Getting you more clients, members, donors, and visitors

That's what we do

I want your help!!

Getting you more

clients, members,

donors, and

visitors

That's what we do

Let's Set Something Up!

Built to Convert.

Backed by Strategy.

1,000+ projects since 2005.


Websites, branding, and the systems that keep it all running, built on audience psychology, SEO, and AI visibility, so you attract the right people and turn them into clients.

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1,000+ projects completed    Partners since 2005    Built for humans, optimized for SEO and AI

COMMON ROADBLOCKS

Which One Sounds Like You?

List of Services

COMMON QUESTIONS

We get asked...

  • How much does this cost?

    Honestly, it depends, mostly on what you actually need, and we don't know that yet.

     

    We always work to fit your budget, not the other way around. That usually means starting with whatever gives you the most impact for the money, and holding off on the "nice to have" items until you actually need them, or skipping them altogether. We'd rather you spend on what's proven to matter now than guess at things you won't know you need until later.

     

    The fastest way to get a real number is a quick call. We ask about your goals and current setup, scope the work, and find a plan that fits your budget, no guessing, and no pressure to buy more than you need.

  • I get all my business by word of mouth. Do I need this?

    Yes. Word of mouth starts the buying process, it doesn't finish it.

     

    Even when someone hears about you from a friend, they still look you up before they call. They check your website, read your reviews, and decide whether you look credible.

     

    Your website is part of that referral. A strong site confirms what people already heard about you. A weak or outdated one makes a warm referral hesitate.

     

    So no, you don't need a website to get found from scratch. You need one so referred prospects feel confident enough to take the next step.

  • I already have a website that looks good. Why would I need this?

    A good-looking website is a strong start. Design is only one part of the job.

     

    Your site also needs to help people find you, understand you, trust you, and act. That means it has to be clear for visitors, clear for search engines, and clear for AI tools that summarize or recommend businesses like yours.

     

    A polished site can still underperform if the messaging is vague, the calls to action are weak, or the content isn't structured for SEO and AEO, answer engine visibility, the thing that gets you recommended when someone asks ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, or Perplexity instead of searching.

     

    We look at your site through that lens: easy to find, easy to understand, and clear enough for AI tools to connect you with the right people. Then we recommend practical changes that turn more visitors into leads.

  • Do you only work with businesses that need a new website?

    No. A new website isn't always the right first step.

     

    We also work with businesses that already have a site but want it to perform better, clearer messaging, stronger calls to action, better page structure, or smarter follow-up after someone fills out a form.

     

    Sometimes a site needs a full rebuild. Sometimes it just needs sharper content or a few targeted changes. We'll help you figure out which one, before you spend money on a new site.

Sound Like You? Let's Talk.


If one of these hit close to home, that's a good sign. Tell us what's going on, and we'll show you the fastest way to fix it.

Schedule My Call


30 to 45 minutes. No obligation. 

Beautiful website. I'm jealous!!

 

 

"Whit! Beautiful website. I'm jealous!!


I'm going to mine right now and spit on it!!"


Ann, mystery & romance author,

commenting about the website 

of her competitor (our client)

They are OUR TEAM!!!!

 

 

Short Story Marketing has been amazing in managing and updating my business website. They listen to what I want and what I need! They worked with both my daughter/new partner and me on the look we wanted to achieve and the message we wanted to convey on our most recent website update. Kim, Bill and Taylor are the best! Grateful for them as they respond quickly and our website update is awesome!!! They are OUR TEAM!!!!


Deborah Davis Groves

I would highly recommend working with them, you will not be disappointed.

 

 

My experience has been beyond phenomenal. [Short Story] provided us with the security, comfort, and direction that was essential to have a seamless experience during this transition. I found all communications to be extensively thought through and documented. This helped to avoid the all-too-common mis-communications that come with long distance business relations. I would highly recommend working with them, you will not be disappointed.


Guinevere Johnson & True Wealth Advisory Group, Bend Oregon 

I am delighted with the outcome!

 

 

I wanted to take a moment to thank you personally for my company's new website. I am delighted with the outcome! I am grateful for the time, effort, and diligence that was exercised through multiple iterations of edits that has now led to fruition. Your company has enabled my vision.


Iris, consultant

I just want to tell you how pleased I am with my website.

 

 

I just want to tell you how pleased I am with my website. You did a great job and I really appreciate it!


You can be sure I’ll pass the word along.


Jeff Sibner

... maybe the best that I have seen!!!!

  


The cover is very beautiful, maybe the best that I have seen!!!!


Joe, magazine publisher

... folks have been commenting

 

 

You guys should know that folks have been commenting on how cool and sharp the website looks! Nice job. Thanks.


John, Consultant

... absolutely what I hoped for

 

 

So Cool! I have a huge college fair event tomorrow with 1,200 people in attendance and now I can feel confident about folks heading to my site. What a huge relief! ... This is absolutely what I hoped for and envisioned. I think it looks great. Beautiful even! I am very impressed!


Katelyn, Consultant

Your work is the pinnacle of professionalism

 

 

I just want to say a special THANK YOU for your tremendous work over the past few weeks. I REALLY appreciate it. Your work is the pinnacle of professionalism.


Lisa, PR Consultant

You certainly made the website one thing I didn’t have to worry about

 

 

Thank you for ALL your hard work on our behalf the past 3 years! It was a fun run and I will treasure every moment. You certainly made the website one thing I didn’t have to worry about.


Sue, Bed & Breakfast Owner


... keeping our company current and our business healthy and growing

 

 

You have been a tremendous help to keeping our company current and our business healthy and growing.


Terry, Billboard Advertising


... truly a positive, professional and hassle free experience

  

 

I thought I should share my recent experience... This is the 14th web site I have RELUCTANTLY been involved in. It was truly a positive, professional and hassle free experience ... It is refreshing to deal with a person who knows what they are doing and who does not hesitate to provide the depth of his experience in making sure one has a great product.


Tim, Business Broker

Beautiful website. I'm jealous!!

 

 

"Whit! Beautiful website. I'm jealous!!


I'm going to mine right now and spit on it!!"


Ann, mystery & romance author,

commenting about the website 

of her competitor (our client)

They are OUR TEAM!!!!

 

 

Short Story Marketing has been amazing in managing and updating my business website. They listen to what I want and what I need! They worked with both my daughter/new partner and me on the look we wanted to achieve and the message we wanted to convey on our most recent website update. Kim, Bill and Taylor are the best! Grateful for them as they respond quickly and our website update is awesome!!! They are OUR TEAM!!!!


Deborah Davis Groves

I would highly recommend working with them, you will not be disappointed.

 

 

My experience has been beyond phenomenal. [Short Story] provided us with the security, comfort, and direction that was essential to have a seamless experience during this transition. I found all communications to be extensively thought through and documented. This helped to avoid the all-too-common mis-communications that come with long distance business relations. I would highly recommend working with them, you will not be disappointed.


Guinevere Johnson & True Wealth Advisory Group, Bend Oregon 

I am delighted with the outcome!

 

 

I wanted to take a moment to thank you personally for my company's new website. I am delighted with the outcome! I am grateful for the time, effort, and diligence that was exercised through multiple iterations of edits that has now led to fruition. Your company has enabled my vision.


Iris, consultant

I just want to tell you how pleased I am with my website.

 

 

I just want to tell you how pleased I am with my website. You did a great job and I really appreciate it!


You can be sure I’ll pass the word along.


Jeff Sibner

... maybe the best that I have seen!!!!

  


The cover is very beautiful, maybe the best that I have seen!!!!


Joe, magazine publisher

... folks have been commenting

 

 

You guys should know that folks have been commenting on how cool and sharp the website looks! Nice job. Thanks.


John, Consultant

... absolutely what I hoped for

 

 

So Cool! I have a huge college fair event tomorrow with 1,200 people in attendance and now I can feel confident about folks heading to my site. What a huge relief! ... This is absolutely what I hoped for and envisioned. I think it looks great. Beautiful even! I am very impressed!


Katelyn, Consultant

Your work is the pinnacle of professionalism

 

 

I just want to say a special THANK YOU for your tremendous work over the past few weeks. I REALLY appreciate it. Your work is the pinnacle of professionalism.


Lisa, PR Consultant

You certainly made the website one thing I didn’t have to worry about

 

 

Thank you for ALL your hard work on our behalf the past 3 years! It was a fun run and I will treasure every moment. You certainly made the website one thing I didn’t have to worry about.


Sue, Bed & Breakfast Owner


... keeping our company current and our business healthy and growing

 

 

You have been a tremendous help to keeping our company current and our business healthy and growing.


Terry, Billboard Advertising


... truly a positive, professional and hassle free experience

  

 

I thought I should share my recent experience... This is the 14th web site I have RELUCTANTLY been involved in. It was truly a positive, professional and hassle free experience ... It is refreshing to deal with a person who knows what they are doing and who does not hesitate to provide the depth of his experience in making sure one has a great product.


Tim, Business Broker

 We love what we do! Let us do it for you!

Why Clients Trust Us


Over 1,000 projects. Kim and Bill had already been working in this field for years on their own before they teamed up in 2005, more than two decades of combined experience behind every project today. We've watched buyer behavior change with every algorithm update, and adjusted our strategy every time. Kim, Bill, and Margie still do the work themselves. No account managers. No outsourcing. We also publish our own research on AI search visibility, including a guide built specifically for independent educational consultants, because we test these strategies on our own marketing before we recommend them to clients.

Kim laughs

Kim

Partner, Artsy Elf

Kim designs with one question in mind: what makes someone trust this enough to act? She connects design, brand, and strategy so the work does more than just look good.


Meet Kim

Bill laughs

Bill

Partner, Resident Geek

Years of watching what makes people click or bounce gave Bill an instinct, sharpened by studying decision psychology and early AI under the people who helped define both fields.


Meet Bill

Margie is our email fixer!

Margie

Windows Geek and Email Fixer

Margie answers the phone, usually solves the problem before you finish explaining it, and somehow makes you feel better, with the calm energy that keeps things running smoothly.


Meet Margie

A few of those we've helped over the years...


Our Latest Blog Posts

By Bill Sholar June 12, 2026
Short Story Marketing helped create the brand identity, logo, and landing page for Poppy, a women’s retreat for women 50+ in Rancho Santa Fe, California.
Small business website being scanned by AI search tools, with map pins, review stars, and directory
By Bill Sholar June 7, 2026
AI tools use your website, listings, reviews, and directories to recommend businesses. Here’s what to update so your business is easier to find and trust.
Research team reviews charts, tables, and notes from a website and AI search study.
By Bill Sholar May 25, 2026
New 2026 research shows AI is changing how customers find businesses online. If your website is more than 3 years old, it may be time for a refresh.