Why A Blog Is Important For Your Freelance Business
Posted April 17, 2009 in Business, Getting Started 62 Comments »
So, you’ve just decided to become a freelancer. What is the best way to get started?
Obviously, you need to apply for gigs. But, is there anything else that you should be doing for your business when you start out?
If you ask me, you should also be blogging.
New freelancers often ask how soon they should start blogging. While some experts believe that a freelancer should wait until their business is fairly well established before they set up a business blog, in my opinion, you should set up a blog for your business as soon as you can.
Blogging is a relatively low cost activity that will add value to your business for a long time to come, and in many cases blogging alone can push your business from obscurity to prosperity.
Read on for an overview of what you should be doing with your freelance blog, five ways that a blog can help your business, and a few brief recommendations on how to get started.
Five Ways That a Blog Can Help Your Freelance Business
There are many ways that blogging can help you build up your freelancing business quickly. Here are five of them:
- Web Presence. Having a blog gives you and your freelancing business an immediate online presence, especially if you can get a URL with all or part of your business name in it. If your freelancing business is primarily online (web design, web content, etc.), having an online presence is expected. However, other freelancers can also benefit by having a blog. For one thing, a blog gives clients an alternate way to find you.
- Describe and List Your Services. With a business blog, you can create a separate static web page using your blog’s content management system that describes the products or services that your business offers. Not only can prospective clients see what type of business you are in just by reading the page, you can also link to the page yourself when you create proposals or send e-mails. Don’t forget to update this page when you acquire new skills or expand your services.
- Home for Your Portfolio. A blog makes an excellent home for your professional portfolio. You can create a separate static page to showcase samples of your best work or link to websites that include your work. Clients and prospective clients examining this page can get a good idea of what your abilities are. Again, don’t forget to review and update this page periodically.
- Position Yourself as an Expert. A blog allows you to position yourself as an expert while letting clients and perspective clients learn more about you. By creating helpful or informative posts on topics relevant to your freelancing specialty, you can establish your professional authority in your field. (While it’s okay to let your personality shine through in your posts, remember to keep your posts professional. Too much personal information on your business blog won’t help your business.)
- Networking. Blogging also provides a wonderful opportunity for networking. If you leave your comments turned on (and you really should), then you have the opportunity to “discuss” your posts with perspective clients and peers. If someone leaves a comment on your posts, not only do you have the chance to respond, but you can also pay a visit to their blog and get to “know” them a little better. Before long, it is likely that your freelancing blog will have a little community of regulars who stop by to chat.
How To Get Started
There are many detailed and excellent, but somewhat complex, posts on how to start blogging. This is not one of those posts.
In a nutshell, all that you need to start blogging (assuming that you have a computer and an Internet connection) are the following:
- Get a Domain. The first thing that you need to start a business blog is an unused domain name (your URL) that you can register. Ideally, it should be your name, your business name, or somehow related to your business. There are many services that will help you find a domain name. Typically, the cost for this service is less than $10.00.
- Find a Web Hosting Service. Next, you will need a web hosting service. A web hosting company provides space on their server for your blog. While some services (such as Blogger.com) will allow you to host a blog at no charge, most experts recommend that you use a web hosting service. Most web hosting services charge less than $130 a year for hosting a single domain name.
- Choose a Content Management System. Once you have a unique domain name and a place to host your domain, you need a way to manage your content. A content management system is the tool that you will use to add posts to your blog, change your blog’s design, or add pages to your blog. Many reputable content management systems, (such as WordPress.com) are free.
- Find Theme or Design. A theme or design defines the look of your business blog. There are literally thousands of themes available on the Internet and many of them are free. You can also pay a professional designer to customize a theme specifically for your business blog. (The advantage of using a designer is that no one else will have a blog that looks like yours.)
- Network with Social Media. Once your blog is up and running, you need to promote it in order to get readers. Social media provides a great way to promote your business blog. There are hundreds of social media tools available, and you can register on nearly all of them free of charge. (I recommend focusing on just a handful of social media tools. Right now, the most popular social media tools seem to be Facebook.com and Twitter.com.)
Tell Us About Your Blog
Do you have a blog for your freelancing business? Have you generated a lot of business through blogging?
Feel free to ask questions, or offer advice, in the comments.
About the author: Laura Spencer is a freelance writer from North Central Texas with over 19 years of professional business writing experience. If you liked this post, then you may also enjoy Laura’s blog about her freelance writing experiences, WritingThoughts
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62 Comments
Eric Barb
April 17th, 2009 at 11:11 amHi, this was a good read. I just recently started my own IT business (side job) and started the whole blogging thing with wordpress and social media via twitter. I agree with a lot of the stuff you say here, but I have yet to really get the traffic even after a few months. It is fun though!
Laura Spencer
April 17th, 2009 at 11:14 amHi Eric!
I’m glad that you enjoyed the post. Building up traffic can be a challenge. Best of luck with your new business and blog. :-)
Dave Woods
April 17th, 2009 at 11:23 amI’ve been blogging for a number of years and this article definitely provides some good advice but don’t expect your blog to be a success overnight. It can take many years to establish a blog, especially within a competitive niche so expect a lot of hard work if you want to get traffic and good leads to start coming to you.
A blog will need marketing and promoting in the same way as any other website will so it shouldn’t be treated as a magical fix with instant results.
When used correctly though and alongside hard work creating good, unique content then it’s definitely a valuable tool for any business.
Colin Wright
April 17th, 2009 at 11:29 amBlogging has been a big part of building my web-presence over time. I had an old blog, Circadian3, in which I would post a new illustration, photograph and short writing everyday as kind of a creative exercise. Needless to say, it was great for me to have a reason to flex those creative muscles every day (for a year!), but it was also a great conversation piece to lead into various illustration- and photography-based projects.
Laura Spencer
April 17th, 2009 at 11:29 amGreat point Dave!
Establishing a blog takes time and effort. Plus, IMHO you shouldn’t hold a blog created for your business to the same standards as a blog created as a business.
Nicole Foster
April 17th, 2009 at 11:48 amGreat article Laura! I believe blogging is the most important social tool for Freelancer. I just started a blog for myself and I use it to tell people that I know what I’m talking about. I don’t get much time to update it, but soon I should have more articles.
You can check out my blog at http://www.serenedestiny.com/blog but it is still quite new.
Beth Robinson
April 17th, 2009 at 11:49 amSo I’m planning on starting a freelance copywriting business this summer. I’m not going to have a specialty at first and I’m not going to have anything different to say about writing than anyone else, at least not at the beginning. Is it worth it to repeat things in my own voice just to build credibility? I was planning on trying to build some sites about other things entirely and refer to them more as a portfolio instead.
Laura Spencer
April 17th, 2009 at 11:58 amGreat comments!
Beth,
Your idea about creating sites as samples for your portfolio is a good one.
Personally, I think that having a blog is particularly important for a freelance writer. Why? Because it can serve as yet another sample of your writing. It is also a chance for you to show that you know your stuff.
I wouldn’t worry too much about not having completely original insights – over time as you blog and continue to freelance you’ll discover that new ideas come to you. Besides, many definitions of blogging define it as a conversation.
That being said, I was a freelance writer for several years without a blog – so it can be done. I think it held me back, though.
orionstarr
April 17th, 2009 at 12:03 pmGood advice, I need to get going on a design “blog” thing is I already have a main website I use. So is it okay to have my blog along side my website? Also everybody “freelances” now and has a blog so it isn’t easy. I’ve been a designer for 9 years now can’t find any sort of job. Freelance is my only option now to continue my career. Maybe I am at a crossroads of sorts. I just know their is a lot of competition and bloggers around now.
Luis Eduardo
April 17th, 2009 at 12:13 pmThis is a great post, thaks to writers like she, i’m launching my blog really soon, but for the moment, i hadn’t seen all the good things blogging can bring to you, if you use it wisely.
so let’s blog
Blog Expert
April 17th, 2009 at 12:27 pmBlogging works people! Freelancers should definitely get their blog on. I have one for my freelancing business and it helped a ton.
Nikhil
April 17th, 2009 at 1:12 pmHi Laura,
Thanks for the post. This is my favorite topic.
I have started blogging in march 2009. I have promoted my blog through Social media & through comments also.
How can we consider that we have successfully promoted the blog? That means does it depend upon the no. of pageviews? or no. of comments? or no. of subscribers?
Nemanja Jovanovic
April 17th, 2009 at 1:24 pmGreat great post thanks a lot,I was thinking about adding blog to my website,so I could share our design process.
Laura Spencer
April 17th, 2009 at 1:36 pmHi everyone!
This is a good discussion.
“How can we consider that we have successfully promoted the blog?” – That’s an excellent question Nikhil.
I would say the answer depends on what your original purpose for the blog was.
- If your blog was to attract customers, are you getting inquiries because of it?
- If your blog was to showcase your portfolio, is your work that you link to there a good representation of what you can do?
- If your blog was an income endeavor on its own, is it bringing in any income?
Those are just a few examples, but you get the picture. If the blog is meeting its purpose, then I would say that it is successful. If it is not, then you may need to tweak it some.
Marty Thornley
April 17th, 2009 at 6:00 pmHi Laura,
Great introductory article to the world of blogging! It is definitely one of the most important things a business serious about creating a web presence needs to do.
I just wanted to point out one thing… You mention WordPress.com in your section about CMS to use with your hosting plan. WordPress.com is their free version that WordPress hosts on their servers. It is very limited and not recommended for a professional setting. They run their own ads, which you have to pay to shut off, the customization is limited to choosing from their existing themes (basically) and you can not run your own ads, if you want to create a revenue stream from a popular site.
If you want to customize your site, run ads, and have full control of your site, you need to download from WordPress.org and install it on your own server or use one of the ‘one-click’ installs that many hosting companies offer now from right inside your hosting control panel.
While the two versions of WordPress are similar, the differences are very important to a professional site. As a web designer who works almost exclusively with WordPress, I have dealt with several clients who mistakenly went with a WordPress.com account and it really caused a lot of problems when they realize they need the other version.
Hope that helps.
- Marty
Laura Spencer
April 17th, 2009 at 7:02 pmThanks for the clarification Marty!
What you describe is actually how I set my own blog. Thanks for the comment.
Marisa Wikramanayake
April 17th, 2009 at 10:25 pmHi,
Good post. I have been blogging since about 1998. My very first blog was started by accident and I kept it going till early this year. It was some of my writing on that weblog that got me a gig in 2005 to write a regular weekly column for a national newspaper. I still have that gig.
When I went into freelancing as a writer/editor, I set up my own website with my own domain name. I have done all the work required with social media and so on. I have yet to get the same amount of traffic that I got with my first blog that I didn’t even attempt to market though. I love having my own blog and my own website so I will keep it going.
Now I am wondering if it is safe or wise to move some of the old posts on my old blog to my new one for people to be able to view them. It is quite clear on my old blog that I have moved to a new one and the links are all there but unless the site that hosted my old blog inflated the statistics somehow, I am not getting as much traffic as I used to.
Brian Hoff
April 17th, 2009 at 10:30 pmI couldn’t agree with you more about how a blog can really differentiate yourself as an expect, especially with how static websites can typically can be. In a world where less and less people meet face-to-face, blogs can really add personality to your business and absolutely help you gain credibility among your peers.
Great article!
Customized Marketing
April 17th, 2009 at 10:38 pmExcellent article. I agree with Marty about the importance of using self hosted wordpress which allows you to do a great deal of customization. You can do a main site showcasing your business as well as a blog.
Kyle Knight
April 18th, 2009 at 1:44 amI started idProjections.com about a hundred years ago or so.
It turned into an actual blog about a year ago. It’s always been my home for the portfolio, but recently into an actual company/freelancing place.
I wish I had more time (read: enthusiasm) to blog, but with work, wife, kids, friends, and life in general, I just don’t have the drive to spend more time on it.
Maybe one day. First post here though and I have to say, I’ve really liked the articles I’ve read here!
Margaret Montet
April 18th, 2009 at 9:33 amHi Laura,
Loved your article. Last year I attended an excellent writers’ conference where blogs were mentioned as an indispensible tool over and over.I couldn’t wait, so I set up my blog in the hotel! While my blog by itself doesn’t bring me much business, it gives me credibility as a writer, photographer, and expert on a few locations I write about frequently. I know editors look at it when they are considering my queries because they mention that they liked it!
Blogs are a valuable tool.
Margaret
Laura Spencer
April 18th, 2009 at 9:48 amI love it when readers share their personal stories!
Thanks for telling how blogging help you Marisa and Margaret. Those are great examples!
Cassie Armstrong
April 18th, 2009 at 1:48 pmHi Laura. Like the others who have commented, I have a blog about freelancing. I decided to blog because I wanted to help those who are thinking about becoming a freelancer.
I put off blogging for a long time because I thought the market would be saturated. After all, who wants to read another blog about getting started in freelancing or the trials and tribulations that come with it. After giving it some thought, actually a lot of thought, I decided to jump in.
My blog is personal. It teaches and discusses what I have learned a long the way. As a relative newbie, I have been freelancing a little over three years, I like reading blogs that provide a little insight about freelancing. Afterall, I have a lot to learn.
This is my first first real business venture and I plan to be freelancing for a long time.
Cassie Armstrong
http://www.blogspot.com/morningstarediting
Joanna Candler
April 18th, 2009 at 2:20 pmI liked the posting. I felt the same as Cassie. “I put off blogging for a long time because I thought the market would be saturated…” Also, it’s time consuming and difficult to think up something really original on a regular basis.
But I’ve just started a blog with my networking group – we’re a small group of freelancers and sole traders who get together once a fortnight for mutual support. Between us we have lots of experiences and lots to say. I’m looking forward to seeing how the blog develops…
We’re just using a free blog that came with our domain. It’s not got a lot of functionality, but hey, it’s free! So we can see how it goes with no big set-up costs.
Jo
http://www.friends-in-business.org/blog
Silver Firefly
April 18th, 2009 at 4:06 pmHi,
Thanks for the article, it was helpful to me. I am planning a freelance web design start-up this year, and obviously I’m putting a lot of thought into my business website. I intend to have a portfolio, a blog and a demo area for vBulletin styles and WordPress themes. The ‘front page’ will list my services etc. I thought I would use the blog for announcing new releases and business news etc. Hopefully it will help me generate new business. Obviously my business website has to speak volumes, the design etc has to spell out the kind of thing I can do for clients etc.
Melody
April 18th, 2009 at 7:50 pmI’ve been blogging specifically to help my online presence, and I guess “authority” in the online world..
by the way, I love the theme for this blog..really clean
James
April 19th, 2009 at 3:20 amInteresting post, I agree with it and use a heavily modified wordpress install to manage my own portfolio and blog but I would say it’s very important for freelancers to not hide behind a blog but ensure that their portfolio is still the main focus of their efforts otherwise you’ll just end up rehashing articles and covering discussions / topics that have been covered elsewhere.
Focus on getting your portfolio right first and ensure the work is the focus because this is what most clients will care about and then use the blog to reinforce your skills and opinions on the industry.
Bob McDonnell
April 19th, 2009 at 7:06 pmGreat post.
I am a freelance writer who has been blogging for about seven weeks. It is a ball. I look at the use, misuse and humor of words. The site does not sell anything, I just want people to know who I am.
One thing on my site that I don’t think was in your article is endorsements. Anyone who has sent me a note or email or recommended my work is listed.
Also, I now subscribe to the blog of some of the others who left replies to this post.
Lindsey
April 20th, 2009 at 1:17 amThanks for the great post! I’ve recently started a blog myself. I’m still trying to get the word around whilst tweaking stuff just so I can further improve it.
Solomon
April 20th, 2009 at 4:59 amHi Laura,
It’s quite timely and useful for me. As I’m seriously thinking of having a professional blog for me. I was in a dilemma which one to have- if I can have a website, or a blog. I decided through my intuition that a blog helps a freelance writer better than a static website even with a blog.
Everyone looks for a candidate whom they know a bit more than the professional demeanor one portrays. I think that is possible through a post in a blog!?. I know if the person is soft, sensitive, or flamboyant and, ruthless and… and so on. Business has come to a micro-level (emotional) where everyone wants to know the philosophy of an organization, individual, and likes and dislikes, and want to decide if to work with the person or not.
I think a blog helps to radiate your real core personality. That makes easy for people to talk to you. Share your ideologies as a human bieng and as a person before plunging into a business relationship (am I correct, pls. correct me if not!).
Now, this is my gut feeling. I don’t know if I’m correct or not.
Hmmm….Can anyone suggest me how can I get professional help to get a reasonably good, cost-effective and easy-to-use blog done with any one? That would be a great help from you!
Laura, it’s a wonderful article and very timely. I think you’re keeping all the Freelance Folder readers’ interests in mind and selecting the topics of discussion.
Thank you so much!
Simon Stapleton
April 20th, 2009 at 6:46 amThe point about authority is important. As a buyer of services from freelancers, I want to know I am buying from someone who is a recognized expert, and what better way of validating authority than to view a freelancer’s blog where their credibility is free for anyone to challenge it?
This was my primary reason for blogging myself. Blogs can be monetized and generate small amounts of cash – sure – but my blog is much more than that. By opening up my opinions and methods for everyone to challenge, it keeps me sharp and honest. If I’m off track, then people comment!
The other reason is simple – when my clients Google my name, I want them to see lots of valid and relevant content that has social proof.
Antonio Riveras
April 20th, 2009 at 7:25 amNice article and I can relate to it alot. I started off with a blog immediatly and after a few months I started to get regular emails from people who wanted to work with me. As Sweden is a small country the competition is hard, so I decided that a blog was the way to go.
And it sure was!
Customized Marketing
April 20th, 2009 at 10:11 am@ Solomon
I can help you with your blog per your comment. Feel free to use the contact form on my site if interested.
Laura Spencer
April 20th, 2009 at 12:17 pmGreat comments!
Solomon, I think that there is a difference between a business blog and a personal blog.
A business blog can be interesting and reveal a bit of your personal side – but if it’s overly flamboyant or controversial it could actually harm your business.
A personal blog, on the other hand, can be as flamboyant and “over the top” as you like. However, if you have an online business you may want to take steps to differentiate your business from your personal blog (using a pen name, etc.).
At least, that’s my take.
Joe
April 20th, 2009 at 11:33 pmGreat post! Just redesigned my portfolio site with a blog! Very excited!
Eric Wise
April 21st, 2009 at 1:07 amLaura, this post has some great best practices. Here are a few more that I picked up from reading Dan Schawbel’s posts over at personalbrandingblog.com:
– All of your new blog posts should contains links. The links should link to blog posts you’ve created previously, other people’s blogs and additional resources that may support your thesis or commentary. When you add links, try to highlight a word of phrase that makes sense for the location you’re sending people to.
- In order to get comments on your blog, you need to comment on other blogs. (yay, I’m doing this now!)
- Sign up at MyBlogLog.com and find out who your readers are
- Claim your blog on Technorati
- Use at least one picture per post
- Get ranked
- Guest post on another blog
- Form content partnerships
Few people can do all of these but if the suggestions apply to your situation then I would explore them. I am sooo glad I found this site. It’s very motivational and most of all practical.
Elvis
April 21st, 2009 at 4:45 amDefinitely this is right, I’m freelance Tour Guide/Travel, Tour Operator and Travel agency here in (Africa) it is hard for one to be freelance. Most of the things particular in tourism most of the company are owned by inverters. I found a blog is a best way to keep in touch with client whom mostly are from western.
@CathyWebSavvyPR
April 21st, 2009 at 5:59 pmGreat post and comments. I have gotten great results (meaning new clients) after I figured out how to use the ‘apps’ to bring my blog posts into my Facebook and LinkedIn pages. Not just a link, but to actually post a summary of the blog post on the pages. When I have written a particularly effective blog post, with an effective title, I often get inquiries from potential clients that start with some version of “I read your recent blog post, and wonder if we can talk about xyz,” which often turns into business.
I think a blog post can prove your knowledge in a way that a static resume on LinkedIn or an about me or services page on a static website can. If you can write about a topic in an articulate manner, potential clients figure you probably know what you are doing. Internet pundits keep saying “blogging is dead,” lucky for me, my clients aren’t listening!
Wayne Liew
April 21st, 2009 at 7:54 pmFreelancers, especially those who specializes on web-related work such as web design, content writing, voice overs and so on must have a web design. It is no longer an option.
Some web designers that I have came across said that they are only targeting local small businesses so a web presence isn’t necessary. Well, a lot of people seeking for web designs are getting online. It is just plain ironic if you are trying to offer a web design service without having a properly designed site to showcase your service.
Evan Mullins
April 27th, 2009 at 10:59 amThanks for the article. I already have a freelance blog, and you gave me some tips and ideas I hadn’t even considered. I’ve got some work to do now. =)
Venkat
May 5th, 2009 at 9:22 amI always had a thought of having a blog. But because of my laziness and fail to realize the importance of it for my freelance career, I didn’t have one yet. I’m sure I’m going to have one, in my mother tongue, ASAP. Awesome article.
uforum
June 7th, 2009 at 5:35 pmthanks…
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Steve
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:49 amvery good blog
Randall
July 27th, 2009 at 1:01 amThis was a great article. Thank you. I’m a web developer who sets up WordPress for people regularly. But, I never seriously thought about having my own blog. Maybe I should.
freemelance
August 21st, 2009 at 4:39 amThis is great information. I’m starting to get story ideas zooming in my head.
Lena
October 13th, 2009 at 5:05 pmGreat advise. just got my self started and I am very excited.
svnlabs
January 14th, 2010 at 11:24 amSocial networking is great tool to earn projects….
SV
John Linckon
January 15th, 2010 at 9:21 amYour post is quite encouraging; there is no doubt about it. But don’t you think that in future we, the budding freelancers will have to be confronted much more so called never ending problem like saturation, and if saturation creeps up to your desktop then creativity will definitely be hampered. Even though these are the possibilities but we can not ignore them.
Retouch.cz
January 25th, 2010 at 10:58 amVery nice post. I am also trying to blog from time to time as I think blogging is important for the business. One good example is jasminestarblog.com, this girl is trying to post there almost daily, which I imagine takes a LOT of time, but on the other hand it helped her a LOT to start up the business.
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