Name of your website?Purple Bamboo Institute - Chinese Martial Health Concepts
Your name?
Randy Martin
Your Location (city, etc)
Mansfield
Please give us a short summary of your website?
My site is basically An informational site highlighting various chinese martial arts that are taught at my school, along with helpful information for someone seeking an art to study, and as a method for getting the word out that their are still real instructors available who teach the REAL thing, not the watered down useless junk thats all the current trend. I want to show people that Martial Arts is for your health, for you.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
While teaching at OSU Mansfield, The CRC director offered me the idea of creating an informational website that people could visit. I took that to heart and found that I could also possibly use my site to assist in bringing back the image of what true martial arts really are about.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
I launched my site about 8 years ago and have altered only slightly since. Trying to keep is informal and informative.
How did you decide on a name for your website?
My teacher, George Ling Hu of Houston Texas once studied in the Purple Bamboo Park in China. The name stuck with me. I decided to add Institute, cause we seek higher learning and I wanted to keep my schools focus on the true nature of our arts. The secondary title describes the schools primary focus: Martial Health. Or health, fitness and wellness via the martial arts.
What makes your website different from other, similar offerings?
Basically, its just a generic informational site. I dont like ads and have kept it fairly ad free, it is simple, provides basic information that a potential student can use to choose a style (albeit I am leaning toward the chinese arts!) Plus I provide connection to other good instructors that I am familiar with and/or have worked with only. This way I can help a student find a good teacher in their area.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
No goals here. I dont see a need to sell it - wouldnt like that idea anyways. Its mine. As to a book - I had considered writing such, cause one of my goals was to portray our arts as true to their original nature as possible. But with all the crap books I have seen available cashing in on the bandwagon, I decided it wasnt worth it. The real student(s)will find me - those who put forth the effort are worth the effort.
I am also willing to discuss link exchanges with legitimate martial artists and health professionals who have similiar views as myself on the truth of these arts and their benefits.
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
since my site is more about providing information that advertising classes, I never researched this angle.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
Cant answer this. I made my site with microsoft word and posted it locally. no cost to me.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
Yes - cause I wont let it happen. Simple and to the point. Thats the way I like it, and thats the way it stays.
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
None. other than trying to upload the data via FTP - can be a hassle sometimes!
What has been your biggest challenge?
Coming up with a school name and logo. The hardest part was getting my logo just as I like it.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
I just use simple methods like referrals with other teachers and schools that I connect with.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
no differences I have seen
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?
about 8 yrs so far, and as long as I am active, the site will stay up
What do you think of the current trend or fashion that Tai Chi has become?
Back in the early 80's, we saw this coming. And once it got started, the inevitable was bound to happen. People would come out of nowhere claiming mastery of this or that, mixing tai chi with yoga, or just plain trying to cash in on a trend without actually learning what they were selling. I stayed out of this and focused on remaining true to my Center. I did not water down my art or change it to suit these trends. This is my art, I teach it for its benefits, not to make money. My art is legitimate. While I do not like how it has become abused by these self-proclaimed instructors, I feel I have done my part by remaining true to my teachings, and focused on their real benefits - not the "get fit while sitting on the couch, call now only 29.95 approach." I have had many students who have benefited greatly from learning the core of my arts and how they can incorporate them into their daily lifes. All they had to pay was time and effort.
I dont like what is happening - my arts are being watered down daily. So all I can do is keep my center, and try to show those few people who really want to learn, that their still is Truth out there.
What is your website address?
http://home.neo.rr.com/pbicmhc/Index.htm
