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magicsam Regular user 117 Posts |
I am currently designing a website (with a cool program called 'Web Easy Professional 5).
I'm interested to know what everyone else has on their websites (ie. what do you write about your biography, shows, links, etc...)? Do you talk about yourself in the third person? I do children's shows, so what do you think would be a good, interesting first page that would grab people's atttention? As much info as possible would be much appreciated! Thanks. Sam |
hoodrat Veteran user Southern California 388 Posts |
I am currently re-designing and updating my website which I designed myself two years ago (because I now have my own small business). I talk about myself in the third person -- I, too, had the same question and someone told me that third person is the way to do it.
I am using Dreamweaver 4 again to re-design my website. I have the Dummies guide to Dreamweaver 4, but it is still difficult to figure out. The book isn't too detailed. But I did it two years ago, so I will be able to figure it out again. |
KerryJK Special user Northampton UK 621 Posts |
I still need to get the pictures, videos and possibly a domain name finalized for our site before it goes online. But approach we're taking is third person for the biog parts (as convention demands), then a more personal approach for the rest, because we want it to be a more involved experience than a cold corporate online business card. I want people who come to feel like they know us and want to take an interest in what we get up to.
As such we'll have interactive feedback sections (ie guestbook), commentaries on what we're up to, a decent links page and silly stuff such as the "Naff Illusions" skit that I've already posted a preview of (see seperate thread) that's there to get people looking at the site for other reasons. On the way through, they'll notice we've got a magic act too. |
drwilson Inner circle Bar Harbor, ME 2191 Posts |
Sam,
I just revised my site. Please see: http://www.memoryelixir.com From the new site, you can see that you want people to know who you are, what you do, and how to get in touch with you. If your upcoming performances are open to the public (rather than private parties) you should post them. Testimonials from satisfied customers are good too. Everyone likes pictures of you in action; get good ones. My character is a snake-oil salesman, so no self-promotion is too shameless. I write about myself in the third person, often in an overblown style that people interpret as part of the fun of the show. For kid's shows, you want pictures of you surrounded by laughing kids on your home page. You want links to hand-written testimonials from happy parents. A thank-you from a kid (scanned, with kid's handwriting) would be wonderful. Imagine a thank-you that included a kid's drawing of you performing. Why not hold a kid's art contest where every entry gets a prize? Use the best ones on the web (not on your front page). I am really old-fashioned (not just my character). I designed my site without an HTML authoring tool, I just write every one of the pages with BBEdit for the Mac. It is the world's greatest text editor. If you write your own HTML you can make your pages scream in the search engines. You should definitely buy your own domain name rather than hosting at some site with a URL that isn't really yours. PM me if you like for more details; good luck. Yours, Paul |
JoeJoe Inner circle Myrtle Beach 1915 Posts |
Third-person is the way to go for sure! On my pages, I say something like "to secure your booking, contact JoeJoe directly at" bla bla bla. Nobodys ever called, but I just setup the site and right now it only gets a couple of hits a day mostly other magicians.
As for what to put in your website, the exact same stuff you put in your direct mailings. The blue marble border on my site is the same letterhead I use. The who, what, where, when, and why stuff and anything else you've learned from your "booking yourself" audio tapes or other type marketing courses all apply on the internet. JoeJoe
Amazing JoeJoe on YouTube[url=https://www.youtube.com/user/AmazingJoeJoe]
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Websites inform or sell, like specialization, what is it you want to accomplish?
If Birthday parties is what you want to do, then, specialize on that. Your website must show the world your'e available. You can inform them of what you do or you can sell to them your services.
Dennis Michael
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Bill Scarlett Veteran user Vermont 366 Posts |
I am a big believer in simplicity in general and when it comes to websites. I have a one page site that tells who I am, the services I offer, some action photos, some references and how to get in touch with me. I think that people can go overboard with bells and whistles that don't neccesarily get you any more bookings.
Also, I generate most of my business through the yellow pages and not a lot through my website. With the millions (or is it billions?) of websites out there, the odds of someone from my area of rural Vermont finding my site easily are slim. I see my site as an adjunct to my advertising and often refer callers to it. When I am doing a large public show, I don't do a big advertisement, but do mention my website as a place they can get more information about me. |
lordblasto New user Detroit.Mich. USA 14 Posts |
Quote: Bill seems to have nailed it with this quote. Once you build your site and add a counter. That counter won't move. Unless you submit to many different search engines. So with the time you put in to building a site. As much effort is needed to get it out there. Most of my shows come from word of mouth or write-ups I get locally. Of course handing out business cards plays huge also. I've treated my website totally different than the norm. Out of knowing how very rare it is for the "I'm looking for a magician" type to find me. Have it showcase you as Bill suggests and have fun doing it...With the millions (or is it billions?) of websites out there, the odds of someone from my area of rural Vermont finding my site easily are slim.
Magic is. For if magic is of the mind. www.lordblasto.com
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JoeJoe Inner circle Myrtle Beach 1915 Posts |
Yes, I think Bill has hit the nail on the head - I am not spending a great deal of time on internet promotion, but I do put my website URL on my business cards and I have refered callers to it. I also plan on doing some type of card trick where I can write my url on the card and let them keep it as a souviouner.
I am considering using it as my primary contact in ads - instead of my phone number. That way, they can goto the website where I can pre-qualify them and if they are still interested in a booking, they can call me or maybe an email ty[e form. What do ya'all think about this approach?
Amazing JoeJoe on YouTube[url=https://www.youtube.com/user/AmazingJoeJoe]
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magicsam Regular user 117 Posts |
Thanks everyone for all the help. My website is http://www.magicsam.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk . If anyone has any time to review it, I would be really grateful! I accept criticisms openly!
Thanks again. Sam |
Jim Wilder Special user Birmingham, AL 954 Posts |
Sam,
Your site looks excellent. Toss some pics of you performing on the site... it may generate some more interest for potential buyers. |
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