By Michael Meanwell © 2001
When you tell someone you are a 'writer', what is their first
perception of you? A novelist, a screenwriter, a freelance
magazine writer or maybe a journalist. Right?
What about you? When someone tells you they are a 'writer',
what's your first thought?
Probably the same.
And yet, the vast majority of people who call themselves writers
today are unable to make a sustainable living from their craft.
This is not only sad, it is also avoidable.
I have been earning a living as a writer since I was 17. Over
the past 20 years, I have written several fiction and non-fiction
books, a play, a bunch of short stories, and countless magazine
and newspaper articles. And yet I have earned the best income
and the most sustainable income during this time as a
commercial writer ~ writing for business.
That means writing everything from PR releases, speeches, direct
mail letters and newsletters to ad copy, brochures, video scripts
and Web copy for small businesses through to large corporations.
And the best thing about writing for business is that it enables me
to enjoy my craft, broaden my knowledge and, most importantly,
take time off to enjoy other pursuits, such as work on the two
novels I have on the go at the moment.
So, how about you? How is your writing career progressing?
Are you making a real living or just getting by? Are you getting
by or waiting for the phone to ring with an assignment?
If you're like many of the writers I talk with, the first question
they ask is . . . "I would like to write for business, but I haven't
got any experience. How can I get started?"
Well, we all have to start somewhere and some time, so here's
six steps to get you moving in the right direction:
1. Develop a folio of work and prove your worth.
This is chicken-and-egg stuff. You need samples of your work,
known as a folio, to gain work ~ and you need work to begin
building a folio. So to get started, approach people you know in
business. These can be family or friends. Offer your services at
a low cost or, if you have to, at no cost. I am not suggesting you
make a career out of working for free. I am only suggesting this
approach if you cannot find paid work. If you don't know of
anyone in business, try various volunteer organizations, churches
and social groups. It's important to remind yourself that you are
in a training phase, and that usually comes at a cost. In this case,
the cost could be working for a reduced rate.
2. Collect testimonials ~ let clients tells other how good you are.
Once you have completed one or more jobs, seek testimonials
from your clients. This will help support your growing folio and
give potential clients confidence in your work. Once you have
been in business for a while, you may find that you receive referrals
and testimonials without even asking for them. That's what
happens to me. This is generally far more powerful than asking
for them, and it's a great vote of confidence in your abilities.
3. Check out the job classifieds.
No doubt you are already doing this ~ but don't limit yourself to
jobs for journalists, freelancers, PR or marketing writers ~ check
out sales and marketing roles. If a company is expanding its sales
force it will more than likely need marketing collateral, an ongoing
PR program or maybe just some overload communications services.
Be proactive, write to the Marketing Manager, CEO, Managing
Director or Sales Manager (whoever is more appropriate), offering
your services. But don't wait by the phone, call them within a few
days of mailing the letter.
4. Keep up with the news.
When you see news of a company launching a new product,
branching out into a new region or field, put them on your prospect
list for the same reason as above. They may need your help.
5. Turn a negative into a positive.
Recession? What recession. All this talk about a soft or hard
landing spells doom for full-time employees. Often, marketing
departments are the first hit when times get tough. But
recessions mean companies have to work harder to maintain
market share ~ so there's plenty of opportunities for freelancers.
I started my PR and marketing business at the height of a
recession, and it went from strength to strength.
6. Publicize yourself.
You know how to write, you're learning how to conduct PR
and marketing for others, but what about promoting yourself?
Develop a company brochure, detailing the features and benefits
of working with you. Include a list of services (these could be
news releases, direct mail letters, advertising copywriting,
speeches, events, newsletters and brochures ~ or all of them).
Here's six ways to get your commercial writing career moving
in the right direction. Now all you need to decide is WHEN
you are ready to write for business and write your own ticket.
--------------------------------------------------------
Michael Meanwell
Meanwell Books
http://www.meanwellstore.com
michael@meanwellstore.com
Author of the e-books
~ 'The Enterprising Writer'
~ 'Writers on Writing'
~ 'Quote Unquote'
Visit my online eWriter and ePublisher Forum:
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