Sara Engram, a Baltimore-based writer, journalist, and entrepreneur, publishes Mortal Matters, a subscription-based newsletter with reflections on mortality, grief, joy, and the art of living. She wanted a separate website to build her own brand outside of Substack—one that could house her past articles, introduce her as an author, and eventually expand into resources and products. CyberCletch created a professional starter site with room to grow, giving Sara an independent platform that complements her newsletter and supports her long-term goals.
Newsletter Website Design for Author & Journalist
Before:
Sara was sharing her work exclusively on Substack. While the platform supported her newsletter, it wasn’t well-suited for housing resources or creating a branded presence beyond her articles. She wanted more independence and flexibility but didn’t have the technical know-how to build her own site.
After:
We designed a simple but expandable website that includes:
- A Substack sign-up link to grow her subscriber base.
- A blog area for archiving her past articles.
- A section introducing her as an author, highlighting her career and vision.
- Natural, earthy colors aligned with her request for a grounded aesthetic.
- Flexibility for future growth, such as adding resources, testimonials, or products.
Before
After
Case Summary
Overview:
Sara and Pat connected through an online accountability group, where a trusted working relationship developed. When Sara expressed her frustration with the limitations of Substack, she reached out for guidance on building her own independent presence.
During discovery, it became clear that she didn’t need an elaborate site right away—just a blog to organize her content, a way to connect her Substack, and room for expansion as her ideas developed. She also wanted the design to reflect the themes of Mortal Matters—mortality, grief, joy, and the art of living—so that readers could feel immediately connected to the essence of her work.
Results:
Because the site launched recently, measurable results are still pending. However, Sara now has:
- A professional branded site she owns, independent of Substack.
- A central place to house her past articles and share new content.
- The ability to grow her brand over time, beyond a single platform.
- Training videos that allow her to easily add new posts and testimonials at her own pace.
Conclusion:
Mortal Matters is no longer confined to Substack. With her new website, Sara owns her digital real estate, giving her greater independence and flexibility as her writing career continues to evolve. The design is visually cohesive, easy to update, and aligned with her personal brand.
CyberCletch provided not just a website but also the tools and training Sara needs to confidently manage it. This foundation ensures she can continue to expand without being tied to someone else’s platform.