A New Age of Empire
Five weeks ago I was frightened. Today I’m happy to say the fear is gone. Andrew Hurl (my IT Guy) has delivered a new Empire website that exceeds all expectations. He did it on budget. And would’ve nailed it last fortnight, had I coughed up my content on time.
Andrew’s firm is SilverDimension. He should call it SilverBullet, because it slew my bête noire!
As presaged in Physician Heal Thyself, my website turned out to be the hardest piece of writing I’ve ever done. I had dreadful performance anxiety; all I could think was, ‘They’re all watching. This is where I stand or fall. What good is a copywriter who can’t write his own site?’
After I’d faffed around with every task except this critical one, Andrew broke my inertia by asking for one small paragraph. Like a breadstick diced, the massive job suddenly seemed digestible.
I still worried about clients, peers and prospects. Yet Andrew was operating in a much harsher glare. I’d named him and was describing his every move to the global business community … inviting every person and their pet to rifle his unfinished pages … crying about how hard and costly and time consuming the project was. Yet Andrew was unphased.
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When I couldn’t sleep for worry, my 3.00 am emails woke him via his mobile.
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When I requested four tiny changes (in a row) to one image, he didn’t complain.
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When he got the flu towards the end of the project, he kept on working.
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When I sent huge additional work samples at the last second, he barely murmured.
Now the site is live. I warmly invite your visit and double-barrelled feedback. Should you spot any errors or inconsistencies, please let me know. Given my profession, a quiet word via paul@thefeistyempire.com might be best.
I also wish to thank Adam Wilson at Logo Pogo who did the beautiful graphic design work. And Adam Finlay, who told me for years that I needed a new website. You were right, Mate!
I’m also grateful to you, dear reader, for taking the time to follow these posts and make helpful comments and suggestions. I’d like to thank God, my wife and (especially) my ISP, but it looks like we’re out of time…
Andrew Hurl has served me well. All that remains is to not pay his invoice for as long as possible per our recent discussion!
J
Paul Hassing, Founder & Senior Writer
The NEW & IMPROVED Feisty Empire, NOW WITH ENZYMES
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Looks like a great site.
One thing I don’t understand (I’ve either missed some ‘movement at the station’, or I’m missing the sarcasm) is you wanted to especially thank your ISP. Huh?!?
Thank you Stephen. It was sarcasm re the ISP. A little joke for regular readers. I can be too oblique sometimes; sorry for the confusion. My ISP woes caused a total of nearly four days maddening downtime when I could least afford it. They will not be receiving a Christmas card from me. Best regards, P.
Paul, I think the new site looks great. Well done – I know how much work you and Andrew put into it.
Obviously as a copywriter you have an advantage over most – despite your self doubts – and yet even you found writing the content a daunting task. So for everyone else, can I recommend a fantastic article written by Tina Robertson from Asenz - yes it’s on the myBRC site, but as I was uploading it I was struck by how clearly she has articulated the essence of developing web content.
Paul has also written a stellar piece on the mechanics of writing for the web - more technical than Tina’s, for when you’re ready to get into the nitty gritty.
Well done again, Paul!
Thanks heaps, Megan! I greatly appreciate that. For easy of use, can you add links to those articles in your comment?
Wow, the new site is fabulous (I would’ve expected no less from you)! And to be listed as a Life Resource… how cool is that? Thank you!
Well done you!
You’re very welcome, Wendy. If someone had told me six months ago that I’d be linking to a couple in Fargo that I’d never met, I’d have laughed aloud. Now, thanks to Twitter and the amazing content and support you and Christopher have generated, I find this a completely natural development. I’m very glad to be associated with you and I hope the link sends some worthy souls to your totally switched-on site. Best regards, P.
I only just had a peek at the front page of your new site. Looking good!! I really like the look and feel. I am in the midst of a relocation so forgive me for not saying more but it has been a long day of packing.
I will have a more in depth look when I get to NZ Paul
Many thanks, Yvonne. It was good of you to take the time. I wish you every success with your move and look foward to hearing from you from your mountain eyrie.
Where did you find this amazing IT guy?
Andrew was referred to me a couple of years ago by a friend. He began by doing small tasks for me. Each positive interaction encouraged me to give him bigger, more complicated assignments.
This year I threw everything I had at him, including the kitchen sink (with taps). He caught the sink and juggled the taps while whistling “I’m Walking Backwards for Christmas”. Not every IT Guy can do that.