The Successful Writer – setting up a business

After the Internet settled in, the need for writers multiplied manifold. That’s good news! So you have several options to choose from – website content, copy, SEO Writing, Social Media and the works. And because of the variety you have to offer, it is good enough to actually setup a team or start out alone as a Writer for a full-fledged business.

First things first. To start out your business as a Writer, here’s is what you need to do

1) Own your own Computer: Get yourself a decent desktop / laptop with a hi-speed internet connection

2) A place to work: Select a corner to work from. Initially you might not require an office – you might want to sit anywhere inspirational to write your heart out – by the sea or the sunset. So choose your favourite corners – even it means the quietest one at home.

3) Brand identity: It is advisable to have a brand identity. You come across as a professional, meaning to do business, unlike some rookie freelancer who is not sure of his/her address! Get a nice name and logo designed for yourself.

4) A good website: It might cost a bit initially but opt for a decent website – you could try joomla for starters as it is cheaper. Though it would be better to opt for an html / flash where you have better scope for design and creativity.

5) A good social media presence: It is a must to have an attractive profile on the key social media networks. FB and Linkedin for starters would be good. It helps to network with the people we know first, talk to them about your new venture, keep them posted about your services.

6) Keep a web-ready portfolio at handy. Collect all your work samples and send these to prospective clients as and when required.

7) And of course, get yourself some pretty business cards, a nice diary and pen for meetings and notes…and there – you seem all set to go out there and kick some butt eh?

So, you have your basic infrastructure in place. The key is to be professional and work professionally. Try to shirk the tag of a ‘freelancer’. It sucks big time.

The Successful Freelance Writer – 2

HAVING AN EDGE:

So, you sent an application to the editor and he turned you down? That does not mean the end of the world. It means you learn something from the feedback. The common feedback would be : either we don’t accept freelance contributions or stating that your styles does not suit our style etc. I am sure editors are laden with such offers everyday, especially from new writers. So probably you need to be a step ahead:

1) Your covering letter should state clearly what topic you are interested in writing. Write simple, don’t use wannabe and hi-fi words. Write concise and to the point

2) Your samples should be relevant to the media vehicle you are sending to. eg if you are applying to a fashion magazine or portal something related to apparels, accessories or the latest handbag trends would make sense

3) Throw in fresh new ideas by stating how you can add value to their content, and not how they can better themselves or what they should be doing

Now there are a plethora of vehicles which accept contributions from writers. Do a wuick google search or better still, look up these sites:

www.getafreelancer.com

www.writerlance.com

www.freelancewritinggigs.com

www.chillifreeze.com etc

Look up these sites and start bidding or applying to them for assignments. And till you land an assignment, keep practicing your writing. If you really have a flair and are passionate, it will reflect in your writing. The next post explains how setup gradually your freelance writing business – a successful one.

The Successful Freelance Writer – 1

If you like writing, you can be a freelance writer, but if you love writing, you can be a successful freelance writer. I am not an expert, but I am experienced. And after over 6 years of writing ‘freelance’, I decided to take the plunge as an independent writer.Here are a few first steps and guidelines for anyone – a homemaker to a teenager to a working woma – who wants to start out as a Freelance Writer and then proceed towards a successful career.

1) Draft your samples: If you want to start out as a freelance writer, you got to first have your samples ready. So think of 3 topics which you are comfortable with first – it could be anything – from Art to Sewing to the latest fashion in lingerie! Write about 500 words with a focus on the topic. And it could be in any language which you want to write it ultimately

2) ReWrite your sample: After writing the first sample, sleep over it and the next day read it over again. If you are hooked on to it, chances are the reader might like it too. If not, you might need to rewrite it. So write the same piece till you begin to like it.

3) Read,read, read: The best way to learn writing is to read some good writing. Look up the magazines / media you aim to write for and try to adapt the style. Mind you, if you are not comfortable, do not try to force it else it would appear me too. So adapt the style you are comfortable in

4) Feedback: After your samples are ready, you could show a few trusted friends around – they are your sample target readers. Get some feedback from them as well. Take criticism sportingly, and try to improvise on them. Rewrite the sample if need be.

5) And now, if your sample is ready to be shared, look up the contacts of editors / sub-editors and write a nice mail to them, like a covering letter – with your resume and the 3 samples attached therein.

Usually it takes a few days for them to respond. Especially if its the issue closing time, they might be incommunicado so don’t get depressed. Wait for the revertal – and whether it is positive or negative, don’t take it personally. There’s room for everyone…

Part 2 will take you further down the road. Till then happy writing!

Why The Brand Name ‘ The Word Jockey’

Why i don’t like the word ‘Freelancer’

I feel like Achilles in Troy when they ask me ‘are you a freelancer’? The word was coined back in 1800 for a mercenary soldier. So much for a Writer being labelled as a Freelancer, today. I prefer the title ‘independent professional’. It’s my career, not an affair. Thodi izzat do, writers hain hum. Apparently, the word ‘freelance has gathered threads of perception of being  ’unbelonging’ – like how the stick gathers candyfloss.  More so, few nonchalant samples take the word too literally. They want the writer to work for free. Check dictionary.com please, les miserables.    And mind you, writing is a damned tiring and intellectual job…   The good news is for most people who think anyone can write must know that anyone can write. The strange news is most can’t. There is a writer in everyone, like there is an actor in all, or a singer. All World’s a stage after all, said a great writer once. And he was no ‘freelancer’ either.

So there, I am not a freelancer.

A CAREER IN WRITING – I

It was the beginning of the famous 2009 Recession. All the share indices were tumbling. People were being hacked from jobs. The credit market had busted. All the skulls and skeletons were out from the closet. So much for the dramatic background. That’s exactly the time when I decided to venture out on my own. Take my own path. Begin a career on my own. Quit the monetarily happy job with a big workdesk and my own laptop, and work from home. People ask ‘what exactly have you started out as’? And I proudly say ‘ As a writer and communications’ consultant’. And they respond ‘wow, that’s nice!’. And that felt nice too. The positive response I got from friends, family, my network – was pretty good. And encouraging. I felt I am on the right track. I still feel so. It is a dream career – to convert one’s passion into afulltime job.  Though I was always prepared for lesser income initially. But I was sure that from the past experience, there exists a need gap for a good communications’ expert – a copy, creative and content writer in the market. In the corporate world. Despite the gloomy market conditions, I was confident of bagging work, sufficient to sail through the expenses. Though I do I have my husband as a huge support, but I earn enough to maintain a decent lifestyle already.  So here’s to a successful career as a Writer. In the following posts, based on my experiences, I would be sharing some tips on :

• Beginning a career in writing
• How to get and manage clients
• How to market oneself
• The pros and cons of a fulltime writing career venture etc.

Happy Writing!