show up in that conversation.

So I ran a little experiment.
I took a closer look at one of my favorite collections—From Pieces to Purpose—and asked: Would AI know how to recommend this to someone who needs it?

Spoiler: not unless I helped it.

Here’s What I Changed—And What You Can Try Too

I didn’t overhaul my entire website.
I didn’t hire an expert.
I just made a few intentional tweaks that helped both people and AI better understand what my work is about.

Here’s what I learned:

1. Your Words Matter More Than You Think

I rewrote my product descriptions to sound more like how real people talk. Instead of saying:

“10x10 mixed media canvas with hand-cut paper squares”

I shifted it to say:

“An original abstract collage that represents transformation and healing, made with layered painted paper and finished with a gold frame as a symbol of wholeness.”

Why? Because ChatGPT answers questions the way people ask them. When someone types:

“Where can I find original art that symbolizes growth?”
“What’s a meaningful wall piece for a new season in life?”

—you want your language to align.

2. I Got Specific with My Visuals

On each product, I updated the alt text for images. Instead of “IMG_9452,” I now have things like:

“From Pieces to Purpose original collage – abstract paper art on canvas with gold border, symbolizing resilience and renewal.”

It helps with accessibility and gives AI something real to hold onto when crawling your site.

3. I Stopped Being Afraid of Repeating Myself

On my About page, I made sure to say my full name and business name a few times:

“I’m Leah Wilkerson, and I created Wilkerson Works to share art that reflects hope, healing, and the journey of becoming whole.”

That way, when someone mentions me online—or asks ChatGPT about artists who make work like mine—there’s a trail to follow.

4. I Started Thinking in Conversations

This shift has been the biggest. Instead of writing copy like I’m creating a catalog, I try to write like I’m answering a question someone might genuinely ask.

“What’s something beautiful I could give to a friend who’s starting over?”
“Where can I find abstract art that tells a story?”

If you’re a maker, artist, or business owner—try reading your site out loud. Does it sound like something that would come up in a heartfelt conversation?

Know someone who’d love this or find it helpful? This post is public—feel free to pass it along and spread the goodness!

What This Has to Do with You

You don’t need to overhaul your site either.
You just need to make it a little easier for the right people—and the AI that helps them—to understand what you do and why it matters.

If you’re selling products with meaning, your story is part of the value.
Let your words reflect that.

Want help brainstorming how to apply this to your own site? I’m thinking about putting together a mini workshop with a good friend, Meg Link. Check out her Substack “The Branding Edit”. Reply if you’re in.

Let’s help people find your beautiful work—because it deserves to be seen.

With you in this,
Leah