by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

No offense meant to the writers this applies to. But I have been doing this a long time and am a natural observer. I've noticed that oftentimes the writers who have the most interaction from readers are those that update their profiles, especially photos. I mean, who wants to look at the same picture for years, no matter how good looking it might be?

When you update your profile photo often, it shows that you are active and it also gives readers something fresh to look at. Think of your profile photo just as you would your written content. Random browsers may find an older photo or piece of content interesting. But those faithful followers need something new to look at or they might wander somewhere else more interesting. Yes, most of what readers will be focused on is the written content. However, it does help when the author photo is shiny and interesting. People on the interwebs like shiny things. It's a given -- and new shinies appear often.

How often do you update your profile photo? Have you observed the same things I have? Tell us about your experiences in the comment section.

Photo Credit/Copyright: Lyn Lomasi

By Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

Do you actually make money with your writing? It's just for fun or because you're bored, right? How do you pay your bills when you just play on the computer all day? These are the types of questions i get from people interested in learning how to make the most money in web writing. Often they are skeptical, thinking that a decent income is impossible in this business.

You need a website. Some will tell you this isn't necessary. But, I repeat: All web writers need a website. While you can definitely make money writing online without having your own website, you're likely to earn more money if you do. Sometimes my clients find me via the various companies I publish with but they tend to visit my website even if they find me elsewhere. Your website should be a place where clients can learn more about what you do, find out your rates, and contact you for services. Without a website, that's more questions they will need to ask you and some will skip over authors they can't research more readily.  You can even place an easy to reference online resume page on your website to save your potential clients more time.

Query, submit, query, submit.. To keep your name out there, you need to be actively querying new outlets, as well as submitting to existing clients. For instance, if you have signed up with two sites that allow freelancers to submit work, keep those sites active. But in addition, query for other work and sign up for additional sites as often as possible. It is always better to have an overload of opportunities you can pass on to your writer friends than to have none at all.

Publish, publish, publish. Like querying and submitting, do what you can to make sure you are publishing as often as possible. The more your name gets seen in writing, the more potential clients will see you. If one venue is not publishing your submissions as fast as they say they will, don't be afraid to pull them for publication elsewhere if beneficial.

Always have multiple clients and venues available. It is perfectly valid to post the most often with the venue or client that will publish your writing most often. Just be sure you do still have some variety where possible, as variety keeps your name spread around and keeps you learning varied experiences. To make the most money in online writing, you need to be sure that if things are slow or undesirable with one venue or client, you still have other revenue possibilities.

Be yourself. When you see a successful writer, it is easy to fall into line and try to mimic what they are doing. There is only one of each individual. The better strategy is to use some of their techniques and apply them to yourself. Be smart, but also be original and unique. Be you. If you think about the people you look up to in web writing, most likely you will be able to say that there is no one quite like them. The writers that are honest with and about themselves -- and in their experience are most likely to succeed. Copycats will eventually show their true colors -- usually in their work.

Be flexible and choose appropriate work. Clients can sometimes be particular about what they want. It is normal to make suggestions you feel will be helpful. But the end result should always be something your clients are satisfied with. To avoid conflicts in this area, choose topics and workloads suited to your personal experience and preferences and leave the other work for someone else.

Be adaptable. The world of web writing can be largely unpredictable as far as what works at the moment. Smart web writers stay prepared for changes to occur and adapt with the changes instead of running from them. Because the world and the web are ever-changing, it is important to stay up to date with the best current strategies and marketable skills. Those writers who are willing to go the extra mile in preparation are the ones that will continue to succeed now and into the future. 

More from Lyn:

Web Writing Tips: Forming Ideas

Web Writing Tips: Risks are Necessary to Succeed

Simple, Effective Ways to Enhance Your Brand

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

But I have a LinkedIn profile, a facebook fan page, and a profile page where I write. Isn't that enough? No, I have to tell you that it doesn't quite make the grade. While those things are necessary as well, they are not all you need as web writer. You need a resume profile page on your own website. What?! You don't have a writer website? Read this first. Then come back.

You need a place to refer clients and fans to. Whether you are handing out business cards in-person, applying to gigs via email, or filing out online or paper applications, you need one main place to refer to clients to. If you're using a blog, facebook page, or LinkedIn profile for that, it's a good start. But you need to go above and beyond and have a full profile where potential clients as well as fans can find all (or most) of what you do.

Having your own domain looks professional. If you want to be considered a professional, you need to walk the walk. When you hire a professional plumber, are you going to hire the person who is borrowing someone else's tools and appears to be just learning the job? How about someone who can show you their license, has all the right tools of their own, and can provide you with referrals right away? Your online resume page is your most valuable tool. Build it and use it.

You cannot include all you need on someone else's domain. Blogs and social profiles are generally not set up to provide every item you might need, such as a clear bio, resume, picture, and links all on the same page. You may get close. But there will always be limitations on what you can do. With your own domain, the only limits are those you set for yourself.

You have easy access to keep it updated. When you have your own domain, you make the rules about how often it gets updated. Just log on and get it done. This is true of some social profiles as well, but not all of them. Some require submitting help tickets that are handled whenever that site admin is able to. Get your own domain so that you dictate when your own online writer resume is updated.

Ooh, shiny things! Customization is the key to standing out. But you can only do so much of that on someone else's website. When you have your own online writer's resume on your own domain, you can jazz it up or tone it down at your own discretion. Design your profile around the topics you write and how you would like clients to see you.

Don't know how to make an online resume page? I can help at a reasonable cost. Check out my Design Services.

More from Lyn:

Lyn's Online Resume Page

Why All Web Writers Need a Website

Web Writing Tips: Fan and Follower No-Nos

Why would online article writers need a website if many article submission sites allow a professional profile? This is a question I get asked often when I mention the idea. Learn some of the many reasons all freelance web writers need a website of their own.

Writer's Resume

When applying for online writing jobs and gigs, reference links and/or a resume are often required. This will be much simpler for those with a website. Some may create an area where a client can download their resume by requesting the link. Others may post links to samples. Yet others may do both or handle it another way. Online article writers need a website in order to reference their work all in one place.

Professionalism

Professionalism is key, even though you don't see your clients face-to-face when writing online. A freelance writer's website is like a virtual resume, meeting place, and office at the same time. This is where you can let your clientele know you are professional by including all of the right things. A bio, samples, and a contact page are just a few. Read "8 Musts on a Freelance Writer's Website" for more details on those and other must-include items for professionalism.

Info Source

Even if a client finds your work elsewhere, they may want to know more than they can find in a limited bio attached to your profile on a content site. This is where your website comes in handy. Many content sites allow article writers to place a link to their website in their profile or bio. Also, be sure to link to it from any blogs or other profiles you have. Giving clients (both potential and current) a place to find more information about you as a person and as a writer is very beneficial to them as well as to your writing career.

Announcements

If you have any big writing projects, off days, exciting news, etc it can be posted to your website. Of course you don't want to announce information that is too personal, but a web writer's website can serve as a great way to spread the word. Doing this has many benefits. Some include letting clients see that you are accomplishing things, engaging with your audience, and also depending on the announcement it might bring in more readers or clientele.

File Storage

Depending on how much bandwidth your site allows, this can be a great place to store certain files. Of course you still need a hard copy backup, but storing them in a secure, hidden location on your website can help you keep everything related to your online article writing all in one spot. This also can free up space on your computer if you'd rather not have the files there. Just be sure, as mentioned above to keep a hard copy if you go this route.