WHAT ARE THE FIRST FIVE THINGS TO LEARN IF I WANT TO MAKE A LIVING AT WRITING?
I wasted a lot of time getting started.
The first thing to learn if you want to make a living at writing is to understand your niche and audience. This involves identifying what kind of writing you are good at and enjoy (fiction, non-fiction, blogging, technical writing, etc.) as well as deciding who your ideal readers and/or clients might be. Here’s the reason that is why it’s crucial.
1. Identify Your Niche.
Why? Specializing in a particular niche allows you to build expertise, which makes your work more valuable and marketable. Whether it’s writing novels, creating content for blogs, or crafting technical manuals, focusing on a specific area helps you stand out in your market.
Start by reflecting on your interests and strengths. Research different writing markets to see where your skills might be in the most demand.
Remember, your niche is not your voice. You could treat one niche with two different voices, whichever is yours.
2. Understand Your Audience.
Why? Close your eyes and picture the person who likes and needs what you are writing. Knowing your audience helps you tailor your writing to meet their needs and expectations. This increases the chances of your work resonating with readers or clients, leading to more sales, better engagement, and repeat business.
Start by developing reader personas and think about what problems your writing solves for them, or what emotions it can evoke. Engaging with potential readers through social media or writing communities on other platforms can also provide valuable insights.
3. Build Your Writing Skills.
Why? Good writing is an art and a craft that requires continual learning and practice. Even if you have raw talent, honing your skills in grammar, style, storytelling, and structure is never-ending.
Start with practicing your writing regularly, ask for feedback from peers and friends. Consider taking some writing courses or reading books on the craft of writing.
4. Learn the Business Side of Writing.
Why? Making a living from writing isn’t just about being creative. It’s also about understanding contracts, marketing, and self-promotion. Even though we frequently despise self-promotion. Knowing how to pitch our work, negotiate fair pay, and promote ourselves effectively, is crucial to success. And we will learn to like it.
Start to Familiarize yourself with the basics of freelancing, self-publishing, or working with traditional publishers as well as agents. Networking with other writers and joining writing organizations can sometimes provide valuable resources and support.
5. Build a Portfolio and a Mailing List. Now.
Why? A portfolio showcases your work and helps potential clients or readers see what you can do. It’s your calling card in the writing world.
Start by creating a blog, then contribute to publications, or use platforms like Medium to start building a body of work you can share with others and a mailing list of your readers.
Starting with these foundation elements, will set you on the path to making a living from writing. Each following step builds on the last, helping you establish a professional identity and reach your financial goals as a writer.
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Don’s a keen observer and prolific reporter of truth, common sense, humor, & life. He’s a WRITER and humorist, sometimes serious, sometimes tongue-in-cheek. He lives in Nashville, TN. He publishes every weekday morning. If you liked this stuff, get his direct delivery by subscribing HERE!