Interview with George Elliot from Frameyourpets.com

frameyourpets.blogspot.com is a blog that is an offshoot from  frameyourpets.com website.

Interview with W. George Elliott — President of Bengel Publishing Inc. Owner and Publisher, Similkameen News Leader

The premise behind Frame Your Pets is ‘Where Humans Learn Tricks’ and the concept revolves around Eddie the Dalmatian and Magnum the Cat discussing simple steps to taking better pet photos. The program is called the Paws ‘n’ Claws Pet Photo guide and is a 13-part sent direct to your e-mail inbox text program. The blog allows for photos and links and hopefully revenue generation. The target market is specifically pet owners, but hopefully pet owners with cameras. Since everyone pretty much owns a digital camera, it’s a no-brainer. The helping people/offer is a humourous approach to learning how to take better pet photos taught by the pets themselves.
 

 WJ: How would you describe your profession?

I’m the owner/publisher of a small town weekly newspaper. I’m attempting to expand into the internet with a variety of target driven products.
 
 WJ: How did you get into New Media/Online publishing/Online communications? Did you see yourself getting into this field early on? What did you used to do “in an earlier life” (prior career, if any)?

Well, I got ‘talked into’ posting some of our printed product online by a webmaster friend of mine a few years ago. We launched www.thenewsleader.ca at that time. I never put much thought into the potential online until that website started raking up numbers in the 800-1000 unique visits per day mark. It took me at least another year to figure out how to ‘grab’ some of that traffic. In November 2007 I got involved with the Global Cash Flow Network, which actually taught me quite a bit. I launched www.bengelonlinestore.com from there. Once I figured out affiliates I started to do other things with them online.
 
 WJ: What do you think are the turning points that helped make webmastering/online publishing/online marketing a lucrative business field?

Well, the fact that there’s an extremely large population base to draw from it very hard to ignore. With my newspaper, I have a limited market. Online there appears to be no  boundaries.
 
 WJ: In your opinion, what is the most exciting recent development in online publishing?

I think, since I’m still pretty new to this, the blog is probably one of the most exciting  developments. Free website hosting allows just about anyone the means to get into their own business at minimal cost. Those a huge developments versus setting up a storefront business.
 
 WJ: What do you think are the essential skills to become a successful webmaster?

Off the top of my head I think the Golden Rule must apply. After that, being helpful and willing to coach newbies are important.
 
 WJ: Being a webmaster has gone from being a one-person job to a field that allows specialization. Is that a good thing or a bad thing for your business?

I’m still pretty much a one-man show, but I hope to see this online division of my business grow to where I have to add more staff. It’s just part of the growth curve.
 
 WJ: Do you think the industry is regulated enough? Have the authorities or the Net’s relevant governing bodies become too restrictive? Which areas of online activity do you  think NEED further regulation?

I’m pleased to see many blog sites and communities (and affiliates) have strict guidelines related to adult and other questionable content. We need to keep those forms of control present.
 
 WJ: What are the challenges the industry is facing today?

I’d hate to see the day when free hosting, free web tools and what not are gone. Greed will determine the direction those things will go.
 
 WJ: What would your advice be to someone who is just getting his or her feet wet in online business?

Simple. Be patient. Don’t give up. Link, blog and advertise.
 
My latest website is www.frameyourpets.com and it was launched February 2008. I’ve since added a network of blogs to my ‘stable’ of products.

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