Last Updated on by Michael Brockbank
As a freelance writer, it’s a good idea to set up a professional blog at some point. After all, you are establishing a business as a sole proprietor in most cases. And every business benefits from a blog. But, what kind of realistic benefits can you reap?
Actually, a lot more than you might think. In fact, maintaining a regular blogging schedule can do wonders for your freelancing career in a myriad of ways.
Why a Freelance Writer Should Have a Blog
Most experts will center a professional blog around themselves to promote what they can offer a client. In essence, it’s an online resume of the type of content you create and your capabilities.
But, it goes a bit further than that. It’s easy to just slap up a resume page and cross your fingers. However, maintaining the blog can have profound and positive results.
Gives You a Lot of Practice
One of the reasons why I built this website, to begin with, was to give me practice writing in AP Style English. From the first days of Textbroker and other content mills, I put what I learned into practical application with blog posts.
This gives you a chance to integrate that knowledge while helping you to remember specific rules of the style.
The more you use what you learn, the easier it will be to remember when it comes time to crank out some content for a client.
Demonstrates Your Abilities as a Writer
Having a blog as a freelance writer demonstrates your command of the process. Everything from writing style to implementing SEO strategies is a testament to your overall skill.
This way, clients and/or employers can get a feel for what you offer and if you’re a good fit for the company or brand.
And if you get some articles popping up in the top search results for specific keyphrases, it greatly improves the value you bring. Because most of your clients want content that is going to rank well.
Not to mention how a lot of employers and clients want someone who knows how to handle WordPress…the king of blogging platforms.
Gives Clients a Way to Contact You Directly
When set up correctly, a blog gives potential clients a way to contact you. Whether you use a contact form or add your WhatsApp number as a tap-to-call button, getting in touch with you is important.
You don’t simply want to slap your email address on a page and call it good. For one thing, this can open all kinds of hell from spammers.
If you use a platform like WordPress, all of these points of contact are simple to set up and maintain. Just make sure they can contact you in some fashion. You don’t want to lose out on what could be a very lucrative opportunity.
Gets Your Name More Visible in Search
One of my goals is to replace all of the other Michael Brockbank’s in the top search of Google with myself. And so far, the project has been coming along nicely.
At any rate, getting your name out there can let potential clients know that you are a serious writer. And the more places you appear, the better.
I know some people probably don’t like the idea of being so visible in Google. And that’s fine. You can always blog under an assumed name. Then again, that also makes it difficult for clients to verify a piece of content was, indeed, written by you.
I know as a hiring manager, I don’t take any ghostwriting as viable evidence of skill.
Provides Multiple Revenue Streams
Getting good clients is what it’s all about. But, there’s nothing wrong with padding your monthly income from your blog’s content. And there are a lot of ways you can do so.
Perhaps you write an eBook centered around your preferred industry. Maybe you want to sell merch. You may even want to explore affiliate sales and ad revenue.
Regardless of what methods you choose, the potential for income is great. Well, as long as you can generate traffic to your blog.
Even if you just use AdSense, after a while, the blog will bring in enough money to pay for its own hosting and other extras.
I know mine do…just in AdSense alone.
Generally Acts as a Base of Operations
The blog can act as your primary base of operations for landing gigs. You can set up landing pages, resumes, connect freelance-writing-specific social accounts, show your freelancing rates, and much more.
In fact, all of the emails I send out come from my own domain name. It just looks more professional and demonstrates seriousness in your career path.
However you decide to slice it, the blog can be the cornerstone of being a freelance writer.
When Should a Freelance Writer Set Up a Blog?
If you’re just starting as a freelancer, I wouldn’t suggest getting a blog just yet. Give it a few months before you decide if that’s what you want to do or not.
I’ve seen a lot of “writers” come out of the gate strong only to decide that they just don’t want to write every day. And that’s perfectly fine.
Not everyone is cut out to be a freelance writer. Just like the chances of me being a starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos is a negative fraction.
But, once you decide that this is the path you want to follow, then by all means, get yourself a blog.
Just make sure that you have the time to sustain it and keep yourself writing.
I started this blog a few months after I decided to get serious about freelancing. I already had web hosting from my previous business, though. And I decided to keep it around.
I’m actually glad I did. Because setting up WriterSanctuary has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. And yes, I’m also including expanding into the YouTube channel.
My point is that you want to get a blog as a freelance writer as soon as you’re able. Like I said, it will act as your online hub while letting you reach out to a wide scope of clients.
Some may even simply pay you to add a blog post to your site. In fact, I’ve made several hundred dollars like this in 2020.
Can’t You Just Use a Free Blogging Platform?
Free blogging platforms aren’t bad if you’re just looking to practice writing. The problem with using free sites like WordPress.com is that you are incredibly limited when it comes to customizing and monetizing your site.
Not to mention how many free blogging platforms make it impossible to move your content to another host.
When you get a self-hosted WordPress blog, you absolutely own all of its content and can do what you want to the site. It’s 100% yours and yours alone.
And since WordPress is incredibly customizable, you can make changes for virtually anything.
A Blog Can Be a Best Friend for the Freelance Writer
In the end, it all comes down to how far you want to take your writing career. You don’t absolutely need a blog in order to be successful as a freelance writer. However, it will make a vast difference in your level of success over the years.
And I can say, without a doubt, this blog has played a pivotal role in how I developed as both a professional and as a creator.
Never underestimate the value and power of having your own website.
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