“Does anything on this site promote a sense of adventure?” She thrust her index finger toward the screen while scrunching up her nose.
He scanned the green-and-beige page for a few minutes, with its Backtrax logo and stodgy fonts, before he admitted defeat. “No.”
“You and Grey are not old Bill Batton. You two need to get your handsome faces on this site, and then load it with recent tour pictures. Make it fun and fresh.”
“You think I’m handsome?” He leaned closer, his eyes scanning her face like a predator.
So flippin’ handsome. Fortunately, she pressed her lips together before the words escaped. Suddenly she wanted to fan herself, but that would only encourage his flirtatious behavior. “Stay focused, please.”
He took his time sitting back. “When I’m stomping big air, I’m not pulling out my iPhone to snap photos.”
“Surely you shot some footage with a GoPro. Grab some frames, maybe even upload a video or two.”
“That might look cool.” He sat forward, his expression thoughtful. “But how will it bring people to visit the site?”
“For starters, join Facebook groups or communities that involve climbing and skiing.” She hit a few keystrokes and brought up several rock climbing groups on Facebook. “You need to interact on these sites often, but not to directly ‘sell’ your services. Submit stories of your own and suggestions. Answer people’s questions about places you’ve been, techniques, gear, and other stuff like that. Gradually people will get interested in your expertise and start looking you up. That’s when they’ll find your new and improved website.”
Trip’s expression grew pensive as he considered her advice. She tapped the keys again and Powder magazine’s online site appeared. “Submit articles or guest blog posts here. Getting your name out a couple of times a year will build a following among your main client base.”
“I’m impressed, Kelsey. Beauty and brains.” Trip studied Kelsey with a wide smile, as if for the first time he noticed she was more than perky body parts. Not that she minded his appreciation of her appearance, but she liked being seen as something more, especially by a guy like Trip, who probably never thought of women as anything more than sex dolls. “It all sounds great, but how do I design a site or set up all those other things?”
Kelsey patted the manual to her right. “Between this book, YouTube videos, and other free information, you can get this all done with very little cost if you’re willing to put in the time.”
“I thought you were going to help me do it.” Trip murmured in the smooth tone she recognized as one of a man trying to woo a woman into doing his bidding. Like a full-bodied red wine with a lingering finish, his seductive voice could lull her into all kinds of trouble.
Kelsey didn’t want trouble. Or rather, she couldn’t afford to waste time on trouble, not at her age.
“More like you hoped I was going to do it for you. Well, I’m not. I’ll help a bit, but I’ve got my own business to deal with, plus the homework Wade gave me.”
Trip sat back, arms crossed, head shaking. “Homework from Wade? What harebrained scheme are you using now to get his attention?”
Kelsey kicked Trip’s calf.
“Hey, those shoes hurt!” He rubbed his shinbone.
“Sissy.” Kelsey shot him an arch look. “It’s no scheme. I’m expanding my business and getting into real estate investing, too.”
“Don’t tell me you’re in favor of what he’s doing to this town?” Trip’s playfulness fled.
“Of course I am. I’m making great money from Wade, plus his developments will bring in more tourists and create jobs, too.”
“Temporary construction jobs and low-paying retail jobs.” Trip’s peeved tone stunned her. “This town already gets plenty of tourists—people who come for its antique charm and natural beauty. If guys like Wade keep destroying the land to put up new buildings, tourists will start going elsewhere to ‘get away’ from it all.”
She hadn’t considered that before, but she wouldn’t concede anything to Trip. “Fancy hotels and luxury shops won’t drive tourists away. Look at Aspen.”
“Yeah, look at Aspen—a once great, funky ski town that has slowly been transformed into a ‘see and be seen’ place for posers. In my opinion, it’s lost all its personality.”
She resisted the urge to frown. He wasn’t totally wrong. Aspen had kinda lost some of its magic. Still, Sterling Canyon needed a boost. This old mining town wouldn’t be destroyed by one high-end retail development. And maybe she couldn’t control making her dreams of family come true, but she sure as heck would take control of her career.