Making and
Marketing a Sleep Sound Site
A few days ago I realized that
virtualdreamer.com was completed. Not our unique nature sounds
themselves, as that work will go on for quite a long time, but the site
itself.
It was quite a chore that required a
nine month commitment. I am no web page designer guru so there was a
heck of a learning curve to assimilate. I have to admit I thought it
would be much easier then it was. But now that it is done (at least
phase one) I feel good about the process. I could write a book about
it... but I won't.
Things I had to learn: Search Engine
Optimization, Keyword Density, CGI script, Javascript, Perl,
Flash, Monetizing, AdSense, AdWords, Pay per Click, Click-Through Rates,
Analytics, and on and on. All of this is counter intuitive for a guy
like me as I make relaxing soundscapes not web pages. But if you
want to call the tune you have to pay the piper. So I mustered up all
the dusty left brain cells I had left to accomplish the task.
I am a right brain guy. Always have
been.
Phase two of the project will be
visibly less noticeable as I construct a searchable database. I will use
(probably) something called PHP to create fundamentally unique pages
based on individual choices. I am not really looking forward to that as
I have the feeling it will take all the left brain energy I have left...
which is admittedly not much. This next phase will begin when I
feel we have enough sleep sounds / soundscapes / dreamscapes to justify
such a venture. Right now there are about 34 or so Virtual Dreams.
I can see Phase 2 coming in around 50 soundscapes... sometime next
summer probably. <gulp>
One of the good things about
completing the site is getting back to the work I love. Making
interesting and relaxing sound environments reminds me of why I got into
this Internet business to begin with. To help others who, like me, have
trouble relaxing and falling asleep. That work will never be
finished.
Brad McBride
Return
to Sleep
Thoughts
