Tag Archives: writing
Why Writers Need to Blog
I’ve had the fortunate experience of working with some incredible writers and bloggers over the past few months. Some were seasoned full-time freelancers and others were a little bit new to the game. Almost everyone I meet, however, at some point gets around to asking for advice on how to get started in either a) writing or b) making money online.
It’s a question I’m glad to answer. I usually share information on freelance job boards I’ve worked on, or I talk about other sites where I’ve submitted articles for pay. These are all things and sites I’ll get around to talking about on this blog as well. What I’d like to talk about today, though, is blogging.
I am a firm believer in the idea that everyone who wants to write for a living should have a personal blog.
Why?
A blog is like a business card. A blog will allow you to showcase your talents while allowing you to market yourself and your writing as a business. Your blog will allow you to establish yourself as an expert in your chosen field, and your blog will help you to stay connected with the public (or your family, or your friends, or your potential customers). If your blog becomes popular, you’ll be able to monetize it and earn a little bit of extra money on the side. The content on your blog is your own and, if constructed properly, can be used as your sample portfolio when bidding on projects as well.
Now don’t panic.
Creating a blog doesn’t need to be a complicated process. While many experts believe that a person or business attempting to build a brand should have a personal domain, not everyone has the time or money to pay for hosting upfront. You can easily start a free blog on Blogger or WordPress with no problem.
If you do have a few extra dollars to spend, go ahead and register your own domain (at around $10 per year), and purchase some cheap hosting (think $5 – $10 per month depending on the plan you choose). Building a blog of your own, on your own domain, can be incredibly beneficial as well. You’ll have more wiggle room when it comes to customizations, layouts, and future changes.
In the end, it’s all about credibility. Can you really market yourself to a potential client as a “blogger” if you don’t have a blog of your own to share? I’ve worked on plenty of blogs. My problem? I’ve been a ghostwriter, which means my name wasn’t attached to a significant amount of my work. Without my own blog, I’d have nothing to show for myself.
Go figure.
Confused? Don’t be. You don’t have to be an expert on any one topic to blog. Just find a place, write, and publish. You’ll end up with a great online portfolio – and you’ll be doing something that will allow you to grow as a writer – in your own style and on your own terms. That alone is worth the effort.
