the importance of having your own website
DESCRIPTION
This is my presentation from the indie biz chicks conference. I discuss the "why" in website - why it is more important now than ever before to have your own website, even if you are a micro or indie entrepreneur. I go into a little detail regarding content marketing and how a feature rich website can do a lot of the heavy lifting in driving traffic to your website.TRANSCRIPT
The Why in Website(Why every indie biz chick needs one.)
by Jennifer Rapp Peterson
Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.
IndieMade is a website host and platform designed specifically for artists, writers and indie entrepreneurs. Every site comes fully integrated with a store + blog + image galleries + news + calendar + pages + SEO + social sharing and amplification. And its ridiculously easy to use.
Your content should work for YOU.
Jennifer Rapp Peterson – “Indie Maiden”
Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.
YOUThe Artist
Your Brand
BlogPortfolio
Marketplace
PhotoSharing
Social Networks
Event Calendar
Where are you (your content) online?
Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.
I call this ULBCS(URL-Laden Business Card Syndrome)
Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.
• Not professional• Scattered around, asking too much of your
audience• Difficult to maintain and update• Hard to maintain brand consistence• Often pieces don’t work together• Your very own content doesn’t promote
YOU
www.YOU.com
Blog
Portfolio
Store
The remedy: your very own website.A website that WORKS for YOU
Social
Calendar
Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.
Professional, branded websites
Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.
Register your domain $75/yr.
Hire graphic designer
Develop and gather your content:photos, website copy, blog ideas, products to sell, events to share
Hire programmer
Sign up for web hosting
Turn content over to designer
Wait for graphic designer and programmer to complete & publish site
IN THE OLDEN DAYS NOW USING HOSTED CMS
Changes / Additions $25 - $200/hr
UP FRONT COST $500 - $10,000+
Register your domain $12/yr.
HOSTED CMS (Content Management System)
Upload your content
Your site is published
Develop and gather your content:photos, website copy, blog ideas, products to sell, events to share
Update your own site Free
Pay monthly hosting fee $10 - $25/mo
Pay monthly fee $5 - $20/mo
UP FRONT COST 0
Content rich websites work for you:
Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.
1) Conveys professionalism2) Easier on you and your customers3) Your brand’s “hub” online4) You are in control of your site5) Your content works for YOU6) Foundation for building a strong brand
and business online
Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.
Building the “right” website allows all of your content to work for you. This is called Content Marketing.
www.YOU.com
BlogRSS
Portfolio
Store News
Calendar
Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.
Your website becomes a CONTENT MARKETING PLATFORM
SHARE CONTENT AND INVITATION BACK TO WEBSITE WITH YOUR
NETWORK
NETWORKS
NETWORKS
NETWORKS
spiders & robots give you love
Website MUSTs• Site Map and easy navigation• FAST. Milliseconds matter.• Designed for all of your content• Easy editing and updating of content• SEO-Friendly – (the spiders and robots)• Blog – a must have on any website• Social Integration – a must for
harnessing the power of social media• Social Amplification – this gives your
site’s visitors the ability to share your content easily to their social networks
SEO
Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.
Depending on what you do, the things you need on your website:
• Store module – if you intend to sell products, downloads, services or seats in your audience
• Portfolio module – if you are a visual artist needing a place to showcase your work
• News archive (press mentions, etc.)• Calendar module – if you teach classes,
show in galleries, exhibit at art fairs, play concerts or have scheduled performances
• Custom pages as necessary
Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.
Content Marketing
Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.
What type of content can I create on my website? The basics:
• Products & good descriptions• Your work - Images, video or writing• Write about you – behind the scenes• Share resources and link to them• Write about what you know• What would people find VALUABLE?
Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.
What types of content do people consume?
Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.
Listen first. Find the opportunity in community conversations.
• What needs are not being served?• Where are the gaps in the knowledge being
shared? Look at information as a commodity.• How can I bring value to the conversation?• How is my voice different from the rest?• What other kinds of customers need my
expertise?
Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.
Content marketing plays to the strength of creatives.
• Even playing field – the democratization of marketing
• Working artists are expressive and prolific• It keeps you creating and in touch with your
“muse”• You don’t have to really often, consistency is
key
Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.
Share and engage.• Provide an RSS feed to your blog• Participate in conversations online – communities,
blogs, social networks• Share your content links (and others’ content)
consistently on social media• Give your audience the ability to share your
content simply and easily (social amplification)
Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.
Social Sharing and Amplification
Let’s Review1. Get a professional website.2. Pull yourself together with the right features.3. Listen to the social “conversation,” find the
opportunity.4. Add quality content consistently.5. Share your content with links.6. Start conversations. Ask questions. Answer
questions.7. Share yourself and your resources.
Thank you!
Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.