ACTING BLOG - What Makes Us Special - Coding

Your internet presence.

I've been building websites professionally since 2003.

I've built somewhere between 250 to 300 different websites in total.

I've built many websites for Joe Shmoes and Jane Smiths, many websites for startups, a decent amount for mid-level industry corporations, and a few for corporate giants.

With the exception of the last type, most of my clients don't know what to do with the website nor what to expect from it.

Many clients expect miracles, that somehow it will get out there and become the next best thing.

Others do it just to do it - they get a website for their cat or one year old.

The problem is, most of them stop using it within 3 months after building it.

There's a difference between having a live website and having a website that's alive!

I say this to all of my clients as I hand off the code, I urge them to keep the information updated, keep writing articles, keep sharing information on social media, and if they can afford it, to hire someone to write content for them or manage them social media accounts.

Do it and your website will stay alive!

How many websites do you go to and find out that the last blog post was written 3 years ago. Do you trust that website? Do you continue browsing it or give up right away?

Sometimes it is as simple as the copyright trademark in the footer of the website. When I see (C)2003-2007 I assume right away that this website is outdated and is no longer of use to me.

Now think about it, does it apply to you? As an actor, director, filmmaker or composer, should you care whether your information is always up to date?

Seriously, it's not a rhetorical question. Give it some thought. Next, do one more thing. Google yourself right now. It might be strange, but other people do it. Producers will google your name before talking to you about your next projects. As directors you might google your actors. You know it, they know it. So do it.

Now tell me what do you see? Facebook? Linkedin? What's on Facebook? Useless stuff. Linkedin? You forgot that you even had Linkedin, didn't you. It still lists that job you used to have 4 years ago as your main occupation, doesn't it?

Well, if that's the case, your internet presence sucks.