David Chase: FREE Discovery Call (Tony Howell) - February 11

VIEW RECORDING - 43 mins (No highlights)

Meeting Purpose

Explore website and branding solutions for David Chase to differentiate from the Sopranos creator and showcase his diverse career.

Key Takeaways

• David Chase faces identity confusion with the Sopranos creator, impacting his online presence and royalties

• A comprehensive website will serve as a portfolio, legacy project, and SEO tool to differentiate David in search results

• Multi-pronged approach proposed: Squarespace temporary site, custom Webflow portfolio, Wikipedia page, and potential domain strategies

Topics

Identity Challenges and Goals

• David experiences ongoing identity confusion with Sopranos creator David Chase

• Impacts include misdirected royalties and difficulty establishing online presence

• Primary goal: Create a comprehensive showcase of David's diverse career across multiple disciplines

• Legacy aspect: Preserve career history for family and future generations

Website Development Strategy

• Initial phase: Create a temporary Squarespace site as a "visiting apartment"

• Long-term solution: Custom Webflow portfolio site (estimated ~$12,000)

  • Allows for easy updates and dynamic content management

  • Designed for longevity and flexibility

• Potential domain strategies discussed:

  • Using middle initial (David B. Chase)

  • Industry-specific domains (e.g., DavidChaseBroadway.com)

  • Short, memorable options (e.g., DCDB.com for "David Chase Database")

SEO and Online Presence Optimization

• Focus on building a comprehensive "hub" for all David Chase content

• Pursue creation of a Wikipedia page to establish authority

• Ensure consistent branding and linking across industry sites (IMDB, Playbill, etc.)

• Consider professional photoshoot for updated, high-quality images

Content Organization and Presentation

• Develop a flexible database structure to showcase diverse projects

• Implement sorting/filtering options (e.g., by genre, role, collaborator)

• Include resources section for education and inspiration

Next Steps

• Tony to send recap and link to book a paid strategy/scoping call

• David to consider budget and preferred approach (Squarespace vs. Webflow)

• Tony to consult SEO specialist on name differentiation strategies

• Schedule follow-up meeting to dive deeper into David's portfolio and specific needs

Action Items

• Consider adding "B" to professional name for brand differentiation - WATCH (5 secs)

• Send link to David for booking paid strategy/scoping call - WATCH (5 secs)

• Review website options, pricing info; prepare questions for strategy call - WATCH (5 secs)

• Consult SEO expert re: advice given (official hub, Wikipedia, adding "B") - WATCH (5 secs)

David Chase: Blueprint Consultation (Full Online Audit) - February 25

VIEW RECORDING - 94 mins (No highlights)

Meeting Purpose

To create a blueprint for David Chase's online presence, focusing on SEO strategy and website development.

Key Takeaways

• Primary goal: Improve David Chase's visibility in Google search results, distinguishing him from the other David Chase (TV producer)

• Secondary goal: Create a legacy platform to showcase the breadth and diversity of David's career

• Approach: Implement a phased strategy, starting with a simple website and Wikipedia page, then expanding to a full portfolio site

• Platform: Begin with Squarespace, potentially transitioning to Webflow for more advanced features in later phases

Topics

Brand Identity and Positioning

• Emphasize David as a storyteller with music as his medium

• Showcase the diversity of David's work across theater, TV, film, and music

• Maintain a balance between visibility and David's preference for behind-the-scenes work

SEO Strategy

• Claim and optimize Google Knowledge Panel

• Create a Wikipedia page (estimated 4-5 hours of work, $400/hour)

• Implement backlinks from industry profiles (IMDB, IVDB, Playbill, etc.)

• Use strategic keywords like "David Chase Broadway" and "David Chase Music"

Website Development

• Phase 1: Create a simple one-page Squarespace site (estimated $2,000-$3,000)

• Phase 2: Expand to a full portfolio site on Squarespace (estimated $6,000-$9,000)

• Future Phase: Consider transitioning to Webflow for advanced features (estimated $12,000+)

• Include educational content, such as behind-the-scenes insights on projects

Content Strategy

• Organize work by categories: Theater, Television, Film, Concerts, Recordings

• Create individual project pages with detailed information, possibly using pop-ups for less extensive entries

• Incorporate "Notes from David" to share unique insights and experiences

Email and Communication

• Set up a professional email address (e.g., david@davidchasemusic.com)

• Create a simple email signature with website link

• Consider implementing an email list for occasional updates (not frequent newsletters)

Visual Assets

• Current headshot may suffice for initial launch

• Consider hiring photographer JJ for new professional photos (for both David and Paula)

Next Steps

1. Tony to introduce David to Syed for Wikipedia page creation

2. Develop a one-page website on Squarespace

3. David to claim Google Knowledge Panel

4. Tony to discuss Webflow timeline with developer Mac

5. Tony to introduce David to photographer JJ for potential photo session

6. Schedule follow-up meeting to scope out full Webflow site development

Action Items

• Claim Google Knowledge Panel (follow Tony's instructions) - WATCH (5 secs)

• Create proposal for one-page website (Squarespace). Include timeline, pricing - WATCH (5 secs)

• Intro David to Syed (Wikipedia specialist). Provide instructions for vague SEO job post - WATCH (5 secs)

• Chat w/ Mac re Webflow timeline, collab style. Prep for future 3-way call w/ David - WATCH (5 secs)

• Intro David to JJ (photographer). Mention potential for family/Paula shots too - WATCH (5 secs)

David Chase: Phased Approach - March 12

VIEW RECORDING - 77 mins (No highlights)

Meeting Purpose

Discuss and plan the development of David Chase's professional website, focusing on SEO optimization and showcasing his diverse career in music and entertainment.

Key Takeaways

• Phase 1: Create a Squarespace site for immediate SEO benefits and a Webflow staging site for content organization

• Focus on curating featured projects rather than including everything, emphasizing diversity of work

• Aim to make David Chase discoverable online while showcasing the breadth of his career

• Plan for a more comprehensive Webflow site in Phase 2, after content is organized and prioritized

Topics

Website Development Strategy

• Initial focus on SEO optimization using Squarespace

• Parallel development of a Webflow staging site for content organization

• Three-phase approach: 1) Squarespace & Webflow staging, 2) Content curation, 3) Full Webflow site build

• Emphasis on creating a "catalog" rather than a comprehensive archive or museum

Content Organization and Presentation

• Organize projects by category (e.g., Broadway, TV, film) initially, with potential for cross-linking later

• Create featured sections to highlight key projects across different mediums

• Consider developing "journey" pages to showcase the interconnectedness of David's work

• Implement tagging system for flexible content categorization (e.g., by collaborator, genre)

SEO and Online Presence

• Centralize online presence under DavidChaseMusic.com

• Claim Google Knowledge Panel and improve search rankings

• Create YouTube channel for video content management

• Encourage participation in interviews and public events to increase online visibility

Technical Considerations

• Use conditional visibility in Webflow for flexible content display

• Plan for potential copyright issues with uploaded content, especially for TV/film work

• Consider using Vimeo as a backup for content hosting if YouTube poses issues

Collaboration and Workflow

• Tony to handle Squarespace development and initial SEO work

• Mac to develop Webflow staging site for content organization

• David to curate and provide content, focusing on key projects and unique aspects of his career

• Regular check-ins to ensure alignment on project direction and scope

Next Steps

• Tony and Mac to prepare a proposal for Phase 1 development

• Begin development of Squarespace site for immediate online presence

• Start building Webflow staging site for content organization

• David to begin curating key projects and content for the website

• Schedule photo shoot with JJ for new website imagery

• Plan for future meeting to scope out full Webflow site development (Phase 2)

Action Items

• Build one-page Squarespace site for DavidChaseMusic.com; initial SEO focus - WATCH (5 secs)

• Set up Google Workspace email for David@DavidChaseMusic.com - WATCH (5 secs)

• Create YouTube channel for David Chase; start organizing video content - WATCH (5 secs)

• Organize David's content into initial categories (theater, TV, film, choral music) - WATCH (5 secs)

• Set up Webflow staging site for database/CMS; prep for content input - WATCH (5 secs)

• Compile/select content for featured projects; focus on diversity of work - WATCH (5 secs)

• Prepare proposal for phase one website development; include Squarespace and Webflow staging - WATCH (5 secs)

David Chase - Kickoff - March 27

VIEW RECORDING - 69 mins (No highlights)

Meeting Purpose

Discuss website development strategy and content planning for David Chase's new professional website.

Key Takeaways

• Website to showcase David's extensive career, emphasizing storytelling and depth of experience

• Design approach: classic, timeless feel with subtle humor and "raised eyebrow" quality

• Content organization: explore by genre, role, and relationships

• Temporary delay in development due to change in web developer, but proceeding with planning

Topics

Website Structure and Design

• Homepage to feature David Chase, "storytelling through music" tagline

• Portfolio sections: Theater, Film/TV, Concerts/Recordings/Compositions

• Explore by role: Conductor, Arranger, Orchestrator, etc.

• Media section: discography, videos

• About and Contact pages

• Design inspiration: classic 1960s style, intelligent but playful tone

• Possible video background (like Aaron Lazar's site) for visual impact

Content Strategy

• Emphasis on "still waters run deep" - surface-level simplicity with depth of information

• Showcase awards and accolades without overstating (e.g., "Tony Award winner for Best Choreography - Dance arrangements by David Chase")

• Include personal stories and anecdotes (e.g., James Raitt's baton)

• Address potential confusion with the other David Chase (Sopranos creator)

Photo Shoot Planning

• Develop concepts for JJ to photograph (e.g., "genius linguist")

• Consider both headshots and production photos to represent work

Technical Considerations

• Temporary delay in development due to change in web developer

• Tony to set up basic structure and forms in Webflow

• Use of multi-reference fields for connecting related projects and collaborators

International Reach

• Highlight work in Germany, Japan

• Potential for multilingual site in the future

Next Steps

• Tony to create a landing page for davidchasemusic.com

• Develop visualization/mood board for photo shoot with JJ on May 6

• Tony to research and compile images of mentioned collaborators and shows

• Begin setting up project database structure in Webflow

• David to consider video/visual elements for project pages

Action Items

• Research arrangers/composers from 40s-60s mentioned by David (Howard Droslin, etc.) - WATCH (5 secs)

• Send Jack Tantleff's (Paradigm) contact details for website (email/phone preferences) - WATCH (5 secs)

• Create basic landing page for davidchasemusic.com (business card style, no password protection) - WATCH (5 secs)

• Prepare visual research & concept ideas for JJ's photo shoot on May 6 (winner at work, genius linguist themes) - WATCH (5 secs)

• Post job listing for Webflow developer (highlight David Chase portfolio opportunity) - WATCH (5 secs)

• Set up multi-reference fields in Webflow for project relationships (e.g. Kathleen Marshall, Doug Besterman) - WATCH (5 secs)