Look I am Writing... Not Starting a Business.. Really? Are You Sure?
By Rebecca E, 27th Apr 2011 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutBusinessStarting A Business
Most writers would love to put fingers up ears and shout "la-la-la" when someone mentions the words "writing business." If they are making money with writing, then they have to accept the fact that they are a business.
What We Want In Our Business
Writers are funny beings. We want to say we are writing, and have someone tell us that we are doing such a great job and at the same time, we would love people to not notice our mistakes, when of course we do admit we have made some mistakes.
One such mistake a writer makes is saying that they write only for a hobby. Now, for some people, writing is for fun, and they do not see the need to make money. They might be working outside the home and whatever they make from their writing is a bonus. They are not the writers I am talking about. I mean the ones who only write, as in they count on their writing to make them money.
Wrong
They have it wrong. They are in a business. Now, part of a business or starting up a business is knowing what will make you money or what will not help you improve your career. Here are a few points to help to start your writing business off “write.”
1) Get or Set Yourself Some Goals: Not a “to do list” sorry this is the biggest thing, which makes most businesses fail to work on. A goal does not need to be long term, but rather very very specific. So saying that you will write 200 new and original words, and then edit two other pages by noon on this date is a goal. A to do list is “write 200 words and edit a page a day". There is a difference.
This difference affects how you run your business and the next two points.
Points to Try and Understand
2) Money is Money Made-- When you have it: Frankly most writers fail at this point, but the idea here is this, when you get paid that is when you make money. People, those who hire you can say that they will pay X dollars to you, but you have not made that money until it is in your hands. It is like Wikinut, I write pages, and I collect my earnings until I get to the payment level, and then I get paid (I know this becuase I have been paid already.
3) You ARE your company: There might be one employee-- you but it is still a bsuiness, and you can start by acting like one, having a set time to write. Telling people "no." Being professional, as in be prepared and having the working office you need. If you don't have these things started now, as in now, would be a good time. A business plan works wonders.
Since you are the company, you will also need to have a plan as to office hours, and how you can make money in as many ways as possible.
Yep.. Sure Thing.
By this time you've either gone wandering off, or you are serious about a business, and making money with your writing. What I've learned is that those who are serious are willing to take time to build their work and to make it happen. This is not easy, since when you write you have other commitments. (think jobs, or family or children or just about anything else.)
Still, you can do a lot with your writing, as a business and as a hobby. I am in no way suggesting that you always write with your business in mind, but you should also write on information that "grabs" you.
This is where writing online can help. Don't plan on making it your business (main source of money), but rather enjoy it for what it can offer, a bit of money, a lot of experience, and a good beginning to a small part of your writing business. On teh flip side, some parts of writing online can be a business. (for example my blogs are a main part of my business... but they are not the only part.)
A good start to that is joining wikinut, try it and make a bit of money.
Comments
30th Apr 2011 (#)
Thanks! Great information.
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1st May 2011 (#)
Great tips...thanks for sharing.
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1st May 2011 (#)
I love how you just put it like it is Rebecca. Great job as always. Thank you for sharing.:)
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1st May 2011 (#)
Great article, thanks!
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1st May 2011 (#)
As usual, excellent information and a great writing style, Rebecca! Great share, and congrats on your Star Page too..
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1st May 2011 (#)
Great post!
:)
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2nd May 2011 (#)
thanks all.
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2nd May 2011 (#)
Thank you Rebecca...
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5th May 2011 (#)
Good info thanks
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10th May 2011 (#)
Great read, as I have become accustomed to when reading your copy. Can you please write chapter two, about your writing methodology or work regime, example:(a) Type a draft on Notepad or Ms Word. (b) Add pics.,(c) Add back links, and..so on. This will help a whole lot of others including myself. And lastly, I write on a good few other sites, make $10 here 4pounds there etc. How many articles are needed to get an INCOME please?
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15th May 2011 (#)
http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2011/01/ala-governor-apologizes-for-br.php#comment-34076
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15th May 2011 (#)
Thanks for this, I am just starting out at as a freelance and found this really helpful.
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18th May 2011 (#)
Dear Rebecca!
Your posting as my followers refer Your service I've red with interest. I've some ones. Here below my e-mail: gene@sana.od.ua
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21st May 2011 (#)
ok will lokk into it gene
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28th May 2011 (#)
Very interesting article.
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4th Jun 2011 (#)
thanks
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16th Nov 2011 (#)
Good article. Couldn't agree more! As a playwright, I view playwrighting as a business. (as in) Why do you think it's called show business? And as a content producer, I regard that as a business as well. When I started on Yahoo! Contributor Network I made it a goal to write an article a day, and reach a certain clout level at a particular time. I even made up business cards with Web Content Producer on them. I achieved my clout level goal but did not always write one article a day. (If I wanted to maintain a certain standard of writing.) I really love writing on Wikinut (the support is incredible) but I do expect to make a little income (it's not a hobby!) as a result of my efforts.
I also like your point about having realistic goals on how much (or little!) money you can make web writing.
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28th Dec 2011 (#)
wow , You just blow up my mind. So terrific and tremendous writing.
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29th Dec 2011 (#)
thanks all.
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11th Apr 2012 (#)
Great tips.
I like your ideas.
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