I was extremely excited about this interview. Robin of Wicked by Design is one of my favorite book cover people in the book community. Why? Because she was my designer for my book cover. Not my first book cover but the one that was I had a contract with a publishing company and that was exciting for me. I loved her cover she created for me. It was exactly what I wanted and it was beautiful. I have nothing but extreme respect for her.
After the interview I asked a couple more questions that she responded to and one of those was her pricing and the answer she gave me is one that I totally respect and that is why haven’t you raised your prices….
Her answer was:
lol yeah, i think I’ve only had a few small price increases. My clients, many of whom I have been working with from the beginning, it’s what they can afford and like many others where they want good work but can’t afford $300+ I want to stay affordable for them as long as I can!
Robin Harper – Wicked by Design
And that there is why I fell in love with the indie book world.
The Interview with Wicked by Design
Read below for the whole interview.
When did you start your business, and why did you create it?
I started in 2012. I was deep into the indie community, devouring book after book and I had made several author friends. One day someone needed an image adjusted and I knew how and it just really took off from there!
How did you choose your business?
I had always been into graphic design but was never able to go to school for it so I would start little businesses like designing invitations, business cards, things like that and so when the opportunity to work with these authors I loved presented itself I jumped full-in!
What do you like most about your business?
I love the work first and foremost. I also like being able to make my own hours and be here with my kids.
What are your plans for the future with your business?
Honestly to just keep working and I have always wanted to get into the photography side of things. I just need more time!
What do you feel makes your audience/readers/or authors you work with special?
I absolutely love my authors and the relationships I have built with them. Every one of them is special to me and I am honored that they trust me with such a precious and important job
Has anything surprised you about starting a website?
How hard of a job it really is to make it look really fantastic
Did you do your site yourself website? Do you use WordPress?
I did do it myself using Wix because honestly, WordPress is too much for me lol
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about starting their own business in the author world?
My advice is, to be honest, patient and professional. Don’t take things personally, it took me a long time to get that one!
If you could go back in time and do something differently, what would you do and why?
Besides not taking things personally I would have been more organized from the get-go. I would also have worked harder/learned more about being active on social media.
How fast did your audience grow? How many visitors/subscribers do you have?
I think it was pretty steady from the get-go. Right at the moment, my Facebook page has 3.7 thousand followers
Is this your only job? Did you launch your business while working another job?
This is currently my only job and when i launched my youngest at the time started school so it worked out well!
Do you have an email list? If so, did you start it when you launched?
I actually do not!
How do you promote your site or business?
At the moment I mostly use word of mouth because I am the worst at self-promotion but I am working on it
Do you earn money from your site, and if so, how? Affiliate marketing, ads, products, etc.? Did you intend to earn from it when you launched?
I don’t earn any money from the site or add links or anything like that it’s just packages offered for cover design. I sell mainly two packages for ecover only and one for ecover plus a jacket, they all come with banners and promos for Facebook and Instagram. I do a lot of add ons as well, like single banners and sale ads.
Who are your favorite authors right now?
Colleen Hoover and Jennifer L. Armentrout
Covers by Robin of Wicked by Design
Tell me 5 fun facts about you:
- I never went to design school, everything is self-taught
- My party trick is I can put out matches in my mouth
- My favorite game is Animal Crossing, I love designing islands
- I was once on a game show when I was a kid, I lost
- I was born and raised in California
Links so that people can reach out to your services:
https://www.facebook.com/WickedByDesignRobinHarper
https://www.instagram.com/wicked_bydesign
Wraps by Robin of Wicked by Design
Go get your cover by Robin. You won’t be sorry. Here is a link to her packages. She is affordable and easy to work with.
If you are having a hard time selling books take a look at my interview with Rebecca Hamilton or look into the great book promotions of the indie world Book Bangers Blog
Enjoy.