Personal web sites

PookDog78 · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 7:35 am Post subject: Personal web sites

This is a question for those who have a personal website that advertises their services for weddings, parties, etc. Do you get gigs soley based on the fact that you have a website? Do you have to advertise on other websites (wedding planning sites, etc.) or do the interested parties just do a search for "wedding trumpet" in your area and stumble across your site and hire you? Basically, I'm just wondering how effective these personal sites are in getting gigs, students, etc.

blasticore · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 7:49 am Post subject:

I've had a couple contractors contact me based on my [sad, sad, sad] site, a few weddings pop up, and some offers to be in about 40 or 50 ska bands. I've had my site for about...maybe 2 years or so, I guess. Bare in mind though, I'm not first call for anything whatsoever, so I'm not going to get the connected attention that might come from the crowd I get to hang around.
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Chris King
http://www.cktrumpet.com
http://www.ckbrassworks.com

Riojazz · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 8:05 am Post subject:

Yes, I have received gigs from people searching and finding my website.

Two quick tips: 1) use good keywords in the Meta Content tags section, and 2) get as many sites as you can to link to your site, thereby improving its placement in web search engines.
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Matt Finley https://mattfinley.bandcamp.com/releases
Kanstul 1525 flugel with French taper, Shires Bb Destino Med & C trumpets, Schilke XA1 cornet, Schagerl rotary, Schilke P5-4 picc, Yamaha soprano sax, Powell flute. Sanborn GR66MS & Touvron-D.

loudog · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 5:41 pm Post subject:

I've gotten gigs from my site as well!

L
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Dr. Louie Eckhardt, trumpeter
http://www.LouieEckhardt.com
Associate Professor of Music
Hastings College

TapsTrumpeter · Regular Member Joined: 31 Jul 2007 Posts: 22

TapsTrumpeter · Regular Member Joined: 31 Jul 2007 Posts: 22

Congratualtions on your Masters!

I checked out your site. You've got a great start and are on your way to connecting with friends and clients.
Over time you can add more features as it evolves with your focus and direction as a trumpeter.
WebMaster@TapsTrumpeter.com

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http://TapsTrumpeter.com

wvtrumpet · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 6:23 pm Post subject:

I have landed a few gigs from mine as well. However, the vast majority of my work is from contractors and word of mouth.

http://www.neil-king.com
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Freelance Performer/Teacher WV, PA, MD, and OH http://www.neil-king.com
Yamaha NY Bb, Adams F1 Flugelhorn, Schilke P5-4, Stomvi Eb/D Elite, Bach C 229 bell 25A, York Monarch cornet.

jpellett · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 7:45 pm Post subject:

I get lots of students from my site. I need to make some recordings so maybe I can get some gigs from it as well.

Jason Pellett
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http://www.jasonpellett.com

jpetrocelli · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 3:59 am Post subject:

I get gigs off of mine.

meta tags are key.
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Joe Petrocelli

eb1ch · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 7:46 am Post subject:

I have gotten a bit of work via mine...nothing really too substantial though. I suppose it at least has paid for itself.

jjwadams · New Member Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 5

extromba · Regular Member Joined: 05 Oct 2003 Posts: 32

TapsTrumpeter:

In your list of the benefits to having your own web site, you forgot to include, "Being able to (allegedly) engage in unfair competition and trademark infringement without fear of legal consequences and then posting idiotic and non-sensical explanations for why you are engaging in such egregious behavior."

For those of you unsure of what I'm referring to, check out TapsTrumpeter's web site and then check out the site for Bugles Across America. Enough said.

John Kreese · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 7:41 pm Post subject:

I had some people contact me, and challenge me to a fight to the death.

I was merely trying to recruit students.
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If you don't get your boy on the mat, you and I are gonna have a serious problem.

jpetrocelli · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 7:54 pm Post subject:

jcstites · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 12:05 pm Post subject:

I haven't gotten any gigs through mine, but its only been up for a few months. I guess I should add some meta tags in the html then, eh?

trptcolin · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 4:03 pm Post subject:

Meta tags are one element of getting your site to rank highly in search engines (like Google). There are lots of others, too --- search for "Search engine optimization" and you'll find lots more info. Of course, the site has to convince somebody to offer you a gig; it isn't enough just to get clicked on (I definitely need to get some audio clips and more content up on my site).
-Colin

extromba · Regular Member Joined: 05 Oct 2003 Posts: 32

Joe:

With all due respect, it has not been fairly debated elsewhere. Everytime we try to call Mr. Bacon on his egregious behavior, the folks at TH.com shut down the thread. I for one am not going to stop until he ceases such actions. The plain fact is that he is apparently attempting to trade off the goodwill of Bugles Across America by obtaining a confusingly similar web address and source indicator for his site.

I'm not the only person on this site to find his actions reprehensible. This is a matter of principal that all fellow trumpet players (and trumpet owners) should consider closely. In a nutshell, Mr. Bacon appears to be using a nearly identical domain name to drive traffic to his site and away from a legitimate site maintained by fellow trumpet players who are willing to give of their time freely to honor and respect the men and women who so selflessly gave their lives for our country. How much more offensive and disrespectful can one get than to use such tactics for commerical gain?

Hopefully, the folks here at TH.com will finally take this issue seriously.

jpetrocelli · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:46 pm Post subject:

I have said this before, and amsure I'll be repeating it. Mark is a good guy and is just making a buck.

I am an active duty Navy sailor. I play Taps all the time and have much respect for our deceased veterans and their familes.

I was a member of BAA and played for free when asked by BAA, until they kicked me out for supporting Mark. I also got paid to play Taps.

Most people on TH are amatuer trumpeters or students looking for community and advice. That is what this website is about. Helping each other out. It has NOTHING to do with playing for free. I support Mark 100%.

I say that as a civilian and as a member of our military.
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Joe Petrocelli

TapsTrumpeter · Regular Member Joined: 31 Jul 2007 Posts: 22

PiCK Kanstul · Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 5:43 am Post subject: