If you follow your marketing plan during the week, on Friday you should feel pretty good about the progress you've made the last few days.
And, you should have marked off several items on your "to do" list each day.
For example, how much time did you spend on Facebook or Twitter during the week, just sharing cute pictures, interesting quotes, or silly sayings?
Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are great for writers like you.
But only when used strategically.
Otherwise, they can rob you of valuable writing time.
Were there actions on the week's marketing plan that you KNOW would help move you closer to your goals, yet you didn't take these actions because you felt a little "uncomfortable" about them?
For example, did you plan to query a magazine with an article idea, yet you didn't get the query written for fear it would be rejected?
OR - did you plan to contact some local businesses with proposals for writing services you could offer them, but then you "chickened out" and didn't get this done?
Obviously, the first thing to evaluate each Friday is whether you even had a marketing plan and writing schedule in place for the week.
If you didn't have these things in place, then your first task for the coming week is to get your marketing plan and writing schedule created.
Think of this - The life you are living and the success you are experiencing right now are a direct result of the actions you've been taking day after day, week after week.
If you aren't happy with your life and/or your business right now, then you need to get tough on yourself and start taking the actions that will ultimately lead to the life and business you really want.
Evaluating how you spend your time each week will help you realize what you need to do differently the following week if you are finally going to get serious about reaching your goals.
Try it!
Suzanne Lieurance is a freelance writer, the author of over 35 published books, and a writing coach.
4 comments:
Suzanne,
Lots fo wisdom for writers built into this post. If you aren't thinking strategically and aren't evaluating your progress, then it is easy to stall and not move forward. Also breaking the work into small steps is an important part. I appreciate you.
Terry
author of 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed
Suzanne, Thank you for stepping-out your suggestions in this great post. Besides my never ending ToDo List, I use tiny initials on a yearly calendar to note what categories I worked in that day. It helps me plan ahead and feel productive on days that jump here, there and everywhere. Long term, short term and day by day goal lists, are key but being totally willing to adjust or revise is just as important.
Suzanne, this is a very helpful post. As authors and writers we forget this is a business and we need to keep track of how we're doing with our weekly, monthly, and yearly plan. I love, "Think of this - The life you are living and the success you are experiencing right now are a direct result of the actions you've been taking day after day, week after week."
These are words to live by!
Excellent advice. It really helps you stay focused and goal oriented.
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