Writing career - written by Kristen Golmes

All right, I know all writers are individuals. To some, 'successful' might mean just getting one article published. Others want a string of best-selling novels, recognition in the supermarket and megabucks in the bank account. So, for the purposes of this article, we'll define 'successful' as "achieving regular or ongoing publication credits in tandem with a growing income". That income should increase as you become more recognized and popular as a writer.

The thing that bothers me most is that I see many freelance writers promoting some of these websites. Now, if these freelancers got their foot in the door early in the game (years ago) and were able to build a nice portfolio of jobs completed, I can see how it would be easier for them to land more, or better paying jobs. But if you're starting out low man on the totem pole, just about the only way to land any jobs is to practically give yourself away for free.

When you're completely without experience you won't be sure how to create a plan to build your career. However any kind of plan will do, you just need to be able to see the first few steps that you could take.

Training to be a writer can take many forms, from classes in craft that are taken as seminars, or online, to Master of Fine Arts degrees in Creative Writing. There are a lot of options out there, and it is possible to make your dream a reality with clarity, focus, determination, and the right training that is tailored to your specific goals as a writer. Don't sell yourself short, you can achieve your writing goals, but you need to be smart about where you use your limited time and resources, and making the decision about what your ultimate goal is as a creative writer is the key first step.

Part of your weekly marketing plan should include how you will network with other businesses and other writers each week. Don't neglect this part of the marketing plan. Even if the only way you network with other writers is through a listserv or private email with another writer, make sure you do this each and every week. Contact with other writers will keep your passion for writing alive, even when the pressures of work and family threaten to make you lose focus. And networking with other business people just might result in a few writing assignments.

In an effort to regain some control over your life, you start dropping out of things, or letting go of some of your personal writing projects. But most often, the things you start letting go of and dropping out of are the very things that bring you the most joy from your writing. OR they are the very things that will help you establish a name for yourself as a writer.

Many new freelancers earn significantly less during their first year of professional writing than they did at their full-time job. One piece of advice that is doled out by nearly every successful freelance writer is, "Don't quit your day job." Aside from the fodder you'll find in your job, you'll be able to spend tightly focused hours during your off time to build your writing career without the worry of financial strain.

You also need an an "anchor" client. This is a client who pays you enough to pay your rent or mortgage. Having an anchor client who pays you regularly means that your most pressing bills will be paid, even if other clients pay you slowly. You may have several clients who buy from you each month, and who make up that anchor client role.