| Back to Home > Bulletin Board > Publicists' Corner > Topic: Important tools for freelancers |
Topic: Important tools for freelancers
| Author | Message |
| Foreigner | Posted – 6/30/2007 5:20:10 PM | show profile I have a Hotmail address, and I'm considering getting my own domain name and email address so I can appear more professional generally and on business cards. Can anyone recommend an email host that provides good service, isn't blacklisted widely, and may be a good Web host in future? Also, my choice of domain name will play a big part in how credible and professional my address appears - if I'm trying to attract food and beverage companies as clients and appear credible to food and beverage journalists, does anyone have any tips about what to avoid in a domain name? (I'm guessing "ecoli" isn't a winner, for starters, but I'm wondering if the word "fare" is too vague? |
| LoDo | Posted – 6/30/2007 7:27:55 PM | show profile I use GoDaddy. I built my own Website and got a 1,000 MB mailbox for under $150. They have a service called Website Tonight, where you can choose templates, colors and more. Plus, you can upload files and pictures. You can get a basic 5-page site for around $55 and a domain name for $1.99 and add more features as you go. I even got a free blog, although I have to learn to contribute to it more frequently :-) As for a domain name, sometimes just sticking with the one your parents gave you is ideal. Feel free to visit my site at http://loridolan.com to see for yourself. Good Luck! ------ Lori |
| Foreigner | Posted – 7/1/2007 1:48:54 PM | show profile Thanks, Lori. I've heard good things about GoDaddy, but was wondering if emails sent from GoDaddy accounts get many problems with being blacklisted from servers cos of spam issues caused by other GoDaddy users. But I might give it a try. |
| LoDo | Posted – 7/1/2007 10:08:51 PM | show profile I haven't had any problems with my email so far. ------ Lori |
| Cyrus | Posted – 7/1/2007 11:36:37 PM | show profile You may be going at things a bit backwards. You should have a domain name that's as similar as possible to your business' name. Some people operate under their own name, and obviously there's nothing wrong with that. If that's your plan, then you're going to be able to avoid registering your biz name with your state/county, as most states only require formal registration when you're operating under a name other than your own. But if that's not your plan, you should make your the biz name you want is available before trying to secure a domain. As far as hosting companies, I've been very happy with Yahoo! Small Business. I have no trouble getting my e-mails sent to their intended recipients. ------ Cyrus Afzali Astoria Communications www.astoriacomm.com |
| Foreigner | Posted – 7/2/2007 11:36:51 AM | show profile Thanks. I did check out a business name (trademark and registration issues etc) but some friends discouraged me from using that particular name, and in the meantime I need an email address and biz cards, so I took Lori's advice and went with what my parents gave me. It's early days, so I'll build up my name as a consultant then consider creating a company identity. I want to communicate that I offer PR, strategic media planning and some event management, so what do you think: "Media Consultant", "Public Relations Consultant" - or some other descriptor? |
| Cyrus | Posted – 7/2/2007 1:12:43 PM | show profile You could just list the two or three things you want to focus on on your biz card itself. For example, I recently added some text underneath my logo because Astoria Communications doesn't clearly connote what I do, since there are a variety of communications-oriented businesses. You could easily do the same, either in the center of your card or as a list at the bottom underneath all your contact info. ------ Cyrus Afzali Astoria Communications www.astoriacomm.com |
