I told my son, a parent himself and employed in the tech world, that I was thinking of designing a business card to promote myself as a freelance writer, especially when I was travelling, since I love landing travel writing jobs. “That’s so old millennium, Mom,” he scolded me. I learn so much from my adult children, and these days even from my preteen grandchildren.
Sometimes I feel as though I have lost an entire century and am living in the late 1800s. For example, I still heat my home with wood. And I may be the last holdout on the use of a cell phone or cable television. My adult children have been instrumental in at least trying to keep me in sync with the times.
Promote Your Writing with a Blog/Website
A few years ago, at my son’s encouragement, I set up a blog, specifically for my writing. Using one of the free online sites, I chose my template and was walked through the steps to get the blog up and running. On my blog are posts about my latest published work. There are links to all articles that I have written that can be read online. Additionally, I have categorized my published articles and list them as published. There are other goodies on my site such as some photos, links to useful writing sites, and more. You’ll have to take a look what’s on my blog to get some ideas, see what you like and what you don’t like, and create your own. The blog is kept current on a daily basis.
I find it extraordinarily helpful having my own writing blog. When I am submitting articles to an editor who is unfamiliar with my work, I can easily refer them to my blog where they can get a perspective on the scope of my writing, diverse topics of the many published magazine articles that have been written by me.
My blog serves as my website. But, if a website for your writing is more your style, there are cheap and easy ways to create your own site including your home page, contact information and anything and everything you want the world to know about your writing.
Become Noticed with Social Media
You probably cannot tell this about me from this and other articles I have had published on this website, but I am a very private person. I may be the “last man standing” when it comes to using Facebook. I am, however, well-connected on LinkedIn, also at the recommendation of my children. I was reluctant, at first, but with nearly two thousand connections in less than two years, some interesting writing opportunities have been offered to me via LinkedIn, so I highly encourage you to check it out.
Is it Mark Twain, or is it Samuel Clemens?
A few years ago, I was surprised when one of the editors who had published many articles that I have written, phoned me to talk about a problem he was having with me. At first, I became a little nervous. I like to think of myself as easy to work with, flexible and accommodating, dependable, and always able to meet writing deadlines, so I felt a little defensive.
As it turned out, his “problem” was totally different than I had expected; he wanted to publish more of my articles, but didn’t want it to look like I was writing so much. “Could you create a pen name to use for some of the articles?” he questioned. I felt a sigh of relief, and with one of my exercise buddies, walked what seemed like miles around our favorite park one afternoon, trying to come up with a pseudonym that would be meaningful for me, and functional for editors and for readers.
I am happy with the name I chose; a first name that is androgynous to keep readers guessing, and a last name with some personal relevance. I have used this pen name for this and other editors, and for some of the longer pieces that I sell on Amazon.com.
As a freelance writer, do you need a business card?
So my blog has brought writing jobs to me, as has my use of LinkedIn. But I still don’t have a business card for myself as a professional writer. On occasion, someone has asked for one, and with embarrassment, I have used a scrap of paper to scribble my contact information.
I am known to be frugal; just read my many published articles in The Dollar Stretcher, www.stretcher.com. But I don’t think that is really what is keeping me from having a business card for my writing. For about ten dollars, I believe I can have printed about as many business cards as I need from any number of our local print shops. Typically not a procrastinator, I think I am dragging my feet on the business card issue, because I know it should be fancier, or at least much more creative than the black type on white card stock for my business cards for my occupational therapy practice.
One of these days, I will come up with some clever design to create a memorable business card. It the meantime, my online presence via my BlogSpot blog and social media seem to be working their magic.
About the author:
Debra L. Karplus is a licensed occupational therapist, accountant, teacher, public speaker, mother and grandmother and freelance writer for several print and online venues. She writes a weekly blog for Advance for Occupational Therapy Practitioners and has been a featured columnist for grandmagazine.com and for Young Money and writes regularly for The Dollar Stretcher. She has been an item writer for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and an essay writer for the ACT. She speaks to high school students who are aspiring writers and has taught magazine writing classes through her local public school adult education program. She is consumed with hobbies including genealogy and do-it-yourself projects at home. She had articles published about all of the above. Learn more about Ms. Karplus at http://debrakarplus.blogspot.com.
Also by Debra Karplus:
1. Freelance Magazine Writing, It’s My Business (article)
2. How to Find Paid Writing Opportunities in Unexpected Places (article)
3. How to Conduct a Creative Writing Class for Children (article)
4. Sell Your Non-fiction Article by Writing a Winning Query Letter
5. 7 Effective Ways to Market your Articles (article)
6. Breaking into New Markets with your Freelance Writing (article)
7. How to Build an Idea Bank to Write Interesting Articles (article)
8. How to Make Your Article SEO-Friendly Before Selling It (article)
