“To Thine Own Self”
I have had the distinct pleasure of working with emerging author Cat Jameson this summer. She is new to publishing her work (new to publishing, not writing – apparently there is quite a bit of evidence to this fact stacked up in her closet) and she is excited to have her debut novel Chasing Shadows available soon! Together we developed a new website to introduce Cat, her new book, and the books yet to come. The results of our efforts can be seen at https://catjameson.com.
As we worked together we settled on a fairly regular routine. I would present an idea or a page or a section of the website that I had worked on, and Cat would then give feedback with the changes she would like to see. I think (hope) that most of the time I was able to accommodate her wishes. I would send her the updated layout or copy, usually with added phrases worked in like, “now typically on a website you would see…,” or “I have seen other websites that…,” or
now this looks different than what I have usually seen or created. Do you like it?”
Cat, with seemingly no hesitation would respond with “Yes, I like that” or “No, I hate it when websites do that – I want this.” The result was never some startling new form of page or website, but it was unquestionably a reflection of Cat – customized and personalized to her taste and humor and aesthetic.
We launched her site in August, and I am happy to report that the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Her friends and supporters have been generous with their praise and appreciation. I have to attribute their positive response to Cat’s forthrightness and honesty throughout the process about what she liked and what she did not like. We would try things, sometimes keeping the new and sometimes reverting to the original. We just kept at it until every piece was complete and we both could be proud of the result.
My intention with relating a part of this website story is to share my big take away – in working on these websites, I need to concern myself less with what may or may not be happening within the industry, and instead trust the individuality of each client. For those of you who might be considering a website, I encourage you to trust your own gut. You know you and you know your audience. Find that website developer who will work with you to craft a website that not only resonates with your specific audience and who you are attempting to cater to, but most importantly, make sure you end up with a website that you love and can’t wait to tell people about!
As Polonius says to his son Laertes in Hamlet: “This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell. My blessing season this in thee.”