"Required reading" for today's smart writer.

"Required reading" for today's smart writer.
Information & inspiration to hone your craft and increase your cash...Since 2009

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

How to Get Off the Writing Treadmill!


Ever feel that despite all your writing efforts, you seem to be going no where?
Like you're running in place.

You spend hours on crafting queries, only to have them go unanswered.
Or you research new markets, but can't seem to find any suitable for the pieces you've created.

Or you're working hard, but your output exceeds your income!
You're exactly the same place you were last month, last year.

It happens to the best of us.
It's like being on a treadmill. And if you don't get off of it soon, you'll likely get frustrated, tired, and throw in the towel.
And you'll have nothing to show for your sweat equity.

As someone who has published professionally for over a decade, in just about every genre you can imagine, I'll share some tips to help you go the distance and better pace yourself for times ahead.

1. Got goals?
In order for you to move forward and stay on a progressive path, you must know where you intend to go. This may seem obvious, but trust me, it isn't. There are numerous writers that write because they "love" to, with no clear vision as to where they see themselves going in the future. Perhaps you're one of them. Productive writing requires planning. Make sure to put your goals in writing for greater odds for success. Studies show that when people actually pen their goals, they are much more likely to achieve them.

2. Quit writing for everybody for free.
You'll burn out much more quickly. And you'll never attain financial growth.
In the infancy of my career, I wrote a lot for nothing. And don't get me wrong, I still write for free now. If it's a valuable cause, or for a good friend, or a start-up that I believe has growth potential. But there's a limit. Over the last few months, I've gotten several requests to become a guest author at some pretty well-established sites, (for free). Unfortunately, I had to decline. As much as I love writing, I need to eat too. :-)

3. Market more.
Let's face it: many creative creatures get caught up in the art of "creating" with very little efforts devoted to selling their work. Getting paid is what makes writing a career and not a hobby. Sure, I know, that sometimes it may make you feel like a used car salesman, but do it anyway.

4. Invest in yourself.
In a tough economy, everybody is trying to get more bang for their buck.
But free ain't always better, folks.
At some point on your path, you'll need to invest in yourself for optimal results.(Meaning you'll need to spend some money).
Other professionals do it all the time. Beauticians go to classes to update their skills and learn new techniques. Whether it's Jherri Curl perms, or weaving procedures.
Teachers take self-development seminars to hone their craft and maintain their certification. Why not you?

To help you move forward, I'm happy to announce my new service---(see here's where I practice what I preach, by marketing to you). :-)

(On a side note---Up until this point, you have never seen Ads of any sorts or affiliate programs that ask for money.)

This month, I have launched JEN'S VIP CLUB. If you like my Blog, you'll love my club. For the price of a Starbucks visit, (7 bucks for the first month, even less for multiple months), you'll receive, Blog Jobs, Marketing Tips, Advice by Email and more! Email for details.

Commitment phobic? Money tight? Sign up for just one month for the 7 bucks, and cancel at anytime. There's no further obligation.
Free gift to the first 12 to sign up! Discover the benefits of being connected... today.

How will you get off the writing treadmill? Or does this apply? Do tell.

Image Stock Photo

11 comments:

  1. I do find myself on a treadmill sometimes. It can be hard to get off, so I appreciate these tips. Will definitely give your club consideration. Wish you the best as you move ahead. :)

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  2. Jennifer Brown BanksNovember 8, 2011 at 12:38 PM

    Much thanks, Karen!

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  3. Jennifer Brown BanksNovember 8, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    Oh yeah, there's great truth to the adage, "You've gotta' spend money to make money." :-)

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  4. Jen,
    I am marketing YOU on my blog. I am so glad that I discovered your article, Breaking the Rules, in that writer's magazine so many years ago. Wishing you more success than you have ever known! You deserve it.

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  5. Jennifer Brown BanksNovember 9, 2011 at 4:14 AM

    Linda,

    Wow! What a blessing you continue to be.
    Thanks, hon. :-)

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  6. Thanks for your post Jennifer,

    To be able to get off the writing treadmill I do Affiliate Marketing although for it on my Blog I still need to write some posts once in a while, this kind of writing doesn't make me feel like being on a writing treadmill because, first of all I could make it myself real easy by give room on my blog for a Guest Writer or (see - Lazy Way to Success - on my Travel Blog btw) or just for example re-purpose some content from some of my own older posts or I only write
    a 'Crispy Fresh' New

    - Exclusive - Posts, because....,

    I only write posts when I really think I have something interesting to share, when I am Inspired, and when I really enjoy writing them. (that also goes for writing Comments like the one you are reading right now, I easily write them with light speed because I really enjoy writing them :))

    The great thing about Affiliate Marketing is that you can really build
    a Business and 'detach' yourself from the 'Trading Hours for Dollars' Treadmill. Creating a System that still will keep on making money - literally - even when you sleep, relax. (or study possible investments)

    For what setting Goals is concerned,
    MMmmmmm, I don't know, I do indeed think that it definitely can help with - Focussing - your energy, on the other hand to for example work with a real Business Plan does look a little unflexible to me, Personally I prefer to work with more of a Business Model.

    'What quiting writing
    for Free is concerned,'


    I am not sure about this but I do think that this might possibly be the difference between 'Lack Thinking' and 'Abundancy Thinking'...,

    Because some time a go in a Teleseminar I learned something interesting about somebody that simply did - Both - On his blog he had all kinds of interesting info For Free, and at the same time also offered - that same - Info only 'Condensed' into a handy PDF eBook that people could Buy on his Blog. The Funny thing is that you would think that nobody would buy it when they could also get it for free only he claims that he both had people that looked at his Free Stuff and once in a while a lot of people also actually bought his eBook.

    For what Market More is concerned, that looks like a good idea although I hope that the 'Word of Mouth' (or 'Word of Mouse') will do that :)

    Investing in Myself, MMmmm maybe,
    Only I once read something from some Millionaire that had a good explanation why Spending Money to Make Money wasn't true, only currently I can't really recall what he said about that, only that somehow he made it sound like he new what he was talking about.
    So I don't really know about that also :)

    Btw. talking about Treadmills have you seen the hilarious Treadmill video on my HealthyLifestyle Blog...? (you can find it via my Main Blogspot)

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  7. Hi Jennifer! I happened upon your blog recently, but when I didn't immediately become a Follower, I "lost" you! Thanks to my pal, Linda O., I'm here to tell you that I just became your follower, PLUS joined for the Nov-Jan time period!! (Hope I win a prize!) :D
    Hey, I was born in Illinois, too. Does that give me a leg-?!

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  8. HP van Duuren,

    You make some good points here, and I so appreciate the time and effort you devote to your comments! Thanks for stopping by.

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  9. Hi Becky!

    How wonderful to have you with us!
    And thanks for joining my V.I.P. Club.

    You'll receive insider's tips and leads that you won't find on my Blog.

    I'm glad we found each other. lol

    Linda is a super lady. Isn't she? :-)

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  10. Hi Jennifer - I wish you much success with your new venture. I can't afford to sign up for anything at this time, but I'll definitely keep it in mind. It's obvious that you're a professional who knows what she's doing.

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  11. Jennifer Brown BanksNovember 10, 2011 at 3:47 AM

    Lynn,

    How sweet of you. I really appreciate the response and your well wishes. And if/when you're ready, just remember that you can sign up for just one month @ 7 bucks, (get some great money-making resources) and call it a day. :-) Have a great week.

    Thanks for your thoughts.

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