Thinking about it.

I think it has helped a lot — particularly as I accumulated more impressive clips in include in my online portfolio. I get a lot of compliments from potential and current clients, as well as from perfect strangers.

There is a lot of benefit to having a website. My site has an online portfolio, which I send to potential clients whenever I apply for a job; a services page; a testimonials page; and “about me” kinds of stuff. Eventually it will also be a sales page, where I can link to books and ebooks that I’ve written.

I also keep several blogs, which pull in most of my traffic. I have submitted a few marketing articles and PRs to distribution sites, but I primarily market my site via blogging.

In the last 2 years I have had a bit of experience creating websites. I certainly am not an expert webmaster. All though I feel I am improving. I just want to mention to you all. You dont have to hire a consultant to make a website. In fact most web hosting sites are really user friendly. Keep in mind simple is good. If you do all kinds of fancy stuff you run the risk of your audience missing the point. Which is your writing not how beautiful you can make a website.

My second item. If I may. I am looking for writers to supply articles on my new website that I am launching Aug 15 07. How do I advertise on this site for my need for articles. And never been involved in paying for articles what is an acceptable compensation. Ya I think I am leaving myself wide open on the last question.

I dont think my email shows here. I have nothing to hide to here is my email.

email: robertjewell@abbygaymen.com

That’s my two cents.

I know that I have gotten at least one long-term client because of it. When I write LOIs and responses to ads, I always put that they can find out more about me at my site – and if they want to see my more casual writing, they can look at my blog, which is at http://medhealthwriter.blogspot.com

I find that the website, which took one afternoon, was well worth it and continues to be, even if it only brings in the odd client.

“I also use it to “store” all my writing samples. One link and you can see most of what I’ve written, and even some before and after assignments of what I’ve edited/proofed.”

That’s the way I look at the website that I shared with all of you. It’s a place where I keep a list of links to my online samples and some copies of print samples.

I think that for those who don’t want the work of creating an entire website, just one page with links to samples my would be helpful when applying for jobs.

I have a counter on it and have got 1200 hits since Mem Day. 2 jobs/1200 hit. Yikes!!!

After talking with my web designer, I decided to do both corporate and creative sites to integrate both sides of myself. I write for business, but am also a personal essayist and teacher, and this will encompass all of that.

For now, I have a temporary blog at http://www.elisabetherickson.com/creative.

I haven’t put the effort into SEO or publicizing the URL, partly because I’ve been busy with work that I’ve found on my own and partly because I don’t really want people off the street (i.e., first-time writers who are self-publishing) to contact me about editing and proofreading. I prefer to work with publishing houses and companies, and those gigs I’ve had to land on my own.

As far as linking to clips, it’s different for copy editors than it is for writers, obviously. I can link to Web sites I’ve proofed, or to outdoor-apparel catalogs I worked on, or to magazine articles I copy edited, but there’s no way for the person to know what changes I personally made — only if the copy is clean (or not).