When I launched my website in May of this year, I had no idea what to expect. Would it languish in cyberspace with only a handful of visitors, or would word spread like a pre-school cold and crash the server? In fact, neither has happened. And I'm okay with that. I chose not to do any promotion, preferring instead a quiet launch, much like a new restaurant chooses to do a soft opening. That's just my style. And the truth is, I suck at self promotion.
Now four months later, I'm thrilled by the response you've shown. And in a way, the website has become much like my show, in that although the number of visitors (viewers) isn't huge, at least not yet, those of you who do visit (watch) seem to genuinely enjoy what I have to say.
So what are my plans for the future of the website? Well first, I'm pleased to report that based on several excellent suggestions in response to my last post, we're testing a new RSS feed that will allow you to upload content to my web-based network, GGTV. That's something I've wanted to do from day one. I can't give you an actual date for when it'll be up and running, but it'll be soon. My goal is to create a community of gardeners who can share their ideas with others so that the website isn't all about me.
I'm also playing around with the content of the site. This month I decided to drop the Living with Latin section, for reasons I've made clear in my latest entry. I've also been forced, due to time contraints, to update other sections "periodically" rather than commit to weekly updates. The Store is still "under construction" and has turned out to be far more difficult to create than I ever imagined. To be honest, I didn't realize just how much time a website would require, and with two kids in college (and another on the way next year), I still have to make a living.
And that brings me to the most sensitive topic of all -- making money off the website. At this point, the site is functioning as a non-profit corporation. Of course, I expected as much, and I'm not complaining. But at some point it needs to at least break even, and it would be nice if it generated a profit, even a small profit. And while there are a number of ways to generate income from a website, I would prefer to rely on advertising revenue, which means getting more and more visitors to click on www.gardenerguy.com.
So help me spread the word. If each of you were to tell three friends to visit my website, it would have a huge impact on traffic. And I'd be even more grateful than I already am.
Peace,
Paul
LOL, I've always sucked at self promotion too and am very uncomfortable doing it. But sometimes it's embarrassing to watch someone really good at it, too. I like the subtle approach.
Posted by: Monica the Garden Faerie | 09/04/2009 at 07:46 AM
My uncle is a former marketing professor for a Big 10 college in a cheesy state and he sometimes jokes about advertising and promotion today fitting in to one of 2 categories: none or shamelessly.
By the way, I just finished reading through all of your blog posts and I must say that your fan base will find you on their own terms or time spans. I know I did. Thanks for having a website for all of us to visit and for sharing your experiences so we can all cultivate our collective gardens. That was supposed to be something more profound, but it's almost 10:30 and I'm beat. Work with it.
Posted by: twitter.com/epeter4 | 09/06/2009 at 08:24 PM
I am so excited to finally find your website and I must say, thanks to the wonders of my DVR I don't miss a show. Hopefully HGTV will continue to air past shows now that the show has been canceled. Posting a link to the site on social networks should help increase traffic as well. Congrats on the new site and I hope to be writing with questions/comments soon. Thanks Paul!!!
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1532251822 | 09/08/2009 at 11:26 AM
Hey Paul! I'm so glad to have found you. I've had your website bookmarked for a while now and just decided to look at your blog. You'll be a daily check for me now. I'm glad you're here. I'm not glad that your show hasn't been renewed. I'll continue to enjoy and learn from past episodes. Thanks for those!
Posted by: Perla | 09/09/2009 at 11:46 AM
Paul! I am so glad you finally have your own site too. I also feel a little uncomfortable with self promotion, but it's necessary if you want to get anywhere. I have a small gardening and craft site myself and know the amount of work it takes. I make money from ads and I have some items in an Etsy shop, so it pays for this little hobby of mine and enough extra to have to pay Uncle Sam...LOL. I would be happy to post a link on my blog and website for your site. Swapping links is a great way to get noticed. Don't ever change Paul...you are the best!
Posted by: Dottie | 09/09/2009 at 01:20 PM
Paul,
I posted your website on my Facebook. The viewers should start pouring in. :-D Hope you have DVD's in your store when it's up.... my DVR is FULL!!!
Trudy
Posted by: Trudy P | 09/09/2009 at 08:20 PM
I completely understand why you stopped doing the Living with Latin section. You probably don't have the time to be a Latin tutor. And, I can also easily see how visitors probably preferred to take in your other content over a Latin lesson. I enjoyed the section very much, but maybe that's because I'm weird.
That said, I just wanted to tell you I appreciate the work you put into it. I think Latin plant names are very important because common names vary so much. Latin keeps gardeners on the same page.
The Fine Gardening Latin Pronunciation Guide is a great resource and I use it frequently. But, I loved your Latin pronunciation tutorial. In fact, I printed it out and the next time I can't spit out a Latin name, I'll work my way through it. Maybe eventually I won't even need a Pronunciation Guide.
Posted by: Brandon Gay | 09/11/2009 at 03:52 PM
Yea! I found your site. I have enjoyed cooking your receipes and your sensible gardening tips. I am frustrated by the lack of how-to shows and hope you can make a go of this.
Thanks and good luck. Sheron
Posted by: Sheron Taylor | 09/14/2009 at 10:29 AM
I'M SOOOOOOO HAPPY ! No one has been more disappointed with HGTV for burying your shows at 4:30 AM than me, so when I saw the recent article in Fine Gardening and noticed your website address I suddenly felt "saved". I've been watching you since I was a "young" wife and mother of 32 yrs. old (I'm now a young 53 yrs old!) and can honestly say you have made me the gardener I am today! My weekend fix of Paul James gets me up and going into the yard, creating a place that makes me proud and truely impresses my friends! No matter how many times I see the same episode, I still learn something. Whether I'm "re-learning" it or just being remineded of the importance, I appreaciate every minute you share. Great idea with GGTV! Now I know you'll never leave me!
Love you ALOT.
Roberta
Posted by: Roberta Voss-Pelayo | 09/20/2009 at 10:26 AM
I'm so excited that you have a website that we can go to, when my weekly fix of your show on HGTV isn't enough ! Great work !
Posted by: Cheryl | 09/22/2009 at 01:13 PM
Hi Paul,
There was no point in watching HGTV anymore when I could not find you there. I'm so glad our paths have crossed again. Love your style...never change!
Valarie
Posted by: Valarie Huegel | 09/22/2009 at 04:30 PM
So glad I have a place to go where the word "GARDENING" doesn't cause a stampede for my door..Thanks and I agree with a few of your fans..You helped make me the gardener I am today..
Posted by: Debbie | 09/22/2009 at 04:32 PM
I just discovered your website, and posted it to my facebook friends. Here's hoping the numbers increase!
Posted by: Sharon | 02/02/2010 at 10:57 PM