Quote:
Originally Posted by GordonJ
3) Writing for profit, or even to make a living- travel writing, e-books, copy writing, slf publishing, etc.
In the last ten years or so, I've noticed a lot of marketers selling courses, membership to sites, e-books, webinars about writing for profit.
A lot of the promotion is about becoming a copywriter. I'm really not interested in becoming a freelance copywriter until I can write copy for my own products, and even then probably wouldn't have much interest.
I believe Jim Straw addressed the issue of freelance copy writing by saying that before you charge others to write copy you should be able to write good copy for your own products. Plus, there's so many copywriters out there already-both wannabes & pros.
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First, although I've done pretty well as a HACK writer, a lot of areas have become commodities. Copy writing being one of the most glutted of the areas.
Since I used plethora already, how about an OVERABUNDANCE of would be copy writers. Only good ones will make a living at it, or by estimate, less than 5 0f 100 who take a course from_____________ (anyone).
And with Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the scene, pursuing Copywriting may be an exercise in frustration.
Also, I'm not big on the whole FREELANCE gig thing. Always chasing after work, half of them end up in hot IRS soup because they didn't put back enough taxes, feast to famine...
I do like to write (or did) under contract. I'd say most of mine were renewable 90 day contracts, with specific goals and outcomes written into the agreement.
But writing is an EVERGREEN MARKET. If you can write, and want to, the write what pleases you and brings in the money you want.
My kid just inked a deal to have her new book published, but she worked very hard for a couple of years to get the right agent. Sure, we can always self publish our writing, but going through that experience of rejection, rejection, and more rejection to accptance, a contract and a book on the shelves via "old world" publishing is still considered an accomplishment. Of course, she can write.
It helps if you have a point of view, a voice, a style.
But to write for a profit is pretty much the bulk of my work the last couple of decades.
Here is what I've found out. I teach a simple process:
Write a HOTSHEET.
Then a four page White Paper.
A 10 page report.
Add graphics, resources, illustrations.
Rinse and repeat; Bundle and sell.
Certainly NOT rocket science. But you can't believe how many people I've talked with who want to profit from their writing and can't even create a simple one page HOTSHEET, and I never hear from them again.
Here is my best advice:
Writers Write.
If you do that and work with a Focus, foundation, and framework, you will profit from your writing.
Gordon