New writers ask me all the time whether they really need a website. Whereas my past answer would have been an emphatic yes, that’s getting harder to justify in an age of LinkedIn and Instagram. Is there still a need for writer websites?
My answer is still yes.
With the implosion of Twitter, and the coming and going of new social platforms, isn’t it worth it to have a platform you pay for and control the content? I consider my website to be the authority on my reputation as a writer, and the good news is that the only person allowed to upload to it is me.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺
Social media isn’t designed for showcasing professional work. LinkedIn articles disappear into feeds. Instagram works for visual portfolios but not for writers.
When potential clients want to see your range and depth, social media can’t provide that view. Work samples get buried in the flow and you can’t showcase the process behind stories.
A website lets you organize your portfolio deliberately. By content type—articles, reports, case studies. By client or industry. By topic area. You curate your best work.
When a prospective client lands on my website, they can understand what I do, how I work, and why I might be right for their project. That’s hard to communicate in a social media profile.
Testimonials, case studies, detailed service descriptions—all of this works better on your own site where you control the presentation.
Also embracing a website doesn’t mean giving up on social. Your website becomes your hub, and your social media platforms your distribution centre. Your hub remains intact and authoritative despite any changes to social.
The question isn’t website OR social media
It’s website AND social media. Use social for connection, conversation, and visibility. That’s where you engage with peers, share quick insights, and stay present in your professional community.
Use your website for credibility, portfolio showcase, and client conversion. That’s where serious prospects go to evaluate whether to hire you.
I post regularly on LinkedIn, sharing industry observations and quick tips. But when someone wants to hire me, I send them to my website. That’s where they can see my full portfolio, read detailed case studies, and understand my approach.
After two decades of freelancing, I’m more convinced than ever that writers need a home base they control. Where do potential clients find you when they search your name?
I also share these blog posts on LinkedIn – visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbowness/ to connect with me there. Or hire me to create content for your website!
