Some of you may remember my first post of 2013, in which I talked about my new year’s resolution: the launch of headofmetal.com, the most accessible heavy metal resource on the web: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/itfs-new-years-resolution-head-of-m…
Since then, it’s been an absolute flurry of activity as I write content, learn all about how to use services like Launchrock, 99designs, Vistaprint for business cards, and Wordpress. What I noticed though, was just how often I kept pushing back the launch date to keep tinkering with things behind the scenes.
“You gotta fail fast, bro,” our own Edmundo Braverman advised me. “Silicon Valley speak. Just get it live, get it out there—it won’t be perfect, but it’s better to just fix things as they come up rather than tinker with it forever.” Chief Monkey Patrick, who has kindly offered his suggestions for this since day one, was in agreement.
So here it is, monkeys—Head of Metal is now live! Feel free to have a look around at its earliest incarnation: www.headofmetal.com.
I’ve started with a wide variety of a dozen or so posts, and I plan to update once a week or so with a monthly newsletter—knowing people are busy. This is a model I adopted from Derek Halpern, who runs a website called Social Triggers about the psychology of online marketing (he’s also been an inspiration to WSO).
Early on, the goal will be to build the core base of readers and slowly bleed my enormous backlog of content out there. It’s 80% promotion, 20% content—more about marketing the content you already have written and being smart about it. Currently I use Mailchimp to accept the emails of early readers who want to stay informed of what I’m writing about next!
The thing I think readers will most enjoy about HOM (aside from the accessibility and passion I can bring to an often-misunderstood genre) is never knowing what I may write about next. It could be an album review of a known metal classic or an under-the-radar gem. It could be an obituary of a past heavy metal hero. It could be a concert review, a response to a stereotype about metal, or a piece of metal history by subgenre.
Needless to say, I’m so excited about the launch and where it may take me in the future! Enjoy! Feel free to let me know your initial thoughts on this "first fail" in the comments!
This Friday night’s WSO happy hour (4/19) also will double as a launch party! If you can attend, I will be there (most likely wearing black leather) to talk about what’s coming up next with HOM and hand out business cards.
Headbangers, rejoice! ITF has arrived!
great advice
Good stuff ITF. Not a metal guy but will definitely check out the site. Congrats on the launch and best of luck.
awesome, good luck ITF
I'm proud of you, man. You've built a nice product (and thanks for turning me on to Alcest) and I know you've put a ton of time into it. It's going to pay off for you.
Question: Evans Blue - metal or not metal? Also, what do you think of the new Sevendust album?
Evan's Blue? Never heard of them. Sevendust, however, I've enjoyed since high school. They're consistently solid and their latest is no different.
YEAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!! Finally!!! :-) Happy for you man, great job....there will be a lot more to learn as you go, but if youa re passionate about the topic and write great content, word will get out eventually as you meet more metal/music bloggers.
Best of luck! Patrick
...also, I'd like to say that you should be proud about what you have already executed. You don't even want to know how many people talk, and so few people ever really pull the trigger or get anything live.
Well, that's us--monkeys of action, not talk!
I listen to metalcore, am I welcome? I know it's often frowned upon by metalheads...
Of course.
ITF, make a post on http://www.reddit.com/r/metal and ask for their honest impression, don't solely try to market the site. Solid community that support local made sites
Fantastic news ITF - I look forward to finding some gems.
Trust me, they're coming.
motivates me to get my own site up... travel/lifestyle design/remote-work related
2013
you don't want to sit in a cube for 100 hrs/week?
Well, I support anything metal / hxc related so I'm in your corner so don't take any of the following wrong, 'cause I'm straight up only intending to help from being a big extreme music fan.
If I were to ask you what's the difference between your site and Lambgoat (http://lambgoat.com/)? Granted it's coverage is heavily weighted towards modern metal and hardcore, however of all metal fans, those that like modern metal / hxc are likely to be the majority of early adopters of that demographic. On album reviews, that'll be tough to take up their market share (as well as AP and a host of other web based music reviewers). However, nobody really covers tours / festivals effectively stated side. Could see this being a good growth area. Check out the www.brooklynvegan.com/ 's blog. I really like how they cover the shows they host.
Again, proud to be a headbanger, however the average IQ of the typical metal fan isn't what you'd call impressive. One recurring theme I've consistently found to be true, is that metal and hxc kids LOVE drama / pit beef / and hating ruthlessly on popular metal bands (see Emmure and Attack! Attack!). If you want your site to generate a lot of traffic and buzz, you definitely need to make a venue that actively fosters shit talking and calling for "van flips".
Last one (this actually probably my only good idea). One thing that EDM beats the shit out of metal on (other than # of chicks at a show) is sharing and distribution of new music. There's no www.thissongissick.com for metal and hxc (or at least to the same effect).
Just my 2 cents, best of luck.
impressive analysis Stringer...leave it to WSO...
SB'd... Awesome site.
SB for you! I'm a huge fan of all kinds of metal, cool to see another fan on here.
There are quite a few of us lurking around. Glad you like it so far!
ITF, I just became aware of BEASTMODE.FM. They pull music from blogs just like yours, and it might be good for traffic. You should see what it takes to get your site on their radar.
Crashes instantly on Internet explorer 8, other than that looks like a regular WP blog.
HTML5 test.
How do you know something is HTML5? If it crashes Internet Explorer. Upgrade your browser. Microsoft really needs to get their shit together on that thing.
Yet that was my comment too, if you try to reach the largest audience you might want to make content as light as possible, at least on the main part of the website. And ITF, congratulations, seems more than a worthy effort, I wish you all the best on this endeavour.
Looks good, look forward to following your progress.
Great site, I'll definitely keep checking it out. I'm very glad to see that the more extreme metal is featured as well.
Very good to hear. I'm going for the WHOLE spectrum. \m/ \m/
If any of you smart, trendy early adapters are attending this Friday's Happy Hour, I'd be happy to meet the fans in person. \m/ \m/
Suggestion: make the header sticky, so it will always stay on top when you scroll down, like the toolbar on WSO.
Jeff Hanneman dead at 49 from liver failure, that is a big loss to the metal world
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