Is a Website a Good Idea

James M M Baldwin · Jan 25, 2006

Check out my new website. My site is to promote my newly finished book to publishers and agents, but I hope everyone will find it interesting. After checking out the various pages, click on the comments link and tell me what you think. Make sure to leave your location so I can see how far reaching my little web site can be.
The website can be accessed at
http://www.hometown.aol.com/edbaldhead/Joe...ophecyHome.html

Thanks
Ed

Takvah · Jan 25, 2006

Uhrmmm... I think that if you are going to use a website to promote yourself and your work that it should be done in a professional manner. I also think that it should be hosted on a pay service or a free service that does not clobber the viewer with ads and banners.

If you were not looking to promote your work to agents and publishers I would say that the site you have is fine. However, as you made that distinction I think you need to rethink your site. I don't think it achieves what you set out for it to do. God, I hope this isn't brutal, I don't want to be rude... I just want to be honest.

Cheers

Deleted member 42 · Jan 25, 2006

A web site is a good idea for many people, and for many reasons, but not to promote your book to agents or publishers--they don't go looking for material; they have enough to do dealing with the material that comes to them.

A web site is a good idea if you're doing it for fun, to reach other writers and readers in terms of finding like minded souls for your online "community," or because you want to learn HTML . .. lots of other reasons.

But not for the ones you cite.

azbikergirl · Jan 25, 2006

IMO the red on black is hard on the eyes. If I were an agent, the site would not grab my interest enough to want to read what the book was about. In general, I have doubts that a web site targeted to agents and publishers is worthwhile. Once the book is published, a web site has the potential of generating interest for readers if it's well done.

aka eraser · Jan 25, 2006

I gave Ed a 10-day time out because he spammed the board with the same message five times. I was charitable because of the (unlikely) possibility he's just an overzealous newbie.

Noob · Jan 25, 2006

I think you should remake your website some, before it will do you any good. Collers was screaming, and imo its a bad idea to make it so you have to scroll the frontpage to get all info.

If you know someone that have made some homepages, i am sure they can give you some tips on programming it. Setting it to a standard, so everyone will get the hole frontpage showing if they use small resolution, or big resolution on their screen.

Maybe a website isnt of so much use to getting agents or publisher deals.. but i am pretty sure it can be a BIG + in many other situations. For all that want info about you, what else you have published, what projects you working on+++ And if they like what they see they may tip a friend about the site (and they tip a new). If your lucky you can end up selling more that way.

Be sure to remember to add a link back to your site, in any profil you use. Doesnt matter where you browse or where you write post. Allways have a link to your website attached to profile.

I am sure you can benefit alot from having a website, even tho it may not be in the way it was intended.

Good luck

(sorry for my bad english)

James M M Baldwin · Feb 1, 2006

Takvah said:
Uhrmmm... I think that if you are going to use a website to promote yourself and your work that it should be done in a professional manner. I also think that it should be hosted on a pay service or a free service that does not clobber the viewer with ads and banners.

God, I hope this isn't brutal, I don't want to be rude... I just want to be honest.

Cheers

Thanks for the input. Maybe some day I'll be able to afford a "pay service." No constructive critisism is ever to brutal. Any other suggestions will be appreciated.

James M M Baldwin · Feb 1, 2006

aka eraser said:
I gave Ed a 10-day time out because he spammed the board with the same message five times. I was charitable because of the (unlikely) possibility he's just an overzealous newbie.

Maybe not so unlikey.

James M M Baldwin · Feb 1, 2006

Noob said:
Collers was screaming, and imo its a bad idea to make it so you have to scroll the frontpage to get all info.

For all that want info about you, what else you have published, what projects you working on+++ And if they like what they see they may tip a friend about the site (and they tip a new). If your lucky you can end up selling more that way.

Be sure to remember to add a link back to your site, in any profil you use. Doesnt matter where you browse or where you write post. Allways have a link to your website attached to profile.

Good luck

(sorry for my bad english)

"Collers was screaming, and imo its a bad idea" ??

I did put an author bio page on the site.

Thanks for the tip to add the link in the profile.

Deleted member 42 · Feb 1, 2006

edbaldhead said:
Maybe not so unlikey.

Obviously, some people can't learn from their mistakes, and are doomed to repeat them.

Birol · Feb 1, 2006

Ed, it is very unusual for Jenna to shorten the length of a ban put in place by one of her mods. In fact, I believe this is only the second time it has ever happened. The mods on these boards have both her trust and respect, which is something we take great pride in. Frank, especially, has earned both. A little graciousness and humility might not be unwise.

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Deleted member 42

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I really do look like this.

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