Hi Everyone,
I have several things I’d like to talk about. I’m writing this in one post, but if it gets to long I’ll break it down into two or three. Who knows when I’ll go off on some rambling tangent. You gotta love writers, right?
First up is This Writing Gig
Most of the people who read this blog are writers and there’s probably a few marketers starting to stop by. I recently posted about it being a natural transition to go from being a writer to a marketer. In a sense, if you’re a writer and trying to earn a living at it, you’re already a marketer, or at least you should be. You should be marketing your services.
So, this writing gig. I seriously can’t think of anything I’d rather do. However, it’s not an easy job. If you’re a new writer looking to break into online writing, get ready to work. You will not get rich writing web content for clients, but it’s a good start. Keep in mind that eventually you need to start thinking about other streams of income, which will require even more work. I may cover that later in this post. For now, lets just say that this writing thing is a great job, but it does come with its share of headaches, late nights, deadlines, stress, writer’s block, and sometimes it’s low pay.
I’m not saying that to scare you off from writing. I say that to prepare you.
There is NO Easy Button!
Get over it and stop looking for it. Trust me, I spent (wasted) a lot of time looking for it. It does not exist. Anyone who promises you that you can set up a website, add a few links and get rich is a liar. It takes a lot more work than that. If you’re not willing to put in the time and effort to build a writing career or even a marketing career, you can stop reading now and stop thinking about it now. It will take work. It will take a lot of hours, days and maybe even months to build something successful. I’ve done it before. But I also failed. I failed by not planning ahead, by not expecting and planning for the day when my good paying clients would no longer need my services. Ouch!
I should have been building other things on the side. I didn’t. I am now. This blog is part of my journey. I’ve smashed the easy button and prepared myself to work/write long hours again building things that will bring in money even when I’m not working. It may be a long process. The road will be full of pot holes and obstacles. I am tired, but I’d be tired anyway. That’s just how it is. I’d rather be tired knowing I kicked butt today instead of being tired from doing nothing.
Goals – Up Front and Center
I have goals. I even have a lot of them written down. It’s supposed to be the key to accomplishing your goals. The truth is, that’s only part of it. You have to actually read them once in awhile too. I need to hang my white boards back on the wall and write my goals there.
That way, I might take the time to look at them more often.
I don’t know where you are in your journey/career, but it’s time to get off your butt if you’re sitting there idle. It’s time for me to get off my butt and work harder. It’s time for focus, determination and taking action.
If you want to be a writer, be a writer. Stop waiting for everything to be perfect before you begin. It will never be perfect.
If you’re not a writer, fill it in with whatever you strive to be. :)
Stop waiting for all the lights to turn green before you leave the house. It ain’t gonna happen.
Stop putting things off because you’re tired, or don’t feel good, or not in the mood. Do something! Do it tired. Do it scared! Just do it!
(Yep, stole that from Nike.)
If you have goals, read them, work at them. Don’t let them sit in a notebook gathering dust. I’ve done that. It doesn’t work that way.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on any of my ramblings. Share your journey, your complaints–whatever you need to share.
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Loved this post. I’m having a tough time breaking into freelancing, but I can see how I’ve been looking for that easy button. When one needs cash it’s hard not to look for that easy button, ya know?
This is a great kick-in-the-pants post; one I needed. Plus, it’s not draped in false promises or disguised by the rose colored glasses so many other bloggers seem to try to scam the wannabes with. I’m tired of the snake oil salesmen and you tell it like it is– so refreshing!
Ok, I’ll stop gushing now and get back to writing. ;-)
Twitter: pattistafford
says:
Love your comment, Kathi.
Yes, this freelance thing can be hard. Even years later it can still be hard, but like I said, I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do.
I definitely know about needing cash—NOW! That’s part of the reason I wish I’d started on other ventures sooner. Something that would bring in at least of trickle of income, even if I didn’t work much in the month.
I do have one little trickle, but I want more. I want a lot of trickles. :)
Definitely look to build some of those trickles for yourself while you’re freelancing. It will take awhile to build them up, but they are worth it.
You might want to check out Tiffany Dow’s ebook on Ghostwriting Cash. I haven’t read this one myself, but I have a few of her other courses and she’s a no fluff kinda gal.
That link is: http://sassylikes.com/ghostwritingcash