Name of your website?Mary Kurek, Inc. Visibility Consulting
Your name?
Mary Kurek
Your Location (city, etc)
Morehead City, NC
Please give us a short summary of your website?
Free tips, articles, and CareerFix Video blog. I'm an author and networking expert. Business services to create and expand visibility on the Internet (even if you don't have a web site) or offline. I am a former Governor's Press Staff Member and Chamber of Commerce Exec.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
Service to small business owners and the potential for collaboration, interaction, and commerce.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
About a year prior to my book being released in 2007, I launched the site that bears my name, Mary Kurek.
How did you decide on a name for your website?
As an author, you really have to market your name and the book title. Since the potential exists for future books and because I would also have to do some speaking, it made more sense to use my name as the domain.
What makes your website different from other, similar offerings?
I think the video blog is a different feature. You get a little written content, but usually, with video, you get a personal story and more detail. I like giving real resources whenever possible. Additionally, I have a free tips booklet that comes with reprint rights so that it is useful as a marketing tool for the person who wishes to use it that way.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
The site is a vehicle for getting visible and providing service. I see it ever evolving for greater impact--maybe more toward Chambers of Commerce who encompass large groups of small business owners who are my ideal clients.
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
My site has evolved really well since launch. I've actually re-done it myself once. Since my site isn't a straight e-commerce site, it's hard to measure, but in terms of securing me new clients and speaking engagements, it's been very useful.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
I'd include more interactive features and hire a graphic artist to enhance some things. I'm a creative sort, so I tend to like to do things myself.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
Add staff to help with handling maintenance issues and keeping content fresh and useful.
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
Video -- bugger. The cost isnt so bad, it is the technology. I like streaming video because the download time isn't such a deal, but the quality can be a problem.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Learning how to build the site myself. I was determined to do it at least once to learn the ropes, so that I would be more intelligent about how to orchestrate the development.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Claiming the first scroll of search results when someone Googles my name. I now use my techniques with clients and teach it in workshops. Combination of using free Internet marketing vehicles and web site changes.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
It's constant. Ongoing.
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?
I've been owning a site for probably 10 years, and now I run three. One is an Instant Resume Kit site that is e-commerce, and I launched that for automated passive income. Gets good traffic. I'm constantly working and reworking the sites for good flow and viz and will continue to do so until I don't see the traffic I like.
What is the best feature of your site?
Honestly, the CareerFix blog probably fits the bill. It's information I, myself, would have liked to have as a working professional or small business owner. The newest feature is a Chamber newsletter that is extremely informative.
What is your website address?
Mary Kurek, Inc. Visibility Consulting
