At least one blog, yes. Of course you can also use blog software, like Wordpress, to build entire sites - like your portfolio site - and then you can add any work you like to that portfolio site as you go along.
Here is what confuses me about starting a blog: 1. I write for different audiences: non-profit, metaphysical, wedding, fashion/beauty, weight loss -- those are some of my "regular" clients. I am having trouble putting together a "voice" that would easily fit for each of these niches comfortably. lol 2. I am a bit shy and don't like to talk about myself, so I don't really want to do the "here is how my day went" type of posts. I'm fine when I have a topic, but ask me to talk about myself and I'm totally stumped. 3. I may be a writer -- but I don't have a ton of "advice" to offer people about writing. I love to write and I'm happiest when I write, but I don't have a lot of "here's what you need to do" type of things to say about writing. Maybe as my career advances. 4. The idea of www.myrealname.com kind of freaks me out! lol I guess it relates back to being shy. I don't mind people knowing who I am, but I'm not a big "in your face" kind of person. 5. There is this small voice in the back of my mind that is saying "WHO is going to read this blog you are putting so much thought into writing?" lol I welcome any thoughts. Ironically I'm still interested in doing a blog -- I thought I would share what seems to be blocking me from doing it. Abby
The hardest thing I ever did was start a blog. I can write for days on almost any topic as long as that topic is not about me. Getting past the shyness is the first step to finding the best voice for your blog.
Espresso Chick, I can utterly relate to where you're coming from but then that's why writers pick names. That way you get the anonymity you require to make your writing public whilst still keeping yourself private. You don't need to write about yourself at all, so it doesn't really matter how your day went. Pity you're into the idea of writing about the writing process though because people are always looking for that. My suggestion would be to set up something to showcase the various different styles and topics you have written about. You could also use a few different pen-names and instead of using your own name, you make up your own company name, like Espresso Copywriting Services, or whatever, and upload various articles and news, what articles you sold, etc, etc. You might think that's dishonest but the reality is people are more likely to hire from a company than a single copywriter, even though you have a broad range of articles and copy - in fact I'll go so far as to say *despite* that fact. Now there are a few niche writers on this forum and many of them give great advice but for the most part, when it comes to writing, you have to be flexible. Your average Corporate Joe isn't used to seeing flexibility, and gets intimidated by it, and as for inventiveness... That's why it's not a bad idea to package different niches, styles and topics different, by, for example, using different pen names. Myself I've got more aliases than a secret agent at this point.
Marketing yourself is hard for a lot of people to do. But you have to do it. It is one of those things a lot of people are resistant to.