- A Cache. Many editors and employers don’t want to risk opening large attachments from random people. You can use your site to categorically store your clips, along with your resume.
- Personalization. I’ve had many employers tell me that they could hear my voice within my personal website. In addition, I’ve got my photo up there, and I use my blog to talk about my family and how they relate to the work that I do. Showing the real you helps people to trust you, and to decide if your style is the one they need.
- Constant Contact. Being in the right place at the right time has got me many assignments. Your website should list several ways to get a hold of you.
Three Reasons Freelance Writers May NOT Want To Establish a Website
- Cost. Let’s face it, web space isn’t free. From the building of a site to the purchasing of a .com to the maintenance costs, the dollars add up.
- Time. Every new clip is another 30 minutes of work to get up on your site. Whether you scan and send to your webmaster, or you do it yourself, there’s an hourly cost involved.
- Potential Turn Offs. Got political pieces on your site? What about typos? You never know what a potential editor is going to hone in on. You may be losing yourself work without even realizing it!
Bottom Line: Weigh the costs and benefits carefully, but eventually a website will be a necessity to move your freelance writing to the next level.
