With mucho thanks to Jerrald Hayes for graciously offering to help me put this together. See what happens when you hold a Breaktime Fest!! A lot of time went into this… all squeezed in, in less than a week. We know more work needs to go into it but getting it up and running so fast was incredible to me being so puter challenged.
I had to ride the “small” yellow bus to my puter…lol.
I was hoping to get it in the Newsday article but to my dismay they never put my web site in…just some of the photo’s.
edit: http://www.cliffordrenovations.com
Be well
andy…
Creation arises, is sustained for awhile, and then things change. That’s the dance.
Edited 10/1/2006 6:22 pm ET by andybuildz
Replies
try this link:
http://www.cliffordrenovations.com
Marine Engineer
Thanks...weird. Thats happened to me before and I have no idea why.
I was just thinking about coming in and doing angelic's kitchen w/ you and Tony (TGNY), Shaggy and Jerrald. Life is full of coincidences today...I think not : )Creation arises, is sustained for awhile, and then things change. That’s the dance.
lemme know when you're coming inMarine Engineerfair winds and following seas
lemme know when you're coming in>>>>>>>>I will...I wanna hook up with some friends up town as well and get it all in in one day. You know me...the recluse on the loose...lol.Creation arises, is sustained for awhile, and then things change. That’s the dance.
Nice!
FWIW, my former wife is strong on marketing - she pushes me to stay away from too many words and to be more "bullet-pointy"
You might consider some punchy headlines for those who don't like to read.
Youth and Enthusiasm Are No Match
For Age and Treachery
RJW fir what it worth from a web marketing point of view while bullet point lists of the things you do have their purpose and place they wont set or help you establish you brand identity. In fact often those lists (since they are often the same contractor to contractor) just make you blend in as part of the crowd. (That said, since we've only been at this just about a week, Andy and I will work up those lists for future inclusion).
Through my own empirical experience and through reading and listening to a lot of marketing guru Seth Godin's stuffView Image and even more specifically his book All Marketers Are Liars: The Power of Telling Authentic Stories in a Low-Trust World View ImageI have realized that perhaps the most important marketing message we can throw out there and use are "the stories about our brand". Since we didn't have a lot of great portfolio type photos when we started (especially with regard to his Fox Hunt Lane project) telling the story regarding the projects and the story of who is Andy became paramount.
The goal was to tell a story where people can meet Andy and discover his passion for not only his trade but the house he is applying it to and that he's a real nice personable and personal guy to have work on your house. People reading that story can then connect it to what few photos we actually have are.
The problem with photo albums as just photo albums is they often don't tell the story of the company (the brand message). What happens often instead of the potential client getting that message they choose you or another contractor based on the picture of a project they saw on the web site that looks just like the project they have in mind. If you don't have that particular picture you don't get the job. That is unless you have a good story to tell (and we are still working on the story,... Like I've said we've only been at it a week and we both have other things we've been working on too).
I should also add that telling a story also give you CONTENT and keywords that help position you better in search engines.(And in case anyone asks about it no I haven't worked on developing any of the meta tags for his site yet).
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Hey Jerrald...looks like I have a poppy seed caught between my two front teeth in meet andy....I'm so embarrased...LOLCreation arises, is sustained for awhile, and then things change. That’s the dance.
andybuildz- "Hey Jerrald...looks like I have a poppy seed caught between my two front teeth in meet andy....I'm so embarrased...LOL"
HEY thats the one you shot and gave me! wanna go back to the old one?
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Or do you want me to do some more Photoshop touch ups?
Version A
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Version B
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Ya know what though in editing the TipiFest Group photo I noticed that I was standing perfectly in front of someone blocking them out of the photo. The poor fellow probably should have known by just looking at me that if he stood behind me he was gonna get blocked out but maybe there is another shot with the MIA fester in it we could find?
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Kudos!Good move. Your web site responses might require some travel and too many bids.I closed a 30 year old cabinet shop two years ago. Built a 900 sq. ft. shop behind the house ( with 700 sf loft storage) after I retired(?) and have turned downed more work than i ever bid before I retired (Shut down the web site, now all word of mouth) I now charge for bids that are deductible from invoice/contract.Your website will be a continual work in progress and your customers will appreciate being part of your website and BT.Good Luck!live, work, build, ...better with wood
HEY thats the one you shot and gave me! wanna go back to the old one?>>>I was kinda kidding...but....uhhhhhhhh, as long as yer at it would you mind giving me more hair, make me six inches taller, paying off all my loans and solving world hunger?
I'm kinda busy in my basement trying to find a cure for cancer in my spare time...lol.Creation arises, is sustained for awhile, and then things change. That’s the dance.
You were blocking Kent (Alias) How ironic is that?
The final answer is maybe. And that's definate.
http://www.hay98.com/
Whoa,... that is funny. I guess he couldn't have picked a better screename.
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I guess it all worked out in the end. LOL
The final answer is maybe. And that's definate.
http://www.hay98.com/
I have a lot of marketing in my background -- I know all about bullets, and that sort of thing. That said, I wouldn't change a thing. And I can''t think of a way you could punch up the overall message by adding more layers of copy. Nor would I add a bunch of additional photos; what's there does a more than adequate job conveying what you are capable of doing. More would just clutter things up needlessly.Finally, I think Jerrald did a bang-up job with the design of the web site. It is simple, easy to navigate, and overall, both very effective and elegant. That said, I don't know how you hope to use this site to generate business as "you go back to the real world." If you intend to use it as a kind of portfolio to hand over to the various people you come in contact with, I think it is just fine the way it stands. On the other hand, if you hope to see it turn up in searches people do for "LI renovation contractors" -- then I think it needs some more work. That is, the projects here are massive, whole house renovations. It is implicit that you would be willing to talk to folks about less grand remodeling projects, but you need to make that more clear and obvious in the web site. Finally, I couldn't begin to tell you how to do it, but clever web designers can set things up so you can get hits when people search for the various kind of jobs you are most interested in getting -- and right now, I assume that would be kitchen/bath remodels, additions, etc. etc. But JH is probably hip to all this. Anyway, I thought you and JH did a great job, and I wanted to say so, since I assume there will be others who argue for a more convention, less "down home" approach.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Edited 10/1/2006 7:13 pm by nikkiwood
Thanks nikki
I couldn't agree more. I think Jerrald and I work well together because we both agree on a lot of unconventional things...or, out of the box kind of ideas.
As he and I discussed and agreed...I'm not looking to market myself to anyone that "doesn't get me". I'm not interested in spending my days in their homes. There's enough work out there, especially in my neck of the woods for people like me, where to a certain degree I think I can pick and choose my cliental just like they pick and choose their contractors.
I want to convey that in my web site. I think working IN peoples homes for weeks on end is different than a lot of other professions and I want to bring that out to my potential clients as well.
I'm NOT just a Joe Shmoe...and that's not who I wanna be. I'm not like I was 10,20 years ago. A guy with a punch list of all the things I'm capable of doing. I can pretty much do all the things that'd concern a home owner but what sets me aside is that I think out of the box. I recognize how important the empty spaces are as well as the ones that get filled up...yada yada yada.
I think everyone should market themselves as the person they are inside. It'd make this profession more reputable than what I see out there today with all the cookie cutter crapola.
I also love to hear what people don't like...because that lets me know where I don't belong...and that's fine. I don't wanna be where I'm not wanted. Its nothing personal and I know that. People are different, that's all.
I'm just a small business so how much work do I need? I want to enjoy my days and my craft. Romantic or realistic? I'm trying to meld the two.
I think no matter how old or young you are if you're true and honest to yourself you "will" find the place you fit the best.
And yeh...we just started working on the site. I have several more months before I "have to" go back in the world and work for customers so the timings just about right.
Thanks for the input.
a...Creation arises, is sustained for awhile, and then things change. That’s the dance.
Did you see the piece in the NYT today (business section) about all the trouble some people are having finding remodeling contractors who know how to build "green?Are you interested in that sort of stuff?"********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
you see the piece in the NYT today (business section) about all the trouble some people are having finding remodeling contractors who know how to build "green?Are you interested in that sort of stuff?">>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>I'll have to check it out...I get The NYT online.Thanks. Might be an interesting twist of choices or an inclusive one might be more appropriate being some people care about having "some" of that stuff in the work they're having done. I know theres a few landscape company around here that uses only organic products and methods. I don't think they thrive or if they actually do well at all but they have been around for a while so they must at least maintain. I think its a good idea to have that included. Very good idea actually. I think piecing a lot of that kind of mindset into a comapny such as mine gives everyone a little piece of the pie. Its a way to spread the word with out being too over whelming to some. I have to think about that one for a bit.
Thanks for the input. I like it : )
andy...Creation arises, is sustained for awhile, and then things change. That’s the dance.
Here's the link to the building green article in yesterday's NYT:http://tinyurl.com/kdzxsI don't think laying your whole business on this concept is necessary or even advisable. Just by spending the time to get up to speed about green products, you would automatically position yourself to appeal to this apparently growing subset of people who are interested -- and willing to spend the extra money.Mostly, it is a matter of knowing which supplies and building materials are relatively benign. I would draw the line at those nuts who would ask you to reuse nails from demoed material to keep them out of the dumpster. ********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Thanks...yeh, I saved it right after you wrote the post this morning.
Nuts are right...although I do have to say when I took up my old floors I DID reuse the old nails here but this house is 326 years old and I can't bring myself to throw anything out. Imagine having to do that for a customer though...No problem, just pay me for my time. That'll stop em'...lol.Creation arises, is sustained for awhile, and then things change. That’s the dance.
In terms of detail, let's see what those nails, joists that are actually trees, etc., actually look like some Garrett-Wade-esque macro shots.
I've been meaning to take some pictures of the basement and all the cribbing and tree joists etc etc. It'll come. Actually if you look at,
"Andy in the News" and click on the video you can see it all but I do intend to take some stills of the basement because it is pretty interesting to see whats there and what I've done (had to do).
Good suggestion, thanks.Creation arises, is sustained for awhile, and then things change. That’s the dance.
I think this is a savvy and polished effort, a very good web debut.Do you intend to keep adding to the narrative content?
I think this is a savvy and polished effort, a very good web debut.Do you intend to keep adding to the narrative content?>>>>>>>>>Yep. I think the narrative content is one of the more important parts to my site. Thats one of the many things Jerrald and I really agree on.
I think it sets me aside from other reno guys in my area...and thats where I want to be! So thats where we'll continue to take it. I have a bunch of new ideas we'll discuss. One of which will be a monthly news letter inside my site. A good excuse IMO to keep sending my site to locals around here. It's something I'd been thinking about for quite a while actually. Thats also where I can sell new ideas I come up with.
One of which I'd been talking to Jerrald about
is called, "Living Wallscapes". Something I'd like to work on in the very near future.Creation arises, is sustained for awhile, and then things change. That’s the dance.
Hey Andy
Just checking out your new website. Lookin good.
Maybe I missed it, but where is the "Home" link on the different pages? Usually each page on a site has a link back to the root main page. At least that is what web surfers have come to expect.
Maybe I missed it, but where is the "Home" link on the different pages? Usually each page on a site has a link back to the root main page. At least that is what web surfers have come to expect.>>>>>>>>>>Hey Phil
Each page has what you need (on the left)to take you to any page you want (back or forward) so theres really no need to go back to the home page. Personally, I think thats easier.Creation arises, is sustained for awhile, and then things change. That’s the dance.
Phil clicking on the Clifford Renovations & Restoration header or the Tipi should take you back to the index (home) page. It just not emphasized because the way the site is set up right now there is no real reason to go there. The same navigation appears on each page and the home page is really just a front door.
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Did you just fix that? I coulda sworn it was not working last night when I first visited.
Anywho, yes everything is there in the left side menu. Just be aware that people have become accustomed to a "HOME" link on each page. Maybe it is a comfort thing, feeling safe that there is a way home?
Well I was fooling around with things last night at one point so I might have "un-fixed it" at one point while I was toying with things and you might have caught me then. I've got a little glitch in how the pages or more specifically how the Goose Hill page is rendering in Firefox Mac that I am trying to figure out. If anyone else spots any glitches or errors be sure to let us know (page-browser-platoform).
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I once was chasing an XML w/XSLT rendering problem on Netscape. Attempted "fixes" break something else all the time. Long story short, turns out I was checking with an older version of Netscape that hardly anyone uses anymore. So I "un-fixed" it and all was well.
and I guess I just got lucky because RIGHT AFTER I started this thread I looked and lo and behold for the first time I saw the Andy In the News page Jerrald and I were talking about a cpl a days before with the Breaktime photos. What a coinky dinky huh? Perfect timing...happens once in a while.Creation arises, is sustained for awhile, and then things change. That’s the dance.
If you are going to start a newsletter, which is a great idea IMO, what are you waiting for?-- you should be taking advantage of all these clicks you are getting from Breaktime collect email addresses for your newsletter ALREADY. Get Jerald to set up quickie a subscription webform so that you can start harvesting addresses NOW--and put me on the list.
I didn't express myself well - I think you can do both - bullet points for the skimmers, story telling for the readers.
That is, headlines and pull quotes, etc, for the skimmers, retaining the indepth info.
Youth and Enthusiasm Are No Match
For Age and Treachery
Edited 10/2/2006 8:47 am ET by rjw
Looks great, man.
I am curious, though. How many jobs do you do at a time?.....
"Let's go to Memphis in the meantime, baby" - John Hiatt.
http://grantlogan.net/
I am curious, though. How many jobs do you do at a time?.....>>>>>>>Echhhhhhhh. Don't bring that up. Have to go back to the real
world Jan 1 07. Thats one of the reasons for the web site.
If I had some hair left I'd be pulling it out again.Creation arises, is sustained for awhile, and then things change. That’s the dance.
Great, Andy.....Are you sure you want to sell it??? <G>
Great, Andy.....Are you sure you want to sell it??? <G>>>>>>>>>>>>Who, me or my house? LOL.
No, I don't wanna sell me...take me as I am...heh heh and the house?
New days always dawning Carole : )
You should know.Creation arises, is sustained for awhile, and then things change. That’s the dance.
Your website is wonderful.....I clicked and clicked.....A new day is dawning.....I know....
Don't worry about the link in Newsday I just googled Clifford renovations and your website was the first to come up. Anyone that can't do that is gonna be a PIA anyway.
The final answer is maybe. And that's definate.
http://www.hay98.com/
Don't worry about the link in Newsday I just googled Clifford renovations and your website was the first to come up. Anyone that can't do that is gonna be a PIA anyway.>>>>>>>>>>>Cool...when I did that a few days ago I pretty much got everything but me.
Jerrald musta F'd with the search engines...lol.Creation arises, is sustained for awhile, and then things change. That’s the dance.
Looks nice. Y'know, what I've always liked about most of the people here at BT, and you especially, is the understanding of the zen of building. It's a good thing, making things beautiful in function and form.
I think you probably want your customers to appreciate that, and to realize that you appreciate that. Your words do a good job of it. Your photos are good, but they don't quite seal it for me- I want to look at details, I want to see how well you understand the material and the function.
If you can find some images that provide details from the larger scale images you already have, I think a lot of people would keep clicking into it. I would.
zak
"When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone." --John Ruskin
"so it goes"
but they don't quite seal it for me- I want to look at details, I want to see how well you understand the material and the function. If you can find some images that provide details from the larger scale images you already have, I think a lot of people would keep clicking into it. I would.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Thanks zak..
Like Jerrald and I said...we only just started this a week or so ago in between everything else we're doing so all this input is great. I really like the suggestions...a lot. Its also good for me to see that its not just me that gets it. I was getting a little concerned about that.
About being too over the top with my ethics, morals and Zen thingies...or being too psychedelic for a lack of a better word...lol. I think between Katrina and Jerrald they've toned it down for me a notch which is a good thing because I do respect both of their ideas. They're both pretty much on the same page as me. Just a toned down version. lol. Jerrald is less toned down than Katrina thank god because he's the one putting up the billboard and lighting...lol.
We'll take your suggestions to heart as we continue this.
Thanks again
andy...Creation arises, is sustained for awhile, and then things change. That’s the dance.
I like it. That home page picture really pops. Black was the perfect background color for that pic. And repeating the tipi on the other pages helps tie it together. For some reason it took a coon's age to load the home page, but I don't know why. The other pages loaded OK.
1. "Clifford Renovations & Restorations" are the page titles, but it doesn't jump out at me as a logo. I'd be inclined to come up with a memorable logo. Probably something with a tipi on it. I know it may seem redundant to have a stylized tipi on the logo and then the good tipi pic on the page, but I think it would be memorable. Where as Smith goes for a simple logo, I think you could go for a more artsy logo (simple, but artsy).
2. Some web hosting services will include email. For instance Yahoo webhosting offers "X" number of mailboxes. So you could be andy @ cliffordrenovations.com
And I'm probably just sleepy (it is 2 am here), but the front of the tipi looks like a figure with his arms spread.
the site looks great.
jt8
'Grandpa used to say "know your role and shut your hole." ' --Stilletto
No Speedo shots!!!???
nice sight anyhoo!!!
Good work bro!!
hugg katrina for me
Namaste
"The truth, when told does nothing but bolster a mans character." -Big Cal Stew 2006
"There are 2 kinds of people in the world, those who divide the world into 2 kinds of people and everyone else" -Gloria Steinham
"The shrub administration is a bunch of Focking CrIminals" -Me