My Most Popular Resources of 2021
• This article contains affiliate links •
I’m enormously proud of my full service, custom website design packages. But if you’re not ready to make the investment in working with me 1:1, I have plenty of other options for you to learn website tips and tricks, or to get a taste of my philosophy and working approach.
As the year draws to a close, I’ve looked back at my resources - free and paid - that have been most popular during 2021.
What website resources are others enjoying most?
Here are the winners in 7 different categories for the articles, downloads, interviews, social media posts, and video, that others have responded to best.
Most popular free resource: Simple Website Course
One of the nice features of MemberVault, where I host all my free and low-cost resources, is that it shows me how people are actually engaging with my content. Hundreds of people signed up this year for access to my resource area, which includes a free PDF Website Starter Kit. This kit guides you through important decisions to make, before you dive into your website project.
However, in terms of repeat visits, the winner in this category is my free website course (now retired).
Instead of this retired course, try these instead.
Most popular low-cost resource: Website Planning Power Pack
I’m not surprised to see my Website Planning Power Pack at the top of this category. This bundle of goodies to help you plan your website in a weekend is fantastic value at $37.
It includes a jumpstart masterclass, copywriting workbook, homepage templates, an e-book of 70 tips, content checklist, Trello tasklist, and more. It’s suitable for planning your website regardless of which tool you want to use, and the learning will also help you if you later want to hire professional help to build your site.
Celia bought this and said: “Wholly delighted: clear and beautifully presented and spot on with my needs... the content and presentation was just right."
Most popular article: Color Tips
My blog article with the most views so far this year is Color Tips for Your Website. It includes what to take into account when choosing your palette, the 4-5 choices to make up a foolproof palette, tools for exploring colors, and tips for using color if you’re building your site using Carrd.co.
I love talking about and choosing website colors, but I realize others can feel daunted by this. I’m always delighted to see the colors you choose!
Most popular guest appearance: The Indy Author
I gave 11 guest presentations, workshops, and interviews this year. Most were for private groups, however I received a great response to this conversation on the Indy Author Podcast, which covers a broad range of author website questions.
Maery Rose said, “I'm in a college course where we have a choice of 3 final projects and one choice is to create an author's website, so I recommended this podcast to my fellow students.”
Most popular on Pinterest: Winnie the Pooh
I was surprised but rather pleased to see my light-hearted look at how Winnie the Pooh’s advice applies to website design was the most re-pinned this year. Website projects can feel overwhelming and I’m a strong advocate for keeping it simple, taking it in small stages, and being kind to yourself.
After all, as Christopher Robin says, “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.”
Most popular on Instagram: the Rotunda at Ickworth
I don’t stalk my Instagram numbers, but it appears the post that got the most attention this year had nothing to do with web design. This pic of the beautiful rotunda at Ickworth (Suffolk, England) caught the imagination of those of us who would love to escape somewhere like this for a reading or writing retreat.
Its popularity was closely followed by my Jane Austen quotes jigsaw puzzle and the gorgeous Bakery on the Water in the Cotswolds.
Clearly, I have plenty of online friends who share my love of tea, books, and preferably both together.
Most popular in December: Done For You Content Calendar
I always see a surge of sales in late December and early January for my Done For You Content Calendar. Even though I don’t necessarily believe you should be blogging, and I know authors get tied in terrible knots over sending regular newsletters, there’s something about this time of year that makes us relish a plan!
My Content Calendar is $27 and contains over 200 seasonally appropriate ideas to feed your blog, email list, and social media. It solves the headache of wondering what to write about, and lets you get back to the work you love. It’s undated, so you can start any time, but understandably, it’s my biggest seller at the moment.
I updated the calendar this year to offer 3 distinct versions. There’s a separate calendar for you if you’re a:
Fiction writer
Nonfiction writer
Service-based entrepreneur
As well as the content ideas, there are bonus tips for productivity and time management. And I couldn’t resist throwing in a pep talk about why you shouldn’t call your emails a “newsletter”, with what to do instead!
Resources coming in 2022
Roughly half of the items mentioned here contain tips and advice specifically for authors. However, for 2022, I plan to get even more focused by creating additional free resources to help you build your author platform, understand book marketing, and sell more books.
If you’re an author and there’s a website question that’s puzzling you, or a website resource you’d love me to create, please send a quick note and let me know.
•
Ready to get started with your Squarespace author website?
I’m proud to offer these resources at different price points, but if you’ve finished exploring and thinking about your website and feel ready to see your custom-designed, professional website launch, then we should talk.
As a professional specializing in author website design, I’m an expert in using Squarespace to create a stunning and effective home for your work. If you’d like technical expertise, book marketing advice, and all of the implementation taken care of, consider hiring me.
After careful preparation together, I’ll design, build and launch your author site in just 2 weeks. Learn more, and then schedule our free and friendly chat.
Yet more resources to help with your author website!
And for the essential steps in your website project, take a look at my free 50 Step Website Checklist.
