My 2¢ Worth

e're back this week with another exclusive interview. This time with Ginger Geracitano of Webwench Design. Love that name!!

 had a lot of fun conducting this interview. I found Ginger to be very knowledgeable and personable. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I had doing it.

n another note, I noticed that a lot of you played and won our little puzzle game, however, not many took advantage of the Web design discounts. If you have a Web site, do yourself a favor and point your browser to www2.imagiware.com/RxHTML/ and check your home page for errors. If you find more than a dozen or so errors, you've got serious problems!

mproper HTML coding could cause you pages to display improperly or not at all in some browsers. Get your Web site up to par now before the Christmas sales season begins. Simply head on over to my site and fill out the Client Inquiry form and I'll give you a great deal on any new design or site revamping.

Feature Article

Special Interview

with Ginger Geracitano Webwench Graphics & Design

Ginger Geracitano is a Web Designer,
(www.webwenchdesign.com),
Business Coach, (www.earnalivingonline.com), and Editor (www.theportaltosuccess.com)... in her free time! She's currently working full time from her home as the GSI Training Coordinator, Director or Research and Development, and Web Developer. As such, she writes training tutorials, and conducts live training sessions to audiences of over 250 business coaches, as well as designing and developing a brand new business site geared towards coaching kids to become tomorrow's entreprenuers!

Working from home allows Ginger to enjoy more time with her 8 year old twin daughters, and to devote any spare time to continuing her own education by earning a degree in Web and Digital Design. She considers herself an artist, and a writer, with varied interests spanning many topics including things both on and off the internet.

Web Sm@rts: Thanks for taking time out to answer a few questions Ginger.

Ginger: It's my pleasure, Ed, thanks for asking me! I think what you're doing is great. ;o)

Web Sm@rts: Could you give us your background? You used to be in banking, did you not?

Ginger: Yes, I was a banker for 15 years, having started at age 17 as a bank teller. I worked my way through school, and progressed to the level of Branch Manager by the time I was 22 years old. I managed several different areas within the corporate banking arena, including International Banking, Sales Management, and Training Coordination. I also taught college level courses on Business Writing for the American Institute of Banking, on the Sienna College campus.

Web Sm@rts: How does one go from banking into Web design and Business Coaching? Is there a connection?

Ginger: I went to Sewanhaka High School, just outside of NYC. It was a technical/career based curriculum, and I majored in Advertising Art Technology. I was also very involved in art classes, and even won a scholarship to an Art College in New Hampshire! I attribute my interest in Web Design to this part of my history, more so than my banking career.

The many years of business and sales training that I participated in, and taught while I was a banker has a much stronger influence on my Coaching business today. I've found that "sales" are based on human nature, and that holds true online or offline, so the transition was an easy one to make when I decided to work from home.

To directly answer your question, though, I would have to say that there really is no logical connection between going from a banking career to one in Web Design and Business Coaching... it was more a matter of pursuing my passions for art, design, and a desire to help others pursue THEIR passions. I truly believe that everyone deserves to do something they enjoy, and when possible, to do so as their own boss!

Web Sm@rts: I absolutely love the name "WebWench" Ginger. I'd steal it if it weren't unethical. How did you come up with such a great name?

Ginger: Ha! I used to have a pretty practiced answer to this one, as I get asked this quite often... and this has even been a matter of debate with some of my peers! It's really very simple; when I was learning how to use graphics programs I was very involved with several online communities of graphics enthusiasts. I ran a mailing list that shared the art work I produced, as well as the work of other list members. This was a non-commercial, for fun only list of friends, so as such I was really able to be myself. I'm a brutally honest person, and diplomacy was not my strong point... I was enjoying the freedom of no longer being a corporate executive, constantly worried about the company 'image', so started to be known for my sarcastic humor and realism.

The name 'WebWench' was pinned on me by the co-manager of the art list... for two reasons. Wench, because of my 'attitude' and willingness to be open and honest... an alternative for the "B" word. This was a humorous 'term of endearment'. I also have a fondness for all things Pirate related, and like it or not, a female on a pirate ship was called a Wench. They started calling me the WebWench, and it just stuck. When I decided to open my own design business, I wanted to incorporate this into my business name, as a reminder that I'm now the captain of my own ship, so to speak.

Feminists and 'Professional' mentors have tried to convince me that using such a term with negative connotations was not good for business. I kindly remind them that any negative connotation to a word that otherwise describes "a person that serves the needs of others", is their own baggage, and nothing that I'm saddled with. I'm comfortable enough with my own independence and identity to remain unaffected by the occasional negative comment about that name. My success speaks to the fact that having such a name has NOT hindered my business at all. It's all about personal branding. I provide services, if you are in need of those services, I'm just the WebWench that can help! It's a fun reminder to never take myself too seriously. ;o)

Web Sm@rts: When did you start using the Internet regularly and why?

Ginger: I started using the Internet regularly about five years ago. I was on medical leave due to being the primary victim during an armed bank robbery. The trauma of the event caused a condition called PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), which took me out of circulation for about a year. My husband suggested I find a hobby to occupy my mind, since being a manager at the bank was a 60+ hour a week job, I didn't really have the time for a hobby before this. Heck, I hardly had the time to visit with my twin daughters before they went to bed when I was working at the bank!

I started out like a lot of people do... on AOL. I found an incredible amount of computer generated art online, that really intrigued me... I wanted to learn how to convert my classic art talents into something I could do on the computer. I found out about PaintShop Pro, and I was instantly lost in the world of graphics creation. I became involved with online communities for graphics artists, and absorbed all I could. This led to my learning HTML and Web Design... as a hobby.

Even when I returned to work, I still found myself looking forward to returning home so I could continue on my latest art project or web site design. Everything I did then, was for fun. I was 'practicing', and teaching myself all I could.

Web Sm@rts: I'm a Web designer myself and I get a lot of flack from newbies and not-so-newbies when I start talking about the importance of Web standards. What do you think about Web standards?

Ginger: I think it's sad that most people won't even know what Web Standards are when they read this interview. Even though I was primarily 'self taught' at the time I started my own business, I have since been working towards a double major degree in Web Design and Digital Design through Sessions.Edu, an online, distance learning accredited school. My point being, that I've been learning the 'right' way to do things, and unfortunately, this is not something I find a lot of web builders doing.

I see a direct correlation between Web standards and business ethics. Usually, people who are weak in one, are also weak in the other. Let's face it, accessibility and longevity are important facets of your web site, as well as your business! It's my opinion that you need to be concerned with both if you are serious about running a long term business, as opposed to the 'fly-by-night' mini site operations we see so much of.

As a business owner, you need to be concerned with reaching your target market. ALL of your target market. Following Web standards will help you do that. Why would any business want to shut out a portion of their target market?

I do a lot of research in my daily life, and most of what I learned about Web standards was due to working as a site evaluator for an Awards program which had very strict standards, which aligned with the W3. Unfortunately, most 'businesses' are concerned with sales, and earning money, without realizing the direct effect that Web standards can have on that goal.

Web Sm@rts: I couldn't have said that better myself! Which languages or technologies interests you the most at the moment?

Ginger: I'm most familiar with Perl/CGI, although I don't write it. Getting these scripts to do what I want them to do is my goal.;o) I honestly have no interest in learning how to program, although I love what can be accomplished through PHP.

I enjoy using DHTML, and am currently concentrating on learning the best ways to use it effectively, keeping the current Web standards in mind. I find it frustrating that some of what could be considered 'basic' dynamics is still not viewable under common conditions.

My passion is digital art and graphics creation. I'm looking forward to learning more about 3D rendering and animation. My goal is to someday convert my drawings, ink, and painting into digital works. I'm an artist, not a programmer! :o)

Web Sm@rts: Which browser do you prefer and why?

Ginger: I use both the latest versions of IE and Netscape every day. It depends on what I'm doing, and what my primary need is at the time, which browser I prefer. I find Netscape to load faster in some cases, as with graphic intensive sites, but IE is still better for heavily programmed sites using PHP or ASP. Netscape is still not advanced enough for me to have it as my default. I still rely on IE for most things, and consider my Netscape browser to be my personal favorite due to it's easy customization aspects. I haven't experimented with others.

Web Sm@rts: What mistake(s) were you making at the start that you later realized you were holding you back?

Ginger: Being an artist at heart, I enjoy making 'pretty' sites, heavy on the graphics. I found that this was really limiting my client base, and once I focused on making sites 'simple' and goal oriented, I found that I widened my target market quite a bit. I had to learn how to make sites attractive, AND functional. My personal interest in graphics and art sites was just not in demand. I found clients that wanted business sites, so learned to make simple, yet attractive sites geared toward the clients goals.

On the other hand, I was interested in helping the average person learn how to present their business on the web. I had plans for business coaching, but no 'system' to offer coaching clients. I didn't have the resources necessary to offer people a system for marketing their business on the Internet. Then I found GSI Internet, and Gary Shawkey. Back then, he was developing a Coaching Program that would offer an entire system of promotion to business owners, including lead generation, follow up and list management. I saw this as an opportunity to incorporate my original coaching idea into his system.

I originally made the mistake of thinking I could create a system of my own, but instead learned that I could use my business experience as a partner to the GSI Coaching Program. Why re-invent the wheel? This turned out to be my most successful venture to date. I'm able to help so many more people with this system, than I would have been, if I had gone on to create my own version. I consider it a partnering of resources... and the best decision I ever made.

Web Sm@rts: Let's talk about your E-zine for a moment. Tell us about The Portal to Success.

Ginger: I'm not unlike most Editors, in the fact that I LOVE publishing my own E-zine. The Portal To Success is my own stomping ground, my sounding board, and my main communication with my clients, prospects, and peers.

The Portal has undergone many changes over the years, and will continue to do so. I started it out as a members only, fee based membership site with corresponding weekly publication. This was a short lived experiment, which took too much of my time once my design business started to grow, so I switched it to a free publication and instantly started having more fun with it.

I have experimented with biweekly publication, and paid advertising. Over time, I've found that a content packed issue with NO paid advertising not only pulls the best results, but it also retains a more responsive subscriber base.

I concentrate in offering original content in the form of my own articles, resources and research. I offer solo ads to my subscribers in exchange for feedback, and participation in our forum. I encourage my subscribers to increase their own exposure by offering self branding opportunities through article submission and specific feedback.

For the most part, I use The Portal To Success to keep my subscribers up to date with Internet Marketing trends and my own activities. I offer periodic product and program reviews through what I call the "RealDealReports". I try to make my publication as interactive as possible, and include my subscribers in what I consider to be the most 'sound' activities involving the promotion and growth of their own businesses.

The Portal To Success is a taste of what my coaching clients get. I share whatever training and experience I can within a weekly format. I consider it a supplement to my coaching business... a free version or a preview of the type of training I offer through coaching.

Web Sm@rts: Can you give some advices to the beginners in this business on how create a really good E-zine like yours?

Ginger: Use a double opt-in growth approach. What I mean by this is don't fool yourself into thinking that you can buy leads, add them to an autoresponder, and instantly make money by sending out fluffed up ads. I see so much of this happening! I even experimented with many co-op subscriber programs that claimed to be double opt in, and let me tell you, there is NO alternative to generating your OWN leads!

Experience has taught me a valuable lesson. Although there are many publications out there that boast subscriber bases in the tens of thousands, I can tell you that most of those are bought leads that never respond.

I've seen a measurable difference in my list's responsiveness since I made the change to double opt-in only, and I have a more responsive list with only 670+ subscribers than most lists with over 30,000! Sure, I once built my numbers up to 12,000. It was easy with co-registration, and it was expensive too. What I found, however, is that numbers mean nothing.

Building a relationship with your subscribers is the key. Get to know them through encouraging feedback and participation, and let them get to know you by writing original content, and including your personality and opinions in every issue. Don't be fooled into believing that you can just send your list sales letters and make sales... it doesn't work that way. Like most things in life, you get out of your list what you put into it!

Use your publication to build trust, and to create credibility to establish yourself as an expert in your field. Don't be afraid to have opinions! Remember that this is YOUR business, YOUR publication. Your E-zine is your platform for voicing your professionalism and experience, and it's one of the best ways for people to get to know who you are, and what you do.

Concentrate on content and quality. Whoever has the biggest list does not always win! I've seen much better results taking the 'slow and steady' approach. ;o)

Web Sm@rts: Would you change anything if you could start all over again?

Ginger: No. I consider everything in life a learning experience. Mistakes and wrong decisions are how we learn. I wouldn't be where I am today, had I not taken the path that I'm on, and I like where I am! :o)

The only thing I would change, if I were to start all over again, would be the 'WHEN'. I should have started "working" the internet a lot sooner. Once again though, the time I spent learning and researching is irreplaceable. I played on the net a lot longer than I've worked on it, but I value that time as a learning experience.

Web Sm@rts: Which Web sites do you visit most regularly?

Ginger: My own! I'm constantly tweaking, viewing and re-reading my copy. Nothing is ever finished as far as I'm concerned.

Next, I would have to say competitor sites and research vehicles. As the Director of Research and Development for GSI Internet, I have a responsibility to keep up on the latest technologies, advancements and market trends.

I'm a huge proponent of forums. Although I lurk in more than I participate in, that's only because I'm busy absorbing as much information as I possibly can. I regularly visit design, SEO, and marketing forums to see what people are asking. Of course, I offer help where I can, and I am fortunate enough to moderate on a few forums also. I'm also watching the 'Blog' evolution with much interest.

Web Sm@rts: I do my best work in the middle of the night. Are there any hours of the day that work best for you or do you work your Internet business like a regular 9 to 5 job?

Ginger: I definitely do NOT work my business as a 9-5'er! I enjoy the benefit of working whenever I can. I probably work an average of 80 hours a week, if it's slow, more if it's busy.

I tend to do more of my 'technical' work during the day. Client calls and consultations are always scheduled during the day.

My creative work however, is almost always done at night, into the wee hours of the morning! For some reason, I'm just more creative after the sun goes down. I find this is common amongst my peers as well. For me, I truly believe that most of this is due to knowing that my family is safe and sound in bed, and it's truly the only time it's quiet here.

Web Sm@rts: Thanks for taking time out of your schedule to visit with us Ginger. Would you care to share with us again some day?

Ginger: Anytime, Ed! I really enjoyed answering your questions, it's a great reminder of where I came from, and what my goals are. Thank you for doing this, and I invite anyone interested on keeping up with my 'antics' to subscribe to my publication, it really is my best method of sharing information! :o)

**************

HTML Form Tips

One of the things we have seen used a lot on the Web these days is the Form "focus" method. What does this do? It brings the typing cursor right to the input box that you designate. This is a very handy method that will allow one to begin typing immediately.

Start by replacing your <body> tag with <body onload="document.thisform.username.focus()">

To automatically focus your forms, add the following code to your page and manipulate it to suit your needs:

<form name="thisform">
<input name="username" type="text">
</form>

* Get these syndicated tip feeds for yourweb site, free. *

Second Article

Choose Your Words

by: Ken Darby The Pebble

Our supermarket had a sale on boneless chicken breasts, and a woman I know intended to stock up. At the store, however, she was disappointed to find only a few skimpy prepackaged portions of the poultry, so she complained to the butcher.

"Don't worry, lady," he said. "I'll pack some more trays and have them ready for you by the time you finish shopping."

Several aisles later, my friend heard the butcher's voice boom over the public-address system: "Will the lady who wanted bigger breasts please meet me at the back of the store."

I truly love it when a joke makes a point. As funny as this joke is, it points out that we most often should think before we speak.

I had a lady say something like that joke to me the other day and when I asked her to repeat her statement it suddenly dawned on her what she had said. She became so embarrassed she blushed for an hour.

We have a hard enough time speaking clearly to folks within our own communities. We must speak in ways the reader understands and to do that takes some skill.

However, in these days of internet marketing you are not only speaking to the local community but to the whole world.

I have had the good fortune to travel to parts of the world where folks are not computer literate, neither desirous of being so. They live by primitive means by North American standards.

In those places you will find that dialects change about every twenty five miles in any direction. The same used to occur right here in our own country, not too long ago.

So, when you speak, or write, you must be aware that even as close as twenty five miles away there may be folks who look at your words different than what you meant.

The Duke Of Edinburgh has been quoted, once, as saying that the "English and the Americans are separated by a common language". He's right. It is just this different way folks look at the same things as you go around the world that creates communication troubles.

So, as an internet marketer, it is wise to keep in mind the different ethnic backgrounds even within your own community, your State, your Country. All people may need your product, but they and you will never find out unless you address them in terms they understand.

Choose Your Words

**************

Ken Darby writes articles, books and other material helping people achieve their goals. Find out if an internet business is for you. Find the facts and methods that will help you decide. Send a blank email by clicking on this link professional@rr-email.com

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