getting Palimpsest 'out there...'

[amner]

The BBC's Big Read (http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/) website, despite advocating the setting up of book groups, seems to foil us at every turn in trying to bring more people to this site. Google (http://www.google.co.uk/) cannot gaurantee an entry on their search engines for two months or more and I've annoyed too many of my friends as it is ... so how do we get more people on here? I think this is a grand site, but I don't imagine anyone would disagree that new blood would really help chivvy things along.

.

[skanky]

Any other book websites?

Usenet

Try writing an Amazon review for the currently nominated book?

If you can handle the cost a classified in various magazines could work: Private Eye, The Oldie (if they do them),...others?

[amner]

I think Wavid did a trawl of lots of book websites (?) but not sure about the usenet option. Wavey?

Amazon's review system, so Amazon tell me, is *&^%ed. I wrote something in March and it's still not gone up. No harm bunging one in for the future though.

Can't comment on the classified idea. Over to the Wavuncular One...

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[Wavid]

I have dne my best with the book websites. Some local councils have listings of book groups - I have emailed all of those a couple of times now. Other's I have tried, but often the sites are similar in nature to this one, and also there's the usual problem of etiquette - posting URLs is considered 'bad form'. :x

As for Usenet, I have posted messages on tonnes of newsgroups, as Colyngbourne will attest. We had quite a bit of success from that angle and it might be worth another shot. We still, of course, need to be careful as flooding groups with postings can sometimes only create bad rather than good will.

To be honest, I think the cost of traditional media advertising would be too much. The cost of the hosting comes out of my pocket, and I can't really afford to spend any more.

[skanky]

You could try the Free Advertisers such as Loot and the Thames Valley one. There are probably more. They cost nothing to advertise in - hence the name.

[amner]

Do they have web sites mate?

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[skanky]

Loot definitely does. Otherwise use "Free advertiser" in Google (as a UK only search).

[amner]

Here (http://www.loot.com/) you go, Wavid.

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[wshaw]

Or www.friday-ad.co.uk, or if you want some Americans on board, www.recycler.com; Australians www.tradingpost.com.au; Kiwis www.trademe.co.nz

[amner]

Perfect, he was complaining he didn't have anything to do this lunchtime.

:lol:

thanks

.

[wshaw]

That'll learn 'im.

[skanky]

Or www.friday-ad.co.uk, or if you want some Americans on board, www.recycler.com; Australians www.tradingpost.com.au; Kiwis www.trademe.co.nz

Of course, I don't know why I said to limit it to UK search only. I think it may have been to keep the results manageable. I hope so.

[wshaw]

For strange work-related reasons I know a little too much about classified adverts online...

[NottyImp]

Don't worry, there's dozens of Lincoln City fans we still haven't bullied into joining up :D

[Philb]

Well, people could put the URL in their .sig file with a brief description, such as 'Like books? You'll love Palimpsest.org.uk" for example.

If anyone also has a weblog it's worth mentioning there - I've already referred to it in mine.

There are about 27 references to it in USENET newsgroups (this would dramatically increase if it's placed into sig lines for example), so if people can remember to refer to discussions taking place here and point other people at them it would help.

There are very few external links to the site - Alltheweb only found about 3 for example. The more links that you can have coming *into* the site the better, and Google will find it much more quickly that way. It's worth adding the site to as many different search engines as possible though - not all take as long as Google to index.

Better use of keywords in the Title element of the page would help, as would some general search engine optimisation on the home page. Maybe add something silly like a favicon, though this doesn't help people find you, but does make it easier to come back...

Just a few quick ideas that I hope are helpful.

Phil.

[Wavid]

Thanks for the ideas, Phil, and for the link from your own site.

One of the annoying things sometimes is that I genuinely believe that this site is pretty unique - yes, there are other book discussion sites, but they are often pretty difficult to use. The BBCs Big Read site get's thousands of members, but the engine that drives the boards is so bug ridden, it's a nightmare to use. Alright, we get the odd gremlin here, but it's usually sorted out quickly.

One thing I have been considering is to draw up some non internet stuff, maybe some little flyers which can be left in libraries, maybe the odd consenting bookshop etc. Another idea was that these flyers could be shaped as bookmarks. I could then email the template to people who were willing, and they could distribute them in their local area.

Would anyone be interested in doing this, just to gauge numbers?

Wavid

[Colyngbourne]

I would be willing. There are a couple of bookshops and the library in town.

[DarkCartoons]

I too would be willing. I live in the centre of Oxford, which does have a somewhat bookish population, or so I'm told.

There are certainly plenty of bookshops....

I'm sure some of the smaller, independent booksellers would be willing to help out in return for a mention on the site. PM me if you think it's worth me taking it any further - I'll come up with some concrete ideas.

[Nabokov]

If this helps at all, I'm new, and I found this site as it came first in my Google search for "martin amis yellow dog" - there was a whole thread in the forum with that title.

[John Self]

Ah Vlad - Little Mart would be thrilled to know you're googling for his titles from beyond the grave...

[Nabokov]

:lol: and fancy meeting a character of his here! :wink: Did you ever finally get rid of that hussy Selina Street?

I did just read the post (complete with username)back, and yes, it sounds odd! I am not the resurrected spirit of one of the greatest ever minds to grace this planet - I am a humbert, I mean, a humble student with a penchant for 'clever writers that KNOW they're bloody clever' (as my partner refers to them)

[the exile]

Would it not be an idea to write to 'Letters' pages in newspapers, as well as to papers who carry book reviews?
:?

[bakunin_the_cat]

I used to be a web developer in another life. I've summarised some of the things people have already said and added a few of my own.

1. Have links to the site and individual threads, from loads of other places, e.g. homepages, talk boards, list sites etc.

2. Use non-web adverts in likely places, like libraries, cafe's and 2nd hand bookshops. The bookmark thing is a really nice idea. I know quite a few places in London, e.g Charing X Rd, South Bank Book Market, which might be interested, if you need my help.

3. Spread the word. Tell your friends. Tell your colleagues. Tell people who sell used books on Amazon.

In addition the Webmaster/mistress could:

1. Make sure the meta-tags mention book,books, film, discussion, group, reviews etc.

2. Try and register with as many search engines as you can.

3. If all else fails, there are companies out there, who specialise in making your name appear higher up in search engine results. Some even guarantee top ten placings. If you really want to get more members this may be the most effective method, though it would cost more than the others.

[D-Bear]

Just wanted to mention that I found Palimpsest via Mr. Amis, specifically, a review of Yellow Dog written by John Self that appears on the Martin Amis Web (a terrific all-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-Marty site maintained by professor James Diedrick--not sure if I spelled his name correctly--at Albion U). And I live in the States, though truth be told, I'm as English as the rest of you (homesick, too). I'll pass a link to this site on to some other ex-pat bookworm friends. They'll love it.

Glad to meet everyone. I bet this site gets huge by the end of the year. As they say here, hang tough :)

[John Self]

What, the review by this John Self? On The Martin Amis Web (http://martinamis.albion.edu/)? Fame at last... Or is it unauthorised reproduction?

[Wavid]

Blimey - did you know that was being posted on the Amis site, John, or did they just pick it up from the Google search?

[joy]

I work at the University of London, in a hall of residence and wouldl be pleased to put fliers out.

[John Self]

I had no idea Wavid. I guess the guy just trawls the search engines looking for Amis stuff, or else someone else brought it to his attention. He's even placed it in a proper "reviews" section on its own with the Observer review, which is rather embarrassing. Still I emailed him to say thanks for the exposure!

[Nabokov]

Is notoriety the best word? :wink:

That's great though, that site's been in my 'Favourites' folder for ages - it's quite bizarre to see your post on it! Good ad for the site too!

[pandop]

I would be interested in doing the flyers things - and will be adding us to my sig for some other groups I belong to

Hazel

[idioteque]

When I'm 'placing' client sites in little profile enhancing places I'll do similar for palimpsest; plus put you in a circle of links to/from our client /host sites. Usually takes effect within 24 hours. shall do it over weekend :wink:

[amner]

You're a star, and not a brown one. Thank you very much, that man.
.

[D-Bear]

What, the review by this John Self? On The Martin Amis Web (http://martinamis.albion.edu/)? Fame at last... Or is it unauthorised reproduction?

Yes indeed, Mr. Self. You're now a quoted authority and your words will be read and discussed by Amis fans here in the States. Did you ever get around to the full-body overhaul thing, by the way? :P