May 13 2009
Do You Treat Your Writing Like a Business?
Writing usually begins as a hobby, something we do to clear our mind, to relax and to create something. It takes up our free time, but isn’t always the number one priority in our life. Especially if we are treating it only as a leisure activity.
But what if we take the next step? What if we decide we want to start to make a living as a writer? What should we do?
Writing just like anything else is a business. Your business. The way you choose to work it, will depend on its success and its failure. Your decisions will make it or break it.
I’ve been wondering why I am making slow progress with my writing even though I am spending hours every day working on articles, writing blogs and finishing my novel. I don’t have a business plan. I’ve never thought of my writing as a business, but something that I enjoy doing and would like to make money from.
Today, all I’ve been thinking is how differently would I behave if I had a business plan in place. Would it help my motivation? My progress? My income?
After much thought, it’s a YES to all three.
It will provide a clear picture of what I want to achieve. My short term goals (1 – 6 months) and my long term goals (6 months to 3 years). I can analyse my strengths and weaknesses, my competition and my opportunities. This information will be clear and in front of me to refer to.
The business plan will help me track my progress. It’s important to be aware of what works and what doesn’t. Where my energy is being directed at and is this output effective?
It will give me an idea of where I want my income to be in three months, six months, in a year. Of course I can’t guarantee this, but I can set my marketing strategies and efforts to be aligned with these goals.
So I am off to write a business plan. It doesn’t have to be extensive but I prefer it to be detailed.
Firstly I need to have a Mission Statement and outline what is the purpose of the business. Then come the Objectives, my Strengths and Weaknesses, Threats and Opportunities. Finally what will my Marketing Strategy will look like and how much time will I dedicate to this venture.
Have you got a business plan? Do you write for business or pleasure, or both?
I’m in the same boat; I’ve dedicated hours to setting up my website, writing articles, blogs, etc, but have seen little result. This sounds like a really good plan to build and maintain motivation; I think I will attempt to come up with a business plan this weekend.
It’s such a nice feeling to have everything mapped out. Definitely puts things in perspective with where you are standing and where you want to be headed.
I’d love to hear how you go with your plan.