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Publication Date: 12 June 2007
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into a UKG SoundClick site where you could also get free music to download.
However (yes, there was a downside), the problem is SoundClick require you to register in order to get at the good stuff. Not a major issue in itself, but the site isn't that easy to use. But there's some good news on the horizon, and it's got four words: UKG Presents version two.
UKG Presents.com version 2 does much, much more (I just can't seem to get the cliché sales patter out of my head): it's a full media site, offering free music downloads (and
a few more download formats besides - more on that on the site when it goes live).
You also get news, helpful UK-centric gospel industry information (provided by those that actually work in the industry), new music, community, audio, music videos and promos...
It's basically UK Gospel.com's geeky cousin that not only knows all there is to know about all
However (yes, there was a downside), the problem is SoundClick require you to register in order to get at the good stuff. Not a major issue in itself, but the site isn't that easy to use. But there's some good news on the horizon, and it's got four words: UKG Presents version two.
UKG Presents.com version 2 does much, much more (I just can't seem to get the cliché sales patter out of my head): it's a full media site, offering free music downloads (and
a few more download formats besides - more on that on the site when it goes live).
You also get news, helpful UK-centric gospel industry information (provided by those that actually work in the industry), new music, community, audio, music videos and promos...
It's basically UK Gospel.com's geeky cousin that not only knows all there is to know about all
click here...
sorts of stuff, but actually looks good too!
It also kicks off a new strategic direction for the UKG
platforms: all the sites will be interdependent, but
perform a very specific function, apppealing to a very
specific type of user (consumer, industry head, shopper,
fan, historical researcher, downloader, etc...)
For example: UKG Presents.com can run a condensed, 'industry version' of a story, while UK Gospel.com will
publish the fuller details, at the same time linking into
UKG Shop.com (should there be a product available for you to purchase).
That's the concept - a cross pollination of function across a complementary network...
It also kicks off a new strategic direction for the UKG
platforms: all the sites will be interdependent, but
perform a very specific function, apppealing to a very
specific type of user (consumer, industry head, shopper,
fan, historical researcher, downloader, etc...)
For example: UKG Presents.com can run a condensed, 'industry version' of a story, while UK Gospel.com will
publish the fuller details, at the same time linking into
UKG Shop.com (should there be a product available for you to purchase).
That's the concept - a cross pollination of function across a complementary network...
Current UKG Presents V2 holding page -
Elements of this design will feature on
future UKG-branded sites...
Elements of this design will feature on
future UKG-branded sites...
I trialled a version of UKG Presents version 2 last summer/autumn 2006, and I have to say a very public thank you to ICIE (from COMMISSION), TRU SAY (from FOUND SOULS FAM in GLOUCESTER), TRIPLE O (London), DJ PHIL HOOTON (Leeds), DJ BREAKTHRU (also Leeds), LISA MAYERS (Harrow), SECRET PLACE PRODUCTIONS (Harrow), DJ YEMI (Luton) and DESTYNEE (you'll be hearing a lot more about her on UKG Presents) for testing out the site for me. I'm very, very grateful!
So, I suppose the big question is: when does UKG Presents.com version 2 actually go live? Well, I've been working on it pretty much non-stop for the past thirty weeks or so, so we're not that far away from launch. I'd hazard a guess and say you'll probably see it between now
and late June/July 2007.
So, I suppose the big question is: when does UKG Presents.com version 2 actually go live? Well, I've been working on it pretty much non-stop for the past thirty weeks or so, so we're not that far away from launch. I'd hazard a guess and say you'll probably see it between now
and late June/July 2007.
March 16, 2007. Friday, 12:22 hours.
ON UKG SPIN VERSION 1 (or 2, or 3 or 4...)
If there's a project I've really grappled with in the past 4 years, it's
UKG Spin!
As with UK Gospel.com, I've built two separate sites over the years
but never launched. I started recording the shows, stings, jingles and
drops as far back as 2003. At one stage the preview clips were even
available here on UK Gospel.com.
So what is UKG Spin? Well, it is a 100% UK online radio station
with various channels dealing with aspects of life in the UK industry.
There will be dedicated channels for specific music genres like Hip-hop and Praise & Worship, as well as the flagship ChannelOne covering all music styles in one show.
The other big channel I'm REALLY looking forward to is the BioChannel, featuring interviews and documentaries on life and living in the UK gospel music scene.
UKG Spin!
As with UK Gospel.com, I've built two separate sites over the years
but never launched. I started recording the shows, stings, jingles and
drops as far back as 2003. At one stage the preview clips were even
available here on UK Gospel.com.
So what is UKG Spin? Well, it is a 100% UK online radio station
with various channels dealing with aspects of life in the UK industry.
There will be dedicated channels for specific music genres like Hip-hop and Praise & Worship, as well as the flagship ChannelOne covering all music styles in one show.
The other big channel I'm REALLY looking forward to is the BioChannel, featuring interviews and documentaries on life and living in the UK gospel music scene.
Again, it just never felt like the right time to launch with the project, even though I already have quite a few shows already in the can, had designed two sites (four if you count the test pages I designed but never published here on UK Gospel.com version 1), plus countless supporting station idents and stuff floating around a few hard drives at home.
On the plus side, I never actually stopped recording and gathering material, so that should make things like updating the site with new content and shows a bit easier when it finally launches. Have a listen: quick audio clip on the UK Gospel.com MySpace with 4 KORNERZ...
As I'm sure you know anyway, launching a brand new project is such a huge undertaking at the best of times. Trying to roll out as many as I am (in UKG Presents and UKG Spin in particular), and relaunch existing ones (in UK Gospel.com version 2 and UKG Shop version 2) is a tall order no matter how you look at it. I had to be smart...
On the plus side, I never actually stopped recording and gathering material, so that should make things like updating the site with new content and shows a bit easier when it finally launches. Have a listen: quick audio clip on the UK Gospel.com MySpace with 4 KORNERZ...
As I'm sure you know anyway, launching a brand new project is such a huge undertaking at the best of times. Trying to roll out as many as I am (in UKG Presents and UKG Spin in particular), and relaunch existing ones (in UK Gospel.com version 2 and UKG Shop version 2) is a tall order no matter how you look at it. I had to be smart...
As big as a... big thing
UKG Presents version 2 is a media site. By its very nature there's a natural compatibility between it and UKG Spin. It therefore made sense to embed UKG Spin into UKG Presents, and
do just a 'soft launch'. That means the first taste you're going to get of UKG Spin's radio shows and stuff will be as part of UKG Presents version 2.
It will have its own dedicated section, a slimline version of what the full website will eventually offer. And that 'UKG Test Transmission' I've been talking about? You'll be able to hear the full 50 minute station promo for yourself. That's one of the first audio clips going live...
With so many good quality tracks to choose from, it was an extremely difficult task to narrow it down (in fact the original plan was to have the clip be no longer than 10-15 minutes, but that option quickly went out of the window). I think most people will find the results curious and definitely NOT what you were expecting - but hopefully in a good way...
do just a 'soft launch'. That means the first taste you're going to get of UKG Spin's radio shows and stuff will be as part of UKG Presents version 2.
It will have its own dedicated section, a slimline version of what the full website will eventually offer. And that 'UKG Test Transmission' I've been talking about? You'll be able to hear the full 50 minute station promo for yourself. That's one of the first audio clips going live...
With so many good quality tracks to choose from, it was an extremely difficult task to narrow it down (in fact the original plan was to have the clip be no longer than 10-15 minutes, but that option quickly went out of the window). I think most people will find the results curious and definitely NOT what you were expecting - but hopefully in a good way...
The eventual site launch date will depend almost entirely on the level of response the shows and channel receive on UKG Presents, as there will be options for you to comment and provide feedback on several aspects of the site - as well as the shows. That's my roundabout way of asking you to let me know what you think...
If you've bought a CD from UKG Shop.com in the past few months (and you're one of these people who actually looks at delivery notes included in your packages), then you'll already be familiar with the name.
If you've bought a CD from UKG Shop.com in the past few months (and you're one of these people who actually looks at delivery notes included in your packages), then you'll already be familiar with the name.
March 28, 2007. Wednesday, 12:35 hours.
Wednesday, 20:18 hours...
Wednesday, 20:18 hours...
Something HUGE - as in 'tremendously, magnificently significant' - happened on April 5th 2007...
UK Gospel.com hit the half a million visit mark. That's 500,000 individual visits since I reset the counter in February 2002. Awesome. Praise the Lord.
And the TRULY amazing thing is this: that figure could actually be considerably higher...
I don't know if you know, but people calculate 'hits' in different ways. For example: if during
UK Gospel.com hit the half a million visit mark. That's 500,000 individual visits since I reset the counter in February 2002. Awesome. Praise the Lord.
And the TRULY amazing thing is this: that figure could actually be considerably higher...
I don't know if you know, but people calculate 'hits' in different ways. For example: if during
ON UKG Hub...
STOP PRESS: HALF A MILLION HITS!!!!
STOP PRESS: HALF A MILLION HITS!!!!
UKG Hub is basically the main platform - the umbrella name, if you will - for all the
UKG-branded projects and websites. It's also the shopfront for showcasing the services that the UKG platforms offer (as well as all the other marketing/PR/web things I do). More later.
So, what does all this mean to you? Do you need to do anything..?
Well, you don't need to do anything at all. Everything will become very clear very soon...
Funny how time flies. I've been writing this since February, and all of a sudden it's April. And it's still not ready. Got to crack on...
UKG-branded projects and websites. It's also the shopfront for showcasing the services that the UKG platforms offer (as well as all the other marketing/PR/web things I do). More later.
So, what does all this mean to you? Do you need to do anything..?
Well, you don't need to do anything at all. Everything will become very clear very soon...
Funny how time flies. I've been writing this since February, and all of a sudden it's April. And it's still not ready. Got to crack on...
April 4, 2007. Wednesday, 11:57 hours.
April 19, 2007. 17:44 hours. BIIIIIIG NEWS...
April 19, 2007. 17:44 hours. BIIIIIIG NEWS...
UK Gospel.com hit the half a million visit mark.
your visit here today you view 50 pages, some regard that as the site having had 50 hits, even though it has only had one visitor.
I prefer the 'unique visit' approach, where that your one visit counts as just that - one visit. So to have had 500,000 of those... Well, I just can't put my feeling into words...
When I think about the fact that this is something that's grown from a hobby to an award-winning (as voted for by you guys) website, I STILL cannot get my head around it all. All I can keep saying - as I always do when I get overwhelmed - THANK YOU!!!
I prefer the 'unique visit' approach, where that your one visit counts as just that - one visit. So to have had 500,000 of those... Well, I just can't put my feeling into words...
When I think about the fact that this is something that's grown from a hobby to an award-winning (as voted for by you guys) website, I STILL cannot get my head around it all. All I can keep saying - as I always do when I get overwhelmed - THANK YOU!!!
May 10th 2007. Thursday evening. 19:03 pm.
My dad died on April 25th...
It was all over in a matter of days. Dad took ill quite suddenly, and
in no more than 10 days, he was dead. I don't ever remember him
going to hospital before that...
I am the man I am today because of my father. People say they
admire how I give so freely. I learnt from a man who was a
complete embodiment of selflessness.
in no more than 10 days, he was dead. I don't ever remember him
going to hospital before that...
I am the man I am today because of my father. People say they
admire how I give so freely. I learnt from a man who was a
complete embodiment of selflessness.
June 7th 2007. Thursday evening.
AND FINALLY...
June 12th 2007. Tuesday morning. 06:46 am.
UK Gospel.com Version 2... UKG Presents version 2... UKG Shop.com version 2...
UKG Download... So many sites, so little time...
There are still one or two more things to write about, but seeing as I've been writing this for almost six months, I might as well finish it now. I've laid out most of my plans anyway, and you can pick up on the rest at they unfold in the coming months.
I have to say one more thing: special thanks to my mate GEORGE LUKE. In really pushing the
'UK gospel music platform' agenda of this site, it is sometimes easy to forget that UK Gospel.com also runs a FANTASTIC series called 'GLOBAL WARMING', GEORGE's highly educational, authoritative reporting on Christian music activity from around the world, outside of the US. International response has been excellent to that. I know I thank you
UKG Download... So many sites, so little time...
There are still one or two more things to write about, but seeing as I've been writing this for almost six months, I might as well finish it now. I've laid out most of my plans anyway, and you can pick up on the rest at they unfold in the coming months.
I have to say one more thing: special thanks to my mate GEORGE LUKE. In really pushing the
'UK gospel music platform' agenda of this site, it is sometimes easy to forget that UK Gospel.com also runs a FANTASTIC series called 'GLOBAL WARMING', GEORGE's highly educational, authoritative reporting on Christian music activity from around the world, outside of the US. International response has been excellent to that. I know I thank you
privately, but I also wanted to do it publicly as well: GEORGE: cheers, mate!
So, what's next...? Well, more of the same really: features, purchases, thought, audio, video, downloads... All done with a strong UK bias. The coming months are gonna be EXCITING!
Have to go now. UKG Presents V2 is almost ready, and it's looking rather tasty, I have to say...
See you somewhere in the UKG universe...
Yinka Awojobi
Content Development
UK Gospel.com
So, what's next...? Well, more of the same really: features, purchases, thought, audio, video, downloads... All done with a strong UK bias. The coming months are gonna be EXCITING!
Have to go now. UKG Presents V2 is almost ready, and it's looking rather tasty, I have to say...
See you somewhere in the UKG universe...
Yinka Awojobi
Content Development
UK Gospel.com
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(yinka@ukgospel.com)
