Q: How important are different aspects of branding oneself? I want to set up my professional website, but I can’t decide which font or colors to use, which website template to choose, whether I should invest in a graphic, what to put in my tagline… help!
A: (Katie Yeakle) This is such a great question, because it holds back many writers who would otherwise be great success stories. So know this: At the end of the day, the only thing that really matters on your website is the copy you write.
Your online copy serves as an example of your writing ability, plus it informs possible clients as to what types of writing services you offer and how to get in touch with you.
Beyond the copy, everything else is just window dressing. A personalized graphic and a well-chosen design might impress a client, but it means nothing if the copy on the page can’t stand on its own. On the other hand, a well-written website with little design and color can still persuade people to hire you to write.
I recommend narrowing down your options and then giving yourself a small window to make a decision. For example, if you’re torn between several color schemes, narrow it down to two and give yourself 10 minutes to decide. Or ask someone to do it for you.
The same goes for the website template you choose. As for whether or not to have your own graphic or tagline, those things are nice, but not essential. If you can set them up with only a minor investment of your time and you like the outcome, go for it. But don’t worry about it if the price or the time-investment is too high.
For more suggestions on building your brand, check out our article on making your own website here.
