Why All Web Writers Need an Online Resume Page

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

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