I am as much an avid runner as I am a writer. If I could write while running I would do it. My goal is to turn the little bit of paid freelancing I do now into a lucrative career.
Well, today as I was on my run, I thought about what my next steps are in trying to grow my writing business. I have read blogs by successful writers, and I have watched the videos on creating business plans. I have even read a terrific book or two on freelance writing. I’m a big planner, so I have put a lot of effort into working toward that milestone of taking my writing from making just a little money on the side to making enough to survive on.
Somewhere in this 40-minute run, I thought about how launching a writing career is similar to the process of running. Read on to see what I’m talking About.
Both Require Setting a Reasonable Pace
With running, you need to start out slow, especially if you have never engaged in this activity, or if you have run very little. You might walk for ten minutes, run for five, and then increase your time until you have run a mile, or two, or even more. If start out too fast, you could injure yourself, but going too slow could bog down your efforts and make you feel like you’re not getting anywhere.
With launching a writing career, you also need to take your time. Don’t just quit your day job into trying to make mega bucks. It takes time to build up any career. You need to market and build up a portfolio. Test the writing waters on the weekends or evenings while you still have a job. Give yourself time to work toward your goal of becoming an accomplished writer.
Both Offer Diverse Scenery
You can run anywhere–a trail in the park, on paved sidewalks, in the mountains, by the ocean, or even on the treadmill at the gym. You have a choice of what you would like to see when running. There’s little chance of getting bored if you change your running venue often.
Scenery is also important when launching your writing business. You can experiment with different types of writing until you find one, or several, that appeal to you. If you think you could never write about business, why not give it a try? Or, if you love writing about animals, send some queries to cat or dog magazines. Diversity is makes the world go around.
Both Require the Right Tools
If you’re a runner, you know how important it is to have the proper tools. Good fitting shoes are a must, as is comfortable running attire. If you have long hair, you need some good hairbands, and maybe a hat. Some runners even go as far as using heart rate monitors to track their heartbeat and calories they have burned.
Think about this in terms of running a business. The right tools are a must, especially a computer setup, the internet, a word processing program and email. Another essential business tool is a website to let the world know you are available for assignments. Finally, you need to acquire the skill of cold queries to places you want to write for, and you need to consistently market yourself as a freelance writer.
The Takeaway
Running can be extremely difficult at first, but it becomes easier as you build up stamina and learn the ropes. It is also no easier starting up a freelance writing business, but I expect it becomes easier as you become experienced and start landing writing projects.
In other words, keep working toward your goals and don’t give up.
STROKING THE PEN 