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How do I get a Personal Web Page?

The main purpose of a Personal web page is to showcase the strengths of its members. Accordingly, they vary greatly from other pages on the CBW site, reflecting instead the individual member's uniqueness in terms of color, design and content.

For a member who has their own website, a webpage may be nothing more than an entrance to their own site with minimal information. This is commonly referred to as a "Splash page" and is designed to attract viewers to click thru to the member's own website where the member is free to make frequent changes as the need arises (Monti Sikes's page is a good example).

The CBW website attracts many visitors each month, so a member's placement of a well-designed page on the CBW site and links to their own websites if present, may yield tangible $$ benefits. Moreover, a synergy obtains through reciprocal links between the CBW site and each member's own website so as to bring additional traffic to the CBW site, and with it, more exposure for ALL our member-authors. Since the first 15 member web pages and the renovated bookstore with website links went up, traffic to the CBW site jumped from 250 to well over 400 unique visitors. And that's just in the first month. This from a member:

"I received an order in yesterdays mail for two copies of Walk With Me. Since the [CBW] web site is the only site that gives $18 as the price, I know she found it there. Thanks for a job well done." -- Catherine Brooks

Exposure notwithstanding, one of the hardest tasks for writers is to market themselves. Most are too close to their own stories to edit out extraneous detail. As a result, writers often fail to differentiate their market and showcase their core strengths, choosing instead the more generalized default path: trying to be everything to everybody. A path too often littered with disappointing results.

So if you feel hesitant or doubt your ability to sort out that which will present your best face to potential clients, let Webmaster Dave help with the information only you can provide. Dave has over 10 years of marketing experience and is more than willing to cull your content for those key elements that will help sell your services or writing. Give it a try.

CAVEAT: Not everyone needs a personal web page. But such a page can be invaluable, particularly if you have no website of your own and have writing to sell or market to an agent or publisher. The same holds true if you offer a professional service to other writers.  For Members already having a well-designed website, being listed in the Members' Bookstore and/or Members' Services pages with a link to your site may be sufficient to direct potential clients to your own website. So look at those two listings (see Menu above) before you decide.

NOTE: The free placement of a personal web page on the CBW website is an anytime benefit for all members; however, the design of such a page for free is a one-time per member offer with time limits.

Newly-admitted or reinstated members (i.e.; former members from years before 2006) are eligible to have a Personal Member Page designed for free at any time within the first three months after their acceptance and payment of dues.

The sole exception to the time limits/free design help opportunity will be for any member experiencing a major publishing success that dramatically alters their need for a web page, or requires an update of their existing page.

For those who miss the window of opportunity for free design assistance, the charge to design a page will be $75. A web page designed by a member or professional web designer other than your webmaster is another option, but the page must be developed in FrontPage 2003 compatible HTML protocols in order to be placed on the site free of charge. If not, and conversions are necessary to achieve compatibility with FrontPage 2003 protocols, there will be a surcharge of up to $25 to ready it for posting to the CBW site. So consider that if you elect to have your page designed by someone else.

For examples of what CBW member web pages look like, Click here to browse through those developed to date.

New Members interested in a web page must contact Webmaster Dave at 804-725-9843 ASAP to make arrangements.

Materials members will need to Provide:

1: Create the Text content for your personal web page based on what you want the page to accomplish and send to Webmaster Dave via E-mail. Remember: the page is not solely a biography, but a marketing tool for your literary creativity. 

2. If you want your web page to sell your books, either send them so the covers can be scanned.or e-mail me their digital images (as JPG Files) or an URL where the JPG image can be obtained (e.g.; www.Amazon.com).  Also send a photo of yourself and any other graphic art you want to appear on your page. Choose which images are best suited to achieve the desired results. If no photo, arrangements can be made to get one taken by Webmaster Dave.

3. If you want any samples of your work on the page or have in your possession testimonials/endorsements about your writing or services, e-mail them also. Think success!

4. Keep in mind that a web page is NOT a website. Accordingly, there are space limitations as to graphics, links and content. Content should be static to minimize the need for changes. For members who do not have a website of their own, all information needed to purchase books or services should be incorporated into the CBW page. The specifications below are offered as guidelines, but are not set in concrete: "

Web Page Planning Guidelines:  Size your page at 8 ½" by 14", text in 12 point font, leaving space for photos or graphics. Generally hold to two or three graphic images, including your photo, preferably submitted in digital form along with the final form text content and any links to other sites (e.g.; URL of website selling your books, your personal website, if one exists). If scanning is required, you must submit the items to be scanned.

Please do not send graphics imbedded in Word files, but as separate JPG files. Text only in Word files.

If you have a website of your own, you should put a link to the CBW website on it as cross-linking increases traffic to your site. If you offer services to writers (e.g.; editing, workshops), you are encouraged to consider offering a discount to fellow CBW members.

I hope you will take advantage of this member benefit as it can increase traffic to your personal site, increase your web presence and enhance the sale of your work or services. The CBW site attracts from 200 to 300 visitors each month, and the number is growing, so it is a venue worthy of your attention. Members with any questions should contact me.

I can also help you design a website at a $70 flat discount below the rates published on my own website. at www.2CarrsCreative.com.

Design Tips if you plan a website of your own

- Follow a simple and consistent design that allows users to concentrate on the content.
- Make your home page short and simple; avoid "monster" graphics that take the page a long time to load.
- Don't use gratuitous graphics. Blinking text and other excessive decorations can be distracting in an instructional web page. Background textures and colors can affect download time and may impede the readability of the text.
 

Dave Carr, CBW Webmaster 

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