Elements of a Writer’s Website

You might be wondering what exactly to put on your writer’s website. There are a few elements I think should be on any writer’s website, but in the end, your particular needs should determine what your site contains.

The core of your site should show you and your talents off in the best possible light, and as thoroughly as possible:

• Your bio: A short description of who you are, your history, and your writing. Freelancers seeking clients might also include a description of work they’ve done, links to client sites, or even a resume.
• Your portfolio: At the very least, a list of your books, articles, and other published work. If possible, include samples or clips, as well as links to work published online.
• News and updates: A blog or other system of posting upcoming events, recent publications, major life changes, what you’re working on, your thoughts, and whatever else strikes your fancy that you think readers would be interested in.
• A way to contact you: Either post your email and mailing address somewhere, or include a “Contact Me” page with a form for sending email and an address for sending mail. If you’re hesitant to include your home address, use a PO Box, or a publisher’s or agent’s address.

Other information you might wish to include:

• Testimonials or blurbs: If you do client work, ask your best clients to write testimonials you can post on the website. If you have book jacket blurbs, post some of those.
• Services offered: Freelancers should list what, exactly, they do: copyediting, direct response, newsletters, technical manuals, etc.. If you have fixed rates, list them, but many freelancers set rates on a per-job basis and can leave rates out of their description.
• Links: A page or sidebar list with links to other authors in your niche, information on the topics you write on, or general writing information. Or all three — whatever sites you use and recommend.
• Press kit: A summary page and a few images can be useful if you’re seeking any kind of press coverage. Make sure you have the right to distribute the images — even if they are pictures of you, the photographer who took them has certain rights under copyright law.

Because you’re not limited by space, you can expand your site at will, adding sections when the need arises. That said, it’s a good idea to have a rough plan of what information you want t include on your website from the start, so that you don’t end up cluttering your site by haphazardly adding new sections and information.