What I’m reading: Night Crawler by Diane Parkin
What’s on the iPod: Restless Days by The Clarks
Yesterday was nuts. The amount of work I finished by 3 pm was astounding. I was spent, but I had a handle on what had gone from a relatively easy workload to a massive, need-it-yesterday pile in a mere two hours. The culprits (blessed though they are) – a regular client, who’d said the projects were dwindling, then gave me four due in two days’ time; a referral client who, once contracted, needs two projects by Friday. Let’s not mention the ongoing development of one project and the article that must be done soon. Yoy.
A few days back I had an email conversation with a new writer. She outlined to me exactly the problem we all had starting out – she knows each process in querying, interviewing, writing, and invoicing for article projects. Her problem – knitting it all together. The biggest issue seems to be gaining the confidence to approach editors with ideas.
Welcome to the club. When I sent out that first pitch, I was terrified. I was sure they’d think I was an idiot, and I was even more convinced that my idea was weak and not worth considering. I can’t remember how I approached the editor, but the idea was rejected. I was crushed. But I bought a book on how to write query letters and tried again. I kept getting those rejections, but somewhere in the process I gained a little confidence (very little). Eventually, an idea sold.
So how do you gain that confidence to reach into areas new to you? I’m not talking just your first article query, but your first client letter of introduction, your first mailer, your first brochure, your first website – hell, even your first business card. Where do you get the courage to stick your neck out?
Understand your value. See how much others in your profession are earning. Look at the ideas being bought or the gigs your colleagues are securing. If they can do it, why not you?
Ease up on yourself. The more you see of the works of other paid writers, the more you’ll realize that writing doesn’t have to be pitch perfect in order to be valuable. As I told the new writer, not every article is going to be a shining example of journalistic excellence. It’s going to match the tone, focus, and audience of the buyer. And your buyer – your editor – may have a style that includes some flaws or grammatical imperfections. If you can please the editor, you’ve won the majority of the battle. While we should all strive for journalistic perfection, we should understand that it’s not always possible. Learn and grow as you go.
Keep trying. I remember a writer saying that a friend lamented not getting any assignments from one marketing method. The complaint – “I sent out over 100 letters with no response!” The writer’s answer – “Funny, I sent out over 500 letters and got one response that’s netted months of ongoing work.” Perseverance is the key to success.
Separate each task. If the idea of pitching and calling and writing is daunting to you, then do just one thing at a time. Pitch. Then call a week later. Then write. If you think of each thing as a separate step, it’s much more palatable than to think of it as this must-do process that can’t be altered or thought of as anything but an entire entity.
Detach. Write that query. Agonize over it all you like as you’re doing it. Then send it out and forget about it. Call that client, ask for the job, accept the answer and move on. Nothing in business should be taken personally. If you internalize rejection or resistance, you’ll see your career die out before you get it going.
Writers, how do you approach that new, scary business area? What works for you when overcoming fear or hesitation?
10 responses to “Easing Up on the Brakes”
If it scares me, that's a good sign that I should face it down and get experience in it. I research, explore it from different angles, and attack it.
Even if you don't have confidence, bluff. Don't lie about your experience or your knowledge, but compose a letter as a calm professional and WRITE your way into that confidence.
What you write you shall become.
What comforts/energizes me is the endgame — a successful effort now positions you to have to do less in the future. Your next solid client could be a wellspring of not only work now, but referrals for years to come.
Devon's bluff tactic is a valuable one. You can't stare at your shoes and shuffle your way into assignments.
My first attempt at a query was in high school. One of our assignments for a writing class was to write a real query letter and send it. I was one of the top students in the class, so when one of the middle-of-the-pack kids came in one day saying a magazine about horses had bought her article my immediate thought was, "If she can do it, I certainly can!" (Meanwhile my pitch didn't even generate enough attention to elicit a rejection letter.)
What worked for that girl was: 1) as a subscriber, she knew the market, 2) her family owned and rode horses, so she knew the subject, 3) she came up with an idea the editor wanted. But most importantly, she followed through and sent the query.
Simple: "Feel the fear, and do it anyway."
Fake it until you make it. That was my post-divorce depression motto.
Bluffing confidence – better way to put it, Devon.
You're right – fear is just the presence of an unmet challenge.
Jake, good perspective on it. Building an easier path to meeting career goals is a great incentive.
Paula, that had to be daunting! But you're right – she had all the elements needed. Didn't matter if she wasn't uber-smart like you.
A valuable lesson, in fact. The best writers are often the most persistent and those who put all the pieces in place to get the job.
Good one, Eileen!
I like the 'keep trying' one on your list. Especially the part about the 500 letters and one response. How often have we pitched and heard No from clients A-Y, only to have client Z say yes? And client Z has business friends, who needs a writer.
Aw, Lori. I have no doubt that you'll manage it all and rock it, no problem.
In terms of building confidence, I always like to get feedback from my family who speak English as a second language. My trusty and loving parents always love my work and it gives me that extra boost. =)
But seriously, feedback really helps! For example, I joined a writing community on LinkedIn and everyone there has been really supportive, encouraging and helpful. They give me feedback that I respect in a way and also motivate me to shed my shyness! =)
keep the keep trying on your list!
True enough, Wendy. I've rarely had the first contacts be lucrative (unless they're existing clients). It takes some knocking on virtual doors and some patience.
Becky, thanks.
I'm pretty sure this new gig will be terrific, as you know. 
whatlittlethings, parents are great when you need a boost in confidence. My mother thinks I should be writing books and that publishers are fools if they don't buy them. I like hearing that occasionally.
You're right about feedback from peers. The LinkedIn forums are good, as are your own email writing groups, online writing groups, or in-person writing groups. Any time you can rub elbows with other writers is usually going to be a good thing.
Rebecca, that one point is the difference between a successful writer and one who can't get that business going.