This Business Owner is Creating Chart Topping Novels While Designing Success for Others

MEET TYORA MOODY – A bona fide cat and Snoopy lover, Tyora Moody owns and operates Tywebbin Creations LLC (http://tywebbincreations.com), a design and marketing company and Tymm Publishing LLC, (http://DIYwithTy.com) where she teaches clients how to build an online presence. This entrepreneur and writer is also author of When Rain Falls (published March 2012) and When Memories Fade (scheduled to be published March 2013).

WMI:   When did you launch Tywebbin Creations and what inspired you to start a web design firm?

TM:      I launched Tywebbin Creations in 1999 and to be honest there was no big plan. I started doing web design in late 1997 and enjoyed working on personal web projects as a hobby. In 1999, an author approached me about creating a website for her. I was a bit baffled by the request and didn’t even know what to charge. Later, that year, I put together a website for a magazine publisher. By 2000, I had acquired several new clients, mainly authors. Thus my niche for designing websites for authors was in full swing.

WMI:   What’s the market currently like for web designers? Are you finding that the market/need for designers is growing as the numbers of companies bringing their businesses online increases or are you finding that companies are handling the bulk of their design projects in-house?

TM:      I have always mainly worked with individuals, small businesses and non-profit organizations. I can tell you, from 2005 through 2006, I noticed a shift in web design. There were more products available that allowed individuals and businesses to put together their own websites. In fact, I took a break from web design in 2006 to pursue writing. Also, for Tywebbin projects, I became more enamored with using WordPress. When I started doing web design projects again I decided to work solely with WordPress as a content management system (CMS). So the shift for me has been to help brand a client’s web presence, followed by teaching them how to develop their online presence using their website as the hub or central point.

I think the marketing needs for designers depends each individual company. A larger company will probably have an in-house web or creative services department that takes care of their design needs. A smaller business may hire a designer or choose to design a website themselves. I encourage either size business to be sure their “current and potential clients’” needs are met by designing a website that is more than flashy, a website that provides valuable and regularly updated content.

WMI:   If you haven’t always worked in the web design business, what other industries have you worked in over your career?

TM:      I have always worked in design and it’s definitely my passion. I do more graphic design work now than web design. I like having the ability to work on print and web-based projects. So, I’m pretty happy and content with what I do.

WMI:   What skills, talents and abilities did you gain from previous jobs that you use to position Tywebbin Creations as a leader in the web design/book marketing business?

TM:      I have had the opportunity to create and manage large web projects for a public television station. Many of the skills I learned came from working on those larger projects. But some of the skills I gained while working nights and weekends for Tywebbin clients worked out well for the day-job too.

As far as book marketing, I previously mentioned my first client was an author and for some reason for the past twelve years that has been the majority of my clientele. A few years ago, I decided to pursue novel writing myself and started to learn about the publishing industry and social media. In 2009, I felt there was something missing for most authors I worked with. That missing element was the ability to effectively develop an online presence. When an author works with me, I bring real-life experiences to the table, more so now that I’ve been on both sides of a book project.

WMI:   Tell us about two key mind shifts you had to make in the last year in order to turn Tywebbin Creations into a profitable business?

TM:      The last year has been a bit of a change for me because of my debut novel. I realized that I wouldn’t always have time to dedicate to design projects. Last year, I decided after studying a few other business models that it was time to expand my business. I created another business called DIY with Ty. This is my product-based business through which I share valuable tips and advice via digital courses and guides. It’s been great to share this knowledge with a larger number of people instead of just my clients.

Also over the last two to three years, I’ve worked with more virtual assistants and contractors. There was a time I tried to be superwoman and do everything. You can’t effectively run a business that way; you have to branch out and outsource sometimes to be able to grow. Also, by outsourcing I’ve been able to provide opportunities for others who don’t have the networking base that I have. Plus by allowing someone else to deal with the paperwork and calendar, this leaves more room for me to do what I like best, working closely with the client on their final product.

WMI:   What was the initial financial investment required to start Tywebbin Creations, and where did you pool or get resources to meet this investment requirement?

TM:      In the first business, Tywebbin Creations, there was not much initial financial investment other than computer equipment, software and internet service. As I have grown over the years, it has become more essential to add other paid services to complete work on invoices, to maintain my database and mailing list, file storage, etc. I worked for many years as a freelancer; it’s only been a few years since I incorporated as an LLC.

Since the business model for DIYwithTy.com is a bit different from Tywebbin Creations, I set-up the LLC, established a website, invested in ecommerce options, training software, etc. prior to launching. So the initial set-up has been around $2,500. Not bad, but very different from the first business.
WMI:   How do you leverage the Internet to expand your company’s customer base?

TM:      The internet is my main way of attracting customers. I mainly use social media (blogging, Facebook and Twitter) to drive traffic to my website and to my clients’ work. My work is very visual so it’s important for people to see what I do for others as well as whom I have worked with. I have some of the best, loyal clients. I love when I receive referrals from existing clients. That word of mouth has been essential for Tywebbin’s growth over the years. I believe in rewarding clients for the referrals.

WMI:   Tell us about some of the specific marketing and web design packages that you offer to authors and book publishers?

TM:      It is probably easier for your visitors to view the website at http://www.tywebbincreations.com. I offer quite a bit of services that include website design, book cover design, graphic design and virtual book tours. We have also started growing our video production services. My prices are economical; I have packages to suit all types of budgets.

WMI:   A lot of discussion has been generated around blog tours. That said, what exactly is involved in a blog tour?

TM:      I’m going to provide you with a blurb that I use often. “Word of mouth is the one form of advertising that has always been proven to work wonders for a book or product. This is exactly what an author can expect from a virtual book tour or blog tour. Virtual book tours have no physical setting, but instead utilize popular social media platforms like blogging, Facebook, Twitter, etc. to create a buzz about an author’s book. This is beneficial to an author during difficult economic times when travel to various cities or bookstores for book promotion may not be possible. Virtual book tours have narrowed the gap that has long existed in book promotion providing any author an opportunity for exposure to readers.”

I mainly use blog tours for book promotion, but a similar concept can be used for other business products that can be shared with bloggers.

WMI:   What is the greatest challenge you have faced to date as a business owner? What steps did you take to over this challenge?

TM:      Wow! There are quite a few. Right now it’s prioritizing and delegating. As I mentioned earlier, I used to be a one-woman shop. I have learned to train and trust others to do work that I essentially would have done myself a few years ago. It’s different, but I know in order to grow that I have to set aside the time to keep up with what’s coming. Technology and the internet move at lightning speed and you have to be careful not to jump from one thing to the next, but to carefully strategize and prioritize where your business needs to go next.

WMI:   Who did you admire growing up and how has this person impacted your career to date?

TM:      I would have to say my parents. Both of my parents were entrepreneurs. My dad was a contractor and I watched him build houses from the foundation to the roof. It was amazing to see the number of skills he used from carpentry, plumbing, painting, etc. My mother was a cosmetologist, so I really learned a lot about working with clients from watching her interact with her customers. It became a natural desire to want to, one day, have my own business.

WMI: You recently published your first novel, When Rain Falls? What was that experience like?

TM:      It was new for me in some ways because I was on the other side of a book project. I have worked with authors for many years so the process wasn’t new, but seeing and promoting a book with my name on it has been surreal.

I will say I still have a lot to learn. My niche is mainly online marketing, but there is the offline world where an author should still connect with readers. I’m looking forward to attending book festivals and presenting at conferences this summer. Writing and publishing a novel has actually been a catalyst for me into the public speaking arena.

WMI:   Where do you see yourself, Tywebbin Creations and your book writing career two to three years from now?

TM:      Well, I hope readers see quite a few more books from me. My current book and March 2013 release are from a traditional publisher. I will be pursuing self-publishing in the form of ebooks. I have fiction and nonfiction books that will be available late 2012 and in 2013. I’m thinking about, still pondering, publishing an anthology in 2014.

As far as Tywebbin Creations, I look forward to continuing to work with a variety of authors. Lately, I have been contracted by publishers to do marketing, so I’m just excited about the growth and look forward to telling the world about great books.

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