| 1. Buy a domain name. Make sure it can be understood | | | | using (html, drupal, etc). |
| if someone hears it over the phone or if it's said in | | | | 4. Create Social Networking pages (MySpace, |
| conversation. | | | | Facebook, etc). We call these Mini-Sites. Maybe you |
| 2. Find a website host (or webhost). Free is good, but | | | | can offer special offerings there, to drive people there. |
| paying a little money to not have webhost forced ads | | | | The more "footprints" you have on the internet, the |
| will mean more people dropping by. There are many | | | | more spots for people to find you. |
| webhosts, and instead of suggesting sites that may or | | | | Make sure every place you set up a mini-site, it; |
| may not be in business when you read this, we | | | | A. Describes and Generates interest in what you do, |
| suggest Googling for a good webhost review site. We | | | | and |
| suggest to compare a number of webhost review | | | | B. Links back to your main site. |
| sites, to narrow your webhost choices down. | | | | 5. Create a blog. Even before the days ruled by talk of |
| When you have narrowed your list of webhosts to | | | | podcasts, people read blogs (Guess what, they still do). |
| your top 5 webhosts, we suggest that you consider | | | | Create a blog to accompany your other New Media |
| 5things before setting up your account; | | | | choices. Take time, and write timely, helpful and |
| A. Customer Service availability, | | | | interesting posts. Try to research and prepare posts in |
| B. Costs for support "extras" setting up scripts, | | | | bulk, write them out, then release them on a consistent |
| database crashes, etc. These may add up at the | | | | basis, over time. Also, link to, and comment on other |
| most inopportune times, | | | | blogs that deal with similar subjects. |
| C. What is included with the monthly fees (Scripts, | | | | 6. Be A helpful, constant presence on forums. Never |
| Services, etc), | | | | spam forums with just info about your show or site. |
| D. Bandwidth use limits, Storage space, etc. Fees for | | | | Be helpful, be on topic, and be a part of the community. |
| going over bandwidth use limits can be prohibitive, so | | | | Use signature lines to promote, without being |
| make it a routine to check bandwidth use, | | | | obnoxious. Mention your particular show, if it is on topic, |
| E. Review sites are good, but look through forums for | | | | and it could be helpful to the other posters. |
| feedback on a webhost. Also, see if you can email or | | | | 7. Create a Podcast or Vidcast (Audio or Video). I |
| speak to a person about their experience,one extra- | | | | mention this last, because people normally start here |
| F. Keep a full backup of your site in your home, for | | | | first. Find a subject you really like, be consistent with |
| "Webhost" disappearances, website crashes, etc. | | | | your show, build a community, and build a strong, web |
| 3. Create a Site. We suggest using Wordpress, but | | | | presence with the tips here. |
| you can use any solution you are comfortable with | | | | Good luck! |