Starting Your Own Freelance-Writing Web Site
Posted by Maya Smart on Wed, Mar 24, 2010 @ 10:00 AM
by Maya Payne Smart
A letter of introduction, a resume and a few writing samples can certainly help editors get to know you and your work — but they rarely paint a full portrait of who you are or what you offer. That's where your Web site comes in.
A good Web site shows editors how well rounded you are and lets them take a deeper dive into your background. If interested, they can read other articles you've written (beyond the clips you sent them), see how you present yourself to the public, and check out clients' comments about you.
Establish a Presence
Contrary to what some freelancers believe, you don't need to spend a fortune establishing a Web presence. You could hire a high-end professional designer. But why? Plenty of free or inexpensive do-it-yourself tools exist to help you get your site up and running quickly and inexpensively.
Free blog platforms, such as WordPress, offer various templates that look professional and are easy to update. You don't have to know how to format pages with HTML and CSS (although it's not a bad idea to learn a little of both, given today's demand for digitally savvy journalists and other content providers). Looking for an even more polished look? Google "blog skin" to locate other sites that provide different designs to overlay your content.
If you'd rather not go it alone, marketplace sites like 99designs will help you find the perfect designer for you — and your budget. You simply post what you need and want, plus the price you'd like pay. Designers around the world will compete to create the look of your site. That's actually how I came up with the logo and design for this site! The idea here is to get your Web site up right now, without further delay. You can always change it later, as your freelance business evolves.
Include All the Essentials
At the very least, your Web site should feature: a biography, work samples, and professional achievements.
As you're writing the biography, think in terms of your target reader. Ask yourself, "What can I do for the editors who are reading this?" and "What skills are my potential clients looking for?" Answer those questions and you're well on your way to creating a client-focused site.
Your Web site isn't an archive of everything you've ever done, so be selective and just post the best of your work to date. Also, concentrate on displaying work in your area of specialization to position yourself as a go-to writer in that field.
Emphasize your niche but show some versatility of topic, style and medium if you can. For example, if you've historically focused on writing news articles, your Web site is the perfect place to demonstrate that you also do live broadcasts, podcasts and online video. Tout any new services that you offer.
You'll also want to call out a few of your biggest professional achievements and activities. Mention writing awards and other journalism honors, recent certificate/training programs completed, elected offices and memberships in writing-related organizations, volunteer work (such as adult literacy or public speaking), or mentoring activities. Remember, just hit the highlights here. No one wants to wade through everything you've ever done.
Keep the Content Fresh
If you have the time, interest and commitment, devote a portion of your Web site to a blog. Regular posts will keep your content fresh and provide you with another forum for demonstrating your expertise. I particularly recommend blogging for newer freelancers who haven't yet amassed a diverse portfolio of published clips. Anyone can blog. So get out there and cover a few stories — or provide well-researched commentary on news of the day. It can help you build credibility and snag assignments.