Hello Fellow Paper Fanatics! When I first joined this group, I explored the possibility, and your suggestions, of creating a blog. Your recommendations were to create a separate blog to weave "investment" topics into the historical and artistic appreciation for the beautiful art work that we collect. Well, it is now published (and in its beginning/construction phase). I have no pride of authorship here. It will only be as "successful" as the joy, information and helpfulness it brings to us and to others who might join our hobby. Here's the link http://intaglioadvisors.wordpress.com/ I invite you to poke around the few existing contents, subscribe and comment. The more critical your comments, the better the blog! Thanks All!
You've got a nice start there! I've never really cared for the dark background on sites, but I think it will make the images pop out more if you're planning on having lots of images on the site it will work well. I'd also suggest building the site on your own domain name. I see you already own intaglioadvisors.com, IIRC the Wordpress.com service allows you to use your own domain name for just $10 a year. If you're going to stick with Wordpress (and I do highly recommend Wordpress), I'd still say use your own domain whether it's on Wordpress.com or your own host. The only downside of the Wordpress.com service is that they don't let you customize the site as much as you could on your own host. OTOH, Wordpress.com makes it really easy on you, you don't worry about upgrading the software for example. More importantly, don't forget to add a link to Cointalk.com on your site! Other than that, keep adding new articles, photos, and information about currency and you'll no doubt become a great resource for the industry.
I would agree with Peter on the black background. Even a deep indigo would be easier to look at. My preference tends toward substance over form. If you focus on useful content I'll come back to read. If the blog gets too slick and full of jargon, I'm gone. One more comment: pictures will bring you viewers. Add to your gallery regularly with attractive images and that should also attract people. Good luck on this endeavor!
Thanks for The Comments! Yes, the dark/black backgrounds are a bit annoying. They do help the images pop. I am still torn between blog vs. website (or both, as Peter suggests). Being a techniphobe doesn 't help, as I'm looking at spendy proposals for both. This is a new business. I currently have a cadre' of "revenue partners." As for jargon, pablum, cliches', stock text and various other signs of grammatical ineptitude, I am commited to using innovation, argument (in best, old-fashioned sense of the word) and experiences to grow readership. They may enjoy printed art, commerce in history or asset/investment management. It will take an abundance of creative writing to satisfy each of those three audiences. If magic then happens, all three converge! You comments are greatly appreciated!
I enjoyed reading the blog, and look forward to the discussion on investing through paper as it moves forward. Hopefully there will be some postings on foreign collectibles as well at some point? No issue for me with the dark background, I kind of like it. I would agree with the other comments about writing style though. There are an awful lot of blustery superlatives to wade through before you get to the actual point. Personally I would find it better to just get to the point. Dave
Comment from The Verbose One I especially appreciate the comments which recommend that I "turn down" the superlatives. I have no excuses, just reasons. I get passionate about our hobby - the heart gets between the head and the writing hand. Also, I'm very new to blogging, forums and writing stuff for the web/net. Still trying to find the "style" to motivate others to join us, increase their participation and/or up their knowledge. 'Nuff said.
