3 Reasons To Have a Website, 3 Reasons to Skip It
Thursday March 20, 2008
Do you really need a writer's website? That's a recent question I got from a reader. What do you think? Check out pros and cons of having a writer's website, and leave your opinion (and your site address!)
Comments
A Web site is a must-have for any writer. The past month alone, I landed two new clients who stumbled upon my site.
Editors like it because they can learn more about me and other publications I have written for.
It doesn’t have to be anything spectacular but it should at least be something that provides basic information about who you are, what you do and provide writing samples.
Is this still a “should you or shouldn’t you” question? I thought we were way beyond whether you should have a website or not. Duh! I have a website using domains.yahoo and it’s a mere $13 a month to post. There are tons of free website builder apps and I think yahoo has one too called sitebuilder. I refer clients to my site so they can view samples of my work and I have my URL printed on my business card. Anyone who is serious about having a business has a website. This is a totally duh question.
ya know, Leilani, I kind of agree with you, but I’m not sure it really is a ‘duh’ question for all. For example, I flipped open one of my fave mags- Working Mother- and plugged some of the writers into google. Only a couple had wesbites– not all of them by any means. Now, it’s true, I can tell to a point which writers are freelancers and which are staff, but the ownership of a website was a mixture between the two.
In my opinion it’s not a must have but, it is “reccommended” by many in the field. Surely, it can’t hurt to have one.
Having a webpage also makes it easier for those who want to hire you for a writing assignment; they can view samples of your writing. Now whether many writers are actually setting up sites showcasing their work, I’m not sure that they are. The real truth is, a writer can still do business without one.
I have found my website to be beneficial in successfully obtaining my freelance writing goals. In between the negative comments, were jobs and opportunity. It’s certainly worth it.
I just put up my web site, www.backporchpublishing.com and have found that it has been a cinch sending my clips to editors — I even have my portfolio broken up into consumer, business/trade, commercial writing and my online magazines. It certainly has been worth it (I use Yahoo sitebuilder by the way — pretty easy to build a web site using it) Marcia
I refer potential clients to my site for writing samples. To me, a site is essential, particularly since I want to write technical-related items.
IMHO, if you’re looking to maximize your billable time — and have more free time available — you need a website. But you need much more than that. You need a website that can “sell” potential clients on hiring you. Specifically, I tell budding freelancers that your site should have potential clients 70% - 80% “sold” on hiring you before they call or email you. That way, you spend less time pitching and more time writing.
I know, I know. Easier said that done. But it’s a worthy goal. And if you can do this, your profitability will go through the roof (and you’ll have more free time!).