19 January 2010
by 
No more half stepping!
I’m taking a page from one of my favorite Tina Turner’s songs, “I’ll be your private dancer, dancer for money!” as the incentive to set fire to my creative endeavors and get the ball rolling, the juices of creativity flowing, and the networking on full blast. I’m dedicating 2010 to reach my goal of garnering profit from my Freelance Writing Business.
There are things I’m still learning on this solo journey into freelance, but, I’m already set in motion by landing my first major client just before the Christmas Holidays (can you say, “oh, happy day?!”) and I’m gearing up for my first at home telephone interview from another possible client. I’m not a great dancer and I’m a bit too settled to do it for money, but I am confident in my ability to create other people vision into their reality. Over the last three years, through trial & error, submissions and rejections , encouragements and online classes, I’ve gained a bit of know-how in learning/incorporating steps to build up my Freelance Writing Business. The stuff I’ve learned from seasoned pros is meant to be shared, I think, as a preamble to accomplishing ones dream.
I’m also writing this post from a position of needing to explore my own passion. Put myself and my vision out there freely for an oftentimes discriminate world to examine. I ask that you be kind in your critiques, but, if not, it’s all good! The five steps to promotion that I’ve found works best in bringing my own personal vision to the forefront and that I offer up to all creatives with dreams, are:
1. Define your niche
Initially, I fought against this because I felt I’d dipped my pen into too many inkwells to be selective; no more! You must find that one thing that drives you and explore the possibilities. When you answer the questions people are sure to ask as in “What makes your product different?” you know you’re on the right track.
2. Stay positive and focused
It’s hard when your thoughts are like jumping jacks. Your dreams are many and your vision ever changing, but, you must find a way to manipulate your creativity. Have it do your bidding in a purposeful, concise manner. Organize your thought patterns.
3. Seek counsel
I’ve been blessed to have an older woman/adviser who acts as my writing mentor. She has encouraged and soothed away my writing insecurities over the years and for this I remain truly grateful… I also have a firm belief in “spirit”. I “know” that I am never alone in this often lonely freelance writer business. It matters very little who/where you turn for comfort. It matters most that you do.
4. Network
I’m finding myself opening up to the possibility of making new friends on this journey in freelancing. Recently, I came across a blog whose writer impressed me. I invited her, along with several writer friends, to meet and greet at my home. The events of the evening included good conversation, poetry recitals, tales of life lived in foreign countries, business cards, plugs, and plentiful helpings of good food & wine . Also, the blogosphere & Twitter have allowed me to network with people as far as New Zealand and as close as the Southside of Chicago, Illinois and the hits just keep on coming!
5. Enjoy what you do
I think this last bit of advice when embarking upon growing your freelance writing business is a given. If you don’t like the long hours, hard, and sometimes tedious work… if you’d rather be out and about having fun with your friends, instead of sitting in front of a computer screen 99% of the time or just abhor waiting for a response to a query… if rejection causes you to go into a eternal funk; Maybe you’d better get out now while the getting is good!
Have you considered how you’re going to do 2010 differently? What do you think are the most important habits you need to develop for success in the year ahead?
Hi Clara! Welcome to the freelance life!
I think it is so great that you’ve found a mentor, and other writing friends to help you along your journey. Although writing is a solitary pursuit, none of us could survive without the help and support of others!
I hope 2010 turns out fabulous for you!
~Kimberlee
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Thanks for the warm welcome Kimberlee! I’ve been so lucky to hear from positive folks in this topsy-turvy world of freelance writing! I love it!.
Having folks give sound advice helps a lot. My friend is so solid I joke that someday she’ll become my manager haha… Thanks for commenting Kimberlee & keep on dancing yourself!
Clara54
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Hi, Clara!
Like Kim, I welcome you to the freelance life!
I love your fresh voice and your enthusiasm. You’re very wise indeed!
Hmmm…. I’ve decided to break through the barriers that have held me back. 2010 is my year to shine! Another habit I’m working on is saying no. I don’t have to say yes every time – it’s a nice feeling!
Again, so glad to see you here. Can’t wait to read your next post!
Hugs,
Michele
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Thanks Michele. I’m feeling the love! I agree, Saying “no” can be a good thang when you need some well deserved “me” time because writing is easy, it’s the ‘business’ of writing I’m finding myself at odds with…:)
Best,
Clara.
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Good for you Clara. Live the dream and stay focussed. Your persistence is an inspiration to us all. xxA
It’s so exciting to see the enthusiasm and motivation of other writers this year.
In 2009 I found my freelance business seemed to migrate far more into the web design and technology aspect than writing. I’ve got no problem with that from a professional perspective because I truly love web tech, but it made me learn to be flexible. I’ve had to practice focus and persistence. The management of the business side has similarities with all freelance business and it is good to know that what we learn in one area of our lives can have positive impact on our growth in other areas.
I hope you continue to have a great year of growth, Clara, and welcome to Writer’s Round-About. It is fantastic to see your name beside a post at last.
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Rebecca, thanks so much for having me here with all of these seasoned writers! and thanks for your valuable insights offered at Writer’s Round-About.
I feel like a “grownup” at last:)
Clara.
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Hi Clara,
I agree with much of what you’ve said, especially about networking and getting advice when needed. Those two tips have certainly helped me in developing my writing business.I don’t know if I totally agree on the question of niches – I write in several and find it keeps my interest level high.
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Good point on the niche deal:) Thanks Sharon!
Clara
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I know several writers who write in several niches too but I’ve found that most of them started off by getting their feet wet in just a few select niches and then building their repertoire over time.
The most important thing is to write about topics you can enjoy writing and researching. Of course, you may get paid better writing about the topics no one else wants to write about. This is one of those things where each writer has the freedom to choose and it’s part of why freelancing is so fantastic.
Thanks for your comments, Sharon. It’s great to see you. Although you write in several niches do you think there are any in particular that you are building a name behind? I certainly connect you with the travel niche more than any other. I wonder if being better known in a specific niche means a writer is more likely to be hired for that niche.
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I’m not really sure, Becca. I think I am best known for writing about writing, travel and a host of general web stuff that covers blogging and reviewing new web sites. But when I started freelancing, one of my main niches was consumer finance, something I hardly ever write about anymore. Because I enjoy learning new things and am a good researcher, I often try out writing about new topics and then decide if I want to continue. In terms of what’s closest to my heart, helping other writers and writing about travel and the location independent lifestyle are my favourite niches.
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I think because those topics are closest to your heart you’re better known for them.
So I guess when it comes to niches, focusing on the ones closest to your heart can make a big difference.
I think that’s why I like writing about writing and writing about web technology too. While I have experience in the parenting niche I rarely find it fire my passion.
What topics do you find yourself most passionate about, Clara?
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The niche thing is so interesting to me because I’ve read so many different view ..I suppose I lean toward a few areas of interest as opposed to many, because I could totally get wiped out trying to juggle it all! In essence I’ve decided to write about what matters to me and hope folks like what I have to say enough to want to know/hear more:)
Thanks for the insightful feedback!
Clara.
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Thanks Amanda! I love this writing stuff so much I’d be hard pressed to even consider giving it up:)
Clara
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Oh, I’d definitely say my niche is health/raw food. It was bound to happen. I actually read negative stuff about settling into niche writing but since I have settled into my niche, it’s like I’m finally “home” in my writing, ya know?
Thanks Michele,
I think I’m going to just keep writing on those things close to my own heart as Rebecca mentioned, until I’m feeling like I’ve found ‘home’ as well:) It’s all good!
Clara.
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Clara,
Welcome to the group! I thoroughly enjoyed your first post.
In general, I agree with Sharon’s assessment of niches, BUT I think we can also define niche in another way, and you touched on this, too: What makes YOU unique as a writer?
Once you answer that question, it doesn’t matter what topics you write about… you will bring that uniqueness to your work, it will set you apart, and THERE is your true niche. The one that won’t change regardless of market conditions.
I’ve been at this two decades now and am still working on defining my niche, although I have many areas I write in regularly.
I also pick up niches because I see profit potential there. To me the love is in the writing, regardless of topic. I’ve also dropped niches because I’ve grown bored of them after years.
In a way, not having one niche has become my niche. For a while, I’d joke that I write, “Anything that pays,” and that’s still true today, although I might add, now, “anything that pays…well enough.”
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Thanks Dawn,
I’m truly getting the wisdom of writing coming from all of your responses! I’m going to keep at it and not focus so much upon defining my niche as I’m prone to write about what, as you said, pays well and freels good/important to me:) I will remain focused on meeting my 2010 goals!
Clara.
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Great advice. Writers may push themselves out of their comfort zone. If you stayed away from web copy, you may find that you have a “knack” for creating well written copy for the web. You never know unless you try.
So right Rebecca! I’m of the same mindset and I’m not afraid to try different areas of writing.Do tend, however, to stay with the ones with revenue potential
Clara.
Hi, Clara: This is great advice for us Freelancers! You touched on all the important points we should ponder: finding our niche; staying focused; having a mentor or counselor; networking; and loving what we do.
I can find more common ground with the networking and loving what we do (the last 2 points you mentioned), than on the first 3. I guess mainly because I am the type of person who kinda writes stories ‘out of the air’. In other words, I have not really found one particular niche or focus; I like to write about whatever interests me, and also subjects I feel will interest and/or enlighten or entertain others.
However, I also agree that we should have a mentor. Someone who will counsel us when we go astray, and keep us or bring us back to the core of our subject matter.
Great article, Clara! Thank you, so much for sharing.
Thanks Eve, so much for your kindness! I am making a conscious decision this 2010 to grow my freelance writing business and as mentioned by these fab writers, that’s inclusive of those with profit potential even if it means writng outside of my comfort zone!
Clara.