🎉 It’s my website’s second birthday. And it’s got me thinking …
While my professional platform on LinkedIn pre-dates cherryedits.com by three years, it wasn’t until I got my website that I felt legitimate.
🌐 Two years ago, I reached the this-is-not-a-dress-rehearsal phase of my professional life. Buying the domain name, building the site, putting effort into maintenance, it was (and continues to be) an investment and a commitment.
And I hope authors see this as a reflection of the commitment I have to my profession. It’s easy to list editing services on a gig website live Fivrr and Upwork, but it’s not so easy to create and maintain a website. I hope the fact I do demonstrates I’m not in this for a quick buck.
My website now looks rather different from my website two years ago. It’s constantly evolving:
– My logo/banner was tweaked about this time last year for better composition.
– I blog regularly, so there’s always something new to read.
– I changed all my website photos after I had my professional shoot back in February.
– I’ve also changed a lot of the text on my About page.
– My testimonials page gets regularly updated, and there’s now a video clip on there too with some kind words from one of my author clients.
– I’ve been working to improve some of my website graphics.
– A newsletter sign-up page is now live (which includes a free ‘show don’t tell’ resource).
– I’ve improved the accessibility of my website by ensuring all images have ALT text.
– And, behind-the-scenes, I’m working on my services page. I’ve got someone helping me improve the visual appearance of that, and I’ve been trimming down the surfeit of info that currently exists on that page.
🎓 It’s funny because I now look at my original website (see screenshot above) and I see things quite differently. When I launched, I was all about proving my credentials. Looking back at what I wrote, I think I was trying (too) hard. Over-explaining, maybe. And while my method gave me confidence at the time — i.e. look at the courses I’ve done; let me explain to you exactly what editing involves so you know that I know what to do; here’s why my prices are what they are, etc. — now it feels like that approach demonstrates a lack of confidence. I can even see it in my former profile picture. There’s a shyness there that I no longer feel. (Or not so much, anyway.)
🔎 So as I’m working to update my website, I’m focused on presenting a truer version of the editor I am now.
My offer is a lot clearer. I know who I help. I know why I help them. I know how I help them. I need to communicate that in a way that’s clear and confident.
🚧 It’s still a work in progress. I’ll be way happier once I finish getting my services page sorted. But it’s getting there.
I wonder what reflections I’ll have on my website two years from now.
💬 What will 2025 me want to communicate?
I’m excited to find out.
Is all this worth the effort? If you’re an author, do you consider an editor with a website to be a more trustworthy proposition? Let me know.
CherryEdits 