3 Steps To a Successful Writing Career

How can it possibly be that simple? It really is. But you must be honest with yourself and live up to your commitments.

We all want to be successful. Most of us even want to help other people. And sometimes money isn’t the main attraction. 

What Are the 3 steps to Create Success?

1.     Do what you love

2.     Make a list of the parts of your business you “want to do” and those you “don’t want to do”

3.     Commit to systematic marketing of yourself

Step 1

Seems obvious but how many people do you know who don’t love what they do? Who do their “job” because it pays the bills? Are they happy? It takes courage to make a living doing what you really want to do, but life is so much better for taking that step.

What do you really want to spend your life doing? Don’t worry, this will change over time, just as you change. No matter what you love doing there are always parts of it that you don’t want to do. 

Step 2

Just because you don’t like to contact potential clients doesn’t mean you’re not good at it, it just means you’re better at procrastination. Don’t you enjoy conversations with potential clients when they’re telling you how they got into business and how they figured out that they had something that would benefit other people? Put yourself in their shoes, would they enjoy knowing how you decided to be a copywriter, what you have to offer them?

You can create your workday or work week so that you include those “don’t want to dos” in a way that makes your business successful.

The first step is identifying what parts of our business you don’t like. Get out a yellow pad of paper (8 ? x11 is best) and draw a line down the middle. Now you have two columns, label one “like to do,” the other “don’t like to do” and start writing all the tasks involved in your business that fits each column. If you’re a copywriter maybe you don’t like to contact new potential clients. Write it in the don’t like column. Maybe you love doing research, I’ll bet you know which column that should go into. Think of all the tasks that go into copywriting: include filing, getting ink for the printer, starting a new project, getting information from a new client for a job, stopping to make supper, whatever it is. You will have a great many tasks. Probably more in the “don’t like” than the “like” column.

Now look over your list, is there anything that can be done right now and then you’re done with it? It’ll probably be in the “don’t like” column otherwise you would have done it by now. Maybe you need to ask your last client for a testimonial, maybe you need file folders and other office supplies. If there is something you can do once and have it gone – well, just do it.

Now you have fewer tasks and a sense of accomplishment.

What Recurring Parts of Your Business Don't You Like?

There will be some parts of your business that are recurring and that you may not like. For many copywriters that might include marketing themselves. For these tasks get creative. What is the least objectionable way you could market yourself? Cold calling not your thing? What about LinkedIn or email? I use both methods because I don’t like cold calling either.

Part of getting the things done in your “don’t like to do” column boils down to creating a weekly task structure. For many people Mondays is their “marketing me” day, for me it’s Tuesday. Monday is my read whatever I want day. However you decide to structure your week, write it down. That makes you committed and honest with yourself. Be sure to have “don’t want tos” and “want tos” in each day, and stick to your schedule.

Remaining true to your schedule is crucial. You are your most important client, and you must meet your deadlines! Remember, this is a business, and you’re working to make money.

You’re doing what you love, you have a structure to your work life. Only one part missing.

Step 3

I’ve already alluded to marketing, but this will be a short deep dive into marketing yourself. This is one of the hardest aspects for me, and maybe for you.

It’s easier selling someone else’s products and services than my own. There is an ego issue involved. And maybe even an unwarranted lack of self-confidence. But putting “marketing me” into your weekly schedule is one of the most beneficial acts you can do for the success of your business. How can you help anyone if they don't know you exist? Potential clients aren't mind readers, you have to tell them.

The Power of an Excel Spreadsheet

I find that setting up an excel spreadsheet is one of the easiest ways to keep track of what I’m doing. I make a list of ideal potential clients and type them into my spreadsheet (now I’m committed)! Just like a deadline I determine how many people I’m going to contact each week. At first, I made it 2 people a week, now I’m up to reconnecting, conversations, and assignments from 15-20 people a week. But I still contact 2 NEW prospective -clients each week. Just because I have an assignment from someone this week doesn’t mean I’ll have one next week and I want to keep my name out there. Eyeballs count.

The spreadsheet is also great for follow ups. That’s where many of us fail. We get up the courage to contact a marketing director, have a nice conversation, let them know if they ever need any help we’re here, then drop off the face of the earth. Even if we sent an email or connected on LinkedIn that single connection will be lost in all the other communications that marketing director has received. Find out when you should “check in” again and write the gist of the conversation and reconnect date on your spreadsheet. If there was any personal information that was shared from the director be sure and write it down. You will stand out if you can mention that on your second call. It may take several connections before you get an assignment, be patient. Every one of those calls builds trust and that is what makes you successful.

Those are the 3 Steps to a Successful Business. Simple and effective.

Do what you love, figure out your likes and dislikes, and remember you have a unique perspective that can help businesses grow, if you let people know you exist.

If this was helpful, or not, leave a comment. Feedback is an important way to grow.