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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.

The Importance of Having Your Own Website

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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.

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Page 1: The Importance of Having Your Own Website

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.

Page 2: The Importance of Having Your Own Website

Jennifer Rapp Peterson – “Indie Maiden”

Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.

Page 3: The Importance of Having Your Own Website

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.

Page 4: The Importance of Having Your Own Website

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

Page 5: The Importance of Having Your Own Website

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.

Page 6: The Importance of Having Your Own Website

Professional, branded websites

Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.

Page 7: The Importance of Having Your Own Website

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

Page 8: The Importance of Having Your Own Website

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

Page 9: The Importance of Having Your Own Website

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.

Page 10: The Importance of Having Your Own Website

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

Page 11: The Importance of Having Your Own Website

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.

Page 12: The Importance of Having Your Own Website

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.

Page 13: The Importance of Having Your Own Website

Content Marketing

Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.

Page 14: The Importance of Having Your Own Website

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.

Page 15: The Importance of Having Your Own Website

What types of content do people consume?

Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.

Page 16: The Importance of Having Your Own Website

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.

Page 17: The Importance of Having Your Own Website

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.

Page 18: The Importance of Having Your Own Website

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.

Page 19: The Importance of Having Your Own Website

Social Sharing and Amplification

Page 20: The Importance of Having Your Own Website

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.

Page 21: The Importance of Having Your Own Website

Thank you!

Presentation and images by Jennifer Rapp Peterson, © Teetersaw, Inc.