Usually by Thursday I run out of things to say. Oh, I can vent until the cows come home, but I mean things to say about writing that’s new or unique. Lately I feel spent because of the “luxury” of having a lot of ongoing work. While normally creativity is inspired by lots of writing, I’m in some technical areas. I’m more inspired to write about the risks of writing – ooo, good idea! Maybe tomorrow.
Today, I’m happy to post an article by Anna Miller. Anna contacted me a few weeks ago with her generous offer to provide a guest post here. The only thing she asked for was a link to her site and a byline. I can’t argue with that.
10 Tips to Succeed in the Business of Writing
It’s a business that is worth considering, especially if you have a way with words and good research skills. The business of writing is not exactly lucrative, but it’s not too bad with the financial rewards either. So if you’re a writer who’s looking to make this craft your full-time job, here’s what you need to do to achieve success in the business of writing:
1. Focus on quality: No matter how much experience you have or how well established you are in the business, you must never compromise on the quality of your work. When you fail to maintain quality and start to take on more work just to make more money, you are laying the foundation for failure.
2. Honor deadlines: One of the golden rules to becoming a successful writer is that you must never promise what you cannot deliver. When you fail to meet deadlines or give the client what you said you would, you lose credibility.
3. Honor commitments: Never go back on your word, no matter how hard it is to keep it. When you promise to complete an assignment in a certain way, don’t renege or twist words to get out of the deal. If you’ve promised a certain number of rewrites, don’t refuse to do them just because you’ve already been paid and have nothing to lose in the process. Rather, when you go back on your word, you lose your integrity and reliability.
4. Don’t ape others: Develop your own style and enhance it as you gain experience instead of copying what others do. As a writer, you must strive for originality among the thousands who do the same job.
5. Stay relevant: Although your job involves sitting behind a computer screen for the better part of the day, take time to enhance your knowledge by browsing the web (other than for entertainment), meeting new people, and gaining new experiences, all of which augment your writing and keep you current and relevant and able to keep up with the times.
6. Broaden your horizons: Don’t spend all day cooped up in front of your computer – rather, get involved in other diverse activities like the arts, sports, gardening or anything that interests you. The more people you meet and the more experiences you gain, the better you become as a writer.
7. Charge according to market rates: If you charge much more, you’re unlikely to get as many projects as you would like. And if you charge less, you’re going to be compromising on your worth and also not making enough money. In general, set payment based on your experience, the nature of the work, and the time involved. Don’t rook clients because of their ignorance or get taken in by false promises of large sums of money for a simple task.
8. Maintain an effective network: If you’re a freelancer, you need to maintain a network that comprises clients and fellow writers because your next assignment depends on both the quality of your previous work and the kind of recommendation your prior client provides.
9. Respect your peers: If you own your blog or write for someone else, don’t belittle or denigrate fellow writers even if they throw the first stone. When you maintain decorum, it’s easier to stay focused on your work rather than get into a dirty fight.
10. Be financially savvy: And finally, don’t blow all your money on frivolous expenses – get into the habit of saving a part of your income and also learn how to use credit cards wisely.
This guest post is contributed by Anna Miller, who writes on the topic of online degrees. She welcomes your comments at her email id: anna.miller009@gmail.com
Personally? Number 10 is going to be the toughest for me (I love shoes). Which of these do you practice regularly? What are you success tips?
12 responses to “Guest Post: How to Succeed in Business Writing”
10 is the hardest for me, because I'm constantly moving between long-term fiction projects and shorter business projects. I need the latter to keep the income flowing, but when I'm deep into the former, the latter are a resentment and distraction, even when necessary. I have to build bigger cushions to allow me to take periods of time to just focus on fiction, and also query during those times, so when I go back into business mode, I've got work lined up.
Thanks for the post, Anna, good stuff!
I'll be joining you two in line for #10. (If you need to know why, just think back to my cable rant of yesterday.) That, and I need a new refrigerator and want as many bells and whistles as possible. What can I say, I'm a cooking and kitchen geek.
Add a third for #10… working on it, working on it and it does help to repeat working on it. Fortunately I've quit demanding perfection of myself… couldn't figure out how I'd recognize it even if it showed up.
Good list Anna
Wow. So we all have issues with finances? No shocker really, but it would be really neat to combine our talents to come up with a solid savings and tax-payment plan that would be a nice general template for other contractors.
Or we could all see accountants. LOL
I find myself committing #6 quite frequently. I guess it's a sign to restructure my time.
Wendy's right. I also have a problem with #6. I ventured forth to the grocery store and bank today, and despite having gone out for lunch and to a knitting store* yesterday, it felt like I was playing hooky.
Many of us seem to have a sense of guilt when not stuck in front of the computer or on the phone for work. My guess is it's tied directly to #10. We need to be productive to earn enough money so we can splurge from time to time.
* disclaimer: I bought some circular needles and a hook I desperately need to finish some projects, but I used part of a gift certificate, so it felt like I spent money, but I really didn't.
I was going to force myself to admit to #10, so thanks to the rest of you who were so brave. Retail therapy, anyone? My bathroom looks like a Sephora exploded in it. I think that's the very definite of frivolous.
I ignored #8 until the last 2 years. I don't think I realized how affirming and inspiring a network of fellow creatives can be – and now it's something I wish I had sought much sooner.
Great list!
Great post, Anne. I completely agree with all of your points.
I'm getting better with #6. I think I could sit in front of the computer all day if I didn't have other obligations keeping me from slipping into a hermit-like existence. Thank goodness.
Paula, you wild woman – way to live on the edge! LOL Both you and Wendy make a point. We do get sucked into our innermost circles a lot. I do. I'm breaking free Friday (today) to both work/play remotely and meet a girlfriend for lunch. It's as wild as we get sometimes. 🙂
Valerie, are you saying there's something wrong with stockpiles of lipstick and blush? 😉 For me, it's DSW and shoes. We all have our vices. (where do you live? I feel group therapy coming on!)
Kim, same here. There are days I think I've molded into the shape of this chair. 😉
i think broaden your horizons is far and away the most important thing in writing. having said that, i haven't left the house in seven months.
Great tips.Thanks for posting it.
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