Six Figure Writing

Hi from SueC here at Six Figure Writing! As a new reader, be sure to subscribe to my email list, and my RSS feed to get the most out of SFW. Thanks for stopping by!

I just reviewed a bunch of survey responses from my list members, and the results are pretty striking. It seems that while both new and inexperienced writers are definitely taking advantagew of opportunitites on the Web, there are a whole host of tactics and strategies for increasing income which many writers still seem unfamliar with. (You can take the survey here.)

Some members want to know how to use blogs effectively to market yourself and your writing. (Lots of writers have blogs, but are they effective?) How to incorporate some Web 2.0 features (social networking, video, audio, etc.) into their marketing mix is another. (Yes, writers can still use video to promote themselves!) And a big one, which I had a hard time learning myself, was how to generate your own work, get clients at the rate you set, and not rely so much on finding paying jobs. (There is too damn much competition for the low-rate junk - so don’t compete there.)

I’m working on a report now that will outline, in a business-plan-lite fashion, how to focus your writing efforts on productivity. Productivity doesn’t mean writing output. Instead, it’s figuring out which things of the type I list above will start to increase your bottom line, and directing your effort there. It can mean enhancing your writing skills, adding new marketing and promotion strategies to your toolbox, or expanding the types of work you do so you reach more clients or buyers.

Take a step back and survey your current work efforts. What are you NOT doing now that you think you COULD do better? What are you spending time on now that does NOT result in profit? Comment below and let me know.

By the way, check out this really great tool I ran across, RescueTime. Once it’s installed on your PC, it will tell you where you’re investing - or wasting - your computer time! (Mine is on political news…well heck, I live in PA!)

Tags: freelance writing, freelance writing jobs, writing business, Writing Links

written by SueC \\ tags: freelance writing, freelance writing jobs, writing business, Writing Links

The big question to answer here is: How can writers make six figures, and is it really do-able?

I see writers online making a lot more than that. And we’re going to look at what other writers are doing to get there. There are a few assumptions I have to set out here:

- Nonfiction is the mainstay of profitable writing. So, if you write short stories or poetry of other fiction, you’ll have to write (at least some) nonfiction. Fiction writing is not the fastest way to get to six figures.

- You are going to be writing for yourself as much or more than writing for clients. The only way to really make money is to create your own assets, not create them for others. (If you haven’t read Rich Dad, Poor Dad, check my list of top books, below.)

- Think strategically about your writing business. You are building a business, so you want at least a basic business plan for how to get to six figures, and by when, in your writing business. (I’ll post a sample on in the comping weeks that you can steal from.)

- Bring to your business objectives the same creativity you bring to your writing. What new ideas will create income for you? That’s what webmasters are doing: hiring writers to create content, then profiting from that content. How can you cut out the middleman? That’s the six figure question. Be creative, look creatively at what these web business owners are doing.
Start by taking a look at some of the links posted here. You’ll see example of what some writers are doing online - or folks who are hiring writers, and how the content is making them money. Make a short list: Are they using page content to sell stuff? Are they selling e-content? Are they using blogs or other frequently updated material? Are they giving away reports or other material to get people to sign up for a newsletter or other list?

What kind of writing do you do now, or could you start doing, that would fit the bill on sites like these?

Tags: fiction, nonfiction, writing business

written by SueC \\ tags: fiction, nonfiction, writing business