Are we a fit to work together to build your author website?
I believe that your book deserves its chance to change lives for the better
And I’m convinced that these days, you need a strong online home to give your work that chance.
I’m also willing to bet that designing and building your author website is not your zone of genius?
If you agree that you should save your energy for your best work, reaching readers who need what only you can write, then we might be a good fit to work together. And if you’re looking for expertise, collaboration, and a supportive book marketing partnership, I’d love to get to know you.
I work with business minded authors.
Often, you are also a…
Solopreneur
Workshop Leader
Consultant
Coach
And you’re ready to use your book to position yourself as a thought leader and expert in your field.
Are we a great match?
Working with me is for you if…
You want to give your book the best possible chance of success
You’re ready to feel confident in an established, expert pair of hands, with a clear project process
You like knowing that I’m a multi-published author who has a personal track record of successful book marketing
You want my strategic advice, friendly guidance, and accountability support as your collaborative partner
You’re willing to invest in strategic, high end web design to grow your impact and your audience
You’re wise enough to anticipate that the best author results come when you use your new website alongside other marketing efforts
Working with me is not for you if…
Author website is just one more thing to check off your publishing to-do list — but you’re not sure why you need one
You’re trying to self-publish on a shoestring budget, and you’re resentful of “yet another” marketing expense
You’re not committed to releasing a top quality book
You didn’t see any websites you love, in my portfolio
Your book comes out next month… and you’re panicking about all the things you’re “supposed” to do
When I build your author website, my approach is a bit different from many other designers
There are a lot of website designers out there! Some of them, like me, even specialize in author websites. I’d been in business several years before I understood how to explain what makes me different. I’d love for you to know this, so you can make a great decision when choosing the person you’ll partner with, to create your online home.
✓ For a custom author website, I start with a strategic plan, before we dive into preparing for your website project. It’s the best way I’ve found to make sure that I deliver a website you will actually use, to get the results you want, in the way you like to work.
✓ I offer an expert partnership with a highly personalized approach. Unlike some designers, who will never actually talk to you, we will meet by Zoom during our project. I’m deeply interested in a collaboration, not a transaction. To make this happen, I work with a relatively small number of clients each year.
✓ I know a lot about book marketing. (Did I mention I’ve self-published six books?) I seldom meet a client where I can’t spot an additional opportunity for your book, your launch, your website, your email list, or your tactics. Occasionally I’ll suggest that your publisher could up their game, and I’ll tell you what to ask them for.
✓ I only build one website at a time. That means, for the time I set aside for you, your project is my primary focus. Not only does it help me to keep all of the details straight(!), you can feel assured that your new website will launch smoothly, and on time.
✓ And depending on your needs, I build in ways to teach you (or your assistant) the skills you’ll need to put your website to work, after I hand it over.
✓ I don’t offer (let alone require) retainer contracts. I love when you can be independent in looking after your new website, and I’m not out to make easy “passive” income from you. If you choose, you can hire me on an ad hoc basis for future edits and enhancements. The central Squarespace team looks after essential maintenance and security updates, taking one more headache off your shoulders.
I’ve got plenty of life experience, and more than a few grey hairs.
In the time I have remaining on this planet, it’s deeply important to me that my website design work makes a difference.
And to achieve that: your work needs to make a difference.
“Pauline is smart, organized, and super-professional. She knows her stuff, and she has a great eye. Pauline's working method made the very intimidating process of creating a new website not only doable but empowering. Her planning materials helped me to stay on course—and to discover what I really wanted for my site. And her regular check-ins and open communication during the design period were invaluable.”
— Gwen Hyman, writing coach and nonfiction author
Our teamwork
Your custom author website comes together smoothly and efficiently, due to careful preparation and organization:
What I will do
Support you and cheerlead throughout the project.
Design and build your professional author website using the Squarespace platform.
Take care of all technical details like connecting your domain, and configuring SEO settings according to the package you choose.
Explain everything clearly and simply, using as little jargon as possible.
Launch and test your website on your behalf.
Provide initial training in how to make simple edits, if you choose to include this in your package.
What you must do
Prioritize your time to collaborate with me on your strategic new author website.
Give me information about your style preferences and business needs.
Arrange a professional photoshoot, if you don’t already have high quality photos for your website.
Submit all of your content (words, images, inspiration examples…) before our Design Period. (Your package may include full copywriting, to take this off your plate.)
Be available and responsive during our Design Period.
Set time aside to review your website and give me feedback.
Provide me with account access details, so I can configure your domain settings and other integrations.
Purchase your Squarespace subscription and any other tools that we decide are right for you.
Strongly recommended: put your new website to work with intentional, ongoing action to drive traffic to it.