Name of your website?TheraisaK.com
Your name?
Theraisa K
Your Location (city, etc)
Brantford
Please give us a short summary of your website?
TheraisaK.com is primarily my portfolio website for my natural light photography work, services and prints. However, the site also includes services in graphic/web design, creative writing/editing and fine arts that I do on the side.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
I've had my own website for many, many years. If you want to come across to the world as somewhat professional, you have to have your own domain name website. Personally I prefer a website over a blog, photo blog or other types of social bookmarking services out there now.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
Way back in 1994 I lauched a series of websites that later became my first major universal project and site: Aid For Bands (1994-2006). Aid For Bands was a promotional/marketing hub for independent musicians of all genres of music that ended its career as an international street team service.
How did you decide on a name for your website?
For TheraisaK.com it's my first name (Theraisa) and my middle initial (K for Kristen). Aid For Bands is pretty self-explanitory - "aid" in a promotional sense for bands/musicians. Space Junkies Magazine (2002-2006) was my online magazine and was named after an illustration I did. Whippitup Designs was my design center and that is also another self-explanitory one (whip it up - as in coming up with fresh ideas fast, doodling, etc.)
What makes it different from other, similar offerings?
TheraisaK.com unlike a lot of services in my local area offers natural light photography - no filters, no special lighting - all natural. Also, since my educational background is in Graphic Design I also offer design, writing and fine art services. Lastly, instead of straight photography I also provide digital services in image corrections, manipulations / alterations, retouching and more.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
To make a hobby into a paying profession. I do hope to upgrade my equipment to be able to produce high quality stock prints (instead of micro stock), as well as to have my own in-house studio. Lastly I'd like to register TheraisaK.com as a professional business - that would be my ultimate goal that won't happen for some time (unless of course I win the lottery!!)
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
I'm just starting out with photography as my main focus, so it hasn't had time to really fester and make ends meet on any levels (financial, noriety, etc.). By the end of the year, I hope to have a good foot hold in my local community and really put the wheels in motion for 2009.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
I wouldn't change, my services might, but it'd certainly make me happy to have an unlimited budget! The one aspect that would change would be I'd be able to travel to more locations to capture great pictures.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
Yes, I've had past experiences with projects becoming demanding in a short amount of time, so I'm all the wiser now!
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
Advertising at the moment is becoming a big headache as I don't have the funds to properly secure the advertising I need or want!
What has been your biggest challenge?
Figuring out how to narrow down my services as I have so much to offer. I'm still stumped on which direction to really head in and which service or services to focus on. I want to keep my skills readily available to everyone, but at the same time it makes marketing and advertising difficult!
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Link exchanges (esp. one way linking), blogs, connecting with other like-minded websites, directory listings on high end and related sites, also having your work displayed on someone else's site with a link back is helpful.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
i expected more immediate feedback and response right away, but have yet to see it!
How long have you run the site already, and how long will you continue to keep it up if you don't enjoy big gains in traffic, income or popularity?
TheraisaK.com in it's current state has been online since Jan. 2007, but it was once known as Whippitup Designs and goes back as far as 1998. This I believe will be my last project and I will keep it going for as long as I can financially afford to regardless of any popularity, gains, no gains, etc. I have too much fun designing, photographing and writing and basically use my site and services as an outlet for my creativity. If I didn't have a site or project on the go, no doubt I'd be comatized!
What is your website address?
TheraisaK.com
