If you want to make money writing online you need to set up a web presence as a writer. The Daily Writing Tips course that I’m doing at the moment suggests that it’s useful to have either a website or a blog to showcase your work, so that potential clients have somewhere to see who you are and what you can do for them. It’s also useful to have a selection of articles or blogs as examples, plus a list of subjects that you can write about.
The decision I had to make this week was whether I could use my existing website Tips and Luxuries as my web presence, or set up a new one as a one stop shop (to include links to all my blogs/sites). Today I’ve been looking to see what other writers do and have read up on the benefits of selling your services via a website named after you. Using your own name seems to be a popular choice for writers and photographers. It’s a way of getting your name known – kind of like a brand.
The launch
I made the decision and launched www.sandramadeira.com which includes links to where examples of my work can be found. What I have learnt today is that it doesn’t take long to set yourself up and it doesn’t have to be very expensive. The benefit for me was that the web space and domain name are free for a year and I’ve only had to pay a small set up fee. The domain name is also owned by me which makes it easy to transfer to another service provider if I choose to.
Where is this new step taking me?
As I’m just 22 days away from the half way point of my year of writing tips (161 blogs written, 205 to go), I’m looking for my next challenge; a step forward which can only strengthen my experience and web presence. This doesn’t mean that I won’t continue to blog on ‘mywritingnotebook‘ (as I am enjoying building up my knowledge and remain passionate about sharing my tips), but I am looking forward to spreading my wings wider and blogging for others as well.
Recently I have been approached by a company who is new to the blogging world and I have been involved in helping to set them up on WordPress. This is due to go live soon and I will include links on my website for the blogs I write for them.
I am so excited about my new writing career – things can only get better! Also by learning more each day, I never seem to be short of ideas for new blogs which is fantastic.
This blog forms part of my writing challenge. Don’t forget that you can subscribe to receive my daily blogs by email so that you don’t miss any. Just click ‘sign me up’ on the home page. Alternatively you can follow my blogs on Twitter or my ‘Tips and Luxuries‘ Facebook page. Requests for future blogs (punctuation/grammar/writing tips) are always welcome.
Until tomorrow…
Sandra
My Tips and Luxuries website: (includes the introduction to my upcoming book ‘A Gift for Stressed and Busy Parents’)
Twitter: @madeirasandra and @tipsandluxuries
Reference list:
Daily Writing Tips – www.dailywritingtips.com
Related articles
- Note 123 – Organising your web content (mywritingnotebook.wordpress.com)
My Writing Notebook 
Wow, how do you have time for everyone and everything?! Nice blog though, will have to check out your website too. The little ’tissue dog’ picture was cute!
Posted by Neeks | October 9, 2011, 2:28 amThanks for the comment. Fitting everything in can be very difficult some days, but my passion and determination pulls me through.
The tissue dog picture has actually been quite popular – might do something else like that (for anyone who reads this and doesn’t know what I am talking about it’s on my other blog http://sandramadeira.wordpress.com and the title of the post is ‘Interesting rubbish’.
Thanks again
Sandra
Posted by Sandra Madeira | October 9, 2011, 9:04 pmHi Sandra,
I was referred to you by Ali Luke (just joined her freelance online class a week or so ago).
I am planning my blog and want to use a “join me on my writing journey” approach, like a journal rather than a lecturer “guru” on writing. I do want to attract freelance customers as well as share my writing tips and experiences. So, since you are using a similar approach in this blog, How is it working for you?
I like what I read above. Soon I will read more of your posts. What I like is your warm and honest tone, as well as your sharing your excitement.
Greetings from Northwest Oregon!
Bill
Posted by Bill Polm | October 9, 2011, 8:12 pmHi Bill
Thank you so much for your kind comments. My writing blog is working brilliant for me because I am learning loads day by day and I get comfort in thinking that hopefully it is expanding the knowledge of others too. I think that being honest and blogging in a teaching style is something people warm to (as you mentioned). It’s hard work as I’m usually blogging at the end of my working day, but it’s all worth it when I get comments like yours (thank you). That just makes me more determined to write something even better the next day.
Let me know when your blog is set up and I’ll give you a mention on mine.
Good luck
Sandra
Posted by Sandra Madeira | October 9, 2011, 9:01 pm