Website Seminar, an Idea

I often encounter performers who say things like “I should really have a web site”.  The problem they face,  is that they don’t know how to set up a web site.  Often they believe that the cost is prohibitive, that they don’t have the knowledge to create a site,that it will all be too hard.

As much as I might want to, I can’t build a site for every actor I encounter.  And although I can try and show tell them that the cost is not prohibitive, that they do have enough knowledge to create a site (they just don’t know it), and that it won’t be hard, they need someone to show them how to do it.

For many of these performers, hiring someone to build the site for them isn’t really feasible, because that’s where cost actually does come in.  Designers charge rates that a lot of performers can’t afford.  But there are ways to put a site together that won’t require a designer using existing templates and a content management system (for ease of updating).  Of course, if you want a truly unique site, you’ll need to shell out for a designer.

I’ve been considering holding a seminar to teach performers how the basics of putting together their own website.  This “curriculum” would probably go along the lines of:

• Why you should have a web site.
• Purchasing “yourname.com”
  • .com, .net, .ca – which to choose?
  • How much will it cost?
• Hosting
  • What is a host?
  • What requirements should I look for?
  • How do I find a host?
  • How much will it cost?
• Your site.
  • Static site vs. Content Management System (CMS)
• Introduction to the WordPress engine
  • Installing wordpress (one click installs)
  • Introduction to themes
  • Customizing the default WordPress theme
  • Other themes, and what to look for.
  • Pages and Posts: what’s the difference?
    • Deciding what pages to have
    • Creating your pages.
  • Posts and Blogging.
    • Why should you blog?
    • What should you blog and how often?
• Your “yourname.com” email address.
  • how to set it up (google apps, vs. your host’s email solution)
  • Why you should send everything from your “yourname.com” email address.
• Questions.

I’m trying to guage interest in such a seminar.  So, if its something you might be interested in, please fill out my quick survey and let me know.