How to Become a Successful Writer 1-2-3
T I P : Freelance Writing
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How to Become a Writer and Get Published
Writing is a great skill that can be used in many types of businesses. As a writer, you'll find lots of
career opportunities since there are various different fields you can work in. You can truly focus on a niche
that you really enjoy.
This business start-up guide is for both novices and experts. It includes valuable tips on how to make your
writing easier and more profitable. You'll hear experiences from hundreds of writers, teachers and editors that
will help you achieve greater success.
Why do we recommend this resource? See what you get >>
- How to develop your creativity, techniques for getting ideas & how to find your niche
- Tips for interviewing subjects and working with editors & agents
- Tips for poetry, fiction, nonfiction, magazine writing, screenwriting and business writing
- Editing your manuscript, marketing yourself and overcoming rejection
- Get it Risk-Free >> How to Become a Published
Writer
How to Start a Magazine & Turn a Profit
Publishing Expert James Kobak covers the easy-to-follow steps to starting a new magazine, he answers
questions about daily operations, discusses influential industry trends and includes revealing real-life case
studies. This can be a lucrative and fulfilling business when you focus on a topic that excites you - while
giving others information they want.
Get Them Risk-Free >> Make Money as a Magazine Publisher
Business Resources for Writers
How to Publish Your Own Books Lulu.com is a great online resource if you have a
limited budget and want to publish hardback or paperback books, CDs, DVDs, calendars and more. Get
your work printed as you need it - no minimum order, so you don't have to carry excess inventory.
How to Get More People to Buy Your Books or Your Writing Services:
If you can't find customers to pay
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doesn't have to be hard: simply use the techniques that the experts have learned.
Marketing Expert David Frey has been around for as long as I can remember. He has helped thousands of small
business owners find new clients (including myself).
He gives you all the information you need to find customers, get the to buy more and to keep the coming back
to purchase from you again and again. You don't have to buy lots of books, pay for expensive courses or
seminars or even hire a costly rep to promote your company. David Frey makes it easy and affordable (and even
fun) to find the customers yourself. I highly recommend his website to any small business owner starting
out.
Visit David's website and get a free marketing newsletter >> Small Business Marketing Strategies
T I P : 1500 Business Letter Templates
Write your letters in minutes! Use these business letter templates for administration issues,
hiring and personnel matters, sales and marketing, management, accounting and finance and
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Corporate Roads Less Traveled: A Guide for Freelance Writers
When targeting any corporation for freelance work, most writers contact the
communications department.
It makes sense, after all, that the department responsible for the majority of a company's external and
internal communications would have the greatest potential need for freelancers.
But having worked in a large insurance company for over 15 years, I can vouch for the fact that the need for
strong writers exists throughout the organization, not just in communications. And the management in these
other departments often realize that need.
But they probably won't even think to seek out a freelancer--unless you make them aware of your
availability, and show them how you might help them solve one or more problems within their areas.
Moreover, this fact doesn't apply only to insurance companies. Utilities, banks, hospitals, brokerage firms,
and a wide variety of other organizations frequently have similar departments, with similar needs. You just
have to know where to look, and whom to contact.
The following list, although by no means exhaustive, contains corporate "roads less traveled" where
enterprising writers might be able to pick up freelance work:
Customer Service Departments
I list this one first, only because I've spent a good deal of my own work history in the customer service
sector, so I know firsthand what writing needs exist there.
A certain amount of service for many companies is done via correspondence--either through form letters or
more personalized responses from a representative to a customer.
Often these form letters could use a professional writer's touch, or these representatives could use
business writing training. Some organizations might even hire a writer to assist them with their correspondence
backlogs, or with the creation of new form letters.
Another idea would be to offer employee newsletters targeted to customer service departments. The newsletter
might include Service Employee of the Month, customer service tips and articles, motivational quotes and
stress-reducing techniques and exercises.
If you've ever worked in a customer service department, you'd understand how valuable this type of
newsletter could be in terms of employee morale.
Human Resources Departments
Next to communications, HR departments probably produce the most documentation within an organization, and
most likely would be open to assistance in doing so.
From developing company policies to job descriptions, from posting fliers announcing upcoming company events
to handling employee benefits paperwork, human resource professionals for whom writing may not come easily need
to constantly communicate to the rest of the company in writing.
Can you help them get their messages out clearly and professionally? If so, freelance opportunities
await.
Marketing Departments
OK, maybe Marketing produces even more written communications than Human Resources. Product brochures,
businesses proposals, and direct mail sales letters all fall under the auspices of a company's marketing
efforts.
This written work is often outsourced, which frees up the marketing and sales staff to study trends,
identify potential new business, and make sales calls. If you have desktop publishing as well as writing
experience, so much the better.
IT (Information Technology)
Writers might not think to contact IT department heads, despite the fact that the need for writers in this
area is tremendous. Not only are technical writers needed to document system specifications or create system
user guides, but nontechnical writers can assist IT with the creation of Internet site content for a company's
customers, or Intranet content for its employees.
People who excel in writing HTML appreciate working with those of us who excel in writing clear, crisp
content.
Training Departments
My current day job title is "Document Development Coordinator" for the Training department, in which I
support the trainers by creating and/or editing a wide variety training manuals and procedure materials.
Let's face it, when they're actively training a class, the trainers themselves have little time to research
and update the materials they use.
Writing needs in the training arena include putting together corporate glossaries of terms and acronyms
unique to an industry and organization, editing training and procedure docs to ensure that they're
user-friendly, and training the trainers themselves on how to write clearly and effectively.
If you as a freelancer can assist a company with these, many companies might certainly welcome your
services.
You will most likely need to do a good deal of research, and make a number of telephone calls, to gather the
names of the people who head up these various departments. But the effort could be well worth it, in terms of
uncovering dozens of "hidden markets" and new clients for freelance writing work.
About the Author Need a steady stream of freelance writing opportunities? Visit: http://tinyurl.com/eak . Or
for a free biweekly dose of writing ideas, information and inspiration, subscribe to Mary Anne Hahn's ezine,
WriteSuccess. writesuccess-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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