Blog
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Curb Appeal, Websites, and the Overwhelming Blank Slate
I moved to a new house in November and the outside of the house and the lot is literally a blank slate. Every time I pull into my driveway, I’m greeted by…well, nothing. No flower beds, no shrubs, no house numbers, not even a mailbox. She has absolutely no curb appeal at all. A blank… -
Why Premium Licenses Are Reserved for Clients on Website Management Plans
As a website designer, I always strive to provide the most value to my clients while maintaining a sustainable business model myself. One area where this balance is often misunderstood is the use of premium licenses for plugins and themes. While it might seem generous to include the use of license keys as a courtesy… -
5 Must-Haves for Your Author Website Homepage
Your author website homepage is like your digital “front door”. A lot of times, it’s the first impression people have of you and your work, and your homepage has a big job to do. The main job of your homepage is to communicate who you are, what you do, and what you offer…and do it… -
Building Your Author Community: Digital Techniques to Build an Author Brand That Precedes You
In today’s digital age, your success as an author extends far beyond the pages of your books. Building a strong online community is now essential to establish yourself as an influential figure, connect with your readers on a deeper level, and attract opportunities for collaboration and promotion. So how can you build the kind of… -
Finding Your Own Way: A Routine That Works for You
As we approach the holidays and look ahead to 2025, I’ve been reflecting on routines and realizing something important: my routine can, and should, be anything I want it to be. We spend so much time looking at how others structure their days—when they work, when they rest, how they fit it all in. It’s… -
Struggling to Command Attention Online? Here’s Why SEO for Authors and Public Speakers Matters
Since fighting against the challenges of digital innovation won’t get you anywhere, it’s time to get strategic. How can you make the most of what digital solutions can do for your online visibility as an author or speaker? Nobody ever said that standing out in the digital age was easy. But luckily for you, it… -
Effective Web Design for Authors & Public Speakers: 5 Signs Your Website Needs an Overhaul
There’s no doubt that having a professional and engaging website is crucial for authors, speakers, and workshop leaders. Your website is no longer just a platform to sell books or publish contact details. Author and public speaker websites now serve as dynamic hubs for building community, showcasing your expertise, and attracting new revenue opportunities. Helping… -
Digital Marketing for Authors: A Step-By-Step Guide to Taking Your Author Voice Online
Like it or not, an online presence is super-important when it comes to capturing your reader’s attention and cementing your position as a leading figure in your area of expertise. Even for authors targeting the most traditional readers, effective digital marketing strategies are now essential for creating awareness for your author brand and building meaningful… -
The Power of Personal Branding for Writers: 4 Innovative Ways Non-Fiction Authors Can Stand Out Online
In the era of self-publishing and the growing significance of online platforms for book discovery, online marketing has become a valuable tool for authors. When it comes to showcasing your personal brand as a non-fiction author, you can set yourself apart from the competition with a strategic, creative, and personalized approach to your online presence…. -
Effective Web Design for Authors: 4 Ways a Great Website Can Boost More Than Just Your Book Sales
Your author website is more than just a digital space for directing your readers to sales outlets or publishing details of new releases. It’s a powerful tool that can enable you to connect with more people and opportunities than ever… if approached correctly that is! While many author websites focus solely on giving writers or… -
The Importance of Heading Structure in Website Design
I’ve looked at and audited tons of websites and one thing I see over and over again is a lack of an organized heading structure. The biggest mistake I see on these websites is headings being used for design rather than structure. A good heading structure in a website is important for several reasons. But… -
The Benefits of a Consistent Website Stack
I know there is a lot of advice out there about the best way to build your next website, and today I’m chiming in with my two cents. From page builders to blocks, I’ve honed my skills and refined my workflow over time and found there are several benefits to using a consistent website stack…. -
Boost Amazon Sales and Visibility with Your Own Website
As an author, you’ve poured your heart and soul into getting your non-fiction book written and published. But your passion goes so much deeper than words on the page. Maybe you want to teach workshops around the concepts in your book. Maybe you dream of being on the stage helping larger numbers of people benefit… -
Eight Elements to Clean Up to Improve Website Performance
You’ve probably learned by now that simplicity is a cornerstone characteristic in my business. One of my primary beliefs is that we often get overwhelmed when things become too complicated. I love white space. I love clean, beautiful design. Today I want to talk about the side of your website that isn’t client facing —… -
Words Have Power
I think we sometimes forget just how powerful words can be. They can move people to laughter or tears, empathy and understanding. There have been times in my life where I let words cause fear and anxiety. When I was 22, I heard the one word that literally turned my life upside down — cancer…. -
Are you an expert?
There are a lot of ways to get your website built including DIY or having a friend help you. I’ve had clients in the past whose friends know WordPress and could help them get updates made. Unfortunately, knowing WordPress and knowing website design, structure, or user experience isn’t exactly the same thing. It’s a lot … -
My morning dose of Contrarian Thinking
I have followed Codie Sanchez for quite a while on Instagram and her message has always resonated with me. The other day I got an email from Kim Doyal in her #FtheHustle newsletter, and she mentioned Codie’s newsletter, Contrarian Thinking. I signed up immediately. Fast forward to this morning and I got an email from… -
Goodbye, 2020! Hello, 2021!!
2020 has not been the easiest year for many people. It was a difficult year for my family and we took a huge loss when my Mom passed in November. Honestly, in a lot of ways, I’m still reeling from all of the events of the last 6+ months through her illness, hospitalization, and passing…. -
Creating Order From Black Friday Chaos
The mention of Black Friday and Cyber Monday either fills you with excitement or dread. For the first few years in my business BF deals were out of reach. I was a single mom and my income was primarily used to pay the bills. As my business grew, I was able to budget for the… -
Some of my favorite podcasts in honor of National Podcast Day
Today is National Podcast Day. I don’t have my own podcast, but I thought this would be a good time to share a few of my favorite shows with you. I hope you find something new to motivate you, inspire you, or make you smile. I listen to a variety of business, faith, and just… -
Your New Website is Live! Now What?
Congratulations! Your new website is live and you’re feeling like a million bucks. Now what should you do? Having your website built is just the first step. There are still two pretty big buckets that need to be filled every month. But before I get into that, a little story… As I launch my new website, … -
Start with Website Strategy, not Design
As I was preparing my new website for launch so many thoughts about website design and life, in general, were rolling around in my head. Website design isn’t necessarily about a client’s idea of “design” at all. Design isn’t just about pretty colors and typography. Website design starts with the website strategy — goals, intentions, … -
Why I Focus on Simple Websites
When it comes to your website, designing a simple website is actually a pretty difficult task. So, why do I focus on simple websites? Websters Dictionary has a few definitions for simple, but the first two are: 1) easy to understand, deal with, use; and2) not elaborate or artificial; plain. The answer to the question is actually … -
Why Critical Thinking Skills Matter…Even When You Think It’s Just Data Entry
A few months ago we talked about how much your business is worth to you. I’m going to ask you again…no, beg you…please stop thinking about the dollar signs in areas of your business where critical thinking skills matter. Over the last few days, I’ve gotten a few emails from a friend and colleague who…
