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Need Help From Other Writers: Starting My Own Personal Website For My Article Writing Services

by Victoralexon
34 replies
Hey guys!

I'm a freelance writer and I'm going to set up my own website in the coming days. The idea is that this website would basically work as my home here on the web.
I guess it would have a contact page where potential clients could contact me, etc.

I will do some reading about how I should go about creating a good website over the next few days on websites where they offer tips to freelance writers, etc.
I know that a woman on this forum that goes by the nickname Alexa (I believe that was her nickname) has shared many links to some of these great websites in the past.

However, could some of you freelance writers out there share any tips that you might have when it comes to building a website like this?

If I could take a look at yours that would of course be awesome as well.
Maybe that would give me some ideas on how I would want my own website to look.
Of course, I would certainly not steal anything or what have you, but I would just like to have a few templates to work with.

Thanks!

EDIT: www.victoralexon.com
#article #personal #services #starting #website #writers #writing
  • Profile picture of the author John Coutts
    You don't really want to look at my website. It's a mess and needs a serious overhaul. I hardly ever get work through it these days, so I guess that's made me lazy about getting it into better shape.

    However, you are charging too little for your writing, according to your sig. You can do so much better, and it won't take very much either.

    This post: http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ml#post4967505 is one I made some time ago in another thread. It works.

    Since I made that post about a month ago, I have had nearly a dozen PMs from individuals who have tried this method, and nearly all of them are reporting good success.

    Try it. It works.

    John.
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    • Profile picture of the author KenJ
      Three warriors who you should check out

      Ruth P
      Lee Dobbins
      Tiffany Dow

      There are plenty of others but their sites will show 3 different ways to offer writing services.

      Kenj
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      • Profile picture of the author Victoralexon
        Originally Posted by kenj View Post

        Three warriors who you should check out

        Ruth P
        Lee Dobbins
        Tiffany Dow

        There are plenty of others but their sites will show 3 different ways to offer writing services.

        Kenj
        Thank you!
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    • Profile picture of the author Victoralexon
      Originally Posted by John Coutts View Post

      You don't really want to look at my website. It's a mess and needs a serious overhaul. I hardly ever get work through it these days, so I guess that's made me lazy about getting it into better shape.
      First of all, thank you for your reply.

      I will take a look at your website. I'm sure that I can take away some silver nuggets.

      However, you are charging too little for your writing, according to your sig. You can do so much better, and it won't take very much either.

      This post: http://www.warriorforum.com/main-internet-marketing-discussion-forum/475800-web-writers-how-earn-more-money-get-better-clients-3.html#post4967505 is one I made some time ago in another thread. It works.

      Since I made that post about a month ago, I have had nearly a dozen PMs from individuals who have tried this method, and nearly all of them are reporting good success.


      Try it. It works.

      John.
      I used to charge even less a short while ago. I have since raised the cost for my services.
      Maybe you're right, maybe I can raise it even further. English isn't my first language however and I'm certainly no Hemingway. I am trying to improve my writing skills though.

      I will take a look at that thread.

      Best regards,

      Victor
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      • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
        Banned
        Originally Posted by vicalexan View Post

        English isn't my first language however
        This I wouldn't have guessed.

        I seriously doubt whether anyone would ever have guessed. I'd keep quietish about it, if I were you, and allow customers to assess you by your skills rather than by your nationality. And do try the method John suggests above, which is working well for so many people.
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        • Profile picture of the author Victoralexon
          Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

          This I wouldn't have guessed.

          I seriously doubt whether anyone would ever have guessed. I'd keep quietish about it, if I were you, and allow customers to assess you by your skills rather than by your nationality. And do try the method John suggests above, which is working well for so many people.
          I will consider doing that.

          Cheers!
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      • Profile picture of the author John Coutts
        Originally Posted by vicalexan View Post

        English isn't my first language however and I'm certainly no Hemingway. I am trying to improve my writing skills though.r
        As others have suggested, I wouldn't advertise the fact that English is not your first language. You shouldn't hide it to be deceitful either, of course, but don't tell everyone.

        Take Alexa's advice and be judged by the quality of your work, and not your history. Your writing, or what I've seen of it here at least, is a LOT better than much of the writing in this forum that's written by native English speakers.

        John
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    • Profile picture of the author adamj2
      Originally Posted by John Coutts View Post


      This post: http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ml#post4967505 is one I made some time ago in another thread. It works.

      Since I made that post about a month ago, I have had nearly a dozen PMs from individuals who have tried this method, and nearly all of them are reporting good success.

      Try it. It works.

      John.
      It does indeed! That post is one of the most helpful posts ever for me here at WF.

      After only 30 emails into that method I had one interested party contact me, which is now set to lead to what looks to be some regular work.

      Good luck with your writing adventures!
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      • Profile picture of the author Victoralexon
        Originally Posted by adamj2 View Post

        It does indeed! That post is one of the most helpful posts ever for me here at WF.

        After only 30 emails into that method I had one interested party contact me, which is now set to lead to what looks to be some regular work.

        Good luck with your writing adventures!
        That's good to hear. I've taken a look at that thread. The technique seems great indeed. I will very likely try it out myself.

        Thanks!
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    • Profile picture of the author nellterry
      Originally Posted by John Coutts View Post

      You don't really want to look at my website. It's a mess and needs a serious overhaul. I hardly ever get work through it these days, so I guess that's made me lazy about getting it into better shape.

      However, you are charging too little for your writing, according to your sig. You can do so much better, and it won't take very much either.

      This post: http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ml#post4967505 is one I made some time ago in another thread. It works.

      Since I made that post about a month ago, I have had nearly a dozen PMs from individuals who have tried this method, and nearly all of them are reporting good success.

      Try it. It works.

      John.
      Wow, that's a fantastic post! I'll definitely be trying your method out. I would only add that I've had really good luck by having my writing site plus a really good WFH ad here. I got a ton of clients in a 2 week span and it's worked out really well for me.
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      • Profile picture of the author Victoralexon
        Originally Posted by nellterry View Post

        Wow, that's a fantastic post! I'll definitely be trying your method out. I would only add that I've had really good luck by having my writing site plus a really good WFH ad here. I got a ton of clients in a 2 week span and it's worked out really well for me.
        That's great to hear. I will also be looking into getting my own ad here on this forum.

        Can I ask you, do you continue to get offers because of your ad, even now as some time has passed since you first posted it?
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        • Profile picture of the author nellterry
          Originally Posted by vicalexan View Post

          That's great to hear. I will also be looking into getting my own ad here on this forum.

          Can I ask you, do you continue to get offers because of your ad, even now as some time has passed since you first posted it?
          Absolutely. All the time, both on WF and through my site's contact form. It's only stopped here because I put the notice in my sig. I still routinely receive inquiries through my writing site.

          I've only paid to bump my WFH thread once, and that was about a month ago. Many of the people who contacted me through WF said they dug my thread from the archives or ran a search. It's all in the sales letter. Lay out your pricing clearly, include samples, and communicate quickly with everyone who inquires.

          And I TOTALLY agree with Alexa. Don't tell ANYONE you're ESL. You can't tell at all.
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          • Profile picture of the author Victoralexon
            Originally Posted by nellterry View Post

            Absolutely. All the time, both on WF and through my site's contact form. It's only stopped here because I put the notice in my sig. I still routinely receive inquiries through my writing site.

            I've only paid to bump my WFH thread once, and that was about a month ago. Many of the people who contacted me through WF said they dug my thread from the archives or ran a search. It's all in the sales letter. Lay out your pricing clearly, include samples, and communicate quickly and clearly with everyone who inquires.

            And I TOTALLY agree with Alexa. Don't tell ANYONE you're ESL. You can't tell at all.
            Well, when I wrote that English is not my first language, it was obviously just a typo that I made. *cough cough* English is my first language.

            I'm a quick learner. You sneaky ones have taught me well in the art of deception.
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            • Profile picture of the author Superior Content Creation
              Originally Posted by vicalexan View Post

              Well, when I wrote that English is not my first language, it was obviously just a typo that I made. *cough cough* English is my first language.

              I'm a quick learner. You sneaky ones have taught me well in the art of deception.
              I'm impressed as well. It's rare to come across a non-native speaker with such linguistic talent - in 4 years online, I've only seen such convincing skill two other times (that I was aware of lol).

              By the way, feel free to check out my website. I like to think it's not too shabby as far as professional writing sites go. It could certainly do with a little more niche-focus, but other than that it does the trick.
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              • Profile picture of the author Victoralexon
                Originally Posted by Superior Content Creation View Post

                I'm impressed as well. It's rare to come across a non-native speaker with such linguistic talent - in 4 years online, I've only seen such convincing skill two other times (that I was aware of lol).

                By the way, feel free to check out my website. I like to think it's not too shabby as far as professional writing sites go. It could certainly do with a little more niche-focus, but other than that it does the trick.
                Thanks.

                I will take a look at your site.
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  • Profile picture of the author pex7
    Are you the only writer for your site or do you have writers you can outsource to? Hope that's not too personal of a question. The reason I ask is because I just have one article writing gig on fiverr and I get way too many orders to do them all myself. So if you are setting up your own site I would think you would need a whole team. I have also thought about making a site, but again, I am worried I couldn't supply the demand.
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    • Profile picture of the author Victoralexon
      Originally Posted by pex7 View Post

      Are you the only writer for your site or do you have writers you can outsource to? Hope that's not too personal of a question. The reason I ask is because I just have one article writing gig on fiverr and I get way too many orders to do them all myself. So if you are setting up your own site I would think you would need a whole team. I have also thought about making a site, but again, I am worried I couldn't supply the demand.
      I'm on my own.

      Well, one of the reasons why I'm setting up my own website is to make it easier for people to find me. I want to have a homebase, so to speak.

      I think that a website would also make me look more professional.

      About supply and demand thing, if you can't supply the demand, then maybe that's a sign that you should raise the cost of your services?
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  • Profile picture of the author NddS777
    Take a look at this writers site -- why not set up something like this. Its a cute and personal 'base' site, which is what i believe you're looking for...

    Website copywriter, SEO that reaches hearts with high-quality content

    If you're looking to supply volumes, take a look at mine in my sig.

    Hope this gives you some ideas.
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    • Profile picture of the author Victoralexon
      Originally Posted by NddS777 View Post

      Take a look at this writers site -- why not set up something like this. Its a cute and personal 'base' site, which is what i believe you're looking for...

      Website copywriter, SEO that reaches hearts with high-quality content

      If you're looking to supply volumes, take a look at mine in my sig.

      Hope this gives you some ideas.
      I will take a look at both sites.

      Thanks!
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      • Profile picture of the author Victoralexon
        Originally Posted by Marianne Gonne View Post

        It's hard to fault Carol Tice's service site (as opposed to her blog - which is a must-read for all freelancers).

        She gets all the elements right.

        But, then again, she's got the writing chops and credentials to impress.

        Critiquing websites is one of the things I do for a living - and, as a writer myself - these are the things I look for and recommend on a writer's site:

        1. Don't call yourself an "article writer". Trust me on this one. I made that mistake when I branched out online and, believe me, it limits your positioning opportunities.

        Call yourself a Freelance Writer (and by all means, offer SEO and Syndication articles as part of your services).

        2. Don't publish your prices on your site. Again, this is a critical positioning tactic.

        3. Don't drone on about yourself. (If you must, save it for your "About Me" page.) You might think it's an opportunity to show how well you can write, but it's not. It almost always looks amateurish.

        4. Your Home Page should be brief and read like a sales page. It's not about you. It's about what you can do for your clients.

        This is your best opportunity to prove you can write. The snappier, the better.

        5. Contact information should be prominent and user-friendly.

        6. Portfolio and Testimonial pages should be hosted on your site. Don't supply links for your prospects to check you out elsewhere online. If you invite them to click away from your site, they will (and chances are they won't come back).

        7. Host a blog. This is one of the best opportunities to market your services and prove that you can write.

        But you need to commit to it. Just one or two posts will look unprofessional - like you can't sustain a project. Prospects notice these things.

        Disable comments. This is your showcase... not a democratic forum for others!

        8. Social networking links are good (and can provide "social proof"). But - like your blog - they work best only if you're committed. If a service provider proudly displays their once-active Twitter site, but hasn't tweeted since 2010, I'll find myself wondering if they're still providing services.

        9. You'll want to keep learning and adding new, more lucrative services to your arsenal - so plan your site with growth in mind.

        10. Finally, and most importantly: Make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors anywhere on your site. Triple-check. And then check again.

        Some more advice...
        Pick up a copy of The Well-Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman.
        Subscribe to his blog, too.
        And Carol Tice's aforementioned "Make a Living Writing".

        Hope this helps, and good luck!
        All of this, or at least, a lot of this seems like sound advice.

        Thank you!
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  • Profile picture of the author michellegreen
    I'm in the process of updating my site with a new theme, so it's looking a bit "chunky" right now, but I've got a bit of content on there that you may get ideas from if you want to take a look.

    Good luck! And that other post, great idea and similar to a strategy I was taught by a great mentor of mine...!
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    Michelle Green
    Learn the basics of starting your very own online business!

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    • Profile picture of the author Victoralexon
      Originally Posted by michellegreen View Post

      I'm in the process of updating my site with a new theme, so it's looking a bit "chunky" right now, but I've got a bit of content on there that you may get ideas from if you want to take a look.

      Good luck! And that other post, great idea and similar to a strategy I was taught by a great mentor of mine...!
      Thank you, Michelle!
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  • Profile picture of the author Mountainw
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author Victoralexon
      Originally Posted by Mountainw View Post

      A key principle: on your home page, put the most important information that you really want to let you audiances see.

      Also, do not have crowded pages
      Great advice.
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  • Profile picture of the author Victoralexon
    My website is now up. I would appreciate any criticism that you may have. Actually, I would prefer constructive criticism but if you really feel that you have to, "that website suckz" works as well I suppose.

    Samples will come up tomorrow and testimonials will be posted once I have some.

    Once I got that done, I'm thinking about following John Coutts advice (see above for link to his post where he shared his advice) but I'm also considering posting an ad here on the forum offering my services.

    www.victoralexon.com
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  • Profile picture of the author Victoralexon
    Hi warriors,

    Okay, I have now paid for my own ad here on the warrior forum. See here.

    I have also started working on John Coutts method of getting clients. I will send out emails to 50 SEO companies in London later today.

    Anyway, the main reason why I am writing another post here is because I wanted to ask if you if think it is a good idea to have my own blog on my website?
    I really want to have a blog where I can share the ideas and tips that I learn along the way on my Freelancing/IM journey, and I figured it would also work as a good place to show of my writing skills (or lack thereof).

    I am not talking about hosting another website. Instead I would just add another page to my website titled 'Blog'.

    What do you think?
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    • Profile picture of the author michellegreen
      Yes yes and yes! I am a HUGE lover of the blog and have found that it not only helps you to build a relationship with your website visitors, but it also helps to drive traffic if you have heaps of relevant content on there.

      I use mine to talk about the benefits of outsourcing the writing of their website content, how to pick a quality writer from a dodgy one, etc.

      So you're giving them advice but also plugging your services too!
      Signature

      Michelle Green
      Learn the basics of starting your very own online business!

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  • Profile picture of the author Victoralexon
    Hey guys!

    I have gotten a few projects since last time that I posted in this thread. One client said that he might be back for more!

    However, I just have not recieved much work yet.

    I have followed John Coutts method and I have recieved some responses, but no work. I will continue to use it but I need work in the next few days, and with his method, there is no guarantee that I will recieve orders in the coming days.

    I posted a thread in the 'Warriors for Hire' section. Here it is.

    I have also sent a few private messages to warriors introducing myself but to no avail. I plan on sending out more, figuring it never hurts to keep going. I guess it is a bit of a numbers game.

    It seems that I am doing something wrong. Maybe my thread over at the 'Warriors for Hire' section is not the best one. Maybe I did not sell myself that well, something which I have been known to struggle with.

    Making matters worse, I would need to get some work soon as I have bills to pay. I am getting a part-time job but I am not starting for another two weeks. I have had a look at the 'What to do if you're desperate' thread and I have decided that offering my services can get the money that I need (it is only a couple of hundred dollars) if I could only find a client or two.

    Do you have any suggestions because it seems that I am doing something wrong? Perhaps my writing skills are not that good, or perhaps it is just that I am quite bad at marketing myself, something which I am trying to improve.

    Any help would be much appreciated.

    Thanks,

    Victor
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    • Profile picture of the author John Coutts
      Originally Posted by Victoralexon View Post

      I have also started working on John Coutts method of getting clients. I will send out emails to 50 SEO companies in London later today.
      Don't just send out 50 inquiries - send out 500, or 1,000. Yes, it is hard work to gather them in, but you need to use big numbers to get big results, or any kind of result for that matter.

      The first time I tried, I sent out 400 inquiries and got work from three sources more or less immediately, with another two or so following in the days after. Had I just sent out 50 inquiries, I would not have even expected to get work.

      Work hard for three or four or more hours, gather the emails and send them out. It's a slow process, but it works!

      John.
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      Write System - superior web content
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      • Profile picture of the author Victoralexon
        Originally Posted by John Coutts View Post

        Don't just send out 50 inquiries - send out 500, or 1,000. Yes, it is hard work to gather them in, but you need to use big numbers to get big results, or any kind of result for that matter.

        The first time I tried, I sent out 400 inquiries and got work from three sources more or less immediately, with another two or so following in the days after. Had I just sent out 50 inquiries, I would not have even expected to get work.

        Work hard for three or four or more hours, gather the emails and send them out. It's a slow process, but it works!

        Victor, to be perfectly frank, your thread in the Warriors for Hire section doesn't sparkle enough, for me at least. You didn't give me a good enough reason to hire you.

        Why not find an ad for writing services that inspires you, and model your own one off that? I don't mean copy it word for word, that's illegal, of course, but use an ad that is obviously successful as a kind of basic template to create something that is completely your own, and that looks much more professional. I think you'd do a lot better that way.

        John.

        John.
        Okay. I will send out more emails. I will also work more on my 'Warriors for Hire' ad.

        Thank you for your private message. I spruced up my signature and since then I have had one potential client contact me. Hopefully more will come.

        Thank you.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Coutts
      Originally Posted by Victoralexon View Post

      Maybe my thread over at the 'Warriors for Hire' section is not the best one. Maybe I did not sell myself that well, something which I have been known to struggle with.
      Victor, to be perfectly frank, your thread in the Warriors for Hire section doesn't sparkle enough, for me at least. You didn't give me a good enough reason to hire you.

      Why not find an ad for writing services that inspires you, and model your own one off that? I don't mean copy it word for word, that's illegal, of course, but use an ad that is obviously successful as a kind of basic template to create something that is completely your own, and that looks much more professional. I think you'd do a lot better that way.

      John.
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      Write System - superior web content
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      • Profile picture of the author Victoralexon
        Originally Posted by Marianne Gonne View Post

        A Warrior for Hire thread needs to have your prices (unlike your website).

        Hope that helps, Victor, and good luck.
        Yes, you are probably right. Thank you.
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  • Profile picture of the author newseller
    Banned
    Victor-just a quick note from a newbie. I wouldn't put anything you don't want to do- even though your reasons for not doing them are legitimate-on your first page.
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