The Business of Writing and Blogging

The Business of Writing and Blogging (and how to make money doing it) – hot topic n’est pas? Whether you are an aspiring author or experience blogged there’s always the need to learn more about the business behind the creativity. And yes, it is a business. A few tips on The Business of Writing and Blogging…

The Business of Writing and Blogging

The most important thing in the The Business of Writing and Blogging is Talent and Skills. You need basic skills like spelling (despite auto-correct!). You need creative skills like compelling-word-smithing. You also need hard skills like organically incorporating messaging and research. Bloggers can either be a story teller or journalist (or a bit of both). A fiction writer is a story teller. A non-fiction writer is a journalist with a storyteller mask.

Newbies take heart Experience isn’t everything. But it does count when you pitch a publishing house, editor, or brand.

It’s amazing what a little bit of Networking can do for an author or blogger. Conferences, workshops, professional group meetings…heck, even Facebook groups and Twitter chats can introduce you to people and peers in the industry! Through these networks you can develop relationships, learning, industry trends, and paid opportunities.

Read more: Blogging and Writing Tips

I pride myself to always include a little Added Value in everything I publish. What added value you ask?…social media promotion! Social media platforms are HUGE assets to a writer and blogger. It also helps for return customers because clients love added value and they will remember you for it.

If you don’t have Organization in your business tool box – get it quick. A freelance writer needs to be a self-starter with methodized approaches. What does that mean? Keep on top of your assignments, timelines, outlines, and paperwork. Though I do use Google Drive for cloud storage – I’m a pen and paper organizer and find typed outlines and hand written calendars my best organizational tools.

Delivery is key to a writer or blogger who wants to monetize. Send drafts on time. Publish posts on time. Send invoices on time.

Creative types (me included) aren’t always the best at Accounting however it is the lifeblood to your business. With my book deals – I was paid in three installments – and it was up to me to keep track of dates when I had to invoice. With blogging – as a freelancer – it’s up to me to rate and bill projects. Invoices, reminders, accounts receivable, expenses, general ledgers…all super important (and if you neglect any – you will kick yourself come tax time).

Finally, a big part of The Business of Writing and Blogging is Forecasting. What’s the next trend? What’s evergreen? What hasn’t been written yet? What can you write that no one else can write?

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