Recently, I was reviewing an article for publication and I came across this meaningful message: “Write What They Want.”
Whether you aspire to be a freelance writer or you’re writing a book for publication, you won’t get very far in your pursuit if you think only of yourself and what you want to write. You’ve heard (read) me say it before—write for your audience. If you publish a book without having identified and located your target audience, you may find yourself stuck with books you can’t sell. If you didn’t consider your potential readers throughout the writing process to make sure you were actually speaking to your audience, you might soon discover that you have a book on your hands that only you appreciate.
If you are trying to support yourself through freelance work (magazine articles, piecework for companies, etc.), you have to go where the paying work is and accept the jobs that are available. While I never compromised my values in order to get paying work, I have certainly had to take some challenging and sometimes not very interesting jobs in order to keep the flow of money coming my way.
I prefer writing books, editing interesting manuscripts for clients and presenting workshops. But, in order to continue paying the bills, I’ve also written copy for local water companies, I’ve written articles on boring topics and I once wrote a sixteen-chapter book in three weeks for a client.
I’ve seen too many writers so bent on making their own personal statement or doing things their way that they get nowhere in this business. If you want to make a living or even earn some part-time money as a writer, you have to go where the work is and write what is needed/wanted.
It takes more to become a full-time writer or a successful author than just dreaming about it. Your number one focus should be on your audience. What can you bring to the table that they need or want? How can you make their life easier, more enjoyable, more successful?
Concentrate on your audience and you might soon discover a shift in your freelance business or an increase in interest in your book.
To learn more about promoting your book to your audience, order my book, Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author. http://amzn.to/oe56Ia