I’ve been getting a lot of criticism over my choice for my new book title “Web Design for Pimps”. I will attempt to explain my reasoning for selecting such a title.
I am a big fan of the “Dummies” book series. One of the 1st Dummies books that I ever purchased was “HTML for Dummies”. I purchased this book years after being a competent HTML programmer. I loved the book but I hated the title. Why? Because I am not a dummy. I am a guy who happens to want to learn a few new things about HTML. I am a guy who wants to take what I learn and make a few dollars practicing my craft.
So, to the reader of this blog, you are not a dummy. If you are like me, then you are a go-getter, who wants something out of life and will do whatever it takes to accomplish your goals. You work hard and you use resources to the best of your ability. Now, I could have called my book “Web Design for Hard Workers” or “Web Design for People Who Use Resources to the Best of Their Abilities”. Those titles are extremely uninteresting. I wanted a title that would get your attention and remain true to the concepts of the book.
According to wikipedia.com, a pimp is an agent for prostitutes who lives off their earnings… with the pimp using techniques such as psychological intimidation, manipulation and physical force to control the prostitutes he sends out to work. In my world, you, the reader of this blog are the pimp. Web technology is your prostitute. Thus, “Web Design for Pimps” was the title that I selected for the book. In addition to finding technical information on WordPress, HTML and FBML, I will give some basic information on how to earn revenue.
So, if you are offended by this title, I do apologize. When you see it on Amazon or on the shelf at Borders, you can place this book back on the shelf and purchase a Dummies book. For everybody else, let’s figure out how to increase our knowledge and get paid at the same time!
So, what do you think?
The purchase a copy visit Web Design for Pimps - WordPress on Lulu.com
15 comments:
what is FMML?
I thought your blog was interesting,A wonderful twist on pimp,love the usage of pimp; Loving it and will read the book.
Sherri,
Hmmmm .... This is tricky. Controversy sells but the title could turn-away a significant corporate base. People don't mind calling themselves a "dummy" in regard to understanding new information. The word, "Pimp" has not become a part of our everyday language. Plus with more woman starting a business they will find this term to be highly offensive. Do you really want to fight that battle? A "Dummy" could be male or female. The historical meaning of a "Pimp" is clearly male.
If you just have to stay with this name, consider adding a subtitle that better explains your positioning.
Whatever you do, please form a focus group to get more feedback.
Mr. Eric -
I am so interested in getting quality training on building a website - but at what cost.
Can I get past the use of the word PIMP?
Should I ignore it?
Ignore it like the N-word?
Can I stop myself from wondering if when you uses examples in the teaching of the material you will refer to the negatives and positives of a prostitute /pimp relationship.
Is it when one gets something for free they are expected to keep shut and tolerate.
I am feeling some people with deviate behavior patterns will be uncontrollably drawn to your program due to the buzz they may get from what ever is going on in their head. People apply what feel is best and what works.
Right now - with so much disrespect and crimes targeted at women - this title is leaving me feeling more than a bit on guard.
I will contact you off line.
I am thinking if you asked your mother, aunts, sisters, wife, grandmother for their opinions on this title they would have pulled your ears and told you all the reason why not to go there.
You can get a point across on any level without opening the door that most people would rather have shut and never opened.
Only men think PIMP behavior is funny and powerful. Did you ever talk to a woman that did that job to get money for her kids school supplies or had to do it for food.
I would have paid for your program but a book with such a title could not stay on my living room coffee table for visiting guest.
Yes we are that stuck on image and self.
Sorry but this pushed a female button that prefers to stay not pushed.
Freedom of speech is allowed and my note is to not insult you but to remind you that every oppressed woman is someone's mother, daughter, sister, aunt, wife -- and they still need to be respected if they show themselves are deserving of respect.
Elaine Jackson, Massachusetts
@Elaine Jackson Anonymous number 3
Great points, thanks for replying... The fact that we are discussing it means that I have accomplished one of my goals which is to select a semi-controversial title to get attention...
Elaine, there are books our there which use "Master" in the title. "Mastering Web Design". Should I not purchase this book because of the Slave/Master relationship and 400 years of African American oppression? If My book was titled "Mastering WordPress" would you purchase it? Why? Why not?
Mother:
Did I consult young, smart business women before selecting my title. Yes... Did I consult my mother (who is a smart business woman). No...
Elaine, may I ask you a question?
I was considering using the book "Web Design for Dummies" by Wiley Press to teach this course. Would you have a problem with that title? If so, are you a dummy? If not, please tell me why...
Web Design for Pimps is about empowering people to pimp the web. I give valuable information on how to make money using web technology. Some people will not be able to get past the title. For those people, I wish them luck.
Respect:
My book has nothing to do with oppression or disrespect. I explain the reason for the title.
Elaine, our program is free. We sell books and take donations to maintain our free program. Equivalent courses can cost as much as $2000. If we loose you as a student, then I am truly sorry.
Thanks again for your reply...
@Anonymous 1
FBML is Facebook Markup Language which is the language similar to HTML for creating fancy Facebook Fan Pages...
@Sherry Anonymous 2...
Thanks for the reply...
@Andrew...
Thanks for the reply...
Very good insights...
The corporate base is not my audience. My audience is composed of people that I touch directly. Of those people that I touch directly (700 Web Academy students and 4000 people in my network), I want them to remember the title.
There are 11,623 books on Amazon on web design with similar titles. What's the difference between "Learning Web Design" or "Ideas in Web Design" or "Principles of Web Design"... Well they all have un-inspiring titles.
There are an additional 11,620 books with titles just as boring. What would cause a stranger to purchase my book over the others?
Nothing...
If my book was called "Web Design Creation" we would not be having this conversation...
Andrew... thank you for the comment... I think adding a subtitle is an excellent idea...
I am sure everyone can get past the title if the content is substantial. Personally, I am looking forward to "pimpin'" the internet!
On the title, I "get it" - I really do. Even though I don't in any way shape or form even want to think about a pimp, much less draw an analogy to myself, I could get past that, to get to the message of the book.
I think you're shooting yourself in the foot from a marketing standpoint. You can defend your title very well, but you're going to lose the "word of mouth" marketing potential of the fastest growing demographic of social media, the Baby Boomers. Most people younger than that already knows how to build a website.
I'd use your book but I wouldn't tout it, or even talk about it on social media because *I* don't want to explain the title. The content will sell your book, not the title. You could get even more creative than the "pimp" analogy I'm sure, I have that much faith in you :)
@Kenya
@Blizzard
Thank you for the comments...
@Blizzard...
Great commnents... Excellent points...
Word of Mouth doesn't sale as well as controversy...
Thanks again for the comments...
I find the title okay. Sometimes, you just have to be a little out of the box so your book can be noticed. As a matter of fact, i find it very creative.
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