CYGNETURE
The Newsletter of SWAN
July 1996
SPECIAL ISSUE: THE SWAN WEBSITE
Self-employed Writers and Artists Network, Inc.
In this Issue:
How to plan a Web page | Words
from the Webmaster |
Members sample website and like it | How
one writer set up his page |
Why members join SWAN | SWAN
Notes | Credits
How to plan a Web page
"You'll miss out if you're not hooked up soon," warned Enrique (Ricky)
Silberg at the May Internet meeting. He is a teacher of website design at Bergen County
Technical School.
Being on the Internet is "now a way of life," said Silberg. He urged members
to get on the Net by offering a "tickler" of their writing, art, or photography
via a home page. However, don't "give away the store," he said, since anything
appearing on the Web can be copied. "Photographers should be prepared to lose
whatever they put up," Silber said. Despite this, he said, having your work available
for others not only to read but to see on the Net, "opens up possibilities."
For writers, he advised putting up part of a story or article, stopping at an
interesting point, and leaving their e-mail address for further information. Similarly,
for all disciplines, Silberg said that when designing a Web page, don't list clients or
fees; instead, have people e-mail you for that information.
Those interested in designing their own home page, need to be versed in HTML (hyper
text mark-up language) which tells the computer how to color and design graphics. Silberg
noted that Bergen Country Technical School offers classes on learning HTML. Once you
design a Web page, the webmaster will, for a fee, put it on the Internet. There are also
up-keep charges for periodic changes and additions.
What else is in this Issue?
Words from the Webmaster
For SWAN members who are not versed in HTML but want a portfolio page on the Net, SWAN
is providing this service. Stan Cohen, SWAN's webmaster, also spoke to members about what
they need to provide in order to have a portfolio page in the SWAN website. He reminded
members that clients want to see what they have, not just read it. Therefore, writers in
particular should provide logos, covers, or mastheads to accompany text. Photographers
have to make sure that they pick discernible images.
--Luisa Frey-Gaynor, writer
Digital Photograph by Jook Leung
What else is in this Issue?
Website Update
All SWAN members now have their directory listing on the SWAN Internet site, reports
webmaster Stan Cohen. But more need to take advantage, he said, of the ability to modify
their listing and develop a portfolio page for the website. It is not too late to do so,
he added. A summer mailing wll provide more details about how to submit material for your
own page
The listing at the website is free for all members. A portfolio page for four items
costs $20 annually for the space and $50 to scan and assemble the portfolio; a portfolio
of 10 items costs $40 annually and $125 to scan and assemble the portfolio. See Ted Thomas
for details.
To bring potential clients to its website this summer, SWAN will give search engines,
like Yahoo or Webcrawler, key words (illustrator, designer, etc.). Then, to help such
clients find the right SWAN artist, designer, etc. to match their needs, Cohen is devising
a second list of key words (e.g, children's books, logos, line art, pharmaceutical,
fashion, etc.). These key words will be drawn from the members' own listings.
Diane Berson has helped Cohen prepare
information for the website.
What else is in this Issue?
How one writer set up his page
Here's how easy it was for me to create my home page on the new SWAN website. I
selected four different types of writing , along with a magazine logo, cover, or
illustration to go with each sample.
For scanning the graphics, I used the affordable services of webmaster Stan Cohen. Then
I highlighted two or three lead paragraphs in text format to accompany the article
headline and each of the four illustrations. Finally, for the website, I amplified my
description from the SWAN Sourcebook to include my bio, scope of services, and diversity
of clients.
Each of the four samples and the bio are icons on the opening panel of my SWAN home
page. That's how easy it is. It's one of the best investments to make to maximize your
membership in SWAN.
-Steve Traiman, writer
NOTE: To see how Steve's pages came out, click on his name!
What else is in this Issue?
Members sample website...and like it
While many members think of signing up for their own page on the SWAN website, others
have sampled the site as users. Here are some of the messages they have sent to webmaster
Stan Cohen.
"Congratulations. It's easy to use and extremely professional."
-Jackie Wides, writer
"Great job! Now I just have to go out and buy a faster modem."
-Kathy Fairclough, writer
"It looks clean and moves fast, and is very intelligently organized."
-judywhite, photographer
"I love that SWAN is on the leading edge of technology."
-Jill Vitiello, writer
"I think this is a great tool, especially for those who can't make meetings. I've
already communicated with members through this medium more than I've been able to do in
the past three years."
-Drew DeGrado, photographer
What else is in this Issue?
Why members join SWAN
Why are you a SWAN member? The polling was unscientific, but here's how members
responded to a survey handed out at the March meeting. Most important, they said, were:
1. The job referral system.
2. Networking.
3. Distribution of the SWAN Sourcebook to the business community.
4. Meetings.
For meetings, they suggested more on the World Wide Web, creative people as speakers,
and increasing the Pricing Game to twice a year.
What else is in this Issue?
SWAN Notes
Members Ray Chimileski, writer, and Len Coulson, designer, received a Certificate of
Excellence form the New Jersey Art Director's Association. Their project was a print-based
orientation training manual for Reebok Retail Sales. Chimileski, executive director of the
Virtual Learning Network, which produced the work, also made a presentation in June at the
American Society for Training and Development conference in Orlando, FL.
SWAN membership has reached 131 by June 15. This includes 8 associate members.
Remember, if you want information about SWAN or the next SWAN meeting, call the SWAN
hotline at (201) 967-1313. The voice-mail system will take your message or provide
information.
Member Brian Konradt produces two newsletters for commercial writers. Both are
bimonthlies. The Prolific Freelancer runs 8 pages and helps writers market themselves and
keep up the business side of their operation. Today's Freelancer runs 4 pages and updaes
writers on new developments in today's technology. Copies of each newsletter are on
display at SWAN meetings.
What else is in this Issue?
CREDITS
Copyright © 1996 Cygneture
SWAN seeks news about members and their achievements.
EDITOR: Bob Parker
STAFF WRITERS:
Kathy Fairclough
Cindy Mehallow
Luisa Frey-Gaynor
Printed Newsletter Graphic Design: Carrie Oesmann
What else is in this Issue?
Return to Newsletters.
|
