Why Freelance Writers Should Have Blogs
February 20, 2008 by Deb Ng
Filed under Freelance Writing
Recently I threw out 9 good reasons to blog. That was pretty general though and some of the regulars asked specifically why freelance writers need blogs. Some saw blogs as being self serving, while others didn’t see how they could help launch a career. The truth is, blogging can’t hurt. Well, unless you can’t write and can’t spell, then it’s probably not a good idea to blog. Or write for that matter.
But I digress…
Freelance writers don’t have to have blogs. In fact, many freelancers don’t want to deal with blogs because they don’t want to time away from paying projects. That’s understandable. If anyone understands about balancing gigs and personal projects, it’s me. I’ll say this though, my blog was the best thing to happen to my career. Before Freelance Writing Jobs, I was happy writing web content and my newspaper column, but clients weren’t coming to me.The day FWJ launched as a blog, one of the 11 visitors that day contacted me and asked if I could send him my resume. He’s still my client. That doesn’t mean that if you start posting to a blog clients are going to flood your inbox with offers –only that it can happen if a potential client lands on your blog and likes what he sees.
Good Practice
Blogging is great practice. When I was between jobs blogging helped to keep me fresh and my mind active. Whenever I want to write I can, about whatever I want.
Talk to Other Writers
One of the reasons I stuck with FWJ for so long is because of the great discussions we have here. I do believe this is the best community. I learned so much from the other writers who visit my blog. Many times my community inspires my blog posts. I’m always touched by how willing everyone is to share information and ideas. I wouldn’t have met many of you if not for blogging.
Sell Books, E-Books and Reports
If you’re a writer with something to sell, a blog is a great place to do it. Especially if you have an active community like this one. I actually have a couple of ebooks in the works and hope to one day sell them right here.
Build Up a Reputation
A blog is a great way to build up your online reputation. If you offer useful information, people will trust you not to steer them wrong. They’ll also recommend you for gigs.
Learn About Other Resources
Through blogging I learned about other blogs and bloggers, great websites, books and tools to help make our job easier.
Blogging is a Commitment
Blogging is a commitment. You’ll have to post at least several times a week to keep traffic flowing. Many successful blogs post several times a day. It’s easy to understand why a busy freelancer wouldn’t want to take the time away from a busy schedule (but it’s also easy to see why one would).
To be honest, I don’t blog because I feel it would benefit me as a freelance writer, I blog because I enjoy it, the perks are a plus.
Your thoughts about blogging are right on target. I’ve had so many positive things happen via my blogs: job offers, paid posts, paid reviews, AdSense earnings, product sales, affiliate commissions, contacts . . . A blog is a springboard to earnings and additional opportunities for writers; a blog helps one to create an online presence.
When I first came to this site (which led to several freelance opportunities), I was against blogging. I made my blog not more than a week ago because of this post and my clients have given me positive feedback. It’s allowed me to use my blog as a ‘hub’ for various sites on which I publish frequently. Thanks for this post, Deb!
After a recent fundraising event, I initiated the creation a blog for the breast cancer committee I serve on as a volunteer Special Events Coordinator. I did this to help generate exposure and interest in the community about the committee affiliated with a local nonprofit breast cancer foundation.
Would this blog be a good reference point to refer potential employees to if (when) asked about having a blog?
Deb, thanks for a timely post.
I’m a big fan of blogs. They’re an immediate, instant, and easy way to create an online showcase. They’re also a convenient way to draw traffic, as well as eyeballs, to your work.
They’re also just fun.
I’ve seen blogs used in every which way, but for freelancers, they’re a good opportunity to establish oneself as an authority. Let’s face it: Would-be clients are gonna Google you. Don’t you want good stuff to pop up when they do?
I have a blog, but the more freelance work I’m doing at any given time, the less posting happens at the blog. It’s very tough, almost impossible, to find a balance between the two. Since my blog is personal and not even writer-oriented, I don’t feel it has job or reputation value either.