Creating a successful freelance writing career is a lot like putting together a puzzle. Unfortunately, many writers just never figure out all the pieces to that puzzle!
An appropriate business model is one of the BIGGEST pieces to any freelance writing career.
Have you included a specific business model in your career puzzle?
Or are you still trying to create your career by offering to write anything and everything for anyone and everyone?
Without a model to follow, you have no real focus for your business. Plus, you'll never establish yourself as a real expert in any one or two areas. You'll be known as a generalist instead of a specialist. And I don't know about you, but when I need help with something important, I don't look for a generalist. I search for a specialist! I'll bet most publishers and business owners who need writers do, too!
Choosing a Business Model
So how do you choose a business model that's right for you?
Well, first you list the types of writing you really LOVE to do.
Don't decide to follow a model for building a resume writing business, for example, if you just hate writing resumes!
Once you've made a list of the types of writing you love to do, then get some career training in the model that appeals to you.
If you like to blog, for example, find out how you can become a professional blogger!
If you want to use your writing skills to sell affiliate products, then learn how to do that.
If you want to become a children's writer, then take some courses in children's writing.
Include ALL the pieces needed for a successful freelance writing career if you hope to solve the entire puzzle.
Try it!
6 comments:
Good advice for launching a writing career, Suzanne. I'd like to suggest the following to beginning freelancers; Find a mentor/coach to help you to hone your writing, publishing and marketing skills. Many authors offer consulting and manuscript content editing services.
Debra Toor, www.ecostoriesbydebtoor.com
Suzanne, as with all businesses, including writing, preparing a business model is a must. It really is about focus.
Hi, Debra and Karen,
Yes, a mentor/coach can be invaluable to a writer.
One of the things I help people most with as a coach is focus, Karen, so you're right about that, too.
Happy writing!
Suzanne, Hee, hee.
Good suggestion Suzanne, to figure out the writing we enjoy. It is easy to get caught up in writing whatever comes your way, especially if you're good at it. But when you consider how much time we spend writing, how important it is that we enjoy it too!
Finding focus hard--but am gradually improving. Changing focus is apt to help me return revived to writing something I've been avoiding. :-)
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