Name of your website?House Painting for Homeowners
Your name?
Don Kingery
Your Location (city, etc)
Hattiesburg
Please give us a short summary of your website?
Even though the this site is new, my knowledge of home restoration and painting goes back almost thirty years. I encourage questions and comments. The site will describe steps in house painting from the homeowners point of view. It will not be a technical manual of house painting, but rather a simple and educational approach to help the do-it-yourself painter get started painting and cover the steps one by one.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
I have another website that's been around quite some time. It's called 'Beyond Left Field.net'. I had been wanting to begin a new site re: house painting, because I have a lot of useful and practical information to share for those wanting to paint their own house but are not quite sure how to go about it.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
My first website is the aforementioned Beyond Left Field.net. It launched 6-16-08. It is a humor blog. Mostly observational humor, but their is some satire, and yes some crude humor too. It's taken off like a rocket though, and is well established and has claimed it's own niche among humor blogs.
How did you decide on a name for your website?
The genesis of this site's name came about because it is the simplest, most direct and easy name to remember and yet still establish exactly what the blog is about. Easy enough for everyone.
What makes your website different from other, similar offerings?
What I want to do with this site is to offer somewhat of a classroom experience for the reader as it pertains to house painting. My post will serve as the lesson, and I will even have 'test' from time to time. The readers comments, and hopefully suggestions, will act as the classes thoughts on the lesson. I will encourage as much written 'dialogue' as I can. That' the way to learn--communication!
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
I am in no way attempting to make money from this blog. Although you may see an occasional ad placement, it is there because I like the product and recommend it to others. Other than that you will not be overcome by advertising. This site will remain open to readers and those interested in the subject at hand--house painting.
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
My success in blogging in measured by one thing only. Question: Do I enjoy it? If the answer is 'yes' then I am successful. If I do not enjoy maintaining this blog, then it is a waste of time for me and a complete disservice to the reader.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
I would not change anything. I do what I enjoy doing and the manner in which I do it (blogging). To change that would be futile and meaningless.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
I would maintain the same pace as always. Afterall, if that's what drove this blog to great heights as far as popularity goes, why would I change?
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
Absolutely none. Not in either blog...I am a site administrator for a humor blog site, and even with that I've had no issues come up that I cannot handle.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Right now my biggest challenge is to get this site up and running and get a bit of 'history' behind me. However, my first site was the same and it is now very successful. This will be too.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
I think the most successful method of having my sites promoted is through directories and networking. Commenting on another's site also seems to attract attention and readers. I also make it a point to answer any and all questions or respond to any and all comments. Readers are where it's at...
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
It's been every bit as much fun and enjoyable as I had hoped. Even more actually. My other blog has really exceeded my expectations and I still get excited when I see how well it's doing. My reader base is very, very diverse. I like that.
How long have you run the site already, and how long will you continue to keep it up if you don't enjoy big gains in traffic, income or popularity?
House Painting for Homeowners has only been up one week. At the present I intend to post 2-3 times/week. I may increase that number, but I will not decrease it, and I will be consistent. I am writing a post/day on my other site-- I will certainly maintain the site as long as there is an interest in it, and as long as I can be helpful.
What is your website address?
House Painting for Homeowners
