Getting Down to Business With Your Writing Business

5 Tips for Today's Writer Entrepreneur

It must be something in the water.
It seems everybody I meet these days deems themselves “a writer”.
It doesn't matter whether they're a butcher, baker, or candlestick maker, on their 9 to 5 gig, they're a scribe in their free time!

Perhaps it's the advent of the Internet and the vast array of publishing options currently available.
Or, could be in a tough economy, the need for added income has encouraged folks to be more “creative” in how they put food on the table.

And, I'd venture to say for “attention seekers” it's the thrill of “strutting their stuff” before a virtual audience of thousands that has them venturing the writing path.
Whatever the motive, it makes for a lot of folks in the pool!
Maybe you're one of them.
If so, there's good news and bad.

The good news first...

This is a great time for writers in many ways. The options are endless. With some talent and hard work, you can find your pieces in places like Blogs, websites, newspapers, magazines, Ebooks, and even greeting cards.

Income potential is unlimited. Unlike a job where you are locked into an hourly wage or salary, writing gigs pay anywhere from minimum wage to a monthly mortgage payment. In fact, you can plan your writing projects around your financial goals. Write as little or as much as your heart desires.

The bad news? It's harder than it looks. And in order to stay in the game you need to know how to play your hand.


To this end, here are five quick tips for longevity in your writing business .

1.Devise a game plan. Where would you like to see your work appear? Where would you like to see yourself in 3 months or even 3 years? How much do you need to make monthly to make your efforts worth while? Assess then apply.
2.Understand the needs of your audience. Print publication readers are different than Web readers. Academic writing is different than Blog writing. Get a clue to get a gig.
3.Keep up with your competition. And yes, Virginia there is competition in writing. :-)
4.Don't wait for your muse to meet your deadlines. Do so and you'll be a “starving artist” in the truest sense.
5.Diversify—It's the best way to get more bang for your buck and create multiple income sources.

What noteworthy lessons have you learned as a writer-preneur?

Image:Salvator Vuono

Finding Your Writer's Voice...

A Guest Post
By Nikola Hartmann
"We learn to do something by doing it. There is no other way." – John Holt

Have you ever been with a person who is a supersized bore? Or worse, someone who goes on and on about nothing? Talk about annoying! Well, it’s the same with writing.

Whenever someone tells me they like my voice, I tend to get a little giddy. My writing voice is something I’ve worked hard on. And even though it’s not fully “cultivated” – I’m pretty satisfied with most of the articles I write.

Your voice is how you say your thoughts.
And the inner voice you use when you’re alone.
It’s the warm congenial voice you take when talking with those you love.
And that sincere, honest voice that makes your readers feel they’re right there beside you.

J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird are two of my favorite books. Both American classics. Both written in authentic, honest, unpretentious ways that make it easy to enter an exclusive boarding school and New York City mid 1950s, and depression era Alabama. Salinger and Lee have “likable voices”.

Yours should be too. It should make your reader want to spend time with you. And leave feeling rewarded. Likeable writing isn’t a performance. It’s a sincere expression of your thoughts. A connection with the inner you.
Learn to connect with yourself. And above all … write. The voice will come.

Discussion...
Have you found your writer's voice? If so, how would you describe it and what was the process? Do you find someone else's writer's voice distinctive? Do share...

Bio: Nikola Hartmann is a freelance writer and blogger. She is the creator of Live Well for Less and a contributor at the Coffeehouse for Writers blog.

Image: Rasmus Thomsen

The "Top Dogs" in Blogs!

It's back! As most of my regular followers are aware, I typically devote a monthly mention to blogs that have caught my eye and captured my attention by standing out boldly in the blogosphere.
The criteria? I'm glad you asked...

For me it's typically a combination of quality content, regular updates, attractive design, an identifiable focus, and an interesting personality behind the person posting.

Many times I tend to focus on writing-related blogs in my niche, but not always. As they say, "variety is the spice of life."

So, kick back with your brew of choice and allow me to present my favorite picks. I'm sure they'll soon become favorites of yours too. Happy reading!

1. Blogging Bookshelf From my first visit, I was intrigued by the info and the engaging style of Tristan, who's the author. Here he combines seven years of blogging with information, tools, tips, and techniques culled from many sources. His approach is creative and unique. Be sure to read "Newton's 3 Laws of Blogging" and tell me what you think.

2. The Writer's Manifesto Blog Besides having a stunning design, this site boasts quality articles on an array of topics and writing jobs to boot.

3. Dumb Little Man You gotta' love the title--right? For me that was the original draw. Then I became stuck like Velcro as I read the great content and admired the style of Jay White. Whom I assure you is anything but dumb.

4. A Year of Slow Cooking is a hot spot in every since of the word! As mentioned before, I'm a "foodie" and I rather dig discovering new recipes and time-saving devices in the kitchen. Stephanie has a really unusual and interesting concept as she chronicles her experiences with crock-pot living. And from what I've read crock pot cooking is healthier than frying and baking. Need I say more?

5. Procrastinating Writers Blog As the name implies, this site is for those creative individuals that tend to put things off, and delay, and make excuses, and...well you know who you are. :-) You're certain to find support and suggestions here that will help you to be more productive and proactive!

6. Diary of a Mad Freelancer Princess is true "royalty" on the blogger's scene. She refers to herself as P.S., and she's absolutely hilarious and fun to read no matter what topic she tackles.

Have you heard of any of these? Do you know any other blogs that are boast-worthy? Feel free to let me know what's on your mind.

Image:Federico Stevanin

How Do You Avoid Blogger's Burnout?

Let's face it: Blogging can be a blessing or a burden depending upon how you approach it.

Though this popular medium for communication can be a lot of fun, and a great way to connect with quality folks from Texas to Timbuktu, it's a lot of work too.

Consider this. Though hours vary from person to person and niche to niche, the average blogger will at least log in some pretty serious hours on the following tasks:

1. Developing ideas
2. Fleshing out those ideas to produce quality posts
3. Choosing images to accompany their posts
4. Responding to comments
5. Making reciprocal comments at their visitors' sites
6. Answering questions
7. Promoting their work via social media forums

And how about guest blogging?
Are you with me here?

Which is why it's crucial to establish proper priorities and balance to avoid burnout.

For some this means keeping a blogging schedule. For others it may be checking comments once a week as opposed to 3x a day. And I've also noticed a new trend of blogging teams.

I'd like to know about you...how do you avoid the burnout often associated with serious bloggers? Have you ever felt the pressure? Do tell.

Image: Michal Markol

Recommended Reading...

Are you seeking more online opportunities for your writing? Would you like to have a more perfect "pitch" than Mariah Carey? Are you clueless when it comes to more complex writing and technical terms?

If so, Susan Johnston's Ebook "The Urban Muse Guide to Online Writing Markets" will help to hone your craft and increase your cash.
First, let me provide "full disclosure." I came into this review with a built in bias.

Which is why I spent $15.99 on an Ebook.
(And Jen doesn't typically "do Ebooks".) I'm an avid reader, but tend to prefer hard copy, tangible books, from the "old school".

Anyhow...

I am a fan of Susan's work. She and I became acquainted initially in 2007 when I hired her to freelance write for me, in my former position of senior editor of a popular regional publication, (that has since ceased publication).

Back then, as now, I found her to be a skilled writer who knows how to get the most out of any subject she tackles.

Although admittedly, at my stage of the game, many of the terms and tips were familiar, she still did an impressive job on providing detailed sample query letters, a good representation of varied markets, and insider's info on what to expect from web writing.

I did get a chuckle or two out of some of the things I read, which was an added bonus. :-)

All in all, I'd say it's a good investment for today's writer.

Pen & Prosper readers, have you heard of this writer or her book? Have you come across any other valuable reads in regards to the craft of writing? Do you prefer Ebooks to hard copy? Please feel free to share your thoughts.

Getting the Most out of Guest Blogging

Perhaps you've been blogging for a while and have yet to meet your goals. Your stats are stagnant, and your comments are... well...almost non-existent.

Or it could be that you're a real blogging hit, but would simply like to increase your exposure and your influence.

Either way, guest blogging is the ticket!
But make no mistake about it. True success requires a systematic approach.

Here are a few ways to get the most bang out of your blogging efforts.

1. Have goals and a game plan. For instance, I decided some time ago that my time would be best spent if I did some blogging for free and some for pay. As a "professional writer" it made sense for me to devote at least some of my pursuits to paying gigs, and blog for free for friends or worthy causes that couldn't afford to pay. For each blogger it might be different. But the clearer you are on where you want to go, the faster you'll get there. I love blogging, but who says you can't get paid for doing what you love?

2. Be strategic in your efforts. There are literally thousands of Blogs out in the blogosphere. Of those, there are probably hundreds that accept guest posts. As a good rule of thumb, you should target those that have a good following, a PR ranking of 3 or above, or minimally those that have excellent content. As they say, "You are judged by the company you keep."

3. Always submit your best work. You never know who might be reading. I have actually gotten requests from other blog owners after reading my posts at other sites. So do your best to do your best!

4. If you're wondering which sites to target, consider those that you read regularly and admire. Chances are if you're impressed with the Blog, others are too. To be certain that a Blog accepts guest posts visit their site and see if there's a heading like "write for us" or "guest post guidelines". Read and respond accordingly. What have you got to lose?

5. Have realistic expectations. It's unlikely you'll be an overnight success, nor will you be guaranteed that the audience will engage you with a lot of feedback, nor will you make six figures in six months. Don't believe the hype. A lot depends on the Blog culture, the niche area, the reputation of the site, and the topic addressed. Don't get discouraged, get determined.

And last but not least, have fun! It's a great way to connect with great people and increase your visibility. And done right, you may even land a gig in the process!
Wouldn't that be icing on the cake? :-)

Interested in guest blogging at this site? See the guidelines listed in the right margin under "PAGES."

Another great site for endless blogging opps is http://myblogguest.com/

I'd like to know...Pen & Prosper readers, have you ever been a guest blogger at other sites? What was the experience like?

Image: graur razvan ionut

5 Ways to Defeat the Doldrums!

One minute.
You have a quick minute to convince the average Blog reader that your post will be worth investing their time before they click over to another spot to be entertained and enlightened.

Let's face it, we are bombarded with daily messages: T.V. commercials, Emails, Ads, junk mail, etc. Who has time to read everything in depth?

This being the case, competition for today's reader's time is fierce! Not to mention, many are long on expectations with short attention spans. :-)

Bore them and you might as well say "bye-bye"! In essence, it's blogging suicide.
Of course, "loyal followers" are a little more forgiving, as long as your performance does not steadily decline.

If your Blog suffers the blahs (see my recent post for specifics) and you would like to increase your readership and your influence, here are five tips to take your blogging game to the next level!

1. Grab them with vital titles! Titles are teasers that if done effectively, create interest and intrigue. Try these techniques for starters: make a provocative statement, ask a thought-provoking question, or use a popular quote.
2. Have a conversational tone. Don't speak at your readers, speak to them! Blog writing is different than academic writing, or technical writing, or magazine writing. Don't get it twisted. :-)
3. Stay true to who you are. Authenticity matters. Better to be the best you than a mediocre copycat.
4. Know that presentation matters. This includes providing posts that are spell checked and grammatically sound. It also means incorporating quality photos and images to provide visual appeal and a little variety.
5. Loosen your collar! Show a little humor and humanness. Show us your struggles, your stressors, your short-comings and your shine!

And as a bonus point---you should stay on point! In other words, if your blog's focus is writing, don't confuse readers with tips on how to bake a cake, or political rants, or basket making. It's okay to tie in varying topics periodically, (if there's a correlation) but the more focused you are, the more readers can focus on what you have to offer and trust your expertise.

Of course there are other factors that contribute to a bodacious blog experience, but these five are the most crucial in conquering the blog blahs!

Do you agree or disagree? What other factors would you like to share?

Image: graur codrin