Overview

QueryCat simplifies the fragmented literary agent discovery and querying process for aspiring authors. The platform consolidates data and streamlines submission tracking, empowering users to take control of their publishing goals.

Roles & Responsibilities:

  • Founded and developed innovative platforms from concept to launch, including MVPs and market-ready products.
  • Led end-to-end product design and user experience research to create intuitive and impactful solutions.
  • Directed brand strategy, including art direction for branding and illustration styles.
  • Oversaw development sprints and ensured timely and effective delivery of projects.
  • Iterated business models to align with product-market fit and drive sustainable growth.

Challenge

Authors face numerous challenges in seeking representation:

  • Outdated and scattered databases.
  • Varying submission guidelines and manual tracking.
  • No centralized system to manage rejections, follow-ups, or personalized queries.
QueryTracker Home Page

Research & Validation

  • Conducted 15+ interviews with aspiring and published authors.
  • Analyzed spreadsheets and existing DIY tracking methods.
  • Validated pain points through user testing with prototypes.

Approach

1. Data Foundation

  • Scraped and verified agent data from leading sources, cross-referencing social profiles.
Initial Data Scrapping
  • Built a scalable, user-friendly database integrating filters and tags for submission readiness.

2. Brand & Design

  • Created a brief and contracted a Brand Designer friend to create a logo that would resonate with the writing community.
  • Used the brand guidelines to create a UI Component Library
Component Library in Figma

3. Development

  • Selected a robust tech stack (MERN) tailored for growth .
  • Managed an agile workflow with weekly sprints, delivering MVP in six weeks.

4. Business Model Iteration

  • Pivoted from freemium to trial-based pricing based on early adopter behavior.
  • Ran targeted Facebook ads, achieving a 15% conversion rate from trial to paid.
  • A/B tested pricing page and pricing to optimize conversion
A/B Testing Different Pricing Pages

Impact

  • Reached 1,000+ users in the first six months.
  • Generated $300 in monthly recurring revenue (MRR).
  • User satisfaction score of 9.2/10 (based on post-onboarding surveys).

Learnings

  • Iteration matters: Initial freemium model limited revenue growth—pivoting based on data improved outcomes.
  • UX first: Authors appreciated seamless query tracking, which differentiated QueryCat in the market.
  • Community is key: Active engagement in online author communities drove sign-ups.