καίω kaíō, kah'-yo; a primary verb; to set on fire, i.e. kindle or (by implication) consume:—burn, light. —Strong’s Dictionary, #2545.
The traditional method for deploying a website is to pay a web designer to design, develop, launch and update your site. When changes need to be made, you pay the web designer again to make them for you. Since you don't have time to learn how to write code, you’re trusting someone else to do it all for you. Changes happen on the designer’s schedule, not on yours.
If that’s what you’re looking for, we’re not for you.
Why? Well, we don’t build static websites because they simply don’t work, for several reasons:
I. Static sites don’t work for you.
“A static site just sits there with its feet up, munching on Doritos and watching Judge Judy.”
The first problem with the traditional method is that every time you need to update your website, your pocketbook takes a major hit. Because nobody likes to spend money, updating your website immediately becomes a negative experience. Because you never have direct control, you can’t really update your website whenever you need.
Ultimately, traditionally deployed websites suffer from static site syndrome. The site owner quickly becomes tired of shelling out money to the web designer for every little change and so change just… doesn’t happen. Search engines stop indexing pages on the site because they become more and more outdated. Cobwebs start forming. Tumbleweeds blow through. An old cattle skull becomes a home for a mouse wearing a ten teaspoon hat with a bit of grass hanging out of the corner of his mouth. In the distance, a masked rider saunters off into the sunset.
The bottom line is that a static website simply doesn’t work for you anymore. A static site just sits there with its feet up, munching on Doritos and watching Judge Judy. Is your website working hard, or hardly working?
II. Static sites don’t work for your prospects.
“Gone are the days (if they ever really existed) when you could get away with putting up a few pages of basic information about your business or organization and expect real people to find you. It just doesn’t work.”
While there may be an initial burst of interest (usually provided by traditional advertising, not by any actual inbound interest from actual people), eventually the only traffic to a static site is from search engine robots and the occasional person who types in your website directly because they already know it from somewhere else. The website itself draws no one.
The people who share your passion can’t find you because search engines, especially Google, immediately prioritize websites with current content. If you update your site only a few times a year, don’t be surprised if you have visitors that only show up when you update your site and then never come back.
III. Static sites don’t work for us.
When I used to build static websites, I would spend a good amount of time in the initial design and development phase, charge a fee for that time, and then despite them being quite happy with my work, I would often never hear from them ever again. That made me sad, because I want to be here for my clients as much as I can to help them succeed—but I really can’t blame them. Building a website is quite an investment, and very often people would budget for the launch but didn’t leave any leftovers for updates.
With traditional website deployment, updates often only happen when you have some extra revenue. That usually isn’t on a set schedule, so visitors don’t have a reason to keep coming back and your updates have to work around our other clients. No matter how hard I worked—and I work hard—when I used to build static sites I couldn’t make myself available for my clients as often as they really needed.
IV. What works, what won’t, and why it matters
“Rich content is valuable, remarkable content that evokes a memorable, emotional response. Ideally, rich content answers a question and fills a need. It is something tangible and remarkable that is designed to be enormously helpful to the people who share your passion (your C.O.R.E. Network). It is not necessarily evergreen, but often has to be continually designed and re-deployed. Rich content is often not easy to determine, but we will work closely with you to discover what kinds of rich content will work for you and your organization.”
Gone are the days (if they ever really existed) when you could get away with putting up a few pages of basic information about your business or organization and expect real people to find you. It just doesn't work. If you build a site (whether it is a static website or if you use a content management system) and only update it a few times a year, no matter how good your content is on that initial deployment, it will not keep finding people who share your passion.
I've been a graphic artist since 1994 and a website designer since 1996. In that time I've seen all kinds of Internet technologies emerge. Some have lasted; most have faded away as innovation creates churn and growth. The Web will always change. What lasts are real connections with real people. When you pay for any kind of advertising, you expect a reasonable return on your investment. Why would you ever want a website that doesn’t actually connect you with the people who share your passion?
So, what works? Agile Rich Content, A.R.C.
Consistent content delivery powered by an agile content management system that cross-posts to social media, paired with remarkable personal engagement both on and off your website. I call it Rich Content because when it really works, it makes your prospects feel rich. Rich content is valuable, remarkable content that evokes a memorable, emotional response. Ideally, rich content answers a question and fills a need. It is something tangible and remarkable that is designed to be enormously helpful to the people who share your passion (your Core Network). It is not necessarily evergreen, but has to be continually designed and re-deployed. Rich content is sometimes not easy to determine, but we will work closely with you to discover what kinds of rich content will work for you and your organization. Rich content can’t be faked. It has to have genuine passion behind it.
Rich content works so well for search engine optimization because people are always looking for the kinds of things they are already passionate about. If there is one way that the Internet has completely transformed society, it is that it is has removed a lot of the barriers that keep real people from finding what they are interested in.
Here’s the truth I have learned in the past 27 years. Real people are already looking for you, but they can’t find you. I have yet to find an industry or niche where that isn’t true. We want to help you remove that barrier by building a website that makes it super easy for you to create a content rich media masterpiece.
V. Did you know that Benjamin Franklin had a blog?
“Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor.”
“Benjamin Franklin, Printer, Philadelphia.” Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
“Content makes poor men rich…”—Ben
(Isn’t that a great quote? Of course Ben wasn’t talking specifically about CONTENT in that aphorism, but it works so well!)
We’re not the only ones doing this, of course. Content marketing is a viable marketing strategy that has been around for a very long time. In the 1700’s, Benjamin Franklin published Poor Richard’s Almanack to promote his publishing business under the pseudonym Poor Richard Saunders. Chock full of rich content, Poor Richard’s was filled with calendars, weather, poems, sayings, astronomical and astrological information, and math exercises; but what made it famous were Franklin’s stories, aphorisms and proverbs, many of whom remain famous today.
He even had a blog. Did you know that Benjamin Franklin had a blog? People absolutely loved reading about ‘Poor’ Richard Saunders and his wife, Bridget. One of the most popular features found in Poor Richard’s Almanack were the ‘news’ stories that Franklin included about characters in Poor Richard’s life. These were published in serial format so that Franklin’s readers would have yet another reason to buy the next edition.
Of course, Franklin didn’t just write Poor Richard’s Almanack to make his publishing business more profitable. He had a genuine passion to provide affordable information to common people. His writings were purpose-driven: to improve general morality, monetary status, and virtue. He wanted to ensure a more educated population.
It just so happened, however, that Poor Richard always spoke very kindly about his publisher, Benjamin Franklin, and it helped Franklin’s business to thrive. Poor Richard’s sold very well for a pamphlet in the 13 colonies: print runs reached 10,000 a year. That may not sound like a lot, but in 1740 the population of the middle colonies was around 200,000. Even being conservative with my calculations, that’s roughly 5% of the population who were buying his pamphlet. In today’s numbers, that would equate to about 16.6 million people, just counting the United States.
The amazing thing about content marketing, however, is its ever-expanding reach. Just through my website, I have been able to connect with people who share my passion in the Philippines, Africa, South America, Great Britain, and more. You never know who you will reach.
VI. Why Agile Rich Content (ARC) works!
Many companies are already taking advantage of content marketing in one way or another using traditional media. Agile rich content, however, is a step beyond content marketing because it is fueled by a shared passion between your organization and your Tribe. (If you aren’t familiar with the term Tribe, I highly recommend Seth Godin’s book on the subject.)
Agile rich content works because:
It establishes you as an expert in your field, creating trust;
It removes the barrier to entry because your prospects are already passionate about the same things you are;
It removes the barrier of time and eliminates single contributor burn-out because you have multiple people inside and outside of your organization consistently contributing rich content toward a shared goal (Agile project management);
It immediately helps you stand out from your competitors and gives real people a reason to keep coming back to your website and to talk about it where they are (remarkability);
It tells the story of your brand in an approachable, tangible way shared by multiple people;
It sticks in the minds of your prospects because on a deep level they are already passionate about it;
Search engines absolutely love munching on all that yummy content and make it more likely that the people who share your passion and are already looking for you will find you;
It is a great example of long-tail marketing that just keeps working for you long after you post it (people are still talking about Ben Franklin’s blog two hundred years later); and
It makes it much, much easier for your prospects to choose to buy from you.
Bottom line, agile rich content works because it’s all about multiple people in your organization connecting with people on a personal level instead of marketing to generalities and hoping that, just maybe, the right person might be in the right place at the right time to find you. Rich content helps Your People to find you, get connected, and stay connected.
“The secret of leadership is simple: Do what you believe in. Paint a picture of the future. Go there. People will follow.”
VII. Sounds like an AWFUL lot of work. Isn’t that what I’m paying you for?
Yes, it does take some hard work, but we’ve given you all the necessary tools to do a team-lift, and we’ll be right there lifting with you.
With your KaioCreative service subscription, you will get exclusive access to our easy-to-use, customized tools that help you to establish your initial group of people who share your passion that can help you keep your site updated with rich content. Your C.O.R.E. Network helps you to build, establish, and communicate with your Tribe and keep everyone on the same page for goals.
You will also get immediate access to our Solutions Center which includes a treasure trove of ideas for rich content generation already built for you. Not sure what to write about? Pick from a library of topic ideas, broken down by Sparks (easy short-term goals) and Scorches (satisfying long-term outcomes). If you run out of ideas, you can use our collection of powerful AI tools to generate new ones.
Here’s a hint: you don’t have to write about your business or organization. Your goal is to write about what you’re passionate about, when you are passionate about it. The plan works around your schedule. You don’t have to commit to writing something at the same time every week. You can create content when you have time—or when inspiration strikes—and schedule it to release in a way that builds your influence. It’s easy to spend an hour or two every couple of weeks—or even once a month—and have your content all created for the next several months. The system will even cross-post to social media on your schedule. And because you only have to post your content in one place, your time on social media is much more efficient and you can focus on engagement.
All of our packages include personal, one-on-one support and training so you can use your Squarespace site to the fullest, and with our service package we’ll train your team right along with you. We will even train your customers when you find Tribe members eager to get in on the Action.
Firewind Productions has been, from the onset, committed to providing you with powerful tools to ignite and spread your creative passion in ways you may have never considered before. Our KaioCreative packages bring all of these tools together into one all-inclusive package, custom designed for you and your organization. And we’re here to walk this journey right along with you.
INTRODUCING our all-inclusive KaioCreative service package:
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Your website will look and function beautifully on all of your prospects’ devices. No need to maintain a separate website for mobile or tablets. We will make you look really good.
Your satisfaction is guaranteed: we’ll make whatever changes we have to make during the design and development period to make your site everything it needs to be to have a successful launch.
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Cut out the middle man and update your own website as often as you want, wherever you want, from your phone, tablet, or computer—without having to learn another language. Squarespace makes it really easy. With a fantastic mobile app available on the Apple App Store and Google Play, you can post to your site, edit pages, products, and more—from anywhere.
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Designed to fit your specific budget and needs. You will receive a marketing plan for your first year that fits into your schedule, no matter what that looks like. We consult with you to build a personalized Core Network and Rich Content Library that you can go to time and time again when you’re looking for ideas for rich content. If it sounds like a lot of work, it’s actually really easy. You can post a ton of content when it works for you and easily have it release in a way that works for the growth of your website—and your social media.
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With all of our KaioCreative packages, not only will you receive a significant discount for prepaying for the year, but you now have the opportunity to complete achievements that reward you for sticking to your personal marketing plan.
Rewards range from gift cards good for our products and services and extra entries for giveaways to free business collateral packages and more! We reward you for your commitment and consistency.
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All-inclusive KaioCreative marketing plans include your choice of either quality managed hosting with unlimited email accounts at your domain; OR complete initial setup of Google Workspace* including Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Meet, Docs, Sheets, Slides and more. *Workspace involves payment of separate monthly or annual fees to Google.
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One of the best content management interfaces in the world with so many incredible tools built right in. Fully integrated social media, commerce, print-on-demand, and other marketing tools plus all kinds of ways to grow as you grow. Because they are a third-party, you are responsible for Squarespace hosting fees, but we’ll pay for your first month of Squarespace hosting when you prepay for a year of our services. Schedule an online meeting and we’ll spend an hour for free to show you how it all works—with no obligation.
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No hidden fees, no sucker charges, easy upgrade paths. Just everything you need to grow.
What is ORGANIC ACTION?
Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines! Organic interest, involvement, action, and feedback turn a stagnant, static website into a constantly growing website.
Organic Action is the ignition catalyst that turns your website into a wildfire. Think NOx injection in a supercharged engine. It does some pretty great things on its own, but if you combine it with good fuel? Get ready for some crazy acceleration!
Simply put, it’s all about engaging real people that are already passionate about you and your organization, connecting them to your BIG IDEA, and giving them a creative outlet that uses your powerful content-driven website to spread your fire to others. It’s a little like word of mouth, but with a big difference: done right, your audience will actually work enthusiastically for you.
Organic Action isn’t something you can find through traditional advertising, but through building a Tribe of people who are passionate about you and your ideas and giving them a way to be creative with your shared passion. Your KAIOCreative website has tools built right in that makes that safe and easy. A lot of internet marketers talk about engagement, which is the art and science of connecting with real people where they are. Organic Action starts with and is built with engagement, but its ultimate goal is something deeper.
You don’t have to work hard to create brand evangelists because they are already enthusiastically coming along for the ride. These are the dream customers that not only will gush about you and your organization to others, but will actually fall over themselves to do so. These are the core clientele that will power your business or organization through the tough times. They’re easy to market to because they have already given you permission to market to them, and you’ve given them permission to be passionate and enthusiastic.
Here’s the thing. It starts with your Passion. If you aren’t passionate about what you’re doing, Organic Action won’t happen. You have to truly give of yourself for your Tribe to give back. It can’t be faked—at least not for very long—and it absolutely can’t be bought. Organic Action is given, never taken.
I have yet to find a single industry or the smallest, most unique niche where passionate people didn’t already exist who are totally ready to geek out all over it. We give you tools to help you find these people where they are, keep them coming back, give them a fireplace in which to kindle and burn, and help them to start wildfires by finding other like-minded individuals for you where they are. We're here to help you grow your website, grow your influence, and ultimately grow your company or organization.
“Passion is caring enough about your art that you will do almost anything to give it away, to make it a gift, to change people.”
UPFRONT PRICING
DESIGN & SETUP ONLY_
$799.
or
2 payments of $449.50.
Includes Design & Setup Only of your Squarespace website (No Service Contract)*. Prepay and save $100 with a one-time charge of only $799. Or choose Comfort Billing at 50% to start with balance on completion (total $899).
*This package is available for brand new websites only (existing website transfers do not qualify) with a limit of fifty original pages. Websites with certain technical requirements may not qualify. Choose our service plan at any time, or pay a-la-carte for design, training and other services. Questions? Let me know!
SERVICE PACKAGE_
$899 + $149/mo.
or
$899 + $1499/yr.
Design & Setup + Service Package. Complete custom designed Squarespace website with dedicated, personal support. One-time setup charge of $899; one year contract. Prepay for the year and get about two months free!
This all-inclusive package gives you considerable savings on services and includes training for up to twelve people, plus tech support for your site visitors.
See Terms for details.
IGNITION_
UPGRADE to Our Service Package
(Requires a Squarespace Website with Business or Commerce Hosting)
Have a Squarespace website? Wanna kick things up a notch? We would love to partner with you.
Full access to our solutions center. Coaching/training for up to twelve people, priority customer support, agile rich media/content marketing support, analytics visioning, and general website management and administration. See KAIOcreative Terms or call Jason at 208.298.9083.
If you’ll give me the honor of an hour of your time, I would love to show you how it all works. There’s no obligation and it’s completely free.
SOURCES:
The History of Content Marketing, by Joe Pulizzi. Content Marketing Institute, 2016.
TRIBES: We Need You to Lead Us, by Seth Godin. Published 2008 by Portfolio.
Unleashing the Ideavirus, by Seth Godin and Malcolm Gladwell. Published 2001 by Dearborn Trade Pub.
Purple Cow, New Edition, by Seth Godin. Published 2009 by Portfolio.
Poor Richard’s Almanack, Wikipedia.
Morgan, Lisa: The Prominent and Prodigiously Popular Poor Richard. Pennsylvania Center for the Book, 2008.
Benjamin Franklin: Poor Richard’s Almanack. New York: The Heritage Press, 1964.
Further Reading:
