Chapter 1: Do Freelance Content Creators Still Need a Website?

In the debate surrounding whether content creators should maintain their own websites, the prevailing sentiment might be a resounding "Absolutely!" However, there are compelling arguments that suggest otherwise. Many individuals engaged in content creation understand the necessity of promoting themselves through appropriate channels to cultivate their personal brand, display their work, and grow their audience.

They often share content and insightful articles related to their industry on social media, which helps them connect with peers and remain visible to potential clients. To showcase their skills, many creators gravitate towards platforms with extensive user bases. For instance, prolific video creators often utilize YouTube for lead generation, while writers may choose Medium or Substack. The added advantage of monetization options on these platforms allows them to access significant traffic while also generating income.

For numerous self-employed professionals—and even established companies—their primary online footprint may consist of a Facebook business page, a Medium blog, or profiles on freelancing platforms like Fiverr or Upwork. Personally, I lean towards a more traditional approach; when I initiated my freelance writing career last year, my first step was establishing a dedicated website to serve as my online business card. Despite dedicating considerable effort to my site, I've noticed that, within just six months, my content is garnering significantly more views on external sites like Medium and LinkedIn—thousands more, in fact.

This realization led me to question whether having a personal website is truly necessary for self-promotion and work showcase in 2022. After reflecting on this dilemma, I concluded that, while diversifying content distribution is undoubtedly beneficial, maintaining a personal website remains crucial for several reasons:

1. Professional Credibility: Potential clients may find it somewhat dubious if you lack a personal website where they can evaluate your work and background. A website provides a platform for you to elaborate on your work processes and credentials, lending an air of professionalism.
2. Control Over Content Visibility: Even if your content on external platforms adheres to best practices, it remains subject to the whims of their algorithms, which can result in underexposure of your best work. Conversely, your own website allows you to publish without those restrictions and manage visibility as you see fit.
3. Resource Management: If you wish to offer downloadable content or collect information via forms, your personal website serves as the ideal venue for such activities. I share various free resources on my site, and while I can link to them elsewhere, only my website facilitates the actual downloads.
4. Ownership of Your Audience: On external platforms, while you can build an audience, you often do not truly "own" that audience or have full insight into their demographics. Your access to this audience can be limited by the platform, leading to potential frustrations. In contrast, a personal website allows you to cultivate a mailing list, giving you direct access to an audience that you control, making it an invaluable asset for your business.

In summary, although my viewership remains higher on external sites, my website plays a pivotal role in client discovery and serves as a reliable fallback should those other platforms ever become unavailable. What are your thoughts? Do you believe having a personal website is essential for your business, or are you content with your presence on other platforms?

In this video, "How to start your small business as a content creator in 2022," viewers are guided through the steps to launch a successful content creation venture. It covers essential strategies for establishing a strong online presence.

Chapter 2: The Case for Content Creators to Have Their Own Website

The video titled "5 Reasons Why Content Creators Should Have A Website" outlines the critical advantages of owning a website, emphasizing its role in enhancing credibility, control over content, and audience engagement.