Website Development

All the websites I develop now are in WordPress, because it allows me to create sites that non-techie people can manage and update on their own, without needing to learn html or hire a webmaster. Besides that, WordPress offers built-in search engine optimization and content management functionality. (If you’re technically inclined, you’ll realize how important that is. If you’re not, you’ll be glad it’s built in.)

I can help you:

Decide between using WordPress.com and WordPress.org
Get your new site up and running
Convert an existing site to WordPress
Understand WordPress and general blogging terminology
Learn WordPress structural basics: themes, pages, posts, and categories
Choose an appropriate theme from among the thousands that are available
Customize or fine-tune a theme so it meets your functional and aesthetic needs
Learn formatting basics: bold, italics, indents, quotes, centering, text justification, colored text, heading styles
Understand linking: adding links, which text to link to, using a blogroll
Crop, size, and upload photos; use post image and thumbnail image features

If you’re new to WordPress, you might want to have a look at this series of five short WordPress orientation posts I wrote for Likoma.com. Or head over to WordPress.com for a look at WP’s features or to use their support documentation to get started.

Previous post: A Simple WordPress Glossary

Next post: The Seven Performance Metrics that Matter Most

Connect with me here:

LinkedIn • Facebook • Travel Writing • Twitter • Smashwords • San Francisco Waterfront
Advertising, Marketing, and PR

Experienced marketer and content manager provides hands-on project management on a contract basis. I also provide strategic planning, content development and management, and web-based communications.
Testimonials

It was a huge undertaking with a very large team, but thanks to Laurie's fantastic communication and organization skills, things could not have run more smoothly. She ... has the ability to not only stay on top of things, but stay ahead of them, always anticipating potential complications and solving problems before they have the chance to arise. — Natalia Sylvester, Owner,
Inky Clean [copywriting and editorial services], LinkedIn
I’m delighted to recommend Laurie… She builds strong relationships with people online and off. She’s a networker, a collaborator and a co-worker you want to work with. I’ve found Laurie’s suggestions to be thoughtful, creative and invaluable. — Cheryl McLaughlin, Owner,
McLaughlin Human Performance Institute, LinkedIn
Laurie’s dedication to assisting clients achieve their ... goals is exemplary, and perfectly complimented by her knowledge of the industry. You would have to look very far to find a person as well-suited to strategizing and managing your projects. — Mark Orr, Creative Director, Cohn and Wells [advertising], LinkedIn
Laurie is ... a pragmatic manager and is always willing to work cooperatively with other departments on cross-functional projects. She is extremely motivated and a pleasure to have on the team. I highly recommend Laurie! — Cammy Bergren, President, High Country Passage
[travel industry], LinkedIn
Laurie is a dedicated and conscientious team player who is willing to jump in and do whatever it takes to complete assignments in a timely and professional manner. She is an excellent multi-tasker who has shown hidden depths of talent in roles as varied as treasurer and web site guru. You can depend on Laurie to “deliver the goods.” — David Laws, Consultant, Self employed
[high-tech industry], LinkedIn
"Talented and dedicated professional" is how I'd describe Laurie. She has an unusual ability: to quickly see high-level needs (strategic) and then to devise plans (tactical) to meet those needs. Her results are superb. Highly creative and dependable to boot. A consummate professional. — Peg Gerdes, Management Consultant & Coach;
President, Tall Tree Communications LLC, LinkedIn
Laurie is one of the most accomplished woman that I have had the privilege of working with. She's a born leader with an enviable managerial style. She builds a solid team that produces their very best results due to her high standards coupled with her unique ability to bring out the best in others. [She] is a pleasure to work with! — Susan Murphy, CFO, Managing Partner,
Cohn & Wells Partners [advertising], LinkedIn
I've worked with a dozen agencies over a span of 25 years and of all the scores of agency people I worked with, Laurie was far and away the best of them. ... Laurie was thorough, unflappable, insightful, creative, helpful, firm, honest. — Marc Randolph, LinkedIn
As a supervisor, Laurie is one of the best listeners I’ve ever been privileged to work with. Her willingness to patiently hear and fairly observe before making vital decisions ... demonstrated an essential quality that’s all too rare in the business world. I thank her for it! — Amy Tsaykel, Marketing Manager, High Country Passage [travel industry], LinkedIn
Laurie King brought solid professionalism ... is thoughtful, committed, reliable, and creative. Laurie managed the marketing department flawlessly through a period of significant growth. She brought that rare combination of organizational skills and creative energy to the job. I'm happy to recommend her! — Steve Ridgway, President, High Country Passage
[travel industry], LinkedIn
Laurie came on board ... to manage a creative group of highly motivated professionals located all across the country, connected virtually. She brought clarity and organization to our process and greatly increased our productivity. — Ginny Christensen, Student, Wellesley College, LinkedIn
Laurie is a talented writer and extremely capable project manager who can jump into a project cold, ramp up fast and hit the ground running. Laurie’s broad experience allows her to wear multiple hats and really add value. — Becke Broadbent, Marketing, Ops & Mgmt Leader [at] Intuit, LinkedIn
I worked with Laurie extensively ... when we were both board members... Laurie is one of those rare people who takes on a task and then accomplishes it—excellently, quickly, and with little fuss. I view her as amazingly competent. Icing on the cake: she's a fun and easy-going person. — Suzie Rodriguez, Vice President & Board Member,
Bay Area Travel Writers, LinkedIn
... Laurie's unique combination of creativity, business acumen, dependability, calmness, and fun makes her an inspiring and productive colleague ... I recommend Laurie highly and without reservation. — Diane LeBow, Ph.D. President emerita BATW;
Professor Emerita, Canada College, LinkedIn
... Laurie's keen insight, in-depth marketing experience and strong client management skills moved the projects from the idea stage, to strategic plans, to expert implementation, to successful program outcomes. Her responsibilities included defining project requirements, developing detailed project plans... We would readily welcome her back to help us again! — Cynthia Wood, Management Supervisor,
Yates Advertising, LinkedIn
Laurie worked on a major product launch... She was instrumental in providing strategic direction along with expert program management. Laurie moved the projects forward while managing a multitude of details and revisions. I would like to recommend Laurie to companies needing this type of expertise. — Susan Yates, Founder and President,
Yates Advertising, LinkedIn
Mobile Applications

Help with as much (or as little) as you need; choosing a topic, sourcing images, research and writing, selecting a publisher, developing a marketing plan, submitting to app review sites, estimating income.

The mobile app I developed is 5-star rated on iTunes.
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Websites & Blogs

Get a site you can easily update yourself, rather than relying on a webmaster. You'll also get good looks, plenty of flexibility, professional programming, SEO, WordPress training, and a built-in blog.
Book Development

Expert editing, beautiful page design, typesetting, preparing print-ready files, self-publishing guidance, ghost writing, illustration, obtaining ISBN numbers, developing your platform, getting the word out. spacer copy goes here: choosing a topic, sourcing images, research and writing, selecting a publisher, developing a marketing plan, etc.
Blogroll