Name of your website?Farren Gainer, Cowboy poet/songster - "The Limestone Cowboy!"
Your name?
Farren Gainer
Your Location (city, etc)
The Limestone City of Kingston, Ontario
Please give us a short summary of your website?
A cowboy poet/songster who is looking to set up a tour over the winter with the view to buying a camper van in the spring and tour Eastern Canada. Namely, Ontario, parts of Quebec and New Brunswick. However, I'm doing it as a real personage, Kingston's own: The Limestone Cowboy!
What inspired you to launch your own website?
My flair for creating poetry characters in the past. Upon returning to Kingston from Europe in recent times, I instantly appreciated its unique geograhical positioning on the map - out there on the frontier! I began writing cowboy poetry about living in Kingston and as they say, the rest was history.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
About two years at a hefty price-tag and somebody else in charge of its maintenance. Needless-to-say, the information has become so out of date, it's to the point of misrepresentation. My poetry character was "a city bard" attempting to place other city bards in British city/towns. My idea was only 400 years too late!
How did you decide on a name for your website?
It happened in the early days of writing cowboy poetry about Kingston. I'm a big fan of Glen Campbell. I was singing his song "The Rhinestone Cowboy" in my head one day and suddenly thought why not, The Limestone Cowboy?
What makes it different from other, similar offerings?
The big difference is that I'm a real personage. I live as "The Limestone Cowboy". I dress in Western type clothing to include a trim hat with a classy buckle. I would be out of place in a cowboy costume, floppy cowboy hat, wearing claps or guns. Again, I'm just an urban cowboy poet.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
My eventual goal is to be recognised as a National poet and Heritage campaigner. I want Kingston to sell itself as a frontier town. After all, it advertises itself on the Internet as "The place where innovation and history thrives". I'm holding them to it.
What's happening right now?
My website is in early days. I'm taking a business start-up course at the local College with the view to registering my business, getting desk space inclusive of a business address. In addition, I'm considering joining the Greater Kingston, Chamber of Commerce as an Innovator and Heritage campaigner.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
I would go immediately to a Publicity Agency in Toronto and get them to take me on as a client. Putting me out there with Stage Management to ensure publication of poetry/performances as The Limestone Cowboy TV, radio as well the availability of CD's/DVD's and much greater Internet presence.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
No, not personally. The offers would have to include personal Management and publishing advances. Perhaps, even recording deals.I've got some real crackers for songs. How about, "Forget Don Cherry, My Huckleberry" It's the old chiche: It takes money to make money.
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
I'm currently living on capital. I need to survive until the spring. My main costs are the overheads of every day living. The headaches only come if you operate on a wing and a prayer. I'm working on a business plan reenforcing my desire to succeed as a recognised national poet/entertainer.
What has been your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge is to find my kind of audience. In the past when I've been introduced with profanity and vulgarity, I instantly know, I'm in front of the wrong audience. My audience has to have a sense of theatre and be capable of intelligent commentary/critique.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Taking a business start up course and to be reminded of the importance of networking. Listing my website with as many free directories as possible should become a successful promotion.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
My website forces me to live up to my expectations.Picasso once said, he was 10% Artist and 90% Administrator. He definitely knew how to stage his works - that was his expertise. I strive for that kind of business acumen. However, I wonder how Picasso would have come to grips with his own website?
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?
My website has been up & running since the spring of 2007. Because it's a creative website, I'm constantly revising the text and seeking to add new photos, video-clips and whatever else will enhance my presentation.
Why did you submit yourself to this lengthy interview?
I've enjoyed answering these inquisitive questions. Because I have something genuine to offer. I appreciate an objective appraisal. Albeit, my poetry is a celebration of life experiences. Thank you for the service you provide.
What is your website address?
Farren Gainer, Cowboy poet/songster - "The Limestone Cowboy!"
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