Comments on: Your Writing Revenue Sweet Spot

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 19:27:39 +0000

Damaria, I think it's okay that fluctuations happen. Life interrupts, and if we're to be any kind of balanced people, we need to just accept it as it comes. It's a lesson I'm trying to teach myself. :)

Jake, I want that card, too. :) That's when you know you don't have to work so hard to get the work.

Ironic that Gladwell's prediction came true for you, especially since you're still not convinced. :) I'm like you -- I don't buy into or follow blindly someone else's advice, proven or not. Results will vary, so to speak. :)

By: Jake Poinier

Jake Poinier — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 18:35:40 +0000

I don't totally buy Malcolm Gladwell's 10,000-hours-to-success rule that he extolled in "Outliers." There are too many variables, including whether you are suited to a particular task. (I could play guitar for 20k, and I still wouldn't be good enough for a garage band.)

Nonetheless, when I crunch the numbers, it was indeed about 5 years/10,000 hours when I achieved referral-only status at a sustainable pace. My next goal is to have a business card like Danny Ocean's in "Ocean's 11"--just my name, no phone or email. :)

By: Damaria Senne

Damaria Senne — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 18:15:30 +0000

I know what I want to earn, but I haven't reached my sweet spot yet. I fluctuate too much, bringing in much lower than the monthly target and on rare occassions exceeding it.

So I'm still working on the right combination of clients and projects projects to help me to consistently hit the goal or exceed it without working myself to death. I've found that it helps me to hit the sweet spot more consistently when I have several long-term contracts that bring in a steady amount of work, with short term work just tipping me over to the target.