Do you want to get your writing noticed? If you advertise your writing and don’t have a homepage or blog, you’re wasting your time. These websites are online business cards with much more information than the printed ones. It shows editors and publishers what you do, gets potential readers interested and makes you accessible. Anyone who is looking for a writer for a book or article assignment can be referred there. If you don’t have your website in place, it is time to seriously think about it.
You can use a cheap website builder and get your own domain for not too much money. But when starting out, even that might be a strain on you. Running your own blog can do as much for you as a paid for homepage. Maybe it does even more as your regular updates will give samples to potential customers. And a living blog is better to draw in search results than a sterile homepage. It is also more fun to regularly write new content for the page. Free blogs usually allow you to add some free static pages where you can say all the things needed to get you going.
Into your page, you'll need to get the relevant information about you and your writing. There should be an 'about' page where you showcase what you have to offer. This page should contain a bio with all relevant facts that lets editors and readers know who you are and what you have under your bonnet. This can be special knowledge you acquired on the way, language skills, or simply samples of your writing with links.
Whatever you leave out of your page, your contact information is a must. It has to be displayed and prominently so. Don't think that repeating contact information on several pages is overkill; people are lazy and happy if you bang them over the head with stuff they would otherwise have to look for. You absolutely have to display an email address. Customers aren't necessarily based in your country. You can display a phone number, too, but don't forget the international country code. The dictum for an international country code is also valid if you live in the United States or Canada; just because you think you know it doesn't mean that anyone else in the world cares the least bit for that.
If possible, display a picture of you that is consistent with your branding avatar. While a picture isn't mandatory, a photograph is a nice thing to include into your site. A professional portrait would be nice, but go for anything that you think will get the visitor to relate to you. The picture might be integrated into a press page where you submit a blurb of your writing career for anyone interested. Bloggers can take down this information when writing about you or possibly reviewing a book you have out for sale.
If you have received testimonials from any of your customers, it would be great to show them to prospective customers. Testimonials and reviews give you even more credibility than your writing samples. Other people can say things about your writing qualities that you can’t say yourself without sounding like a conceited ass. Don't be afraid to ask for testimonials. Your favorite editors will even be flattered that you asked them for a testimonial. If it’s a book you’re plugging, include positive reviews you've received. A sales link to your book would be perfectly in order.
Don't hesitate to show a bit of personality. Include some personal glimpses into your bio. If you were a proficient tennis player once or climbed the Anapurna, as long as it gives the reader something to hook onto, it's fine. It might even provide relevant writing requests.
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