Can I use Newz and Viewz for my music group?
Newz and Viewz is designed specifically for choruses and quartets in the Barbershop Harmony Society, Sweet Adelines International, or Harmony Inc. If you have a musical group that is not involved in these categories, Newz and Viewz would probably be helpful to you as well. In this case, we suggest that you contact us to make sure.
How much does it cost to use Newz and Viewz?
Involvement with Newz and Viewz is absolutely free. We cover our costs by showing advertising on the sites, and we are careful to select products and services that are specifically of interest to the Barbershop community. In fact, we can show you how your chorus or quartet can develop a revenue stream, regardless of whether you choose to use Newz and Viewz.
You mean you can show us how we can actually make money whether or not we use Newz and Viewz?
Yes, absolutely. There is a website that sells apparel, mugs, bumper stickers, and many other items. It allows people to set up a store, upload text, logos and graphics, and sell custom mechandise. You can set up such a store to sell merchandise that promotes your chorus or quartet. If you decide to set up such a store, we will see that it is promoted to your fans in your Newz and Viewz site, should you choose to have one. If you don't have the knowledge or desire to set up a store, but still want to have branded merchandise available for fans and members, we can take care of setting up a store for you.
My group doesn't have a website. Can this be our only website?
It certainly can. Newz and Viewz provides most of the essentials needed in a quartet or chorus website. We have, however, a sister site that offers a free website to Barbershop Quartets, and automatically links into Newz and Viewz. Check it out at www.ourQuartet.com.
What approvals do I need before signing up?
You don't need any approvals to sign up, although it's probably a good idea for choruses to clear it with the leadership and quartets to check with other members before proceeding too far. One option is to go ahead and sign up, then show the resulting site to the others. We can easily discontinue the site if they don't like it.
How long does it take to sign-up?
It shouldn't take more than five minutes. We just need some basic information about your group and contact information for you.
What on-going effort does it take to maintain?
That's actually up to you. You and/or others would want to post news of interest to the fans and members as soon as possible. That would give people a reason to visit the site. Other than that, the site automatically takes care of itself. At the beginning you might have to encourage people to use it.
How do we get people to use it?
We provide guidance in that process as well. There are basically three steps. First, you would provide all the information that you can. Then you would encourage other members to become active on it. And finally you would publicize it to your fans and encourage them to participate. We can provide materials and advice to help with each step.
What if I have problems or questions?
Simply contact us, or call Harry at 503-380-1551 if it's urgent. We'll help you through any issues that arise. Why not go ahead and sign up now?