Copywriting website - chicken or egg?!

[Razamataz]

I'm about to launch my copywriting business and I'm completely undecided about a website. On one hand I'd like my own website to showcase my experience and writing style. But, apart from loads of similar examples from my previous PR role at a university and some ancient cuttings from when I was a journalist and agency PR, I don't yet have a strong portfolio.

Can anyone advise whether I'd be better off waiting until I get the work in before launching a website, and instead relying on LinkedIN, Twitter, etc for online promotion? Or maybe I should launch one anyway and talk vaguely about the kinds of work I've done in the past.

A case of 'chicken or egg' if ever there was one...

Thanks in advance.

What type of copywriting do you do?

I would ALWAYS want to see examples of work before engaging with a new writer. Might be worth doing some freebie type work first so that you have a client list and examples of published work? Not too much obviously as you don't want to work for free!

Oh, a writer I worked with did have a blog which she used as a platform for showcasing written work in her target areas of interest (fashion, lifestyle, weddings).

Thanks Saffra.

I'm not planning to specialise in anything particular, but hoping I'm versatile enough to tackle any consumer writing job

I could definitely cobble together an online portfolio of my published work for a website. It's just that all of the recent examples are for the University I've been working for, and the others (for a magazine, local newspaper, agency clients) are several years old.

I guess my question is whether having those kind of examples on a personal website would be preferable to not having an online portfolio at all. The alternative would be having my own website and just referring to work I've done, or not having a website at all and relying on LinkedIN, Twitter, etc, until I'm more established.

The blogging idea is a good one, and something I'm also considering.

I would think that even the ones several years old are better than having none at all? Unless you have a relationship with an agency, i'd imagine most new clients would want to see examples of work. Whether they are there already or you have to email them.

So, my vote is for having a website now. Maybe with a blog section within it that you can use to demonstrate fluency in target specialisms.

Just my thoughts though, others may disagree!

i am a small freelance business and i have a professional blog rather than a website as it felt more natural to me (wordpress).

I would be inclined to say, use the stuff even if it's old. Otherwise there's no easily accessible evidence that you have ever been published. Blogging is good as well, though because sometimes people have had work published and it's actually down to the talents of a nameless sub-editor that it's readable at all.

(I know this is true from my years in publishing....)

Thanks again for all your advice.

I think I've decided on a plan. Once I've officially resigned from work which is taking ages (long story), I'm going to get straight on the phone to my contacts (who already know I can write) to test whether there's likely to be any immediate work for me. If there is (fingers crossed) I'll postpone the website until I have at least a few recent published examples of writing under my belt.

If nothing crops up I'll do as you suggest and launch a website with my existing (albeit old) portfolio and some blogs, in the hope it'll attract brand new clients.

Thanks again and wish me luck!

Be careful about putting pdfs or images of articles up on your website unless you have an NLA (newspaper licencing agency) license which allows you to copy items that have appeared in the press. They can be Rottweiller-like in hunting you down. I think adding in links to the online articles is OK though.

You could put together a portfolio which you can email to potential clients once they enquire - a lot of copywriters don't have examples of work on their websites.

Linked In and Facebook are great for showcasing your wares. I have set up a Facebook page for my copywriting business as a lot of my FB friends and contacts are potential clients too.

A blog is a great way of demonstrating your writing style, and it can be linked to FB, Twitter and Linked In of course.

Re tour own website, you could buy and register a domain (will only cost a few quid per annum) and just put up a holding page for the time being - at least that way potential clients see you have a website and you can put the address on your business cards etc. You will need a website eventually - and you can use the domain for your email address too, ie [email protected]. sounds better than Hotmail or a generic emails address.

However, I've been in business for almost a year now and my website is still at the holding page stage!