Webzine Concept - Moving Forward

Just a short update on the status of the idea for an independent combination website/blog for the personal property profession.

So far all of the feedback has been extremely positive, so much so that I have found a useful template to use for the format of the site. See the image, many of the data/information blocks are not complete, or there are holding items in them, but it does give you a good idea of what the site will look like. As of now I am going to call the site The Appraisers Post. The site is also on line if you wish to take a closer look at www.appraiserspost.blogspot.com.

The site has a large image/feature area, room for banners and an assortment of images, gadgets and elements, a four section news area and the regular posting section. There is also a section for scrolling text and images across the screen. I have added a section for spotlight on a contributor and of course contact and a very short bio can be placed at the end of the post. I should also be able to set up a list of contributes in the sidebar as well.

As I have mentioned before, I would like to associate a large representation of appraisers from all groups/associations as well as independents (and associated fields if possible), allow access to the blog and ask them to post once every 4-6 weeks with first persona accounts of items of interest to the appraisal field. The posts do not need to be long or in depth, perhaps 300 to 800 words. Perhaps less if it is an announcement. The post can be longer if needed or desired as well.

In order to make the site work I believe I will need a minimum of about 30 appraisers to contribute, but of course more is better. If that happens, the site will be self sufficient on content, and all I would have to do is manage the website for some feature postings and sidebar content.

So now that the template is up, I need to put together an advisory board to establish some editorial guideline, and also start enlisting appraisers to start contributing and getting site permissions set up. When and if it goes live, I would like a fair amount of content in place when the announcement is made.

I would like to see a wide variety of content from short articles to notices of events, reviews of shows and courses, appraisal theory, Appraisal Foundation news and changes. Really any news, comments, opinions etc should work. I already have several appraisers who have said they are interested in contributing, please let me know if you would like to be included. Remember, the commitment is really rather minimal of a post every 4-6 weeks (of course more posts are welcome as well), the rewards for all appraisers could be significant.

The program allows for up to 100 contributors to post. Dont be shy let me know if you would like to be a regular contributor to the Appraisers Post.