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Why A Blog Is Important For Your Freelance Business

Posted April 17, 2009 in Business, Getting Started

Freelance BlogSo, 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.)
  5. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.)
  5. 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.

Related posts:

  1. 4 Power Questions for Killer Business Blog Posts that Grow Your Business
  2. The 5 Elements Every Business Blog Must Have
  3. Open Thread: What’s Most Important to Your Freelance Success?
  4. How Blogging Can Help Your Business
  5. Free Slogan/Tagline For Your Business or Blog

About the author: Laura Spencer is a freelance writer from North Central Texas with over 20 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. Laura is also on Google+.



 
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137 Comments
  • User Gravatar
    Eric Barb
    April 17th, 2009 at 11:11 am

    Hi, 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!

  • User Gravatar
    Laura Spencer
    April 17th, 2009 at 11:14 am

    Hi 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. :-)

  • User Gravatar
    Dave Woods
    April 17th, 2009 at 11:23 am

    I’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.

  • User Gravatar
    Colin Wright
    April 17th, 2009 at 11:29 am

    Blogging 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.

  • User Gravatar
    Laura Spencer
    April 17th, 2009 at 11:29 am

    Great 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.

  • User Gravatar
    Nicole Foster
    April 17th, 2009 at 11:48 am

    Great 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.

  • User Gravatar
    Beth Robinson
    April 17th, 2009 at 11:49 am

    So 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.

  • User Gravatar
    Laura Spencer
    April 17th, 2009 at 11:58 am

    Great 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.

  • User Gravatar
    orionstarr
    April 17th, 2009 at 12:03 pm

    Good 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.

  • User Gravatar
    Luis Eduardo
    April 17th, 2009 at 12:13 pm

    This 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

  • User Gravatar
    Blog Expert
    April 17th, 2009 at 12:27 pm

    Blogging works people! Freelancers should definitely get their blog on. I have one for my freelancing business and it helped a ton.

  • User Gravatar
    Nikhil
    April 17th, 2009 at 1:12 pm

    Hi 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?

  • User Gravatar
    Nemanja Jovanovic
    April 17th, 2009 at 1:24 pm

    Great great post thanks a lot,I was thinking about adding blog to my website,so I could share our design process.

  • User Gravatar
    Laura Spencer
    April 17th, 2009 at 1:36 pm

    Hi 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.

  • User Gravatar
    Marty Thornley
    April 17th, 2009 at 6:00 pm

    Hi 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

  • User Gravatar
    Laura Spencer
    April 17th, 2009 at 7:02 pm

    Thanks for the clarification Marty!

    What you describe is actually how I set my own blog. Thanks for the comment.

  • User Gravatar
    Marisa Wikramanayake
    April 17th, 2009 at 10:25 pm

    Hi,

    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.

  • User Gravatar
    Brian Hoff
    April 17th, 2009 at 10:30 pm

    I 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!

  • User Gravatar
    Customized Marketing
    April 17th, 2009 at 10:38 pm

    Excellent 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.

  • User Gravatar
    Kyle Knight
    April 18th, 2009 at 1:44 am

    I 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!

  • User Gravatar
    Margaret Montet
    April 18th, 2009 at 9:33 am

    Hi 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

  • User Gravatar
    Laura Spencer
    April 18th, 2009 at 9:48 am

    I love it when readers share their personal stories!

    Thanks for telling how blogging help you Marisa and Margaret. Those are great examples!

  • User Gravatar
    Cassie Armstrong
    April 18th, 2009 at 1:48 pm

    Hi 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

  • User Gravatar
    Joanna Candler
    April 18th, 2009 at 2:20 pm

    I 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

  • User Gravatar
    Silver Firefly
    April 18th, 2009 at 4:06 pm

    Hi,

    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.

  • User Gravatar
    Melody
    April 18th, 2009 at 7:50 pm

    I’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

  • User Gravatar
    James
    April 19th, 2009 at 3:20 am

    Interesting 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.

  • User Gravatar
    Bob McDonnell
    April 19th, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    Great 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.

  • User Gravatar
    Lindsey
    April 20th, 2009 at 1:17 am

    Thanks 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.

  • User Gravatar
    Solomon
    April 20th, 2009 at 4:59 am

    Hi 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!

  • User Gravatar
    Simon Stapleton
    April 20th, 2009 at 6:46 am

    The 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.

  • User Gravatar
    Antonio Riveras
    April 20th, 2009 at 7:25 am

    Nice 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!

  • User Gravatar
    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.

  • User Gravatar
    Laura Spencer
    April 20th, 2009 at 12:17 pm

    Great 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.

  • User Gravatar
    Joe
    April 20th, 2009 at 11:33 pm

    Great post! Just redesigned my portfolio site with a blog! Very excited!

  • User Gravatar
    Eric Wise
    April 21st, 2009 at 1:07 am

    Laura, 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.

  • User Gravatar
    Elvis
    April 21st, 2009 at 4:45 am

    Definitely 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.

  • User Gravatar
    @CathyWebSavvyPR
    April 21st, 2009 at 5:59 pm

    Great 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!

  • User Gravatar
    Wayne Liew
    April 21st, 2009 at 7:54 pm

    Freelancers, 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.

  • User Gravatar
    Evan Mullins
    April 27th, 2009 at 10:59 am

    Thanks 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. =)

  • User Gravatar
    Venkat
    May 5th, 2009 at 9:22 am

    I 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.

  • User Gravatar
    uforum
    June 7th, 2009 at 5:35 pm

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    Steve
    July 3rd, 2009 at 7:49 am

    very good blog

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    Randall
    July 27th, 2009 at 1:01 am

    This 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.

  • User Gravatar
    freemelance
    August 21st, 2009 at 4:39 am

    This is great information. I’m starting to get story ideas zooming in my head.

  • User Gravatar
    Lena
    October 13th, 2009 at 5:05 pm

    Great advise. just got my self started and I am very excited.

  • User Gravatar
    svnlabs
    January 14th, 2010 at 11:24 am

    Social networking is great tool to earn projects….

    SV

  • User Gravatar
    John Linckon
    January 15th, 2010 at 9:21 am

    Your 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.

  • User Gravatar
    Retouch.cz
    January 25th, 2010 at 10:58 am

    Very 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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    February 16th, 2010 at 7:14 am

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    Minneapolis Web Design Guru
    February 16th, 2010 at 2:40 pm

    this has really helped me understand the whole process of blogging. It is important for clients or potential clients to have information like you can provide in a blogging atmosphere.

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    DISSERTATION EXPRESS
    March 3rd, 2010 at 1:52 am

    very nice site

  • User Gravatar
    Franz Geffke
    March 28th, 2010 at 2:22 pm

    I think a blog is >the< essential tool for any business nowadays.

    Keeping clients up to date, posting about ideas, private projects, a point of view or just to publish and maintain a Portfolio. It's important to have an online presence because most people will immediately step towards google and try to find information about an individual or a company. A neat homepage, containing all the necessary content is therefore essential. Not having it seems kind of outdated.

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    Toni Armanto
    December 11th, 2010 at 4:03 pm

    I’ve been online all day & night working on my new blog. Trying to gain back links & also even finish the blog plus writing posts daily.

    This is not easy! It is more than FT job. Just hope to build & learn.

    Can’t imagine where it will be next year this time.

  • User Gravatar
    Frame
    January 22nd, 2011 at 11:35 am

    Yes, the WordPress for dummies is good for the soon-to-be blogger that needs a bit more tech help/support than most. It’s pretty good step-by-step guide that explains pretty much everything you need to know to get started. Also, some good templates can be found on studiopress and templatic. Both are pretty easy to get going.

    Thanks for the post.

  • User Gravatar
    Zeller
    January 22nd, 2011 at 11:41 am

    Not to mention that the Search Engines love blogs. New, original and updated content will always go a long way with Google, Bing, Yahoo and the others. And if you can write about subjects that spark interest or go viral on the internet, well, you’ll be off to a really good start. This is especially true since most people now get their news and information through the internet or mobile phones. However, most people should keep in mind that blogs take a long time to build and get a loyal readership. The loyal readership is very important.

  • User Gravatar
    Übersetzung
    April 26th, 2011 at 8:36 am

    Blogs are famous for search engine optimization, but it does not realise its full potential. Many blogs remain unupdated for a very long time and hence do not help in search engine rankings. An blog with frequent updates will help much better in SEO rather than a one without.

  • User Gravatar
    Freelance Bookkeeper, Personal Assistant, and Administrator
    May 17th, 2011 at 8:04 pm

    Thanks. That was very helpful. I’ve not not got into blogging, but I have started commenting on other blogs. I shall now move onto the next step!

  • User Gravatar
    Freelance Search
    June 3rd, 2011 at 5:04 am

    Wow! great post! Been doing an online freelance job for quite some time now..It’s small business which I started few years back. And a friend of mine recommended that I should do a little blog about my biz to promote a little..Been updating it from time to time to see who checks in and it’s doing great! This article is a plus advice for me. Thanks :)

  • User Gravatar
    Nikunj
    July 23rd, 2011 at 9:54 am

    I have also developed my blog
    http://www.parmarnikunj.blogspot.com
    plz do visit it once and do tell me if you find any kind of problem or want to change something in that…

  • User Gravatar
    James Twain
    July 24th, 2011 at 10:09 am

    Hi Laura,
    Well I have read your post rather late but I have experienced the first five points just as you have transcribed :)

    I started freelancing on a couple of web portals but I had nothing to showcase as every client would ask me to provide a writing sample. It was annoying that you write a sample specially for someone and then they don’t hire you. I had to spend a few bucks on the domain and hosting but the rewards were awesome.

    If you are a newbie freelancer, I second Laura’s opinion – get a blog today!

  • User Gravatar
    Webbdesigner
    July 28th, 2011 at 5:11 pm

    Good stuff, I started a freelance blog yesterday – really fun! :-)

  • User Gravatar
    Badrumsrenovering
    August 6th, 2011 at 11:08 am

    Awesome share.

    Now, Im up to install WordPress to do a freelance blog! :)
    Also, thanks 2 you, I know how to get customers!

  • User Gravatar
    Petter - sökmotoroptimering
    August 12th, 2011 at 5:43 am

    This was a good post!
    So many good points.

    its kind of hard to get gigs in the beginning, but when U get going its best to be a freelancer,

  • User Gravatar
    Chris
    September 4th, 2011 at 3:23 am

    We actually built in a blog system into our portfolio system (http://www.brushd.com shameless plug) for artists so they can promote themselves without having to have an external blog, so I totally agree freelancers need to get themselves out there with a blog, it really helps people come back and check out your work!

  • User Gravatar
  • User Gravatar
    Übersetzung
    October 27th, 2011 at 10:35 am

    Now, Im up to install WordPress to do a freelance blog! :)
    Also, thanks 2 you, I know how to get customers!

  • User Gravatar
    Båtförsäkring
    December 21st, 2011 at 5:28 pm

    I have to say that blogging as a freelancer can be really funny for all the comments. It’s not so funny if you get competitors beeing rude to you though :-(

    But overall: It’s fantastic :)

  • User Gravatar
    Tandblekning billigt
    December 24th, 2011 at 6:34 pm

    Blogs are famous for search engine optimization, but it does not realise its full potential. Many blogs remain unupdated for a very long time and hence do not help in search engine rankings. An blog with frequent updates will help much better in SEO rather than a one without.

    this has really helped me understand the whole process of blogging. It is important for clients or potential clients to have information like you can provide in a blogging atmosphere.

  • User Gravatar
    Albin
    December 29th, 2011 at 9:45 am

    I’m finding all my clients through my freelance blog so it’s really important for me to get those customers I otherwise wouldn’t get. Twitter is also a related tool which I’m using to gather customers to my blog.

  • User Gravatar
    Übersetzung
    January 24th, 2012 at 6:11 pm

    And if you can write about subjects that spark interest or go viral on the internet, well, you’ll be off to a really good start. This is especially true since most people now get their news and information through the internet or mobile phones. However, most people should keep in mind that blogs take a long time to build and get a loyal readership. The loyal readership is very important.

  • User Gravatar
    Hemsida1 - Köpa hemsida
    February 17th, 2012 at 9:27 am

    I myself have been a freelancer last year and it went very well.

  • User Gravatar
    Klänningar
    March 14th, 2012 at 5:46 am

    I’m finding all my clients through my freelance blog so it’s really important for me to get those customers I otherwise wouldn’t get.

    Twitter is also a related tool which I’m using to gather customers to my blog.

  • User Gravatar
    Klockor
    March 21st, 2012 at 6:45 pm

    Good stuff, I started a freelance blog yesterday – really fun! :-)

    How long does it takes for my first customer to come?

  • User Gravatar
    Tanja
    May 23rd, 2012 at 8:47 am

    I have some fast cash tricks which you could use without a website or any type of marketing techniques, in order to pocket large amounts of cash, with not decidedly much work involved. Do it again and again again. You could actually make as much money as you want! It is all about finding these little opportunities and after that selling them to a waiting group of investors. Yes, this really is nothing like you have ever seen. Yes, this can be profoundly different than affiliate marketing. Go on and take a look, I know you are curious, right? http://tinyurl.com/ck6lewd

  • User Gravatar
    Heminredning
    August 23rd, 2012 at 4:55 am

    I wonder how long it takes before you can se the profit of the freelanceblog.. Im really exited!

  • User Gravatar
    emily galusha
    September 26th, 2012 at 2:03 pm

    great article! and i totally agree. i am a full-time freelance graphic designer and studio artist. when i began working for myself full time about 4 years ago, my blog helped give a personal touch to my creative work. i felt that it allowed the viewer to get to know the artist and give them an additional way to stay in touch. and it’s free! my blog : http://www.emilygalusha.wordpress.com

  • User Gravatar
    Richard Rutter
    September 30th, 2012 at 10:07 am

    Freelancing can be good, however there are a number of potential issues. Most obviously never pay sizeable amounts up front, establish from the beginning that they are not to showcase work undertaken for you, on their own website (especially if they include the price!!)

  • User Gravatar
    peterwdv
    December 28th, 2012 at 1:00 am

    WebDesignValley has grown into one of the top web design companies in Minnesota, but it’s not only because we give you that perfect balance between looks and content. Nor

    is it only because our IT experts operate on the cutting edge of Internet Marketing, maximizing your SEO and teaching you how to manage, maintain and update your website.
    —-
    webdesignvalley.com | Minneapolis Web Design – Twin Cities Web Design – Minnesota Web Design

  • User Gravatar
    shopping online
    April 9th, 2013 at 10:04 pm

    Nice post. thanks I’m still trying to get the word around whilst tweaking stuff just so I can further improve it

  • User Gravatar
    dallas seo
    May 7th, 2013 at 11:39 pm

    Very wonderful info can be found on web blog .

  • User Gravatar
    Modern Design
    May 15th, 2013 at 11:44 am

    Lookboard is the design wholesale marketplace that connects talented designers and creative brands to the modern retailer. Explore the very best in modern design, modern furniture, and unique products.

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