When I first considered writing a Blog I felt overwhelmed, but Stimulating Conversation gave me the help I needed to feel confident enough to begin this step in my writing career. Both Renee and Naomi gave clear explanations of the steps and options available to me when I visited their office. I especially like using the "Analytics" to keep track of my progress in increasing my following and audience. I highly recommend Stimulating Conversations to help you get your Blog off the ground and working for you.
Helene Burnett
http://burnetthomeplace.blogspot.comShe is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to social web marketing so you couldn’t be in better hands should you choose to work with Renee and her team.
Rita Mills
Co-founder of The New Era Times (TNETimes.com)Renee of Stimulating Conversation has had to drag me kicking and screaming into this realm of marketing my novels. But with each tightening of her grip around my ankles, she's showed that she and her team know what to do, and how to help me (and other authors) get the word out about their books.
Tracy Fabre's
most recent book is: Sending Rupert HomeBusiness and financial plans are essential to success, whether you can write like John Grisham or not. Promote your book and yourself: that takes planning, commitment and a budget: both in time and money. You need great partners, like Renee, Naomi, Kendyll and Chelsea at Stimulating Conversations, to get you going and planning.
Gary Giroux
current books: The Dark Side of American Capitalism and Primordial Soup and Other Ancient RecipesRenee is a delight to work with. I have worked with her using most of the services that her firm offers. We are currently in the process of building a huge website for an online newspaper, and I am very impressed with the knowledge that is at her fingertips. And, I have to say no matter how much pressure she is under with deadlines, she always has a cheery voice and is willing to take my calls.
Rita Mills
Owner ABC press, and co-founder of The New Era Times (TNETimes.com)As a client, I am extremely impressed with the amount of usable information you have available on your website. I found it to be a valuable tool for me. I can't thank you enough for the professional work you did on my video/trailer and website; you really can tell you have passion for your work.
Coach Bruce Benko
author of: The Gymnastics of Love & Discipline, A Parental Template for Giving Children a VoiceUsing the team at Stimulating Conversation helped me get a quality product in a website in a short period of time. The other important component for me is the responsiveness if I have a problem. Renee and her team have gone above and beyond to accommodate us. www.angelacaughlin.com
A. Caughlin
current book: Journaling Through: Unleashing the Power of the Authentic Self.Websites: Design, Development & Technology
What is included?
- Development by professional programmer
- Content Management System (CMS)
- Full Training and Support for the CMS
- Basic Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Registry with Search Engines
- Blog
- Email Service (Google hosted account)
- Hosting for 1 year ($120 value)
- Analytics (information on how many people visit your website and lots of extra useful stats)
- Two Hour of Consulting ($240 Value)
- Direction on what pages and copy are needed
*please note this price includes a template design but custom designs are available.
FAQ about Stimulating Conversation created author websites:
- What is the process for you to create an author website?
- Author and Book Assessments: The creation of an author's website requires an understanding of the goals and images the author wishes to project. What does the author want their site to look like, feel like and how will it function are keys to creating a web presence that is completely individual and usable. To obtain this information takes careful listening and then the ability to translate this information to the Designers.
- Design: An author's website is their personal presence on the web. It should reflect them and their works. The Designers listen to what has be given to them as concepts and turn it into workable web visuals. Then it comes back to the author for final approval or adjustments. Only when the author is pleased with the look and feel of the site is the information sent to the Developer.
- Development: The website concept is now ready to be turned into a living, interactive site. The functionality that the author has requested along with the standard functionality of an author website are coded into the concept shell and sent to the author for final adjustments and approval. The site must work as it is expected to, so all sites are carefully audited. The author can add other functionality at a later date if they desire.
- Content Management System: Our Content Management System (CMS) is unique and extreamly easy to use. We load the orginal content for the author. After they give final approval on the completed site, it is made live (published to the Internet). All of our clients are taught to use the CMS and provided support for as long as they feel the need. Authors' website require frequent updating and content posting to be effective. We want our clients to be comfortable in the use of their site and proud of how it represents them.
- Are your sites based on a template?
No. Never. Each and every site is custom designed to the specifications of the site owner.
- How will I be able to update my website?
You, the site owner, will be able to update your site from anywhere you can gain internet access. That includes your smart phone, your local library, or your lap top at a WiFi hot spot. Basically anywhere you can view your websites you can update the content. So, take pictures at that signing, and upload them. Post every review on the reviews page as soon as they are sent to you. Update your event calendar the moment you schedule a new stop on your book tour. All just clicks away.
- Is there an extra cost for the CMS or the updates? What about adding pages?
NO. and NO. Never an extra charge for use of the CMS and that includes adding pages. You can add as many pages to your website as you like. Anytime. Anywhere.
Basic Website- $1450 (First year of hosting included. $50 value)
Programmer on Call
Although we offer full service websites, we also encourage the DIY author who is creating his/her own website. We know that can be difficult to understand when the template is not changing the way you want, or the formatting has gone wonky on your page. Our web experts are happy to help. We can take your call, assess the pages of code, and help you find the fix, or create the hack needed to bend the web to your will. Feel free to call for troubleshooting help: 979-209-0436.
Programmer on Call- $50/15 mins
Technical Advancements/New Functionality
Advanced functionality is always an option. Adding the newest wiz bang feature is no problem. We are happy to create custom programming, from e-commerce, to dynamic modules, and everything in between. Only actual programming time is billed here, and can be broken down as small as 15 min sections.
