Home Run
Every Tuesday morning at 7:00 am I attend the Arlington Chapter of BNI – Business Network International. Every morning at 7:00 am each of us gives a 45 second commercial of our business. This morning our commercials were themed “Fenway Park.”
I have limited exposure to Fenway Park and the last time I went there was to hear Sir Paul but I realized I experienced something that is common to anyone in that area.
If you’ve ever been stuck in the traffic when the game gets out, there are cars everywhere and everyone is trying to get to the exit first.
That’s your website. Competition everywhere trying to get to the same consumer first.
It’s not just one approach that’s going to get you there. It’s what you say, how you present yourself and what you do to get noticed. Some web development companies will try to convince you it’s all about SEO, but it’s the combination of all three that will get your website a home run.
The internet and privacy
Lately, I’ve been seeing the proliferation of opinions about our lack of privacy on the internet. Tina Tequila has discovered the downside of being too public (as if that matters). The same with Jim Carrey and the woman who too enthusiastically criticized her boss. What amazes me the most is that, shock-of-shock, people are actually surprised that all of this is happening.
This latest very long article is from CNN’s tech blog. Of of the points it makes, the most relevant one is in the sidebar. “If people online only share worthwhile info, these services might be more useful.” Thank you for that!
Privacy and the Web’s signal-to-noise ratio
BTW, I consider this blog to be worthwhile info.
Killa Appz
The most innovative, and possibly the funniest, self promotion of a web developer I’ve ever seen. Good job, Dave Berzack. Killa Appz
“All I want to do is write a plan and architect implement the project and make you money.”
Amanda Palmer in Cabaret…
…gave the most amazing performance I’ve ever seen. In a very talented cast, she was electric. And Steven Bogart’s skill in presenting a familiar story in an unusual way absolutely took my breath away.
If you’ve never seen Amanda Palmer perform, you must.
And now for my second act…
I spent the day at the Microsoft NERD center in Cambridge today learning how to apply WordPress to website construction. The course was sponsored by BostonWordpress and given by the most wonderful (blatant plug here) WordPress expert Amanda Blum of howlingzoe.com.
From what I can see so far, WordPress is relatively simple to set up initially, but much more difficult to manage if you want your site to look distinctive. However there’s no question that WordPress is part of our web landscape now and will become the platform of choice when it offers the option of customized design.
So I’m signed up for two more courses and WordCamp Boston in the spring. And maybe I can maneuver a WordCamp in Phoenix this January if I play my cards right.
There’s another series of excellent training classes being given by Boston ?PHP?. Saturday I spent the day at an intermediate PHP class and I have to say my brain hurt by the end of the day. PHP is server side database scripting and you do need developer brain cells to manage it. But the instructor Michael Bourque assisted by Bobby Cahill were terrific and kept us involved and (mostly) on track.
So now there’s just HTML5, CSS3 and all social media left to master and I should be all set for the next 6 months.
Don’t do what I do.
I started doing something that makes branding people (except for me, of course) crazy. I’ve been playing with the WordPress themes and having a great time. But every time I do I give myself a new look (and walk away from my brand). And you know what? It’s been fun.
Maintaining your company’s brand is critically important to keep your customers’ recognition and perception of your company and what it promises. It’s almost sacred.
Yeah, yeah. My website does that, my business card does that. This week my blog is a messy desk.
How a web design goes straight to hell*
* This is the actual title. Very funny and only slightly exaggerated process of client relations. Thanks Chris Monaco of Tube Media for sharing this.
Chuck Ingala has arrived
It’s a new day!!!!
Just took Chuck Ingala through the process of setting up his website and it’s very exciting.
Is your blog the unpopular kid?
The very funny ladies from “Stuff Hipsters Hate” have done it again. I’m sure we can all find ourselves in their latest – “Is your blog the unpopular kid?“