Professional Writing: 3 Tips To Kickstart Your Career

We’re continuing our theme of getting your a new business ready for success. A couple of readers asked about transitioning their professional writing activities from relying on the freelance marketplaces to attracting their own clients.

I gave the readers some tips, but in a nutshell, I encouraged them to get visible, not only online, but also in their local community. In real life, away from the online world, most people have no idea that professional writers exist.

Show up, both online and offline. Talk about your business locally without being pushy. Show up at local events and local organizations’ meetings. Have breakfast or lunch at an area restaurant once a week.

You’ll be shocked at the number of projects you attract. You’ll also be shocked that people are prepared to pay well for your services.

First things first: have you set goals?

Professional writing kickstart: have you created goals for your business?

We’ve talked about creating a business plan, and said:

You’re a writer. The world, to coin a cliche, is your oyster. Write whatever you enjoy and chances are, you can make money at it.

Please create some goals today, if you haven’t done so already.

Let’s look at some tips to help you.

1. Freelance writing? Send a mailing to all your clients to win projects

In all my years as a writing teacher and mentor, I’ve never found a freelancer who made full use of his client list. 99% of freelancers ignore their clients once a project’s done.

This is a horrid, painful mistake… I’ve mentored writers who have tripled their income, overnight, by paying attention to their client list.

Big tip: it takes time and energy to win new clients. Spend time each week cultivating the people who have hired you in the past.

Send out a “2020 is coming” mailing to all your clients. Ask them whether they need your help to wrap up projects at this busy time.

Add something like this to your mailing:

“My schedule’s filling fast. A small monthly retainer ensures that I’ll be available when you need me. I’ll send over a proposal next week.”

Then send a proposal for a retainer — with an invoice. And hey presto, just like magic: you’ve got retainer clients, and a guaranteed monthly income, for very little effort.

2. Self-publishing? Write short stories to promote your novels

You know that readers buy short stories. Writing them is a no-brainer. So is writing serials:

Writing serial fiction makes it easy to get into a genre that’s new to you. Serial fiction has been popular for a couple of centuries. The big benefit is simple: if readers love your story, they’ll buy every episode.

3. Blogging? Create a marketing push to win new clients

As a blogger, your supply of prospective clients is unlimited.

Your aim is to win as many new clients as you can. Clients come and go. You need a steady supply of new clients, but don’t forget the needs of your past clients. Leverage the clients you already have to win larger clients.

As with our tip for freelancers, get visible in your local community. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the number of new clients you attract.

Professional writing: there’s no ceiling on your income

The income you make as a pro writer is up to you.

 

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