People don’t read the same way online that they do in print. In this article for BookPromotion.com, I break down how users process content online. Then I offer some tips for modifying your writing for this audience.
Category Archives: new + notable
How to Get Great Work from Your Designer: Article on BookPromotion.com
Pretty much anyone involved in publishing—authors, marketing, publicity, sales— is going to be working with a designer at some point. Whether you’re talking book covers, promotional materials or Web sites, eventually words must assume a visual form.
When creatives from two different disciplines converge, there can often be a communication breakdown. I’m a designer who works frequently with authors. Allow me to help demystify this Venus vs. Mars relationship and help you get the best work from your designers—saving you time and money along the way.
Email Newsletter Tips for Authors article in BookPromotion.com
How to inspire, inform—and never annoy your audience with email newsletters. (Especially if you are an author.) Here’s my newest article for BookPromotion.com.
Free Hosting vs. Self-Hosting in WordPress article for BookPromotion.com
It is tempting–oh, so tempting!–to go for the free options when building your site. I wrote this article for BookPromotion.com to break down the pros and cons of free hosting verses self-hosting in WordPress, particularly when it comes to author sites and publishing in general.
Julia Sweeney’s site launch
The site I designed for author, actress, comedienne Julia Sweeney launched this week! The site showcases the entire oeuvre of her work—from memories of her tenure on Saturday Night Live to her stage shows, and her books. In fact, her new book, If It’s Not One Thing, It’s Your Mother pubs today!
Plus, she wrote me one of my favorite testimonials: “Okay, whenever you send me something new I am so gobsmacked by how beautiful it is, I can barely look for the possible problem areas. Seriously, it takes me a couple of days to recover. I was just thinking, Lisa has the most fun job that she is most wonderful at doing. (Awkwardly worded, yes, but when I think, I’m clunky) Unclunkily, I thought, ‘She must be smiling every day!’ (Of course I know that’s not true, as I live in the real world, but still, that’s really what I was thinking just now…) Lisa, you are so good at your job!”
Article on Designing for Social Media for BookPromotion.com
Whitney Moss and Heather Flett are perhaps better known online as the Rookie Moms.Together, they have a wildly popular Web site (which I just redesigned), two books under their belt, and thousands of followers. They asked me to help them pull together a more attractive social media presence that better promotes both themselves and their various properties.
This article for BookPromotion.com breaks down exactly what I did to better design both their Twitter and Facebook pages.
First Article for BookPromotion.com
I just joined BookPromotion.com as a contributor, and my first article launched today. Entitled What Is With All the Lousy Author Web Sites, I think you can guess what it is about. This is my tough-love letter to authors out there to get their (ahem) sites together.
On a related note, I am going to be speaking on a panel with the amazing Lori Culwell at Book Expo America this May on this very topic and more.
Rookie Moms Site Redesign
I originally worked with the Rookie Moms—Heather Flett and Whitney Moss—designing their 510Families.com site a few years ago. They recently came to me, asking to help them refresh the look of their original site, RookieMoms.com. Since they launched the site in 2005, it has grown substantially. (As have their respective children—five in all! Rookies no more.) They have an avid online following on both Facebook and Twitter, and two books under their belt. They wanted a site that retained the original look and feel, but reflected the earned sophistication and depth of content. Last, but not least, the site is integrated with their advertising network, monetizing all that content. I love seeing these smart, savvy women succeed in their work!
Egg & Dart Press Placeholder Launches
This is phase one of the Egg & Dart Press site launch–a placeholder introducing four new cookbooks that come out this Spring. As you might imagine, the only thing I like better than books is cookbooks. Can’t wait to get my hands on these.
Redesign of PamelaDruckerman.com
I was absolutely thrilled to work with Pamela Druckerman when she sought a redesign of her site to coincide with the launch of her new book, Bébé Day by Day, 100 Keys to French Parenting. The press she got from Bringing Up Bébé was astounding. This book was translated into various other publishing markets and TIME chose her as one of the 100 most fascinating people of 2011. She wanted her redesigned site to build from that momentum, but introduce readers to her new books, and (of course) make it easy to purchase.
On a personal level, this book came along at the perfect time for me, too, as I wrangled the will of my own adorable, but assertive four-year-old and very American child. It’s never too late!