Can a love for reading and writing become a business?
Reading and writing is something I do really well. I have tried writing articles for content mills, but in the end lost out on payment because the site shut down. I am looking for a mentor to guide me towards establishing my business. Can I make a career out of this?
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Mar 25, 2015
Yes, you can. It isn't easy, but it can happen. Perhaps, you might want to start looking at your local newspaper or community newspaper. I write for a local community newspaper. I first volunteered to write articles, then this year I started getting paid. The important thing is to get your name out there. Second, there are websites that advertise for freelance writers, but you have to search for them. Third, look at magazines that accept unsolicited articles. A woman on my facebook page, her article appeared in OWN.
Mar 21, 2015
Content is one the fastest growing areas of marketing. Managers of websites are under increasing pressure to create huge amounts of relevant content both on their sites and also other industry related sites too, talking about their products and services. It's an essential part of a marketing strategy, so if you love writing, find the topics you are most interested in and start blogging and offer your services.
The best part of this is that businesses only really thrive when you are passionate about them. So if its something that you love, you are half way there.
Best of luck with it and start writing!
LJ
Mar 20, 2015
The best businesses are those that are built on products and services that we love and about which we are passionate. That was one of the primary factors behind me launching my PR firm. As you have experienced, unfortunately, not every avenue is secure or reputable; however, don't let these setbacks deter you. It's been said that venture capitalists will not invest in companies that have not failed at least three times.
Use these experiences as guides to help you assess future opportunities.
Keep in mind that many firms tend to hire on a freelance, project or contractual basis. These are great avenues to help you get your foot in the door. To ensure steady work, ensure that you have a well-rounded portfolio of work. Although you may have a specialty field, experience writing for diverse audiences on various platforms will prove that you're versatile. In today's extremely competitive landscape, versatility is crucial and will help ensure work on an ongoing basis.
Also, it's important to remember that, as with anything else, you will have to work your way up and develop a level of trust with those for whom you write. Starting a business is a seemingly endless stream of peaks, valleys and plateaus. Use that time to continually develop your craft.
With that being said, make certain that you never.stop.writing. Ever. It's crucial to have a steady supply of work that is timely and relevant. Professional writers are expected to be have a readily available arsenal of work. This is a field where even two or three weeks out can make a tremendous difference, especially if relevant news or topics occurred during that period.
Consider ongoing education. Employers in any field like to see that you're invested in your craft. Join professional groups and attend webinars and classes. (You'll be surprised how many free resources are available.) Not only will this look great on your resume, but it will also allow you to connect with professionals that you may have never encountered. Who knows what doors this may open?
Develop and maintain an online presence and create a portfolio of your work. And network, network, network. While you must be sure to utilize the power of social media, in-person networking is an oldie but ---ALWAYS--- a goodie.
Best of luck!
Mar 20, 2015
Reading and writing are some of the oldest skills, thus the most general and overlooked. What you need is publishing - just like a singer needs a band and a producer. Publishing is where the money is and has always been. People who love life love writing - people who love writing love books. In the end, both have stories to tell!
Mar 19, 2015
First things first. You need to create a list of the top five areas of reading and writing you are good at. Next pair the list down to the top three. Next research on the market segment opportunity. Create the business plan. That will serve as your determiner and roadmap to possible final success. Recognize that success is three to five years out from launch date. Here is a starting point: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Money-Writing
Mar 19, 2015
IMHO. Parents are very pragmatical and if you ofeer things like "help your kids to develop reasoning skills or metacognitive skilss with reading" maybe you can organize sessions who help people to discover new ways to learn and enjoy life reading, and this is a good and noble way of make bussiness. I charge 130 MX$ by hour and we get 10-15 children every session using robotics for reasoning skills development. Our students get better grades in Math and science and parents are very happy with us.
Best,
Mar 18, 2015
I developed a short workshop entitled "Becoming a Wealthy Self-Published Author" it was based on my own experience using POD (print on demand) facilities and other previous experience, books I'd read and advice I received.
So with POD more accessible and the rise in the popularity of ebooks I think that a way forward might be to pick a topic that sells, do the research, write the book, get a great cover designed, with a good title and get it published, printed available online AND THEN PUSH AND MARKET IT LIKE HELL
Mar 17, 2015
You can make an awesome living as a writer! Look at Stephen King, Nicholas Sparks and Dave Ramsey, to pick a few genres. You can make a meager living as a writer, I have come into contact with many of these writers myself. You can also keep your day job and adhere to a writing schedule while you try to create the next masterpiece that takes over the literary world.
This last option is what most authors take because it takes money to be able to live. Then again, writing could be your second career if you are ready to retire and have a good nest egg. Either way you go, writing is a hard thing to survive on as a sole income source.
Good luck and enjoy whatever path you choose as a writer.
Mar 17, 2015
Communication is a big issue for any business, even more so for organizations selling technology. If you can add listening as one of your primary skills, you can turn your love for reading and writing into one of several types of sought after expertise...in customer requirements, for example. Package your skills into something that businesses need (and in their vocabulary, of course), and you will be on your way.
Mar 17, 2015
Yes sure it can be as a deep information which leads to wide knowledge to discuss or to be consultanat for others .
Mar 17, 2015
Absolutely you can...Decide what type of articles or books you wish to write about...Who your audience is to be, and go submit articles or manuscripts to people and editors who would be interested in your work...It is like anything else you must establish a mission and vision statement and then write from your strengths and do not be afraid of rejection
Mar 17, 2015
Writing is a powerful ability and now with the internet a wonderful platform for writers is available. Once on the net your words are in a permanent library.
Mar 17, 2015
Hi Karin,
Most certainly you can make a career out of your passion. I have done it. Although it took me a couple of years, I now have established a reputation that clients contact me rather than me contacting them. It doesn't mean that I wouldn't have to be active in sales ;)
What I started with was to contact potential partners through which I could sell my expertise as a part of the partners' portfolio. Then after a while I was ready to sell directly to clients - with respect to the partners I had helping me, so I wasn't "eating from the load" if you know what I mean.
The best thing is to find a concrete gap in your potential client's PR, marketing, customer magazine or whatever, and then propose a solution for that - with a price.
Let me know if I can help you with something.
Sincerely,
Jukka
Finland
Mar 16, 2015
Hi Karin,
Have you ever heard of Brian Johnson? He wrote a book called ‘The Philosopher’s Notes.
Like you, he loves reading and writing and his specific interest is personal growth via Philosophy and Positive Psychology and the ways in which this knowledge can be applied to optimize our lives.
His skill is synthesizing information and his tag line for Philosopher’s Notes was ‘more wisdom in less time’.
Once you decide on your area of interest, you could see if a similar approach to synthesizing information could work for you. It’s a great way to incorporate your reading and writing skills!
Good Luck!
Mar 16, 2015
Hi Karin,
I am a writer and a coach and can definitely help you define what's closest to you as a writing niche and get there. There are so many options I can't even begin to explain them here: with KDP on Amazon it is now easy to be a full blown writer and make money out of it; you could blog for money and on topics that interest you; you could write book reviews for money - I used to do that for a website for $10 per 200-300 word review. And that's the tip of the iceberg.
If you want us to have a totally free chat, let me know. I have worked with people who want to write for a living and I am certain I can help you out.
Best,
Maya
Mar 16, 2015
Yes if you are in writing then many fields are open .You can start with your own blogs , become script writer for any of the advertisements agency , edit scripts or articles .There are many sites and many groups that will be helpful to you.
Mar 16, 2015
In my limited experience I've learned a couple of truths in life. One, you don't live for yourself, you live for others. In your case since you write well it is - if I may say so - incumbent upon you to share your mind with others. And two, the world is always eager to hear something that they like.
Talking of business, it's a different ballgame. Niche, clarity, focus, and consistency are the 4 major factors for a writer to be successful in business. Start a blog, and if you can stick to these factors, you'll be pleasantly surprised by your success which can be as early as in just 6 months or so.
Lastly, I appreciate your mentioning that you love reading.. I am reminded of the famous saying by Stephen King: If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.
Best wishes.