If you are a freelancer, you need a great website.
This clearly wasn’t the case back when I started out 30 years ago. But today, it’s hard to imagine any kind of marketing strategy for a freelance business that would not include a website.
But from the moment you decide to build a website you need to make a second decision – you must decide to make a really, really impressive website.
Why? Because your prospects will go to your website to get a sense of who you are, what you offer, and how good you are.
It’s that last phrase that’s the killer for most freelancers.
“How good you are”.
In an ideal world the appearance of your website wouldn’t necessarily reflect on your skill as a freelance writer or copywriter. But in our world, it does.
When a prospect first hears about you – through a conversation, or a link in an article, or via a tweet or Facebook update – they will go to your site and jump to several conclusions, all within the first few seconds.
If your site looks old or poorly designed, they are likely to conclude you are not very good at what you do…even if you are.
If your site looks modern and the design is strong, they are likely to conclude you are really good at what you do…even if you’re not.
That may sound unfair, but it’s a fact of life.
This happens for the same reason you are more likely to reach for a can of beans with a great looking label than one with a generic, boring label. The beans inside are probably identical, but your choice is swayed by the appearance of the label. You assume the good looking can contains better beans.
It’s the same with your freelance website.
Job 1 is to look good.
Next, you need to understand that many prospects who visit your site will leave without making immediate contact with you. So you need to capture their contact information. You can do this by offering a free download, a regular e-newsletter, or both.
You then need to nurture and convert those leads. This is where the newsletter comes in. You can also nurture and convert by engaging your readers through social media.
In other words, your new or upgraded website needs to be social media friendly. Write a blog, with the comments function enabled. Create accounts at Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Maybe YouTube too.
You can then connect your site to your social media streams, as a way to attract new visitors, and engage those you already have.
Here is the bottom line…
If you have a website that was created several years ago, looks old and is not collecting leads or engaging readers through social media, it’s time for a makeover.
If you don’t yet have a website for your freelance business, it’s time to create one, and make it impressive.
How and where can you get your website created or updated?
If you already know someone you can trust to do this work for you, contact them today and get started.
If you don’t know anyone, contact my son, Thomas. Whether you have an old HTML-based site that needs upgrading, or are starting from scratch, he’s your man.
I know, this is nepotism run wild. But I’m comfortable recommending him because he does great work. In fact, he created the site you are on right now, using a custom WordPress theme called Pro Framework.
You can also reach Thomas at MidnightDonkey.com.
