What do you do if you want to make a name for yourself as a writer starting out?

Let's start by acknowledging that writing is not easy. It takes effort, skills, time, and patience to be recognised. There are five things you need to master. The first is command over language. You must make sure that your writing does not suffer from any language errors. The second is your domain expertise, especially if you are dabbling in non-fiction genres. In case, you want to make a name in the world of fiction then you must be creative. The third is being original. You will only be read if your work is different. The fourth is spotting your target audience. They are your customers, and you should know what they want. Tailor your writing to their needs. Finally, don’t let failure deflate you. Persist, if you want to be successful.

I've been a professional writer/journalist since 1982 & an author since 2012. That's more than 40 years as a wordsmith & I'm still learning my craft, never complacent. Writing is an art form to be honed, developed & worked at. As Kafka said 'A non-writing writer is a monster courting insanity.' You must have that fire within you, love of language & words, desire to write, no matter what form it may be in. Reading is key for me, when people ask how can they can be a writer? I reply read, read, write & read. Look at styles of writers you admire, take best aspects & develop your own style. Grow a presence on social media, engage with potential readers. Take online writing courses, embrace feedback from fellow writers, publish & be read!

Identify all the resources that professionals are using to hone their craft, then choose what you feel good about and if you take some time to do some research you will know which of these resources that would work best for you.. would you prefer workshops rather than online courses? Would you prefer join online groups or start journaling? Identify 1 or 2 things you can use and start working on them.

Write and publish as much of your original material as you can. Put it on your website, blogs, self-publish, articles, etc. Get your material out to the public. Get noticed.

Becoming a well-known writer requires diligence and persistence. When I first started as a writer in 2015, I ensured I placed myself out there where people could read my works. I was always writing content every day and I shared the content on my WhatsApp as a form of broadcast and my Facebook page. My consistency paved the way for me and I started attracting interest from local clients who reached out to me to handle small projects for them. I ensured I gave my all to their projects and from there, I got referrals and the story is different today. So, you need to consistently write to build expertise and SHOW people you can write and not just TELL them. When you get offers, PUT YOUR BEST INTO IT and referrals will follow.

If you want to work as a professional writer, you will not get there by trying to have good ideas. You will get there by producing an enormous volume of work. Good ideas are rare, but you increase your odds of having them the more ideas you produce. For writers, this means your best shot at becoming a professional comes from volume. There are no guarantees, but being prolific is one of the best ways to raise your chances of success. Write, write, write until you think you've done enough. Then, keep going.

- There's nothing like updating, sharpening, and rebuilding your skills. So, make that as a primary element to consider. - Work on having a wide access to all kinds of learning channels. From attending webinars and workshops to completing relevant and on-demand certified courses, these channels hone your proficiency and knowledge. - Broaden your network. Build and engage with personalities, as well as, communities that are well-versed in your area of interest - Make a well-constructed portfolio and remember to keep updating it. Showcase your expertise in every possible way. - Be strictly consistent with working on your craft daily so you always have enough to put forth when it comes to surfing your line of work.