So, Was It Worth It? Analyzing My Launch Into Cyberspace

Hello fellow freelancers! For those of you who remember me, I’m sorry it has taken me so long to get my last post here on the blog. (For those of you who don’t remember me: never mind.)

When I last posted I had just launched my Web site, www.kathyehrichdowd.com, and promised to post one more time to let you know what I’d done to promote the site and to share my thoughts on my first foray into cyberspace.

In a nutshell, I can report that the site has not directly led to any new assignments. Editors have not discovered me on the Internet, tracked me down and handed me the assignment of my dreams on a silver platter. Not surprised? Neither am I. HOWEVER, I do feel the site has increased my street cred among publicists, fellow journalists and even interview subjects—and that alone makes me feel it is worthwhile.

I spread the word about the site in a few ways shortly after launching it late last year. First, I printed up new business cards to include my Web site address. Second, I added an email “signature” to my hotmail account, which includes the site’s address as well as my home office and cell numbers at the bottom of every email I send (unless I choose to delete it out). Doing these things took less than an hour out of my life and yet they continually pay dividends. Whether I’m trying to get in the good graces of a publicist or attempting to convince a possible interview subject to talk with me I know my Web site validates me as a journalist. I get a lot of compliments on the site and I can tell it legitimizes me a PROFESSIONAL and probably makes people think of me as more than just some fast-talking crazy lady with a hotmail address.

Not everything I did to promote the site and myself has paid off. For instance, I paid $14 for a listing on mediabistro’s Freelance Marketplace for one month. (It would have been $19, but I’m an AvantGuild member so they knocked five bucks off.) I spent a lot of time crafting my listing and was proud I could provide a link to my site. Sadly, all the effort was for naught. I was contacted exactly once: by a scammer interested to involve me in an “enticing” overseas business deal.

Other than the things detailed above I have not promoted my site aggressively. Frankly, I ran out of ideas. Yahoo Small Business, the application I used to design my site, has a “promote your site” function I used shortly after it went live, but as far as I could tell it didn’t do much. It also took a month or two for my site to come up as the initial listing on Google when I’d search my name. (Yes, I am cringing while I write about Googling myself, but I know it needs to be done—though not to excess.) However, now that the site IS the first thing that comes in a Google search I am quite pleased.

So, as I wind down my final blog entry I sincerely hope some of you have benefited from my posts in some way. Also, I am currently scheduled to serve as a panelist at the SPJ national convention in September, so I hope to meet many of you in Atlanta shortly. (Also, profuse thanks to SPJ freelance committee chairwoman Amy Green, who is working hard to put together valuable panels and workshops for attending freelancers.) As always, feel free to drop me a note at kathy_ehrich@hotmail.com and I wish everyone else success and luck as you pursue your freelance careers. KATHY EHRICH DOWD