This URL is how people will remember you! It represents the work you do! It represents YOU! It’s got to be the perfect internet vanity plate!

And then, of course, there’s the problem that we’ve all run into. When you finally decide on the perfect domain name, you check to see if the domain is available…and it’s already taken. Back to the drawing board.

Take a deep breath. We’re here to help you figure out how to name your blog, so you can move onto the fun stuff — actually blogging.

How to choose a domain name for your blog

If you take nothing else away from this article, remember this: the best domain names are easy to type and easy to remember.

We live in a constant state of content overload. With social media feeds that never end, inboxes that don’t stay at zero for long (if ever), and a crazy number of new blog posts published each month, it’s fair to assume that most users of the internet are a bit overwhelmed.

Your domain name needs to be memorable. This fact is worth fixating on and even repeating. If you want people to come to your blog once and then again after they appreciate the value you bring, they need to be able to remember your URL.

It also needs to be easy to understand and write out. If you say your domain name out loud to someone, they should be able to turn around and type that URL into their browser. If they can’t do that, they’ll never get to your website.

Let’s look at my own website, The-Blogsmith.com, as an example. I made this very mistake when I chose this domain, and I learned from it.

My domain is too complicated, and too easy to get wrong. Acquaintances who try to remember it often end up typing in variations like blogsmith.com or theblogsmith.com, which are pretty close…but not my domain name.

While I probably wouldn’t change my domain name at this point (unless theblogsmith.com was available!), it’s worth noting the challenges that come with complicating your URL with something as seemingly innocuous as a dash.

Here are a few solid options when it comes to choosing a domain name.

Use your own name

When deciding how to name your blog, choosing a URL that’s your name or reflective or your name is always a smart idea.

FirstNameLastName.com is the gold standard.

Want to see if your name is available as a URL?

Type it into this box and Bluehost will tell you if you can grab it:

When sharing your blog’s domain name with people you meet in person or even online, it’ll be easier for them to recall this correctly, since your name is pretty straightforward.

(Unless, of course, it’s not. If you have a name that’s difficult to spell or remember, consider picking a variation of your name instead, or one of the options we’re about to review below.)

If you have a popular name, your ideal domain name might have already gotten scooped up. In that case, choose one of these options: 

• A nickname

Here’s an example of someone who has taken this route: ryrob.com. Ryan Robinson is a blogger who chose this domain name on a whim during a college class because his friends called him “Ry Rob.” It stuck, and he has grown the URL into a popular blog.

• Your name + middle initial

Here’s an example of someone who has taken this route: benlcollins.com. Ben Collins is a Google Developer Expert who teaches online courses about Google Sheets. His first and last name are common, so he added his middle initial.

• Your name + what you do

Here’s an example of someone who has taken this route: carolinewinnphotograpy.com. Caroline Winn is, you guessed it, a wedding photographer. It’s a bonus that her specialty is clear immediately from her URL.

• FirstName-LastName.com

Google won’t penalized you for using a hyphen in your URL. Here’s an example of someone who has taken this route: kimberly-palmer.com. Kim Palmer is a personal finance writer. The hyphen in her URL makes her name easy to read.

One massive benefit of starting a blog or business with your name is it will remain relevant even if you make a shift in your work. Say you start out as a social media consultant and put “social media” in your name, then pivot to offering a full content marketing package instead. Your new direction would no longer match your URL. This is worth thinking about as you consider how to name your blog!

Choosing a domain name that’s your name or a variation of your name also helps build your personal brand. Making your URL synonymous with your name makes it that much easier to gain traction and recognition. 

If you’re not 100% sure where you want your blog to go in the future, picking a domain name based on your name is the smartest option.

Use your business name

It’s a good practice to buy your domain name shortly after coming up with a blog or business name, or while deliberating between a few of your favorite ideas.

Why? Because if you decide to first incorporate your business and the matching domain name is already taken, you’re SOL.

Or are you? You certainly wouldn’t be the first person to come up with a great business name only to be disappointed by the available domain name results.

Here are some ideas for domain name variations that play on your business or blog name:

• Incorporate your name into the business name (for example, MaddCopy)
• Synonyms of the individual words that make up the business name
• Alliteration to assist in recall
• A different language (if it’s relevant in some way)
• Relevant industry jargon so people can instantly understand they’re in the right place and/or something that describes what you do clearly
• A play on words with a domain extension (ex/ Groupon’s link shortener is gr.pn)
• Dashes between your first and last name (or words in your business)
• Adding “the” before your business name
• Incorporate power words and descriptive adjectives

What about .org or .net?

If you absolutely can’t come up with a URL that’s available as a .com, you could consider another extension, such as .org, .co or .net. Bluehost also offers many more obscure extensions.

There are a number of downsides to this approach, including these two biggies:

• Most people assume all URLs end in .com

Say they actually remember your first and last name and type that correctly into their browser…but then they add .com instead of .co, and it takes them to someone else’s website. We talked above about the importance of your domain name being memorable, and using an extension other than .com throws a wrench in that.

• Dot com domains tend to show up higher in Google’s search rankings 

This is partly because .com domains tend to be associated with trust. (So do .edu and .gov, but you probably won’t have those choices for your business unless you’re associated with an educational institution or government organization.)

If you show up high in Google search, someone who’s looking for you might find you more easily, and you could get more general search traffic to your blog.

Still, if you absolutely can’t find a .com URL that works for you, plenty of professionals and businesses make their online homes at .org, .net or another domain extension.

How to name your blog: Is your ideal URL available?

The easiest way to incorporate your chosen domain name is to buy it through the hosting company you’d like to work with. This will save you from the technical headaches that occur if you buy a domain from one company and then have to point it toward a different web host.

Bluehost is an easy choice for an all-in-one solution; you can purchase your domain there AND use it as a web host.

(If this is confusing, review our guide on how to start a blog. We explain everything there, including how to install WordPress after you purchase your domain and hosting.)

The Write Life has a partnership with Bluehost whereby they allow our readers to purchase hosting for $2.95/month. The cool part is that INCLUDES your domain.

Here’s the domain checker so you can see if your ideal URL is available:

If you’re still totally at a loss for choosing a domain name, consider some of these domain name generators. They do the creative work for you.

This post contains affiliate links. That means if you purchase through our links, you’re supporting The Write Life — and we thank you for that!

This is an updated version of a story that was previously published. We update our posts as often as possible to ensure they’re useful for our readers.

Photo via GuadiLab / Shutterstock 

First, there’s dealing with the rejection that my article wasn’t as perfect as I thought. Then, there’s dealing with another personality who thinks they know better than me. Finally, there’s the time and energy I have to cut out of my day to deal with the changes that need to be made in order for my article to be considered ready for publication.

Of course, these reactions all glaze over the positive aspects of editing.

Like the fact that the editor probably knows a lot better than me what the publication’s audience likes, and the fact that they also have industry expertise to contribute on top of mine. Or, there’s the fact that having another set of skilled eyes on my content can take it from OK to truly awesome.

Here’s the bottom line: Edits make content better.

Great content with your name behind it is one of the best inbound marketing tactics that a writer can employ. If you’re anything like me, you’ll need to get over these negative feelings you sometimes have around edits and embrace the possibilities that come with improving your writing.

The challenge comes back to dealing with unexpected edits, and fitting them into your day. But here’s the process I’ve started to develop for you to adapt as your own:

A process for managing edits

Editing comes into play multiple times during the article writing process. Before determining how to deal with article edits, it may be necessary to first define and break down your article writing process.

Personally, I like to break down article creation into three steps:

1. Research and creating an outline that provides everything I need to write my first draft without using the internet. This is as much for preparedness as it is for productivity.
2. Writing the first draft relatively quickly.
3. Going back in and making the draft actually sound good, checking for spelling/grammar/agreement issues.

The remaining steps here involve the client:

1. Sending in my edited draft
2. Standing by for any edits, and making them when requested
3. Repeating steps 4 & 5 if necessary until the piece satisfies the client

Following a process provides many opportunities for learning. If you’re really good at documentation, you should be able to create some distinctions for what percentage of time you spend on each step in your process — including edits. Knowing how much time each part of your process takes can help you to build your schedule accordingly.

The self-editing process

During the editing process, I incorporate a number of self-edits. ere are a few self-edits I personally incorporate during my first round of edits, before sending the piece to the client.

• Spelling/grammar/agreement: These are some of the silliest mistakes I never want to make. Any editor will just think you’re lazy if you turn in a piece with these issues. A browser extension like Grammarly can help you to avoid the worst ones.

• Parallelism: This step involves making sure that subheadings make sense together, and making sure that I didn’t use a period on one bullet, but not another. A lack of parallelism is another thing that drives editors crazy when they find it, so I do my best to edit it out before they have the chance to!

• Fact checking: Sometimes I make assumptions during writing, knowing that it’s important to just get the draft done. I usually mark any facts I’m not sure of (or that need sources) so that I know to go back in and check after writing my first draft.

• Read aloud: You’d be amazed by how much weird phrasing I catch during this critical step. If you’re just reading for edits in your head, you’ll lose out on catching some subtle nuances that weaken your piece.

Becoming a better self-editor

Up until now, we’ve just covered the basics of self-editing. But dealing with article edits is something that you have to be constantly working to improve in order to lock down the best freelance writing jobs.

If you keep making the same mistakes over and over again, an editor will assume that you’re not teachable, and that they’d rather not deal with the extra work your articles require before publication.

When it comes to improving your craft, first make sure you’re doing your part. There’s a distinct difference between an amazing article that could be made a bit better with edits, and a crappy article that needs a complete overhaul to be somewhat useful.

Become self-aware of your writing issues by analyzing the edits people tend to ask you for. Are they consistently about the same types of things? Are you ignoring specific things they’re asking for in the style guide? If the answer to either question is “yes”, guess what — you’re the problem.

Again, a process can be helpful when it comes to dealing with edits for each specific/consistent client. When a client asks for changes, make sure to save them for your future reference. Create an Evernote document that you can refer back to, ideally before turning in subsequent assignments. If your client has a style guide, give it a brief look before starting your assignment, and again before turning it in — especially if the relationship is new.

How edits fit into your schedule

Finally, set aside a specific day and time to deal with edits. On the front end of your article creation (AKA, before you send it into the client for the first time), you’ve ideally put a day between drafting and editing, so you can come into the topic with a clearer mind.

If edits are requested after you turn in the article, try to resist the temptation to tackle them right after getting an email from your client. Instead, pick a specific time over the next few days where you have nothing else scheduled, to avoid breaking the flow of whatever project you’re currently working on.

No client should expect a 24 hour or less turnaround on edits unless that’s something you’ve specifically stipulated in your contract. If they want a rush, they should expect to pay as such. That said, depending on the nature of the article, you should aim to deliver within the next few days — a whole week may reduce the timeliness of your topic, or hurt the client’s posting schedule.

I personally try to aim to get edits back within three days or so, unless the client specifically tells me there isn’t a rush. The most important thing is that you and the client are on the same page about edits. If you don’t know when they want them back, ask!

No matter how you go about approaching edits, if you know a client typically comes back asking for them after you turn in an article, automatically schedule in some time to take care of them within the week. This will help you to create a process around dealing with them, instead of letting them run your schedule.

Communication is key when it comes to dealing with clients and edits. If you’re going to be working with someone for the foreseeable future, you need to be direct about making the editing process work for you. So take charge and define where and how you need edit suggestions to take place.

The thought of dealing with article edits doesn’t have to evoke panic if you’ve taken the time to put a process in place for dealing with them. Think of edits as a way to improve the public perception of your work, which will come in handy as you’re pitching new clients and growing your freelance writing career.

What are your best tips for handling article edits as a freelance writer? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

You’re worried about how to make ends meet without the consistent monthly retainer you had, until now, taken for granted.

Panic is starting to set in, and you can’t seem to get it together to finish the rest of the day’s to-do items.

Instead of letting this bad news cause a bad work ethic, here’s how to bounce back after losing a client.

1. Take a mental break

Losing clients is hard, and before you bounce back, you should take some time for yourself to process the loss.

Pick one or many of the following activities to help yourself get back into the right state of mind.

• Meditate or do yoga.
• Let it out at the gym.
• Organize your workspace and clean the house. Clean house, clear mind!
• If you’re really overwhelmed, take the day off (but make sure this doesn’t jeopardize any of your existing jobs and deadlines!)

2. Set a pitch goal

Once you’ve given yourself time to process the loss and have cleared your head, it’s time to get back to business.

Don’t spend too much time sulking, as the longer you get away from work, the harder it will be to get back into it.

But don’t dive in without a goal. Creating daily pitch goals can provide a solid strategy for getting back in the game.

• For growth purposes, set a pitch goal of 5-10 queries per day. Salespeople find success by knowing their numbers, so adopt this strategy to grow your own freelance business.
• While you’re at it, ask someone to review your pitch to find any opportunities for improvement. You may be blind to an obvious hole in your own professional materials.
• Create a list of places to pitch. Try one of these 92 publications that pay $50 or more per article.
• Avoid wasting your time on jobs you know won’t pay the bill, like content mills.
• Monitor your pitching efforts on a spreadsheet or CRM.
• Set calendar reminders or to-do list tasks to follow up with anyone you haven’t heard back from in a week.
• Create email templates for each niche you write for.

3. Tap into your existing network

Your next job may already be within reach.

The perfect client may already be a part of your network, or a referral away. e careful not to come across as desperate — for any connection you request, or pitch you send out, present a clear case for how you can provide value.

• Follow up with a past client you haven’t worked with in awhile. They may have a new project you’d be perfect for.
• Follow up with a past prospect who never ended up working for you. It may have been the wrong time, but perhaps now is better.
• Reach out to friends and other connections in complementary industries (like web design) to see if there’s an opportunity to collaborate on upcoming projects. Be sure to also think of them if you have a related referral that you can’t handle yourself. When asking for something, try to do your best to help that person, too.
• Post on your social channels (especially LinkedIn) that you have openings for new clients. Share qualifications or recent wins to drum up interest.

4. Implement consistent marketing efforts

If you’ve just lost a client, you probably have some extra time on your hands. Why not use it to work on your own personal brand?? The key here is to continue whatever you start for long-term client and business gains.

• Install a compelling email signup form on your website if you haven’t already. Create a lead magnet that attracts your ideal target audience. The key here is connecting with a relevant audience, and not just trying to get everyone who lands on your website to become a subscriber.
• Start sending weekly email updates. If you don’t know what to include, consider sharing some recent client work, and creating an industry-appropriate content roundup.
• Create a social media strategy. Post across each of your networks, editing content according to the ideal formatting on each network (hashtags on Twitter, no emojis on LinkedIn, etc.).
• Write a blog post for your website, or LinkedIn Pulse (or both!). Do some keyword research, and write it to solve a common issue for your target audience. Share it like crazy once published.
• Guest post for a high authority website with an audience similar to yours. Include a compelling reason for readers to get in touch.

5. Freshen up your professional materials

Whatever got you by when you first started freelancing may be a bit outdated now. Refresh your professional materials to make sure that they’re not sabotaging your efforts to bring in higher quality clients.

• Order new business cards, taking care to update any outdated information.
• Although most jobs ask for samples, some will ask for a resume. Make sure your resume specifically speaks to your freelance writing experience (as opposed to the corporate roles you previously held).
• Audit your portfolio or website for any major errors: mobile responsiveness issues, SEO issues, necessary portfolio updates, conversion issues, etc. If the fix is beyond your skills, hire someone to help. If your client loss has you short on cash, consider a barter deal with a fellow freelancer.
• Update your bio across each social network. Make sure it provides a compelling reason to visit your website or get in touch.
• Refresh your LinkedIn profile. Change your cover image, make sure you have a professional headshot, optimize each section for job-related keywords, and ask trusted colleagues and clients for recommendations.

Instead of letting a client loss become a point of contention in your freelance career, use your newly freed up time to attract new clients. Take some time to let yourself feel the loss, then come back with renewed motivation.

What are your best tips for bouncing back after losing a client? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

nolinks

In both professions, success depends on a person’s ability find prospects and develop relationships with new clients.

Yet somehow, most freelance writers don’t recognize the need to familiarize themselves with best practices for selling. Taking the time to learn and put sales skills into practice can result in more clients, higher pay and other satisfying career goal realizations.

Here’s a look at how freelance writers are more like salespeople than they may initially think.

1. We both seek out and document leads

Whether a handwritten ledger, Evernote entry, Google calendar reminder or spreadsheet, successful freelance writers are constantly seeking out new leads, and keeping track of their conversations (and next steps).

The average salesperson takes this to the next level with a number of systems designed to make sure they never lose an opportunity.

They use customer relationship management (CRM) software like Salesforce to keep track of prospects and where they’re at in the sales process.

2. We both aggressively pitch prospects, hoping to get a foot in the door

Salespeople call them sales calls. Freelance writers call them pitches.

But each of these tactics exists to help their user get a foot in the door with a decision maker that can ultimately determine whether or not they get the business.

And as good salespeople know, oftentimes it takes (many) more than one touch like a call or email to close a prospect.

3. We both know how to waste time

For freelance writers, it’s easy to waste time when writer’s block hits, or getting distracted by just about anything when working at home.

For salespeople, it’s easy to get caught up in research and preparation for sales calls, often because they just aren’t feeling up to making the actual call.

In either case, freelance writers and salespeople can easily waste a day that could be spent chipping away at tasks.

It’s important to be able to recognize time-wasting activities so that you can learn to fight them!

4. But we also both know how to work with strict deadlines

For salespeople, it’s hitting quota by the end of the month.

For freelance writers, it’s delivering a high-quality assignment in what’s usually a very short amount of time.

For both parties, operating under the pressure and stress of a deadline doesn’t kill, but makes them stronger.

5. We operate with specific metrics in mind

For salespeople, this might look like time spent on the phone. For freelance writers, it may be making sure we’re hitting word count without sacrificing quality.

For both salespeople and freelance writers, we’re driven by the number of contacts we make, and resulting leads for realistic prospects.

6. We both make money directly proportionate to what we sell

Salespeople call it commission.

Freelance writers call it income.

In either case, the amount of money you make completely depends on your sales activities — targeting prospects, preparing pitches and following up on opportunities.

Both parties might call these tactics by different names, but the idea is the same. If you’re not hustling, you’re not making money.

The point?

Everybody sells something.

Whether they’re salespeople, freelance writers, HR managers or janitors. We all employ sales tactics to get what we want, as simple as gaining agreement for a certain opinion to negotiating a new position or raise, to more life-changing situations like closing the deal on a major client.

Though everybody sells in different ways, it’s especially easy to draw parallels between salespeople and freelance writers.

What kind of questions or struggles do you have around growing your business? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.