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Post by Natasha on Jan 7, 2009 1:16:12 GMT
I'm not sure if a link has already been posted to this, but I saw this new Hayley fansite on the Celtic Woman forum and thought I would post it: www.hayleyonline.net/It has a nice setup and the gallery is neat as well!  |
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Post by postscript on Jan 7, 2009 12:27:01 GMT
As a matter of comparison in a different genre I recently did some research of sites on 'Emma Watson', who plays 'Hermione' in Harry Potter. What one discovers is a vast collection of web sites created more for the egoism of their creators, albeit perhaps wishing to express their support for the artist but the motivation seems more 'Hi! Here I am and I happen to be interested in...' Or they hide behind the 'artist's image' to give an inference of authority which does not actually exist. I think a similar thing is beginning to happen to Hayley. On the site you quote I discovered this Hayley & Her Music
Bibliography
--Check Out The Books Hayley Has Wrote . When coming across these newly arriving sites I think one needs to ask: Why is it there? Motivation of creator and what support staff? Source of authority of information published? If the purpose is to support Hayley, why is the person not offering to particiapte in that which already exists, rather than going their own way? Opportunities already exist on her official site for debate/discussion. Yes, it is controlled by her record company as a service to her but it is the official sourcing of her career as a promotional aid, so arguably not well disposed to criticism. If one looks at HWI there is much debate of a healthy critical nature and a range of views of varying 'authorities' in terms of the posters' personal knowledge of aspects of musi or the the music industry. Two key observations. Decca's Hayley site will exist only so long as she remains contracted to Decca, then it will disappear. Were she to change recording companies the new one would presumably create a new site. I am not yet aware of any site like HWI where it is controlled by a team of people whose sole motivation is promoting Hayley, not their own egos. Essentially, these other increasingly appearing sites should strictly be under their creators' names not under Hayley's but then they would hardly be findable on Google, which is why they 'presume'. Decca is without question authoritative, it requires no statement, it 'is'. Cick on 'The Management Team' at HWI and you know immediately with whom you are dealing and the nature of the site. Where is such a clear statement of 'status' on these other sites? May I suggest that should be the first reaction to any new site suggestion, before publishing it? Peter S. |
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Post by roger on Jan 7, 2009 13:54:40 GMT
Hi Peter,
Speaking in general terms, and not necessarily about Hayley Online, I have two views concerning the existance of multiple sites for the same artist. Admittedly, one contradicts the other!
Positive view
Any well-run website which does justice to the artist will help to support and promote their name and their work. Provided they work *with* other existing sites and not *against* them, it is a form of networking which should help to raise the aritst's profile.
Negative view
The existance of numerous sites runs the risk of fragmenting the fanbase. An inferior site could prevent the casual browser from discovering a better one, for example. Here at HWI, we have a team of nine and approximately 180 forum members who I would describe as "currently active". All of them, one way or another, contribute something to Hayley's online promotional vehicle (for want of a better description!). Hopefully, we don't miss much between us. But those who look only at a lesser site may not be aware of everything with which she is involved at any given time. Ultimately, they may even consider that she does not merit further visits - anywhere.
So the value of any new site is wholly dependent upon the ability, the level of commitment and, as you say, the motives of those running it.
As far as Hayley Online is concerned, it is not quite as new as you may think. I was aware of its existance a year or more ago. I don't know how many people are involved with it but I am aware of two, both of whom are members if this forum! They have asked on two occasions for permission to use a small proportion of our photographs. Following discussion with the team, we agreed to their request subject to certain conditions (mainly giving credit to the source). Provided those terms are applied, they are welcome. The fact that Celtic Woman has located the site seems to indicate that networking is doing its job.
Roger
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Post by postscript on Jan 7, 2009 14:15:48 GMT
your post 2 on this thread, Roger is most informative and i think very fair and balanced.
Peter S.
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Post by Natasha on Jan 7, 2009 14:23:50 GMT
Sorry about all this confusion! I just thought of another site for Hayley as a good thing. I think most fans creating websites are just trying to promote the artist they love not to promote themselves, but this may not always be the case.  |
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Post by roger on Jan 7, 2009 14:34:29 GMT
Don't worry, there is no confusion. I was pleased to be able to convey my views on the general subject of multiple sites. You are right, they can be a good thing. Just depends.  Roger |
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Post by grant on Jan 7, 2009 15:06:22 GMT
Hello Roger, Peter everyone
To be honest, having found HWI (which offers everything I need and more) I don't feel the need to explore other sites unless directed there for a particular reason.
It is true that all publicity has a value but some of the sites run by individuals rather than a proper team ( and I don't restrict myself to those run specifically for Hayley here) may do more harm than good and often claim to be far more important than they really are.
The latest version of Hayley Online looks OK but doesn't seem to have anything that isn't available elsewhere.
Best wishes
Grant
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Post by postscript on Jan 7, 2009 18:23:17 GMT
Hi Grant, In o be honest, having found HWI (which offers everything I need and more) I don't feel the need to explore other sites unless directed there for a particular reason. you raise the very point that caused my post. I could not see what we gained by being referred to it. With all else in your post I am in complete agreement and feel Roger's post presents the matter most fairly. Peter S. |
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Post by postscript on Jan 7, 2009 18:29:11 GMT
Incidentally, in your advising us that Celtic Woman had taken some Hayley references on board this is exactly what we hoped would happen. There was much debate here at the time about the pluses and minuses of her involvement and we had felt that there would be a two-way exchange which you have kindly highlighted, supporting Roger's view on internet networking!
Peter S.
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matt
Junior Member 
Posts: 59
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Post by matt on Jan 7, 2009 21:36:43 GMT
well i am a member, i just don't post often. I check the place out every few days.
I opened Hayley Online to show North America Support. It is one more thing to show, that she should tour North America.
Matt
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Post by postscript on Jan 8, 2009 10:58:48 GMT
well i am a member, i just don't post often. I check the place out every few days. I opened Hayley Online to show North America Support. It is one more thing to show, that she should tour North America. Matt I think that is great Matt. If you know the North American market and its likely audience appeal and can use that knowledge to stimulate wider interest. Peter S. |
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Post by comet on Jan 8, 2009 15:30:19 GMT
Hi Folks, I was reluctant to reply to this one, Most people only have a limited amount of time for internet as a form of entertainment or communication. I am beginning to suffer from "Forum Fatigue" simply because there are so many forums. The Connie Talbot forum grew so fast I had to stop reading it, There were just too many posts from so many active members, The Celtic Woman site can have over 100 posts per hour or sometimes three a minute, I had to give that one up too....... To create another Hayley website seems to me to simply "Dilute" the content we already have on this forum. If people Google "Hayley Westenra" and are given lets say ten options, They may well pick one that is just a very small Cul De Sac with very little information. THEY MAY NEVER TRY AGAIN. they may just move on to something else..  |
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Post by grant on Jan 8, 2009 15:49:00 GMT
Hi Comet
I understand what you mean by "Forum Fatigue" and like you, I've come to the conclusion that I only have time for this one. Even though I am retired and likely have more free time than many here, I spend most of my time here because this is where I feel most rewarded by my efforts. That is not meant as disrespect to any other forum either.
I think the crux of the matter lies in the fact that many of us do have a lot to offer and participate freely because of it. This is possibly not the case for some, who have an equally strong desire to participate but, they don't know Hayley and haven't "seen action" so to speak, therefore, their only outlet is to be creative in their own way and I suspect this is what Matt has done with Hayley Online.
Roger has already made the same point as you about dilution and not following up if visitors don't feel rewarded by their first hit. The only way to prevent that, I suspect, is to support the better sites such that visitors will look further, and hope that they will see the dreadful ones as what they are and continue their search elsewhere.
Best wishes
Grant
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matt
Junior Member
Posts: 59
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Post by matt on Jan 8, 2009 21:25:55 GMT
well i am a member, i just don't post often. I check the place out every few days. I opened Hayley Online to show North America Support. It is one more thing to show, that she should tour North America. Matt I think that is great Matt. If you know the North American market and its likely audience appeal and can use that knowledge to stimulate wider interest. Peter S. I dont know about the entire North America market, but i know from experience, that classical music is very tough.A lot of it in the southern states. including mine, but only in the south part of it, the north part lives on classical, and other styles. |
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Post by Libby on Jan 9, 2009 3:51:45 GMT
The latest version of Hayley Online looks OK but doesn't seem to have anything that isn't available elsewhere. Actually, it does. It has nearly all of Hayley's lyrics, at least from all her major albums. No other Hayley website that I know of does. He's doing Hayley's fans a great service by eliminating the need to visit to those awful lyrics websites with flashing ads and pop-ups all over the place. Those sites never have all her songs, and sometimes have inaccurate lyrics. The Never Saw Blue lyrics are consistently incorrect on those sites. I'm not sure why you're comparing Matt's website to this forum. That doesn't seem fair. I don't know why you're all making such a big deal about it. Matt has a right to make his own Hayley fan site if he wants to. It has a lot of information just on the first page, including a link to HWI!  I will say that some of the photos are not the best quality. The Hayley and Her music page is a little confusing, too. |
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