Step 3: Construction

Once you have a solid foundation in place, you may then proceed with the construction of your lighthouse.  You must use good-quality bricks and mortar for your construction -- otherwise, your lighthouse will not be solid and will not stand the test of time.

The bricks and mortar of an Internet Beacon are, of course, the content of the site.  This is at the heart of the Internet Beacon Awards -- positive content and valuable resources.  Your site should have a substantial amount of content of interest to someone besides yourself on a particular subject.  Now, pictures of your last vacation to Podunk, Wyoming to visit the rare Spotted Hobo Yak may be of interest to you, but not necessarily to me -- especially if you're in every picture.  (Imagine how much you like to look at slides and videotapes of other people's vacations.  See what I mean?)  Blog sites should have more available than just a daily diary. 

I dislike reading text that is vague or confusing.  I like text that is clear and easily communicates the intended information.  The text you are reading here was proofed multiple times.  I went over it and over it, again and again, until I was sick of looking at it.  I do this because I do not want people to associate my work with sloppiness.  Don't be afraid to proofread your text.  Everybody needs to have their writing edited and proofed -- and that includes me!

Your information, of course, should be of a positive nature.  This is one of the key points for which I am looking.  I do not mean that everything has to be sunny and happy and tra-la-la all the time.  Some subjects just do not lend themselves to this approach, and must be dealt with in a very serious manner.  But a true Internet Beacon, regardless of the subject, should leave the viewer feeling uplifted and encouraged.

I can tolerate only a very tiny amount of profanity.  I do not generally use profanity in my writing.  Now, if I drop an anvil on my foot, I will probably say something other than, "Oh, golly gee!"  That, however, is a spontaneous situation.  On a web site, when I have time to carefully consider what I'm writing, I don't use profanity.  I accept that profanity offends many people, and can be a hindrance to communication.  I hope that you, too, accept this.

I like to see information organized around a particular theme or concept.  (This site, for example, has varied information which is organized with an overall inspirational concept.)

Please don't give me nothing but a list of links.  I can find a list of links all by myself -- I have Google Search, and I know how to use it.

I would also like to know a little something about you.  Why you are a credible source for the information that you present?  If you're not an expert in this particular field, have you consulted such experts?  (As I teach to students in my public speaking classes, if you have no credibility on a topic, you can borrow credibility!)  Does your site demonstrate this credibility?

I may wish to contact you if your site has aroused my curiosity about this subject.  I'd love to be able to do that without having to search every page of your site to find your email address.  I'd like to be able to find it easily.  It would be ideal if it was on every page.  My short attention span likes little things like that.

You may now proceed to Step 4: Wiring and Lens Adjustment

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