Writing is a business. If you are a writer, what kind of
business background do you need?
I have a college degree, but I took only two business
classes. Decades later, I am a college student once again. I am not pursuing a
degree, but a certificate. There are a number of business classes I have taken
or still need to take. Some of them are: business taxes, accounting, Microsoft
Office 2013, management and marketing. I am halfway to being “finished” but I
plan to continue enrolling in classes. There are other related programs to pursue,
and enough to keep me busy for at least the next few years.
Of course, I have also enrolled in writing classes, but those are
through other entities. I need to learn more about how to write better and I
enjoy learning from other writers.
What business classes have you invested in? How did they help you?
What other classes would you enjoy or find useful?
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Debbie A. Byrne has a B.S. in Mass Communication with a
minor in History. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and
Illustrators (SCBWI) and is working on her first children’s book.
3 comments:
Hi, Deb,
Yes, writing is a business. I find that the most helpful types of classes for most writers who hope to make writing a business are classes in the type of writing they wish to do to make money. For example, if writers hope to make money blogging, then a course in doing that would be most helpful. If they hope to write B to B content, then finding a course in that would help them. All too often I see writers set up their writing business without having any real training or experience in the type of writing they hope to write for pay. And they aren't very successful.
Writing is a highly competitive business. So spend your time, money, and efforts getting really, really good at writing the types of materials you hope to write for pay Then take a business class or two.
Here's to your best year YET as a writer in 2015, everyone!
Deb, great point. Writing is certainly a business. More importantly it's a career. It's something that you need to work at. As Suzanne notes, you need to invest in it and know what you're doing.
I have an accounting background, so my business and marketing writing come rather easy. I've also taken lots of online courses to hone my writing.
Anything worth doing, is worth doing well, especially in the competitive writing arena and especially if you want to earn money at it. You need to invest time, effort, and even money. Once you publish something out there (including blog comments) your skills are visible.
I second it: Here's to your best year yet as a writer!
Absolutely. We creative types need to think of our writing as a career--even if it's an avocation at this point. Treated tenderly, marketed avidly--well, it's very likely to grow into something great.
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