Static vs. Active
14 Oct
A reader writes:
I am not much of a self-promoter, and, at least online, I prefer to keep a relatively low profile. But about five years ago, fresh out of a summer seminar on publishing, I decided that I wanted my own web site to promote my freelance editing business.
Since then I’ve discovered I really don’t have much of an interest in doing freelance editing and have gotten into radio. Or writing. Or graphic design. Or home remodeling. Or whatever else strikes my fancy. But I will still do freelance editing if the job’s right.
Anyway, I have this web site, and have done NOTHING with it. How do I awesomize it without it being entirely an online résumé/business card with “Hey look what I can do!” links to all my stuff, or just a blog site filled with stories about what I had for lunch today?
Of course, if it has elements of all of these things without being just one of them, that’d be OK. I guess something is better than nothing?
The decision between an active site and a static site has to be put in the context of your overall plan. I love what Miranda July did for her book No One Belongs Here More Than You. It’s static, but it’s also ridiculously delightful. A site doesn’t have to change to be dynamic.
Of course, Miranda July has a presence in other media. Her web stuff is just one component of what she does. But let’s say you don’t have that kind of cultural footprint. Then you’ll want a site that invites people to come back again and again. Maybe it’s a blog. Maybe it’s something that doesn’t have a name yet. Whatever it is, your site helps you build your audience, make connections to other artists in your community, and maybe even get you some press attention.
Final thought: something is never better than nothing. I believe that if you’re going to make the effort, then make the effort. Yes, there are millions of websites and we’re all blog weary and tired, but a great site can still make an impact. Even if you’re starting from zero, you owe it to people to bring them your loud, hot thunder.
Tags: internet
Good advice (and a new site to check out) — thanks for both. The Questioner has so many interests, he could attract a wide following of media hobbyists, or start reviewing areas of his interest, books on his subjects, etc. That can expand into author/performer interviews, and so on.
To further kibitz on your answer, alternates to a blog may include a calendar site linking to other events in the arena, like demos, performances, seminars, etc.
Or a review/contest site, where people write reviews on his topic and post them, other vote on the most helpful and a prize is awarded weekly or monthly.
Or a static brochure site that updates weekly with new tips in his field that others find useful enough to subscribe to/revisit for.
Or a static brochure site that updates with trivia for fans of his interests… audio recordings of part of his work, links to YouTube for like-minded performances, etc.
And he should read everything that wonderful Naomi Dunford posts on her small business marketing blog, http://www.IttyBiz.com — performers ARE small businesses, and so are many blogs.
Hey, nice new site! Clean, lean, efficient, like great writing.
Dennis – love the new site and the new look. Things are really crispy. And I loved the Miranda July site. Time after time I find myself showing things I hear about from you to other folks. I’ll be back ya heard.
I too love the new site! Much cleaner & easier & I no longer feel guilty for not posting a photo on the NING one. Also, I enjoyed the Miranda July site, it’s heartening to see a website that isn’t a beast you have to feed 9 times a day. Finally: The bear! I love the bear.
Haven’t had a chance to check the rest out, but this post is right on.