WebSite Help

[Steve Michaud]

Hi Guys,

So I'm ready to take the plunge and start a website, but this is an area totally unfamiliar to me. I figured I would pool your collective thoughts on what makes a great music website for playing and teaching promotion. I'm willing to put some money into it in order to make it look nice and professional--any thoughts on the financial part of it would also be appreciated.

Thanks again!

Steve

[langmick]

Do you have an FB page up?

That is more important than a website, which should serve funnel people to FB, twitter etc, to interact with you and share links, videos etc.

Paul DeLong has a nice site. http://pauldelong.com/

Check out http://themeforest.net/ for Wordpress themes. You can go to Godaddy and get your hostname and web hosting, with wordpress, all set up.

From there, you need some photoshop skills and some HTML and CSS knowledge, but not much. You can do all this yourself.

[Steve Michaud]

Hi Langmick,

To answer your question--no, I do not (yet) have a Facebook page, but am planning to get one up very soon. In terms of getting hits for a Google search such as "Drum Instruction New England," would a Facebook page pop up on the first page, or would the website be needed for that?

Steve

[langmick]

Well, the first hit, and there is only one, is for an FB page. https://www.google.com/search?q="Drum+Instruction+New+England%2C"

Having a website, and links to your site, helps with SEO (search engine optimization). However, websites are somewhat static. Think of it as an EPK.

I would start with the fb, it is a really direct way to interact with folks. You can run targeted ads to a specific region and with specific user interests. And not for very much $. Hell, setting it up is free.

It is MUCH easier than getting a full blown website going, and gets your name out there very effectively. I personally wouldn't care about google search results as much as I would leveraging social media. The search results follow the more your name gets out there.

Your audience is kids, they are plugged into social media and expect quick results. Think about what they do and like. You also have their parents to impress, and they are most definitely on FB.

If you haven't bothered to get into photoshop, you should do it. Anything to help put forth a professional feel and look to your FB and website helps set yourself apart.

http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html

If you have videos of your (insanely great) playing, get them together, with proper titles and such, and post them to youtube and fb. It all helps.

Here's the fb page I put together for the PF tribute I play in. https://www.facebook.com/EchoesofPinkFloyd
Mike

[janne jansson]

I made my site
http://www.trumskolan.se with wix.com in 20 minutes..
It´s super easy.. and get FB....

[Julián Fernández]

I can´t stand sites that start playing music when loaded.
Think a simple, elegant design. Pro photos always help.
FB yes, but only if you´re gonna keep it updated.

[Steve Holmes]

starting a site over at www.wordpress.com isnt a bad idea. They make it easy, and you can buy a domain and point it to that site.

[Terry Branam]

Good luck Steve!! Can't wait to see some video lessons.

Would love to contribute some transcriptions.

Terry

[Steve Michaud]

Terry,

I wouldn't think of anyone else! :0)

Steve

[Steve Michaud]

Hi Guys,

I enlisted the ever industrious Terry Branam to put the website together for me, and now it's finally up. What do you guys think? http://www.stevemichauddrums.com/

Also, per your advice, I also just got onto FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steve-Mi ... 6445021245

Let me know if you have any other suggestions--either for the website or FaceBook.

Thanks again!

Steve Michaud