A “good” website does what it’s supposed to do — for both the owner of the website and the person using the website.
A “good” website does what it’s supposed to do — for both the owner of the website and the person using the website.
A “bad” website doesn’t.
Let’s take your consulting website as an example.
If it’s “good,” it provides value and insight to your prospective client.
And because it does that, it generates conversations with your prospective clients (leads).
Most consultants want to generate more leads through their website — but they write and design it like a brochure, which adds no value.
So, they don’t generate any leads through their website.
Even if it’s a beautiful looking website, it’s not doing what you want it to do.
If you’re trying to win design awards, then a beautiful, unique-looking website is good.
But if you’re trying to add value and generate leads, then aesthetics are far less important.
The important lesson here is this:
It’s important for you to decide what you want your website to do.
And just because a website looks good, doesn’t mean it is good.
What are some of the best practices for setting up your LinkedIn profile to attract independent and freelance work?
Treat your LinkedIn profile like marketing material — not a resume.
You’re not looking for a job. You’re looking for clients.
Here’s a freelancer/consultant LinkedIn profile template that works well:
Notice how…
- It speaks to your potential client instead of about yourself
- It shows the results you can create for your clients, not just your skills
- It includes social proof in the form of testimonials
- It has a clear, direct call-to-action
LinkedIn can be an excellent way for freelancers and consultants to attract clients.
But if you approach it like a traditional job-search website, you won’t get very far.
Instead, write your LinkedIn profile like marketing material.
Its job is to create intrigue and conversations with your ideal clients.
What is the first step before starting a business?
Realize that you already are a business.
You’re not an employee, you’re a business.
We just changed all the names.
- Posting your resume is marketing
- Interviewing is sales
- Salary negotiation is pricing
- Your employer is your customer
It’s smart business to have multiple customers.
-Courland Allen
Couldn’t have said it any better myself.
If you can get one employer (customer), you can get multiple employers (customers).
And if you can get customers, you can start a business.
“The purpose of business is to create and keep a customer.“
-Peter Drucker
Where can I get free blog post formats/templates?
Backlinko has a list of fantastic blog post templates you can use.
And you know they work because Brian Dean (the owner of Backlinko) uses them himself — and he’s crushing it with SEO:
Here is a list of the templates he provides in the article 7 Proven Blog Post Templates (That Work Like A Charm):
The Classic List Post
The Detailed Case Study
The Product Showdown
Things To Do After “X”
The Beginner’s Guide
How They Did It Post
The Myth Debunker
My personal favorites are The Classic List Post and The Beginner’s Guide.
With any template, make sure that you tweak them and make them your own. Add your unique twist to it.
That’s what makes it valuable to your audience.