Do Freelancers Need Websites?

Recently we looked at the essential ingredients of ye olde paper-based CV.  Whilst it's important to know how to construct a CV for a media employer, increasingly freelancers are finding that the best CV is no CV at all.

It's no secret that the media world runs on personal contacts - this isn't always a bad thing if you take a positive attitude to it. Instead of whingeing about the fact that you're not in with the right people, ask yourself honestly: What can I do to make the contacts I need?

One way to make yourself more visible to the people who need to know about you is to create a website advertising your services. Think of it as an alternative to the traditional CV, with the advantage that you can include a lot more information and samples of work.

Sometimes freelancers can be unsure about starting a website. Is it too much of an ego thing? (Here's a site all about meeeeeeeee!) Will it be worth the time and expense?

In an age when even your pet hamster can have its own site, what's stopping you? A good site is a statement to the world that you are a professional with a body of work to be proud of (though you wouldn't say no to a bit more).

One small but crucial difference between a traditional and a web-based CV is that, whilst you almost certainly don't need a photo for a regular CV, for a website you almost certainly do.  Websites can be fairly sterile, and your photo is a useful way to humanise it.  Also if you are a freelance journalist it's not beyond the realms of possibilty that you might be asked to appear on TV, and TV people will want to see a photo.  It's not so much that you need to look a certain way, it just helps to reassure tham that you don't have four heads and a parrot nailed to your nose.

From talking to many freelance journalists, broadcasters and other media workers, not one has said that they regretted the energy put into creating a website. All said that they found it enhanced their credibility and attracted work.

So when planning your site, consider these points:

• What function do you want your site to serve? What do you want it to do for you and your career?
• What attracts you/puts you off about other sites from people in your profession?
• How will you promote your site?
• How will you update it?

And of course, when will it be ready and open for business?